185 



on the basal half, with the punctaires in the striae and on 

 the interstices less noticeable, rostrum thinner, etc. In size 

 and general appearance (except that its upper surface is 

 glabrous) it is much like aratus. 



MeLANTERIUS PETiSIMfLIS, n. sp. 



Black; antennsE, tarsi, and tibial hooks red. Under sur- 

 face and legs with sparse whitish setae, a very indistinct seta 

 in each prothoracic puncture. 



Head -with dense, clearly-defined punctures. Separation 

 of eyes about half the width of rostrum. Rostrum (for the 

 genus) rather stout, moderately curved, the length of pro- 

 thorax ; with dense punctures throiighout : behind antennae 

 with three distinct carinae. Antennae inserted about two- 

 fifths from apex of rostrum ; first joint of funicle distinctly 

 longer than second, second slightly longer than third, fifth- 

 seventh transverse. Protliorax with dense, clearly-defined 

 punctures, nowhere confluent, but becoming smaller towards 

 apex : with a very feeble median line. Elytra closely applied 

 to prothorax, shoulders rounded ; with series of large and 

 somewhat distant punctures ; suture with small and irregular 

 punctures, carinated posteriorly ; all the other interstices 

 acutely carinated throughout, and with a row of feeble punc- 

 tures on each side. Metasternum (each side piece with a 

 single row of small punctures) and two basal segments of 

 abdomen with large punctures ; apical segment with deiise 

 punctures ; third and fourth each with a single row of punc- 

 tures, but with a few irregular ones at sides. Femora acutely 

 dentate. Length, 3|-4 mm. 



Hab.— 'New South Wales: Maitland (T. Blackburn). 



The second segment of the abdomen is somewhat shorter 

 than the third and fourth combined ; but regarding it as of 

 equal length, in the table previously given by me, it should 

 be placed next to viridenfatiis, from which it differs in being 

 much smaller, rostrum shorter and stouter, prothoracic punc- 

 tures somewhat smaller, and elytral interstices quite sharply 

 carinated to the base. In unidentatus, although the inter- 

 stices are carinated to the base, they are somewhat rounded 

 and interrupted by punctures near the base itself. 



Melanterius conspiciendus, n. sp. 



Black: antennae, tarsi, and tibial hooks red. Under sur- 

 face and legs with very sparse whitish setje. 



Head with shallow but clearly-defined punctures. Sep- 

 aration of eyes less than half the width of rostrum at base. 

 Rostrum long and thin, lightly curved, passing middle coxae ; 

 behind antennae with rows of punctures, between which are 



