404 Mr. D. Sharp on the Elateridse of New Zealand. 



metasternal processes, taken together, readily distinguish this 

 species from all the others yet known from New Zealand. 

 The pubescence is very easily removed, and specimens are 

 sometimes nearly completely denuded. The colour varies 

 greatly, from nearly black to nearly red. 



This species is apjiarently confined to the North Island ; and 

 the only exact locality I can mention is Tairua, whence two 

 specimens have been sent me by Captain Broun. 



Ohs. The specimens I have seen in the collections of the 

 British Museum and Mr. Janson show that both White and 

 Candfeze mixed this species with the following one under the 

 names oiElater acutipennis and Blax acutipennis respectively; 

 but, forming my opinion from White's description and figure, 

 I have applied his name to the following species. 



7. Elater acutipennis^ White. 



E. colore variabilis, elongatus, sat nitidus, evidenter at inaequaliter 

 albido pubescens ; prothorace angulis posterioribus divergentibus, 

 intra latera depresso, dense punctato et evideuter pubesoeute, 

 medio sublsevi, crebre subtiliter punctato ; elytris apice acutis, 

 leviter siilcatis, sulcis pubescentibus, interstitio tertio ad basin 

 prominulo ; sutura iutercoxab distincta ; tarsis articidis secundo 

 et tertio subtus apicibus breviter membranaceo-lobatis. Long. 

 18-23 m. m. 



This species greatly resembles Metablax Brouni, but is very 

 readily distinguished by the junction between the meso- and 

 metasternum being still represented by a distinct suture ; the 

 alternate interstices are in this species very distinctly depressed 

 and densely pubescent ; and in fresh specimens these pubescent 

 furrows offer a striking contrast to the shining and impunctate 

 interstices between. The pubescence, however, is very readily 

 removed. Tlie colour in this species is also very variable. 

 The sexual distinctions are apparently slight. 



The species is widely distributed in New Zealand, but 

 apparently rare. Tairua {Broun) ; Riccarton ; Akaroa, Jan. 

 1873 {Wakefield) ; Eockwood [Powell). 



8. Elater approximans^ White. 



E. niger vel nigro-piceus, angustulus, sat nitidus, sparsim brevis- 

 Bime albido pubescens ; prothorace angulis posterioribus diver- 

 gentibus, ad latera crebre subtiliter punctato et magis evidenter 

 pubescente ; elj'tris apice acutis, evidenter striatis, striis (prseser- 

 tim extemis) latis, crebre irregulariter punctatis ; sutura inter- 

 coxali bene distincta. Long. 13-15*m. m. 



Mas thorace paulo angustiore, mesosterni foveas lateribus minus 

 elevatis, angustis. 



