Hydrophilida of New Zealand. 467 



Hydrobius assimilis. 

 Hydrohius assimilis, Hope, Proc. Ent. Soc. Lond., 



1842, p. 48. 

 H. zealandicus, Broun, Man. N. Z. Col., p. 77. 



This is an abundant insect in Australia. 



In New Zealand I am acquainted with it only as 

 occurring in the Auckland and Christchurch districts, 

 and I think it may possibly be an introduction. 



Paracymus nitidius cuius. 



Hydrobius nitidiusculus, Broun, op. cit., p. 78. 



This also is one of the commoner Australian insects. 

 Specimens from that country in Castlenau's collection 

 were labelled Philydriis cceruleus, Macleay. Although it 

 is probable that Macleay has described one or two 

 species of Paracymus or Anacceiia as Philydri, yet 

 there does not appear to be any P. cceruleus among 

 them, neither do any of his descriptions agree with this 

 species, so that it is likely the present trivial name will 

 stand. 



The only specimens I have seen from New Zealand 

 were sent me by Captain Broun. 



Saphydrus, n. g 

 Ex affinitate generis Hydrobii. Palpi maxillares breves, capite 

 breviores, baud crassi, articulis inter se longitudine parnm dis- 

 simile, articulo ultimo quam praecedente paulolongiore ettenuiore; 

 mentum latum valde transversum, anterius emarginatum. An- 

 tenna 9 articulatae, clava laxa elongata ; mesosternum muticum ; 

 femora subtus pubescentia ; tarsi posterioresnullo modo remiformes, 

 breves, subtus pubescentes haudrigide ciliati, articulo basali brevis- 

 simo ; unguiculi parvi simplices. Pronotum basi obsolete margi- 

 nato ; elytra striata. 



This genus consists of insects having the appearance 

 and coloration of convex Philydri, but is more nearly 

 allied to Hydrohius, from which it differs by the more 

 feeble palpi, broad and emarginate mentum, unarmed 

 mesosternum, and the more laxly articulated tarsal joints, 

 furnished beneath with pubescence instead of rigid ciliae. 

 Although very different in size and appearance from the 

 genus Anaccena, the systematic characters bring the two 



