1 6 COLEOPTERA 



rufescentibus, capite thoraceque subopacis illo antice late concavo ; 

 thorace transversim quadrate postice modice angustato, angulis obtusis, 

 ibique margine elevate, margine postico late rotundato ; elytris politis, 

 striatis, interstitiis convexis. 



Long., 2\ lin. 



Considerably smaller than either of the Australian species already 

 described of this genus; but agreeing in almost every other respect with 

 P. australis, Chaudoir. It bears a strong resemblance to the Euro- 

 pean Badister peltatus, from which its swollen labial palpi at once dis- 

 tinguish it. It is smaller, and has a shorter thorax, the hind angles 

 having a broad smooth fovea, from which springs a strong bristle. The 

 pale margin of the elytra is confined to the reflexed rim. 



Canterbury Province (C. M. Wakefield). 



Dichrochile. 



Gu'erin- Meneville : Lacord. Hist, des Ins. Coleop., Tom. \,p. 344. 



Mentum large, deeply and quadrangularly emarginated without tooth, 

 its lateral lobes straight and rather acute at the extremity. Ligula mem- 

 braneous, straight, and obtuse in front. Palpi slender, their last joint 

 ovate ; the maxillary much longer and more slender than the labial. 

 Mandibles rather prominent, moderately arcuated, and almost obtuse at 

 the extremity. Labrum large, smooth, deeply curvedly emarginate. 

 Head moderately elongate, rounded posteriorly. Eyes moderate, and 

 slightly convex. Antenna slender, considerably longer than head 

 and thorax ; the basal joint stouter and longer than those which follow, 

 second short, the others about equal. Prothorax smooth, a little longer 

 than broad, narrowed behind, posterior angles rounded. Elytra oblong, 

 rather elongated apically. Legs rather long and slender, the three basal 

 joints of the anterior tarsi of the male dilated, the first joint longest, 

 next three triangular and nearly smooth underneath. 



36. D. Sllbopaca, Bates ; Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., March- April, 

 1874. D. oblongo-ovata, sub-depressa, nigra, palpis et tarsis rufo-piceis ; 

 elytris alutaceis, subopacis ; capite parvo ; thorace quadrate, postice 

 modice angustato. 



Long., 435 Jin- 

 Shorter in form than the common Australian D. goryi, and the 

 elytra more ovate ; distinguished also by the alutaceous and subopaque 

 surface of the elytra. The head is relatively small, as in D. goryi. The 

 thorax is quadrate, moderately narrowed behind, with explanated and 

 reflexed margins ; the hind angles obtuse and rounded at the tip, the 

 middle of the base broadly sinuated. The elytra are elliptical-ovate, 

 obliquely and strongly sinuate near the tip, with the suture produced ; 

 the lateral margins are somewhat explanated and reflexed, the striae 

 sharply impressed, the interstices scarcely convex. 

 Apparently abundant near Christchurch. 



37. D, aterrima. Bates; Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., March- April, 

 1874. D. oblonga, nigra, nitida ; capite majore ; thorace breviore, 

 transverso, quadrate, postice paulo angustato, angulis posticis obtusis, 



