104 COLEOPTERA 



tured, and very sparingly fringed with longish hairs. Scutellum punctu- 

 late. Elytra with obtusely rounded apices, irregularly punctured, and 

 sparsely pubescent. Abdomen punctulate and sparingly pilose. Inter- 

 mediate tibia spinous, the posterior arcuated. Antenna with three or 

 four of their basal joints shining, the others slightly pubescent. The 

 apical joint of the maxillary palpi is shorter than the penultimate, 

 distinct, and sub-conical. 



This species may be at once recognised by its flattened appearance. 



Length, 3-4 J lines; breadth, J-f. 



This species frequents the decaying stem of the Nikau near Whan- 

 garei Harbour. 



191. X. mediocris, n.s. Shining black, the hind margin of the 

 abdominal segments dilute in colour, legs and antennae dark red. Head 

 moderate, slightly longer than broad, irregularly bi-impressed in front, 

 its punctation distant but distinct, leaving hardly any smooth median 

 space ; its neck distinctly punctured. Terminal joint of the maxillary 

 palpi acuminate. Antenna normal, their three basal joints shining; joints 

 four to eleven very sparsely pubescent, so that they are less dull than 

 is usual. Prothorax oblong, rather narrow, almost parallel-sided, with 

 oblique front angles ; its middle space quite smooth, at each side of it a 

 distinct row of punctures, others in front and behind, and two more or 

 less distinct rows close to the lateral margins. Elytra shorter than the 

 prothorax, broader than it, their apices obtusely rounded ; distinctly 

 and moderately closely punctured, not at all regularly, with fine straw- 

 coloured hairs proceeding from the punctures. Hind-body sparsely 

 pilose, the middle portion of each segment almost smooth, the rest 

 punctulate. 



The acute apical joint of the maxillary palpi, sub-nude antennae, 

 and wholly punctate head and neck will serve to distinguish this species 

 from its allies. 



Length, 4^ lines ; breadth, nearly f . 



I found my unique example at Parua. 



192. X. labralis, n.s. Elongate, shining black, the elytra some- 

 times slightly rufescent, legs and antennae pitchy-red, palpi red. 



Head rather convex, oblong, narrowly prolonged anteriorly so as to 

 cover a portion of the labrum ; two elongate punctiform impressions at 

 each side in front do not extend backwards behind the eyes, the middle 

 part is smooth almost to the neck, the rest of its surface is distantly 

 and coarsely punctured, but the neck is smooth. Prothorax oblong, 

 gradually narrowed posteriorly, not incurved laterally, base rounded, 

 front angles oblique, with two irregular rows of punctures on each side 

 of the middle. Elytra a little shorter than the prothorax, broadest 

 behind, and, conjointly, emarginate at the extremity ; so sculptured as 

 to appear punctured in rows, and bearing some short, pale-yellow hairs. 

 Abdomen elongate, punctulate, and very sparingly pilose; the fourth and 

 fifth segments smooth on the middle. Tibia more or less spinous. 

 Last joint of the maxillary /#/ not acute. Labrum rounded in front. 



