New Zealand Coleoptera. 87 



I have received specimens of this species, all collected 

 by Mr. Helms, from several entomologists, and it is 

 distributed in collections under the name I have given it 

 in recognition of Mr. Helms' services and liberality. 



Cyphon variegatus, n. s. 



Latus, sat convexus, subrotundatus, nitidus, parcius 

 parum subtiliter pubescens, testaceus, capite thoraceque 

 rufo-testaceis, elytris nigro-signatis, antennis ultra 

 medium fere nigris. Long. 85- mm. 



Antennae rather short, the four or five basal joints 

 yellow, the others darker, the terminal ones being nearly 

 black ; 3rd joint very small and slender ; 4th distinctly 

 longer than the following ; 5th to 10th differing very little 

 from one another. Head broad, distinctly pubescent, 

 but scarcely punctate. Thorax considerably narrower 

 than the elytra, pubescent, and indistinctly sculptured 

 like the head. Elytra with a distinct punctuation, the 

 punctures moderately close, quite distinct and definite at 

 the base, becoming obsolete towards the apex, and with 

 a rather elongate pubescence, of a yellowish colour, 

 marked with a basal transverse black fascia, a common 

 mark on the middle, which extends backwards along the 

 suture, and unites with an oblique apical mark that 

 encloses a pale space on the outside near the apex of 

 each wing-case. Under side and legs yellow. 



The marks on the elytra are often very conspicuous, 

 but sometimes are nearly or quite absent, the basal ones 

 disappearing first. 



The species is closely allied in its structure to C. 

 ceqitaUs, Sharp. 



Greymouth ; Nos. 70 and 72, Helms. 



Techmessa distans, n. s. 



Depressa, nigra, parum nitida, antennarum articu- 

 lorum basibus pallidis ; setulis paucis erectis munita ; 

 prothorace fortiter transverso, inaquale, fortiter punc- 

 tato ; elytris dense fortiter punctatis. Long. 5 — 7 mm. 



Antennae elongate and slender, reaching half-way, or 

 more, of the length of the wing-cases, quite black, but 

 with the extreme base or articular portion of each joint, 

 from the 4th onwards, pale yellow. Head coarsely 



