Australian and Tasmanian Malacodermidae. 223 



Helcogaster ater, n. sp. 



$ . Black ; apical half of head, antennae (the apical half more or 

 less infuscate), knees and front tibiae testaceous. 



Head rather large, densely and rather strongly punctate and 

 transversely strigose at base ; largely excavated between eyes, the 

 excavations consisting of two large foveae, each of which is open in 

 front and closed behind, the two separated by an elevated ridge. 

 Antennae rather thin, extending almost to apex of elytra. Pro- 

 thorax elongate, strongly transversely impressed at base. Elytra 

 impunctate. Basal joint of front tarsi short and stout but with a 

 black inner rim. 



Length to apex If, of abdomen 2^ mm. 



Hah. W. Australia : Donnybrook {A. M. Lea). 



The large cephalic excavations of the male render this 

 species very distinct. 



Helcogaster incisicollis, n. sp. {Fig. 96.) 



$. Black; three basal joints of antennae testaceous; knees and 

 part of front tibiae and tarsi very obscure testaceous. 



Head with a transverse ridge between eyes, the ridge impressed 

 in middle ; each side of base with a large fovea or excavation, each 

 side of middle of apex with a small rounded fovea. Antennae 

 long and thin, passing apex of elytra. Prothorax longer than 

 wide, produced and deeply notched in front, the produced 

 apices slightly upturned ; strongly transversely impressed at 

 base. Elytra impunctate. Legs longer and thinner than usual. 

 Basal joint of front tarsi not quite half their total length, rounded 

 and with a black inner rim. 



Length to apex of elytra If, of abdomen 2| mm. 



Rah. W. Australia : Swan River. 



The distinctly notched apex of prothorax (probably 

 confined to the male) renders this species remarkably dis- 

 tinct, its antennae also are larger than in any other species 

 here recorded. The clothing of the head somewhat 

 obscures its sculpture, but this is of a very unusual nature, 

 as the largest excavations are basal instead of median. 

 Seen from behind the head appears to be supplied with 

 five small subconical equidistant tubercles; but of these 

 two are really the points of the produced apices of the 

 prothorax. 



