656 COLEOPTERA 



broad, indistinct impressions ; its whole basal portion is punctate. 

 Elytra ample, about twice the width of the thorax, broadly oval, moderately 

 convex, with explanated and reflexed sides, which, however (the rims), 

 cease abruptly before the apices ; each elytron has eight feeble, hardly 

 perceptibly punctured striae, the sutural evidently deepest; the third and 

 fourth are confluent, the fifth and sixth also unite towards the apex, and 

 from that point a sharp, curved carina proceeds towards the suture so as 

 to form the apical margin ; the interstices are plane, the third bears three 

 small punctures, and there are a few larger ones along the side. 



Under-side smoky-brown, with the sides and apex of the abdomen 

 testaceous. 



Length, quite 3 lines ; breadth, nearly i^. 



Professor Hutton sent me one example from Otago some time ago. 



GroupPERONID^l (P. 30). 

 Trichosternus (P. 3 1 )- 



1146. T. rectalis, n.s. Body oblong, but little convex, glossy 

 black, antennae pitchy-red, tarsi piceous. 



Head large and broad, having the usual frontal impressions. Pro- 

 thorax transversal, rounded laterally, sinuously narrowed towards the 

 base, with decidedly prominent rectangular posterior angles ; marginal 

 channels and rims well marked, depressed along the base, so that the 

 basal fossae appear distant from the hind margin; the disc is only 

 slightly convex; the dorsal groove terminates in an obvious curved 

 frontal impression extending from one anterior angle to the other, and, 

 in one example, there are a few transverse striolae near the median line 

 and basal foveae. The scutellum is broadly triangular, with a striate base. 

 Elytra oblong, their humeral angles distinct, the sides very little rounded 

 and feebly sinuated behind ; the discoidal grooves and punctation are 

 rather finely impressed, and the interstices almost plane, with two or 

 three punctures on the third, and at least an equal number between the 

 seventh and eighth. Legs normal. Under-side shining black. 



This species differs from T. sylvius and its immediate allies 

 (T. rectangulus and T. temukensis} by its broader, less elliptical, and 

 more oblong form ; the peculiar basal depression of the thorax is con- 

 tinuous with the lateral channels, so that the hind angles are quite flat ; 

 the elytra are not much narrowed anteriorly, and are broadly rounded 

 behind, so that their outline is more like that of T. aucklandicus than any 

 other described species. The broadest part of the body is behind the 

 posterior femora. 



Length, 8-8 lines ; breadth, 3. $ $ . 



The pair I possess were found by Mr. T. F. Cheeseman (Auckland 

 Museum) on the hills near Nelson. 



Holcaspis (P. 37). 



H47- H. pollax, n.s. Body oblong, slightly convex, shining, 

 intensely black. Legs pitchy-black, the four basal joints of the antennae 

 piceous ; the remaining joints, as well as the tarsi and palpi, pitchy-red. 



Head moderately long, smooth, with the usual frontal impressions 



