OF NEW ZEALAND. 993 



This species, belonging to the group with four setae on each 

 side of the thorax, is distinguished by the unusually great curvation 

 of the sides of the thorax, and the very obtuse hind angles, as well 

 as by the large size. There is no denticulation of the humeral 

 angles, and the striation of the elytra is deep, so that the interstices 

 are distinctly convex ; the indistinct punctures of the striae are less 

 close than usual, and the striae are only vaguely and indistinctly 

 interrupted. There is a simple deep fovea on each side of the thorax 

 at the base, distant from the lateral margin. The male has the hind 

 femora angularly dilated in the middle, and only a single seta on 

 each side of the hind margin of the last segment, whereas in the 

 female there are two setae on each side. 



I have named this species in honour of Captain Thomas Broun, 

 who has rendered great service to entomology by the discovery of a 

 great number of New Zealand insects whose existence was previously 

 unsuspected. 



Picton. Helms ; a good series. 



1783. P. myrmidon, n.s. (Sharp; Tram. Hoy. Dub. Soc., 

 Nov., 1886, p. 368.) Elongatus, supra subplanatus niger, antennis 

 tarsisque piceis ; prothorace vix transverse, angulis posterioribus 

 argutis fere rectis ; elytris striatis, striis ubique a basi ad apicem 

 interruptis. Scutello basi striato. 



Long., 16-17mm. 



This species is very different from the others of the group with 

 four thoracic setae, the thorax being more quadrate, and the general 

 outline more parallel. The thorax is but little curvate, and is 

 slightly narrowed behind, but its outline is only very slightly 

 sinuous. There is an extremely minute projection outwards of the 

 hind angle itself, so that the angles, which, except for this, would be 

 slightly obtuse, are almost rectangular. The surface is feebly trans- 

 versely rugose ; the basal foveae are large and deep, distant from the 

 sides ; and between each and the outside there is at the base a 

 distinct plication. The striation of the elytra is interrupted through- 

 out in a very distinct and almost regular manner. The hind femora 

 of the male are much swollen in the middle, so as to form an angular 

 prominence; they are also very broad in the female, but in this sex 

 the prominence does not form an angle. In each sex there are two 

 punctures on each side of the middle of the hind margin of the last 

 ventral plate. 



I have little doubt that Holcaspis cribralis, Broun, is allied to 

 this species, but it is described as possessing a rugose head, and a 

 more remarkable development of the peculiar sculpture of the elytra. 

 P. myrmidon bears a considerable resemblance in size, form, and 

 sculpture to P. cribratus, Dej., found on Monte Eosa, in Europe. 

 Holcaspis hispidulus, Broun, no doubt pertains also to this group, 

 as shown by the number of thoracic setae mentioned in his descrip- 

 tion. It has apparently a very different sculpture of feeble 

 abbreviate striae. 



Picton. Helms ; a good series. 



