194 



II ah. — Western Australia: Vasse (A. M. Lea). 



A small briefly ovate species at a glance rather close to 

 Jiispidus, but the setose scales or setae are much shorter and 

 stouter than the wiry-looking hairs of that species, being 

 little more than half their length. But probably if a speci- 

 men of each was entirely abraded it would be difficult to dis- 

 tinguish them. The clothing on the upper surface is longer 

 and more variegated than on the lower surface and legs ; 

 on the elytra it is sometimes condensed into loose spots or 

 fascicles, of which there are two rather conspicuous white 

 ones on the posterior declivity. It only partially conceals 

 the derm, so that to describe the sculpture there is no need 

 for abrasion. The elytral punctures do not appear to be in 

 striae, with regularly-raised interstices, but each seems as if 

 separately sunk at its position. 



Mechistocerus cancellatus, n. sp. 



Black ; antennae dull-red, apical half of rostrum and 

 tibiae and tarsi more or less diluted with red. Rather densely 

 clothed with muddy-brown scales, interspersed with stout 

 semi-decumbent setae. 



Head with dense punctures, partially concealed only be- 

 tween eyes ; interocular fovea appearing as a deep, narrow 

 impression. Rostrum long and moderately curved, basal half 

 AAith coarse punctures, becoming seriate towards base, and 

 leaving three feeble carinae on basal third ; apical half with 

 fine punctures. First joint of funicle stouter and slightly 

 longer than second, four apical joints the length of club. 

 Prothorax almost as long as wide, basal two-thirds parallel- 

 sided, apical third strongly narrowed, with dense, round 

 punctures, and with a short and very feeble median carina. 

 Elytra about one-third wider than prothorax ; with series of 

 large, deep, oblong punctures, becoming smaller posteriorly. 

 Side pieces of metasteniun} each with a single row of con- 

 spicuous punctures. Two basal segments of abdomen convex, 

 with numerous small punctures, but the first with a row of 

 very large ones at base ; second larger than usual, its suture 

 with first distinctly curved ; third and fourth each with a 

 row of setose punctures across middle, their sides and apical 

 segment with dense punctures. Four front femora strongly, 

 the hind pair very strongly dentate. Length, 6-8 mm. 



Hah. — Queensland: Cape York (H. Elgner), Cairns (A. 

 Solari). 



In the table previously given by me should be placed 

 next to Master si, from which it differs in being smaller and 

 much narrower, elytra without a pale V, etc. In general 

 appearance, however, it is much closer to pinirtiveiitris and 

 duplicatus, from which it may be readilv distinguished by 

 the curved suture between the two basal segments of abdo- 



