452 Suarp—On New Zealand Coleoptera. 
that one of our commonest European insects should be so very similar in appearance 
to a New Zealand species, and this is still more the case, as the superficial resem- 
blances are accompanied, I find, by some structural dissimilarities, so that I doubt 
whether the two will ultimately remain in one genus. The sexual characters are very 
different, the front and middle tibize in the male of S. oculata being simple, and the 
hind tibia excised at the base internally. The New Zealand species, too, is 
remarkable on account of the very wide separation of the hind legs, the wide 
abdominal process between them being only very obtusely angulate in the middle. 
In the New Zealand insect the antennal grooves are much less convergent behind, 
and the epipleurz entirely disappear at the sutural tip of the wing-cases. 
Picrotus (ante, p. 394).—This insect has been recently examined by some skilful 
entomologists, who concluded they could only find four joints to the tarsi. I may 
therefore state that the description given by me of the trophi and feet of P. thoracicus 
was made from a dissection mounted in Canada balsam, and is undoubtedly correct, 
as a fresh examination of the preparation, so far as regards the feet, has been made 
by myself and the Rev. H. 8. Gorham. 
The following interesting weevil of the group Eugnomides has been received 
with some other insects during the printing of this memoir :— 
Ancistropterus helmsi, n. sp.—Major, fusco-piceus, elytris 2eneo-rufis, tibiis 
rufis; oculis parum prominulis; elytris humeris extus vix prolongatis, dorso obtuse 
binodosis, nodulis penicillatis. Long. rostr. incl. 8 m.m. 
Antenne blackish, terminal joint of club rather longer than the two preceding 
joints together. Rostrum stout, closely punctulate ; eyes not convex, though, as the 
head is abruptly narrowed infront of them, their anterior aspect is convex. Thorax 
truncate-conical, coarsely punctate, indistinctly transversely plicate. Elytra 
elongate, much narrowed behind, shoulders forming an obtuse angle: viewed 
laterally it is seen that the surface rises much from the scutellum backwards, and 
at the summit, much behind the middle, is crowned with two obtuse elevations, 
having much longitudinal extension, and being surrounded by a longitudinally 
long tuft of hairs ; the regular series of punctures are rather fine. 
This more resembles A. brouni than it does any other species, but is very dis- 
tinct therefrom by the less convex eyes. This character renders the generic 
position somewhat doubtful, suggesting that the insect would be as naturally placed 
in Scolopterus. Moreover, the two examples received have the pygidium and 
propygidium exposed, but this may be the result of the decayed state in which I 
received them. It is not advisable to add to the New Zealand genera of this group 
a new one until a thorough revision be made of them. This is much needed. 
Greymouth, Helms ; two examples, No. 486. 
