Australian and Tasmanian Malacodermidac. 245 



The elytra are miicli less densely clothed than in the 

 majority of the species, and to the naked eye appear to be 

 rather highly polished ; the clothing is much as in the pre- 

 ceding species, but is sparser and rather darker and there 

 are no lateral hairs. The elytral punctures are about the 

 same size as those on the elytra of that species, but the 

 prothoracic ones are much smaller and the prothorax itself 

 is much wider. The tibiae, tarsi and trochanters are 

 always reddish, and usually the four front femora as well ; 

 the deep black basal joint and the antennae is much as in 

 squiresensis, to which in size and general appearance it 

 approximates, but the clothing of the elytra at once 

 distinguishes the two species. 



I was under the impression that this species possibly 

 belonged to Dasytiscus, and sent a specimen to M. Bourgeois 

 for his opinion, he replied as follows : " As to the Dasytides 

 these are not to my thinking Dasytisms; they do not 

 show any denticulations at the side of the prothorax and 

 the tarsi are not the same." His figure of Z>. transcaspicus* 

 however, will give a good general idea as to the appearance 

 of this insect, 



Dasytes australiae, n. sp. 



Black, with a bronzy or bronzy-green gloss ; parts of the legs 

 piceous-brown or not. Densely clothed with white pubescence. 



Head with small indistinct punctures. Antennae rather thin ; 

 passing scutellum for about one-third of their length. Prothorax 

 about twice as wide as long, sides strongly rounded, widely and 

 shallowly impressed at base ; densely and minutely punctate. 

 Elytra closely applied to prothorax ; with dense almost uniform 

 and rather small punctures, suture nowhere raised. 



Length 2|-3 mm. 



Hal. W. Australia : Swan River {A. M. Lea). 



In many respects close to helmsi, but the prothorax of 

 different shape at the base and the clothing much sparser, 

 etc. Its very fine prothoracic punctures readily distinguish 

 it from dbundans. Sometimes the tarsi and four front legs 

 are not quite so dark as the rest of the insect, but they are 

 never distinctly reddish ; the antennae are of uniform 

 darkness throughout. The species is very abundant about 

 the Swan River. 



* Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr., 1885, PI. V, fig. 1. 



