732 COLEOPTERA 



rostre, and the present one have more prominent eyes than the type : 

 this is to be accounted for not only by the anterior contraction of the 

 smooth neck, but because they are really more convex. P. longirostre 

 is, in this respect, exactly intermediate between the type and the group 

 alluded to ; these six species are convex, and the apical margins of the 

 elytra are more or less explanated and gape a little at the suture. Their 

 separation is least evident in P. apicale, but in it the margins are very 

 much dilated, with a slight sinuation just before the extremity. The 

 other species are distinguished from that group, and indeed from the 

 typical forms, by tolerably well-marked characters, which, however, must 

 be very carefully studied before the nomenclature of a collection can be 

 called perfect. 



1298. P. reductum, n.s. Rufo-piceous, rather dull; legs infus- 

 cate-red, antennae paler. 



nostrum cylindrical, slightly depressed near the base, glossy, finely 

 punctured ; the head more coarsely punctured ; eyes a little prominent. 

 Prothorax triangularly ovate, convex, constricted in front, moderately 

 closely punctured, least so on the disc. Elytra gradually narrowed pos- 

 teriorly, crenate-punctate-striate ; interstices punctulated, slightly rugose ; 

 truncate at base, and bearing a few minute grey hairs. 



Like the $ P. zealandtcum, but only about half its size, its rostrum 

 rather shorter and stouter, the punctuation of the thorax relatively coarser, 

 and the elytral striae deeper and distinctly crenate-punctate. 



Length, i-| ; breadth, nearly -| line. 



My specimen, probably the female, was discovered near Napier by 

 F. H. Meinertzhagen, Esq. 



1299. P COnfinis, n.s. Sub-cylindrical, moderately shining, 

 piceo-rufous, sparingly clothed with fine yellowish hairs ; antennae and 

 tarsi dark red. 



nostrum of moderate length and thickness, slightly dilated at the 

 middle, just behind which the antennae are inserted, distinctly punctate, 

 the punctures forming curved rows behind and having smooth intervals ; 

 the eyes, owing to the slight constriction at each side, appear more 

 prominent behind than in front ; the occiput or neck is nearly smooth, 

 having only three or four punctures. Prothorax triangularly ovate, 

 convex, constricted anteriorly, coarsely punctured, the punctures rather 

 distant from one another along the middle of the disc, becoming closer, 

 confluent, and rugose laterally. Elytra cylindrical, their apical margins 

 dilated, punctate-striate, interstices remotely punctulated ; the hairs pro- 

 ceed from the punctures of the striae, and are finer and paler than those 

 on the thorax. 



Allied to P. rufum ; distinguished from it by the absence of any dis- 

 tinct transverse impression separating the smooth occiput from the 

 vertex, narrower thorax, and the presence of distinct pubescence. 



In P. rufum, this, and the two following species, the second antennal 

 joint is just appreciably longer than the third, and the funiculus is 

 gradually expanded, so that the club seems but little broader than the 

 fifth joint. 



Length, if; breadth, \ line. 



