OF NEW ZEALAND. 561 



pubescence which forms on the thorax and elytra indistinct pale spots, 

 only strikes the eye when a careful glance is directed to them. 

 Tairua ; a single individual sent by Capt. Broun. 



984. A. nanus, Sharp / Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., June, 1876. A. 

 capite haud rostrato, oculis subconvexis, piceus, transversim convexus, 

 vix distincte tomentosus, antennarum basi, tarsisque rufo-testaceis ; elytris 

 superficie valde insequali. 



Long, corp., if mm. 



This species appears to be very closely allied to A. crassus, but is 

 smaller and has the surface of the elytra much more uneven, there 

 being before the apex some elevations which do not exist in A. crassus ; 

 this unevenness of their surface renders the lines of punctures very 

 irregular. The pale spots of pubescence seen in A. crassus appear to be 

 absent in my individual of A. nanus. 



Tairua ; a single individual sent by Captain Broun ; it shows me 

 no indication of its sex. 



985. A. atoniUS, Sharp ; Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., June, 1876. A. 

 capite nullo modo rostrato, oculis minoribus, sat convexis, oblongus, 

 transversim convexus ; prothorace sericeo-opaco, impunctato, setis de- 

 pressis pallidis parce vestito ; elytris fere nudis, striatis, striis indistincte 

 punctatis. 



Long, corp., i mm. 



Antenna as long as the thorax, yellowish, with the club darker ; the 

 first and second joints largely developed, and together almost as long as 

 joints three to eight, which are small ; of these each is a little shorter 

 than its predecessor and also very slightly stouter ; joints nine to eleven 

 form a rather large flat club, the first two of these joints being trans- 

 verse. Thorax not so long as broad, its front part greatly deflexed, its 

 carina contiguous with base of elytra ; its surface without sculpture, but 

 exhibiting a peculiar silky opacity, and clothed with distinct scanty 

 hairs. Elytra rather deeply striated, but the striae only indistinctly 

 punctured. Legs rather long, yellowish. 



OBS. i. This minute little species, which is of the size and form of an 

 Atomaria, is variable in colour and size. Sometimes it is nearly entirely 

 black, with the legs and basal portion of the antennae paler ; in others 

 the general colour of the upper surface is yellow, with the middle of the 

 thorax and variable marks on the elytra of a dark colour. 



OBS. 2. In this species the diminution of the head and rostrum seems 

 to reach the greatest point it attains in the Anthribidce. The antenna 

 are inserted in a cavity situated at the inner side and front part of the 

 eye, which is small but prominent, and about circular in form. The 

 natural position of the head seems to be that of deflection or inflection, 

 and \heprostemum is much reduced in size, so that in the position of 

 repose the head is brought near to the mesosternum. The basal line of 

 the thorax is curved forwards along tbe sides, but is fine and indistinct ; 

 the front coxae are contiguous, and the middle ones are only a little 

 separated from one another ; the metasternum is very short ; the penul- 



Y iii 



