307 



In being smaller (Long. 2} 1.) and of a very pale brown colour. It 

 is not in very good condition, and the examination of fresh 

 examples might show it to be a distinct species. 



.ETHINODES. 



This genus is extremely close to Idcethina and Lasiodactylus ; 

 indeed I feel considerable doubt as to whether either it or 

 IdcBthhia can be regarded as genuinely distinct from 

 Lasiodactylus. It undoubtedly differs from the other two in 

 having the inner outline of the basal portion of the claws dis- 

 tinctly (though not strongly) dentate. In IdfMhina this portion 

 is very distinct though not dentate on its inner margin (so that 

 the claws are not in the strict sense simple) ; in Lasiodactylus it 

 is all but non-existent. Idathina is of manifestly narrower and 

 more cylindric form than the other two. Beyond these differences 

 I know not where to find distinctive characters. In his 

 monograph of the Nitidulidcn Reitter attaches very great impor- 

 tance to the form of the claws as a generic character, and 

 therefore it is not possible to annex ^Ethinodes to Lasiodactylus 

 without traversing Reitter's system of classification to a very 

 serious extent, but it certainly appears to me open to criticism. 



ID.ETHINA. 



/. cincta, Blackb. Since I described this species I have 

 received through the courtesy of M. Grouvelle a specimen of 

 /. Deyrollei, Reitt,, and find that my species differs from the 

 typical one, as I supposed, in the striation of the elytra which is 

 entire in cincta and limited to the lateral parts in Deyrollei: 

 There is not much difference, however, in the puncturation of the 

 pronotum. The two are undoubtedly congeneric. 



Remarks on this genus will be found above under ^Ethinodes. 



MACROURA. 



The following is a tabulation of the characters of the Aus 

 tralian species of this genus, so far as I know them : — 



A. External margin of front tibije armed at the apex. 

 B. The armature consists of two equal acute 

 small teeth separated by a semicircular 

 somewhat wide interval ... ... ... deceptor, Blackb. 



BB. The armature consi.sts of two large unequal 



subcontiguous teeth ... . . ... ... bicalcaratus, Blackb. 



BBB. The armature consists of a feeble pro- 

 minence which is more or less bifid at its 

 apex. 

 C. Pronotum excessively finely punctulate, the 



punctures confluent and asperate ... ... brunnescens, Reitt. 



CC. Pronotum notably less finely and less 



closely punctulate .. ... ... ... concolor, Mad. 



A. A. External margin of front tibise unarmed ... inermis, Blackb. 



