226 Mr. Arthur M. Lea's Revision of the 



narrow median abruptly terminated ridge. In colour it 

 resembles apicalis, rhyticephalus and iJVMctipevnis, from the 

 latter distinguished by the almost impunctate elytra and 

 from all three by the differently sculptured head. 



Helcogaster rhyticephalus, n. sp. 



$ . Flavous or reddisli-flavous ; a subtriangular basal spot on 

 head, apical third (or fourth) of elytra, scutellum, metasternum, 

 abdomen (all the segments more or less red at apex and sides) coxae, 

 base of femora, two apical joints of tarsi and seven terminal joints of 

 antennae black or blackish. 



Head with scattered punctures, at base transversely strigose ; 

 largely excavated between eyes, the excavation bisinuate posteriorly, 

 the two lobes separated by a projecting median tubercle, middle near 

 apex with a large concave tubercle. Antennae thin, almost extend- 

 ing to hind legs. Prothorax slightly longer than wide, moderately 

 strongly impressed at base. Elytra almost impunctate. Basal joint 

 of front tarsi comparatively short, with a black inner rim. 



Length to apex of elytra 2J, of abdomen 4 mm. 



5 . Differs in being larger, the head with more numerous and 

 evenly distributed punctures, with a flattened space in front, which 

 is marked at the sides and jjosteriorly by a curved impression ; the 

 eyes are smaller, placed nearer the front and the front tarsi are 

 simple. 



Hob. N S. Wales (Macleay Museum) : Sydney {H. J. 

 Carter), Built {A. M. Lea). 



The veiy largely and peculiarly excavated head of the 

 male very readily distinguishes it from all those species 

 having sol ewhat similar colours. The excavation occupies 

 the entire space between the eyes, and about one half of 

 the lengtl' of the head ; the frontal tubercle is unusually 

 large and posteriorly is continued as a process which over- 

 hangs the excavation and almost meets the median 

 projecting tubercle, the latter is rendered more distinct by 

 being tipped with black and with black pubescence. 

 From behind the head appears to be composed of three 

 large lobe ), the median being composed of the two tubercles 

 and the lateral bounded externally by the eyes. The dark 

 parts of the femora vary in extent being sometimes notice- 

 able at th3 extreme base only, whilst at other times they 

 leave but little more than the knees reddish. The 

 abdomen might be regarded as red with each of the 

 segments clouded with black. The dark apical portion of 



