210 COLEOPTERA 



372. P. elliptiCTlS, n.s. Piceo-rufous, moderately shining, antennae 

 and legs rather paler than the body. Antenna eleven-jointed, the tenth 

 joint large and transverse, eleventh smaller than tenth. The head is 

 closely and very coarsely punctured, with two deep frontal foveae almost 

 united by an indistinct transverse depression ; the margins are elevated, 

 rather broad, and at the side, in front of the eye, assume the form of a 

 rounded tubercular elevation at each side, with a raised line proceeding 

 from it towards the base ; the eyes are rather small but very coarsely 

 facetted. The prothorax is moderately transversely convex, longer than 

 broad, narrowed behind, and slightly emarginate just behind the eyes, 

 so that the front angles seem rather acute ; it is very coarsely but rather 

 distantly punctured on the disc, the punctation near the sides being 

 closer and finer ; the intervals between the discoidal punctures are 

 quite smooth and shining, but there is not the slightest sign of any 

 dorsal depression. Scutellum minute. The elytra are of an oviform 

 shape, being narrow near the humeral angles, and a little dilated near 

 the middle ; they are deeply grooved, and the punctures of the striae 

 are separated by a rather narrow interval ; the interstices are narrow 

 and distinct, but the sculpture becomes confused towards the apex. 



Its coarsely-facetted eyes will distinguish this species from P. sophorcz, 

 P. simulans and P. minor ; it is differentiated from P. simplex by the 

 coarser sculpture of the head, and its elliptical outline. 



Length, ii line. 



Described from a single specimen which I found at Tairua. 



Group-CERYLONID^E. 



All the coxa distant. Basal segment of the abdomen larger than the 

 others. Terminal joint of the palpi aciculate, the penultimate more or 

 less enlarged. 



Philothermus. 



Aub'e ; Lacord. Hist, des Ins. Coleop., Tom. ii.,/. 382. 



Ligula long and widely hollowed in front. Lobes of \hejaws mem- 

 braneous, very slender, very long, longer inwardly than outwardly, both 

 ciliated inwardly and at their extremity. First joint of the labial palpi 

 very small and slender, second very thick and ovate, third very small 

 and acicular ; the first joint of the maxillary rather long, clavate and 

 arched, second short, obconical, third very stout and large, ovate, the 

 fourth equal to the last of the labial. Mandibles robust, unidentate. 

 Labrum very small, rounded and ciliated anteriorly. Head short, broad, 

 immersed in thorax. Antenna eleven-jointed, joints two to nine 

 decreasing and thickening, the tenth and eleventh forming a stout ovate 

 club. Eyes small, rounded, slightly prominent. Prothorax large, quad- 

 rate, with its anterior angles rounded. Scutellum semicircular. Elytra 

 moderately long, parallel. Legs moderate ; femora rather robust ; tibia 

 dilated at the extremity ; the three first joints of the tarsi short, almost 

 equal, pubescent below. Body oblong and parallel, finely pubescent. 



