402 j\Ir. D. Sharp on tlie Elateridaj of Neio Zealand. 



It is possible tliat this species may prove to be the male of 

 Tkoramus Wakcjicldi 



4. Thoramus Feredayi, n. sp. 



T. angustulus, niger, minus nitidus, fusco pubescens ; prothorace 

 crebre fortiter punctato ; elytris subtilitcr striatis, interstitiis 

 a^qiialibus ct fere a;qualiter pubescentibiis, parcius piiiictatis, apice 

 Bubrotuudatis ; antennis articulis secundo et tertio brevissirais, 

 articubs 4-10. angulo apicab interuo longius prodiicto ; intcrstitio 

 meso-coxab sat lato, sutura profunda. Long. 18 m. m. 



This species will be pretty certainly distinguished by the 

 above characters. The pubescence of the upper surface is 

 rather longer and more scanty on the thorax than it is on the 

 elytra ; and when the 2nd, 4th, and Gtli interstices on the latter 

 are carefully examined, it is seen that near the apex their 

 pubescence and punctuation are slightly more scanty than on 

 the adjoining ones. 



Also found at Christchurch by j\Ir. Wakefield, but only 

 two individuals. 



At Mr. Wakefield's request I have named this species in 

 honour of R. W. Fereday, Esq., of Christchurch, N. Z., by 

 whom several of the Elateridee communicated to me by Mr. 

 Wakefield were captm-ed. 



5. Elater IcevithoraXj White. 



E. niger, nitidus, parce pubescens ; prothorace parce fortiter punc- 

 tato ; elytris subtiliter striatis, striis ad apicem obsoletis, inter- 

 stitiis parce punctatis, ingequabter pubcscentibus; interstitio meso- 

 coxab prominulo, sutura obUterata. Long. 15-19 m. m. 



Mas antennis elongatis, articubs secundo et tertio brevissimis, 4-10. 

 apicibus internis longe produetis. 



Fern, antennis sat brevibus, articubs secundo et tertio brevibus, 

 4-10. apicibus internis acutis sed vix produetis. 



The prominent intercoxal space and the complete amalga- 

 mation of the middle meso- and metasternal processes, readily 

 distinguish this species from its allies ; the structure of the 

 apex of the elytra, which are not acuminate, will at a glance 

 prevent its being mistaken for Elater acutipenms and its 

 allies. 



Found at Wellington by Messrs. Fereday and Wakefield, 

 in Feb. 1868 and Feb. 1875, and sent by Mr. Edwards 

 under the number 1338, but without special locality. 



Obs. Elater punctithorax, White, is to be sunk as a 

 synonym of this species, according to my notes made when 

 examining the types in the British Museum. 



