OF NEW ZEALAND. 73 I 



by indistinctly-elevated interstices, and the inflexed sides are similarly 

 sculptured ; there is a depression near each shoulder ; the third and sixth 

 rows unite in line with the extremity of the external costa, where they are 

 sunk in a broad groove ; all the bare elevated parts are rugulose ; they 

 are not densely clothed with elongate yellow and grey scales. The legs 

 are short, and very sparsely squamose, though many scales form a patch 

 near the apex of the thighs. Under-side black, with scales similar to 

 those on the upper surface. 



This insect, though similar to the typical one in form, is essentially 

 different. In JR. ursus and R. saundersi the clothing is dense and hairy, 

 whereas in this species the covering of the body, which is by no means 

 close, consists entirely of scales. 



Length (rost. excl.), 6^ lines; breadth, 2f. 



I found one specimen only, at Parua, Whangarei Harbour. 



Group OOSSONID^3 (p. 507). 

 Pentarthrum (p. 508). 



1297. P. SCUlp turata^ n.s. Convex, cylindrical, rather dull, 

 scantily clothed with fine greyish hairs ; pitchy-red ; legs and antennae 

 red. 



Rostrum robust, nearly plane above, a little narrowed behind, slightly 

 impressed transversely before the antennal insertion, which is just behind 

 the middle ; its sculpture close, coarse, and rugose, gradually becoming 

 less rugosely punctate towards the prominent eyes ; neck smooth, nar- 

 rowed and constricted in front. Prothorax triangularly ovate, constricted 

 and depressed near the apex, coarsely punctured, more sparingly on the 

 disc than elsewhere, the punctures almost disposed in rows, sometimes 

 confluent and more or less rugose laterally. Scutellum smooth. Elytra 

 cylindrical, arcuated at the base, apices dilated and leaving a gap at the 

 suture; they are distinctly punctate-striate, with punctulated rugulose 

 interstices. Legs stout; third tarsal joint deeply emarginate at apex, so 

 that the minute fourth joint may be discerned ; it is not, however, ex- 

 panded. Antenna short and stout, second articulation of the funicle not 

 appreciably longer than the third ; club solid, rounded. Under-side rufo- 

 piceous, with short yellow hairs, coarsely punctured; metasternum 

 broadly depressed behind ; basal segment of the abdomen similarly im- 

 pressed, the deep sutures of the others, but not the second, bordered by 

 coarse punctures so as to appear crenulate ; the suture between the first 

 two broadly angulated. 



The rostrum is as broad but nearly twice as long as that of the male 

 P. zealandicum, but very coarsely sculptured. Allied to P. rufum. 



$. Length, if; breadth, % line. 



My solitary specimen was found at Parua (W. H.). 



OBS. I would advise students to obtain accurately-named examples 

 of both sexes of what may be termed the indigenous typical species 

 (P. zealandicum) > and, before attempting to identify others, proceed to a 

 careful study of the late Mr. Wollaston's excellent descriptions, generic 

 and specific. As an aid to the separation of the members of this genus, 

 I may state that P. apicale, P. rufum, P. asperella, P. confinis, P. puncti- 



