222 



might not justifiably be divided into two genera, but as in that 

 case the genera would both have to be regarded as distinct from 

 Berosus^ and as moreover they both completely resemble Berosus 

 superficially I prefer to avoid the creation of these new genera. 

 In the first of these groups the elytral sculpture resembles that 

 of the European B. affinis, Brul., in having a short stria (/30t 

 nearly reaching the middle of the elytra) between the 1st and 

 2nd complete striae, but the structure of the mesosternum is quite 

 different from that of B. affinis that segment being traversed 

 merely by a fine elevated longitudinal line ; while in the second 

 group the stria between the 1st and 2nd complete striae reaches 

 more or less beyond the middle of the length of the elytra, but 

 the mesosternal structure is identical with that of the European 

 B. affinis. 



I think I have before me examples of all the described Aus- 

 tralian Berosi except B. approximans, Fairm., which is a very 

 small species (Long., IJ 1.) from Queensland of which the most 

 notable character appears to be that the interstices of the elytral 

 striae are transversely wrinkled ; it is possibly identical with B. 

 (Hygrotrophus) involutus, Macl. Of the described species, how- 

 ever, one (B. pallidulus, Fairm.) seems to be identical with 

 Hygrotrop>lius nutans, Macl., and therefore if Hygrotrophus is to 

 stand (as I think it may) must be removed from Berosus. On the 

 other hand Hygrotrophus involutus, Macl., as noted below seems 

 to me to appertain to Berosus, and when these corrections have 

 been made and two new species (described below) added there 

 are 18 names that have been applied to Australian Berosi. One 

 of these however {B. externespinosus, Fairm.) I regard as pro- 

 bably a synonym (of Australice, Muls.). One species as noted 

 above (2. approximans, Fairm.) being unknown to me, the 

 number to be dealt with in the following tabulation is 16. 



A. iVl esosternal carina not prominent in front of the intermediate coxte ; 

 2nd stria of elytra not nearly reaching the middle of the length of 

 the elytra. 

 B. Elytra spinose at apex. 

 C. Apical spines of elytra comparatively short. 

 D. Puncturation of elytral interstices equal or nearly so. 

 E. Puncturation of disc of prothorax comparatively close and striation 



and seriate punctures of elytra comparatively strong. 

 F. Base of the posterior 4 femora black or dark-fuscous. 

 G. Head very elongate (size of insect 



about 4 1.) ... ... ... ... gravis, Blackb. 



GG. Head notably less elongate (size 



of insect about 3 1.) ... ... Australia', M.\)\q. 



FF. Legs entirely clear testaceous ... majusculus, Blackb. 



EE. Puncturation of disc of prothorax 

 notably more sparse, and striation 

 and seriate punctures of elytra 

 evidently finer ... ... ... decipiens, Bldokh. 



