676 COLEOPTERA 



pressed at the apices, are not deeply sunk. Tarsi of the orthodox 

 pattern. 



This insect most nearly resembles the female T. m'ger, but the third 

 antennal joint is shorter, and, though the point of insertion of the anten- 

 nae is narrower, yet they are less approximated than in Neocharis ; the 

 thorax is not only more rounded at the front angles, but not marginated 

 as is the case in the preceding species. It must be considered the repre- 

 sentative of a form intermediate between Talerax and Neocharis. 



Length, 2\ lines ; breadth, quite f . 



I found one individual, probably a female, at Woodside, Stoke Point, 

 Waitemata Harbour. 



1 1 80. T. foveatUS, n.s. Body sub-parallel, broadest in front and 

 gradually narrowed posteriorly, but little shining, clothed with pale- 

 yellow hairs ; piceous ; legs infuscate-red, tarsi fulvous, antennae reddish. 



Head closely punctured. Prothorax sub-quadrate, deeply bisinuated 

 at the base, with moderately prominent posterior angles ; the sides are 

 rounded anteriorly, and its apex is finely marginated and rufescent ; its 

 surface is densely punctured, and has a fovea-like depression at each side 

 before the middle. Scutellum punctate and pilose. Elytra narrowed 

 posteriorly, very slightly compressed near the middle, densely and 

 rugosely punctate, not very perceptibly striate, but with two more or less 

 deeply impressed apical grooves ; the hairs around the compressed parts 

 appear longer than those on the dorsum. Antenna robust, pubescent, 

 punctulate, rather dull, and but little serrate ; basal joint stout ; second 

 short, but not greatly abbreviated ; third shorter than first, much longer 

 than fourth ; eleventh elongate. 



The two obvious foveae on the thorax, not very prominent eyes, and 

 conspicuous pubescence distinguish this species. The antennae are 

 somewhat similar to those of Neocharis varia. 



Length, 2\ lines ; breadth, quite f . 



I found three or four examples in the forests near Whangarei 

 Harbour, the largest of which has been selected as the type ; the smaller 

 ones have the elytra more evenly clothed ; the antennae extend backwards 

 to the hind angles of the thorax. 



Melanus. 



Nov. gen. 



Epistome rounded in the middle, obliquely sinuated towards the 

 anterior margin of the eyes, its edge fine and horizontal, projecting but 

 little. Clypeus large, vertical, placed immediately below the edge of the 

 forehead, which, as intimated above, hardly extends beyond it, contracted 

 at its base, so as to be almost triangular. Ldbrum small. Antennal 

 cavities distinct, surrounding the front and lower part of the eyes. 

 Antenna stout, in repose, extending to the posterior angles of the thorax ; 

 basal joint long and stout, second short, third longer than broad, joints 

 4-10 sub-quadrate, not serrate, eleventh narrower but longer than the 

 preceding one. Prosternum quite truncate at apex, its middle part 

 transversely convex, terminating in a finely margined process ; its suture 

 extending from the front angle to the coxa ; along each side deeply 



