404 Snarp—On New Zealand Coleoptera. 
placed in close apposition with the tibial dilatation. The mesosternum is placed 
on the same plane as the metasternum, and extends, in an example in the 
position of contraction, quite visibly on either side in front of the middle coxa: 
this is rather large and has a visible trochanter. The front outer angle of 
the metasternum is occupied by a deep depression for the contracted middle 
leg, and there isa minute appendage to the larger depression for the accommodation 
of the tarsus. The hind coxe are transverse, their inner margins are closely 
interconnected, and their outer portion is deeply impressed, as in the Elateridee, 
for the accommodation of the femur; there are five ventral segments, the basal 
one showing a deep depression on either side for the reception of the contracted 
tibia. The hind tarsi are small, five-jomted, the four basal joints small, but 
the first of them rather larger than the following, the fourth is emarginate above 
for the reception of the small terminal jot. I do not detect any tibial spurs. 
There can be no doubt that this little insect should be placed amongst the 
Dascillide, though it does not appear to be allied to any of the known forms 
of that family; it has, however, considerable affinity with Chelonarium; and 
though this genus is at present located by systematists in the Byrrhide, it 
certainly should be transferred to the Dascillide, so that this affinity does not, 
in my opinion, invalidate the position I propose for Amplectopus. 
Amplectopus ovyalis, n. sp.—Ovalis, sat convexus, pallide brunneus, pubescentia 
depressa, pallida, minus dense vestita, antennis articulis 4-11 nigris; haud dense, 
fere obsolete punctatus. Long. 2 m.m. 
Antennz with stout first and second joints; third joint;also stout, but articulated 
to the second joimt by an extremely slender base; fourth joint larger than those 
following, which are very minute, the 9th and 10th being however broader 
than the others, and strongly transverse; terminal joint rather short and broad, 
nearly as long as the two preceding together. Thorax twice as broad as long, 
base very closely connected with the elytra. Scutellum triangular, rather large. 
Elytra almost without sculpture, closely embracing the hind body, their hind 
margin obliquely subtruncate, a little incrassate, and minutely directed upwards. 
This very obscure, but very interesting little beetle, was detected at Greymouth, by Mr. Helms 
some years ago, but only in a single example, which I sent back to him after examination, and I 
have now received two other examples from him. 
