404 Mr. D. Sharp on the Elateridge of New Zealand, 



metasternal processes, taken together, readilj distinguish this 

 species from all the others yet known from New Zealand. 

 The pubescence is very easily removed, and specimens are 

 sometimes nearly completely denuded. The colour varies 

 greatly, from nearly black to nearly red. 



This species is apparently confined to the North Island ; and 

 the only exact locality I can mention is Tairua, whence two 

 specimens have been sent me by Captain Broun. 



Ohs. The specimens I have seen in the collections of the 

 British Museum and Mr. Janson show that both White and 

 Caud^ze mixed this species with the following one under the 

 names oiElater acutipennis and BJax acuti'pennis respectively; 

 but, forming my opinion from White's description and figure, 

 I have applied his name to the following species. 



7. Elater acutipennis^ White. 



E. colore variabilis, elongatus, sat nitidus, evidenter et insequaliter 

 albido pubescens ; prothorace angulis posterioribus divergentibus, 

 intra latera depresso, dense punctato et evidenter pubescente, 

 medio sublsevi, crebre subtiliter punctato ; elytris apice acutis, 

 leviter sulcatis, sulcis pubescentibus, interstitio tertio ad basin 

 prominulo ; sutura intercoxali distincta ; tarsis articulis secundo 

 et tertio subtus apicibus breviter membranaceo-lobatis. Long. 

 18-23 m. m. 



This species greatly resembles Metablax Bi'ouni, but is very 

 readily distinguished by the junction between the meso- and 

 metasternum being still represented by a distinct suture ; the 

 alternate interstices are in this species very distinctly depressed 

 and densely pubescent ; and in fresh specimens these pubescent 

 furrows oifer a striking contrast to the shining and impunctate 

 interstices between. The pubescence, however, is very readily 

 removed. The colour in this species is also very variable. 

 The sexual distinctions are apparently slight. 



The species is widely distributed in New Zealand, but 

 apparently rare. Tairua (Bi-oun) ; Riccarton ; Akaroa, Jan. 

 1873 {Wakefield) ; Rockwood {Powell). 



8. Elater approximans^ White. 



E. niger vel nigro-piceus, angustulus, sat nitidus, sparsim brevis- 

 sime albido pubescens; prothorace angulis posterioribus diver- 

 gentibus, ad latera crebre subtiliter punctato et magis evidenter 

 pubescente ; elytris apice acutis, evidenter striatis, striis (prseser- 

 tim extemis) latis, crebre irregulariter punctatis ; sutura inter- 

 coxali bene distincta. Long. 13-15 m. m. 



Mas thorace paulo angustiore, mesosterni foveae lateribus minus 

 elevatis, angustis. 



