OF NEW ZEALAND. 151 



contracted behind, from this point it is rounded to the apex, being 

 widest behind the middle ; posterior angles prominent ; its surface is 

 apparently impunctate, but there is a scutellar depression, and another 

 near each hind angle ; and it is pilose. The elytra are obovate, convex, 

 short, as broad as the thorax, the sides obviously margined at the 

 shoulders, less so behind ; they are rather closely adapted to the pro- 

 thorax at their base ; their surface is not perceptibly punctate, but the~ 

 suture, particularly near the scutellum, is much depressed, and their 

 clothing, like that of the thorax, consists of rather long yellowish tomen- 

 tum. The legs are short and stout, only about a third part of the femora 

 visible from above, the tibice. are nearly straight inwardly, but are out- 

 wardly curved and somewhat expanded, and pubescent ; the two front 

 pairs of tarsi have dilated basal joints, the posterior are elongate and 

 slender. The apical joint of the maxillary /^/ is stout, its apex sub- 

 acute, so that it is ovate, and not at all securiform. The first abdominal 

 segment, in its central part, is prolonged in the form of a tooth. 



Length, i line. 



This insect, strictly speaking, is not a true Camiarus but, as the 

 preceding species may ultimately be placed in distinct genera, and as 

 other allied forms will most likely be discovered, I have not deemed it 

 advisable to institute a new genus for its reception. It may, therefore, 

 be associated with the others, until sufficient material can be accumu- 

 lated to enable these distinct forms to be dealt with in a satisfactory 

 manner, and placed in a new group by themselves. 



This species will be readily recognised by its short compact form. I 

 only found two individuals, both males, at Tairua, and one, unluckily, is 

 a good deal mutilated. 



Choleva. 



Latreille; Lacord. Hist, des Ins. Coleop., Tom. \\., p. 209. 



Mentum transversely quadrate, a little narrowed in front. Ligula as 

 long as the chin at its base, widely and strongly emarginate in front. 

 Internal lobe of the jaws terminated by a horny hook. Maxillary palpi 

 notably larger than the labial, their third joint obconical, the fourth much 

 more slender, conical, and acuminate ; the third of the labial oval, a 

 little longer than the second. Mandibles short, furnished with a molar 

 tooth at their base, arched, acute, and unidented near their extremity. 

 Labrum short, rounded, and a little sinuated in the middle in front. 

 Head deflexed, obtuse in front ; eyes almost rounded, moderate, a little 

 prominent. Antenna slender, at least as long as the head and thorax, 

 their first six joints of variable length, sub-cylindrical, the five last form- 

 ing a club, sometimes very elongate and not well-defined, sometimes very 

 distinct ; the eighth joint shorter than seventh and ninth. Prothorax 

 quadrate, as wide as the elytra at its base. Elytra oblong or oval, arched 

 above. Legs long and slender. Anterior and middle coxa very promi- 

 nent, the former not contiguous. Tibia very rarely widened at their 

 extremity, terminated by two spines ; the four basal joints, especially the 

 two first of the front tarsi, and sometimes the first of the intermediate, 



