OF NEW ZEALAND. 1173 



however, agree exactly with the description, and two only of these 

 seven are alike : there must, therefore, be several closely-allied species, 

 or one exceedingly variable form not recognisable by means of the 

 original diagnosis. 



2081. T. varians, ii"S. Elongate, subdepYQSsed, shining, brewn- 

 ish-black; back of head, base and apex of thorax, slightly rufescent ; 

 legs nigro-fuscous ; knees and trochanters testaceous ; antennae dull- 

 black, base of joints 4-9 usually a little reddish ; palpi pale-testa- 

 ceous ; clothed with distinct greyish or yellowish hairs. 



Head broadly impressed between the eyes, more closely punctured 

 on its anterior portion and behind the eyes than on the vertex. 

 Antenna elongate, filiform. Eyes large and prominent. Thorax 

 rather broader than long, slightly uneven, coarsely and rugosely 

 punctated, more closely on the sides, these strongly rounded. Scu- 

 tellum transversely quadrate. Elytra wider than thorax at base, 

 apices obtusely rounded, parallel-sided ; with a slight impression in- 

 side each shoulder, except near the base, strongly, closely punctured 

 and confluently rugose. Tibia straight. 



Underside black, finely sculptured, clothed with grey hairs. 



Length, 4J ; breadth, 1-| lines. 



Mount Egmont. Mr. A. T. Urquhart. Also found near Howick. 



OBS. I cannot reconcile the above with the description of T. 

 telephoroides, although the author of that species I have found to be 

 invariably accurate. I have several specimens in my collection, 

 obtained from different sources, which do not agree with any pub- 

 lished description, and, moreover, scarcely any two are exactly alike. 

 It is just possible that there may be several distinct species repre- 

 sented in my cabinet, but until I know more about their habits I 

 shall regard them as varieties of T. telephoroides. 



Techmessod.es. 



Nov. gen. 



Similar to Techmessa, but distinguished therefrom in the follow- 

 ing ways : 



Eyes transversal, prominent, a little excised in front. Thorax 

 bisinuate at base. Tibia without distinct apical spurs. Antenna 

 somewhat similar, but with the second joint very small. 



2082. T. versicolor, n.s. Elongate, subdepressed, somewhat 

 nitid, clothed with fine greyish or ash-coloured hairs ; elytra, most 

 part of the head, and the antennae black, but with the base of joints 

 3-11 of these latter yellowish; thorax fulvous, the sides and back 

 part of the head reddish or fulvous ; palpi and legs pitchy-brown, 

 but with the knees and front tibiae more or less testaceous ; the 

 labrum and scutellum sometimes yellowish. 



Head quite as broad as thorax, bearing moderately- coarse distant 

 punctures. Eyes large, convex, notched in front. Antennae quite 



