I 66 COLEOPTERA 



dilated. Basal ventral segment elongate, the others so reduced in the 

 middle as to appear there only like approximate striae. 



This extraordinary species was sent me by Captain Broun, with the 

 following information : " On sea-beach. One found when about to fly 

 from Algse, on nth December, 1875 ; and on Qth January, 1876, four 

 under decayed fish, and another amongst Algae." 



The ventral segments (which, in the condition of repose, are, as I 

 have described, completely retractile) appear to be very mobile, so as 

 to be capable of great elongation. 



NOTE. This species does not, it seems to me, find a fitting place in 

 Saprinus ; it will, I have no doubt, form the type of a new genus. 



Abrseus. 



Leach; Lacord. Hist. des. Ins. Coleop. y Tom. ii., /. 280. 



Lobes of jaws membraneous, ciliated ; mandibles very short, fur- 

 nished internally with an obtuse tooth at their base, and a denticle at 

 their extremity. 



Head rounded, retractile, forehead rather convex. Antenna mode- 

 rate, inserted at the sides of the forehead, their club oval, a little 

 compressed. Antennal cavities wide, deep, or medium. Prothorax 

 rounded at its base, narrowed, and circularly excised in front. Meso- 

 thoracic epimerce invisible above. Scutellum invisible. Elytra without 

 marginal striae. Propygidium rather wide, subvertical ; pygidium folding 

 below. Tibia moderate, rather narrow ; the anterior more or less 

 widened at their extremity, their tarsal furrow obsolete ; slightly arched, 

 all unarmed on their external edge. Tarsi with five^oints. Prosternum 

 short, wide, a little sinuate at its base, without striae. Body globular, or 

 globose-oval. 



299. A. brouni, Lewis. This insect, of which I sent specimens 

 to Mr. G. Lewis, has been named, but not, to my knowledge, described 

 by that gentleman as yet. It is the smallest of the Histeridce (N.Z.) yet 

 brought to light. Sub-globular in form, black, with reddish legs, and 

 finely punctate. 



Length, line ; breadth, J, nearly. 

 I found it at Whangarei Heads. 



300. A yividulUS, n.s. Sub-globular, slightly oval, moderately 

 convex, shining, castaneous, the elytra variegated, with ill-defined paler 

 and darker spots, and the legs and antennae still paler than the elytral 

 spots ; some examples have the limbs quite yellow. 



Head finely punctulated, somewhat triangularly elevated in front ; 

 but this portion is a little impressed so as to appear flattened above. 

 Prothorax broader than long, narrowed anteriorly, the sides not per- 

 ceptibly curved ; its surface is finely and rather distinctly punctulated. 

 The elytra bear rows of fine punctures. Tibia moderate, armed exter- 

 nally with a row of small denticles, the anterior a good deal dilated and 



