84 



Sphaerotlieriuin Novae-zealaudiae. 



Head, coarsely punctured, especially near anterior margin, which 

 is notched in the centre, and strengthened by a ridge, immediately 

 behind which is a transverse groove, and in front a number of yellow 

 and brown hairs; the groove, and the space around is closely but coar- 

 sely punctured , the punctures becoming much more distant as the 

 posterior margin is approached. 



Fig. 3. 



Fig. 1. 



1. Pi'otile ; 2. Head, miclial plate, and first se^'iiiont, trout view ; 3 



sesments from behind. 



Fig.% 



Last two dorsal 



Nuchal Plate. — Anterior margin strengthened by a ridge, produced 

 in the centre , but slightly depressed on superior surface ; posterior 

 margin rounded ; entire but somewhat irregular. 



Dorsal Plates. — Smooth, highly polished. First dorsal segment with 

 a very strong lateral lidge, continued up the anterior margin beyond 

 its articulation with the nuchal plate ; in the depression immediately 

 behind the ridge are a number of coarse punctures ; a shallow transverse 

 depression about one-third of the distance from anterior margin ; the 

 anterior lateral margins very obtusely rounded ; the plate produced 

 backwards, so that if the line of junction between the first and second 

 segments was continued, the portion cut off would be nearly semicircular. 

 Last dorsal segment arched, margin entire, sharp, a wide shallow de- 

 pression immediate inside the margin, expanding upwards at both ends. 

 Intermediate segments smooth above, with the margin rounded in front 

 and pointed behind ; strengthened by a ridge, and with a triangular 

 excavation at the anterior angle, most distinct in ihe fifth and nintli 

 segments ; a few yellow hairs in, and a prominent oblong tubercle 

 just above and in front of, each excavation, especially noticeable in 

 fifth to ninth segments. First dorsal segment widest; 2"<' to 6"» about 

 even ; 7"' wider ; 8"' to 11"> about even. 



Colour. — Light Brown, marbled Avith darker. 



Length. — 1. ^ò ; breadth,. 8; width of head, 4; depth of head,. 25. 



Habitat. — Tinakori Hills, Eimutaka Mountains, Wellington ; Strat- 

 ford, New Plymouth. The specimens from Stratford were presented by 

 Mr. A. Burrell. 



