OF NEW ZEALAND. 695 



Group RHYPAROSOMID.&!, 



Phrynixus (P. 432). 



1 221. P. faCGtus, n.s. Body elliptically ovate; the legs, pro- 

 thorax, apex, and shoulders and isolated spots of the elytra red ; the disc 

 of the latter rich dark brown ; antennae and rostrum piceo-rufous. 



The beak in front of the antennal insertion is rather flat, nude, and, 

 apparently, punctulate, with a groove at each side occupied by yellowish- 

 grey scales ; the squamosity of the other half is similar, but forms a 

 rounded tuft close to each antenna, and a more elongate one behind. 

 The head is densely scaly. Prothorax longer than broad, uneven, 

 oviform; its reddish-yellow clothing forms a longitudinal elevation on 

 the middle in front, two crests on the apex, and other less regular ones 

 on the sides; the depressed frontal spaces are punctate, but the basal por- 

 tion bears some obtuse tubercles. The elytra are obovate, broader than 

 the thorax, but narrowed to its width at the base ; the scutellar region is 

 depressed ; the disc bears rows of punctures, but can hardly be termed 

 striate, though the posterior declivity is evidently punctate-striate ; a few 

 black tubercles are distributed here and there, and the yellowish scales 

 form isolated tufts, except behind, where they are congregated in two 

 interrupted, transverse lines, one on the top of the hind slope, the other 

 just below. The legs are densely covered with similar scales; tarsi rather 

 short. Antennce setose. 



This pretty insect may be easily identified by its bright appearance. 

 It is smaller and of more elliptical outline than its nearest allies, P. 

 astutiis and P. modicus, but more nearly resembles the latter. My two 

 specimens of P. astutus measure 2\ lines in length exclusive of the 

 rostrum. 



Length (rost. excl.), if; breadth, f line. 



I found my specimen at Parua, Whangarei Harbour. 



Ariphron. 



Nov. gen. 



Rostrum moderate, cylindrical, of nearly equal thickness throughout ; 

 scrobes deep, oblique, commencing near the apex, expanded behind, so 

 that when they reach the head they are separated only by a narrow space. 

 Head small, globular, immersed up to the eyes. Eyes with distinct facets, 

 depressed, situated at the base of the beak, scarcely perceptible from 

 above. Antennce rather elongate, stout; scape flexuous, clavate at the 

 extremity, longer than the funiculus, hispid ; fumculus y-articulate ; basal 

 joint sub-pyriform, longer than the second, which is more slender at the 

 base than the next ; joints 3-7 transverse, each becoming a little broader 

 than its predecessor, hairy ; club ovate, pubescent. Prothorax about as 

 long as broad, more or less contracted anteriorly, sub-truncate or sinu- 

 ous at the base, slightly incurved behind the eyes. Scutellum invisible. 

 Elytra obovate, or oviform, not greatly exceeding the prothorax in length 

 or breadth, their humeral angles porrected. Legs robust ', femora un- 

 armed ; tibia slightly flexuose, spurred at apex ; tarsi moderate, basal 

 joint longer than second, third entire below, superficially excised for the 

 elongate terminal joint ; claws small, simple. Prosternum deeply excised 



