898 COLEOPTERA 



Group-LATHRIDIIDJE. 



Lathridius (p. 232). 



1602. L. prioptems, n.s. Convex, sub-ovate, shining ; head 

 and thorax black, sub-opaque ; elytra glossy, piceous, the base and 

 side-rims rufescent ; legs and antennae pitchy-red, but with the basal 

 joint and club of these latter pitchy ; tarsi testaceous, their third 

 joint infuscate. 



Head with two broad longitudinal elevations, comparatively 

 coarsely punctate, the intervals finely and densely sculptured ; eyes 

 large and prominent. Antenna of the orthodox pattern. Prothorax 

 quadrate, marginated ; with a moderately broad median sulcus 

 almost divided into two by a transverse elevation behind the middle, 

 two frontal foveae, and two larger ones near the base ; the basal 

 margin nearly smooth, the rest of the surface densely and finely 

 sculptured and with numerous moderately-coarse punctures. Elytra 

 rather convex, most elevated near the hind declivity, ovate, lateral 

 margins well developed but becoming obsolete at the shoulders ; 

 with two post-basal, broad depressions, punctate- striate ; interstices 

 convex, first, second, and fourth carinate at base, third and fifth 

 elevated behind but not nodiform, seventh sharply raised, flexuous, 

 indistinct before attaining the hind legs, with a basal thickening 

 inside of the shoulder. Legs slender, anterior tibiae arcuated ex- 

 ternally, the others straight ; basal articulation of the tarsi quite 

 half the length of the second. Underside sparsely clothed with 

 minute grey hairs ; head considerably hollowed ; process of pro- 

 sternum elevated from base to apex ; metasternum large, smooth, 

 and glossy, with a deep channel terminating near the intermediate 

 coxae in a fovea-like expansion. 



On a careful examination of the sides of the elytra five or six 

 dentiform projections will be seen, producing a saw-like edge near 

 the shoulder. These do not occur in any other species. 



Length, J line ; breadth, f . 



I found one in the Paparoa district, south of Auckland. 



1603. L. puncticeps, n.s. Oblong-oval, but little convex, 

 slightly shining ; rufo-castaneous, tibiae and antennae (except the 

 basal joint of the latter) fulvescent. 



Head quadrate, nearly plane, not very distinctly impressed 

 longitudinally, moderately coarsely punctured, interstices narrow 

 and densely sculptured ; eyes of moderate size, with coarse facets. 

 Antenna slender, third joint rather short, seventh and eighth not 

 much longer than broad. Prothorax quadrate, a little longer than 

 broad, side margins distinct but not smooth, marginal channels 

 broad and nearly quite smooth, transversely impressed near the 

 base, where it is nearly impunctate, the rest of the surface closely 

 and coarsely punctured (comparatively) with densely-sculptured 

 interstices. Elytra oblong-ovate, but little convex, lateral rims 

 distinct, hardly perceptibly serrate; punctate-striate, interstices 

 moderately convex, very finely sculptured, none obviously carinated. 

 Underside pitchy-brown, not glossy, apparently nude; head con- 



