826 COLEOPTERA 



interstices plane, except behind, the third with three, fifth with two, 

 and seventh with at least four punctures. Flanks of mesosternum 

 punctulated. 



The strong and regular curvature of the sides of the thorax from 

 the anterior angles to within a short distance of the base, and the 

 short sinuosity just before the hind angles, cause these latter to seem 

 somewhat protuberant. With the exception of the limbs, &c., the 

 insect is almost wholly black. The elytral sculpture becomes uneven 

 posteriorly. 



$ . Length, 9 lines ; breadth, 3. 



Habitat, Mount Maungatua, Otago. Another result of Mr. S. W. 

 Fulton's researches. 



Holcaspis (P. 37)- 



1468. H. niUCFOIiata, n.s. Oblong, medially narrowed, head 

 and thorax large in proportion to the hind-body, slightly convex, 

 glossy black above and below ; tarsi and palpi rufescent ; the four 

 basal articulations of the antennae piceous, the others ferruginous. 



Head oviform, smooth, frontal fovese rather shallow and rugu- 

 lose ; eyes prominent, their orbits dilated ; mandibles wrinkled 

 and tinged with red. Prothorax as long as broad, or nearly 

 so, sub-cordate, a little incurved in front, anterior angles rounded, 

 from thence the sides are nearly straight, being just perceptibly 

 curved, but near the base are rather abruptly and sinuously 

 contracted ; hind angles rectangular, base arcuated ; dorsal fur- 

 row distinct, abbreviated, and a little widened at the extre- 

 mities, basal fossae moderately large ; obsoletely impressed near 

 the front angles, with a row of marginal punctures having 

 ferruginous bristles proceeding from them. Scutellum striate 

 at base. Elytra sub-oblong, relatively* short, with a silky sheen, 

 narrowed towards the base, sinuated posteriorly, humeral angles 

 slightly protuberant ; each with seven discoidal, rather irregularly 

 punctated striae and a series of marginal punctures ; interstices a 

 little elevated, uneven behind, the third, fifth, and seventh broadest. 

 Legs robust, the posterior tibia flexuose and inwardly produced as a 

 stout spiniform process ; the outer extremity terminates in a spine, 

 and below the inner one the usual elongate calcar protrudes ; the 

 femora are strongly dilated, medially dentate, and deeply hollowed 

 for the reception of the trochanters. 



$ . Length, 7-7^ lines ; breadth, 2f. 



I found two males on the Waitakerei Bange, Auckland. 



1469. H. hybrida, n.s. Shining, black; tarsi, palpi, and 

 pubescent joints of the antennae red ; sub-oblong, moderately con- 

 vex. 



Head moderate, frontal foveae rather shallow; eyes convex. 

 Prothorax about as long as broad, anterior angles rounded, sides 

 slightly and regularly curved, gradually narrowed from the middle, 

 but more suddenly just before the hind angles, which are obtusely 

 rectangular ; its disc smooth, the central groove extending from the 

 basal margin to the apex, basal fossae moderately large and sub* 



