4 NEW ZEALAND BYRRHIDAE. 



has been kind enough to prepare micro-photographs to illustrate this paper. 

 This is the first step towards simplification — one which, it is hoped, will be 

 appreciated here. 



The species belonging to Nosodendron, Curimus, Cytilissus. and Lim- 

 nichus are not difficult to distinguish from one another. Liochoria huttoni 

 is not represented in my collection, but I have no doubt it is most nearly 

 related to Pedilophorus lewisi. 



Pedilophorus, it may be stated, has been retained in accordance with 

 the " Catalogus Coleopterorum " of 1868. To this genus, considering 

 Morychus as synonymous, twenty-three species have been attached. Here 

 arises the principal difficulty — a real one, too. They are very homogeneous, 

 varying chiefly in colour and sculpture, but without any well-marked or 

 prominent differences, such as tubercles or superficial inequalities, that 

 would be serviceable in tabulation. At first it was thought that the antennal 

 structure would be useful in separating these species into series or sections, 

 but after a good deal of time had been expended — I had almost said, wasted 

 — it became apparent that these important organs are not reliable guides 

 in classification, because, after carefully examining the left antenna of 

 several species, or varieties, under the microscope, it was found that the 

 right differed more or less. The membranous appendages of the third 

 tarsal joints were tried next : these also were found unsatisfactory : the 

 anterior or posterior were sometimes well developed, but if the tarsi had 

 been smeared with gum in mounting the specimens on cardboard, or with 

 dried sappy substances in the forest, they could hardly be seen at all. The 

 extremities of the mandibles are bifid, or even trident ate in some species ; 

 but, as a rule, it is difficult to examine them properly in the case of old 

 specimens without running the risk of spoiling the insects, and even in fresh 

 examples they are not at all easy to manipulate. The scutellum and eyes 

 vary but little, whilst the form of the head and thorax offers no distinct 

 feature for discrimination. The species have, nevertheless, been divided 

 into two sections, as will be seen on referring to their descriptions. 



After a prolonged scrutiny of all the specimens in my collection it was 

 decided that eleven species should be detached from Pedilophorus, and, along 

 with three new ones, placed in a new genus, which has been named Synorthus. 

 These fourteen species have been arranged in four sections, each with one 

 or more special characteristics, so as to facilitate identification. Those 

 that are located in the first section will give more trouble than the others. 



Pedilophorus, thus reduced by half of its older members, is now in a very 

 different position ; and. although three species that proved to be new are 

 now added, five or six of the total number, fifteen, exhibit certain 

 obvious characters that will lead at once to their recognition: the 

 remainder cannot be separated from one another quite so easily. 



As the typical member of each section of Pedilophorus and Synorthus, 

 as far as possible, has been pretty fully described, the general form and 



