135 



Ilah. — Western Australia: Geraldton (A. M. Lea). 

 Type (unique), I. 3448. 



In general appearance close to apiralis and the preceding 

 -species, but head smaller and swollen at base, prothorax 

 smaller and with minute punctures (even at sides). From 

 ajncxdis also it differs in the elytral punctures, being distinct 

 to apex. The elytra have the sides and apex almost flavous, 

 the base and a sutural space darker, and elsewhere almost 

 black, but the shades of colour are only sharply defined 

 -laterally. 



Rhypaeida elliptica, n. sp. 



Black, upper-surface with a vague metallic greenish gloss ; 

 apical portion of elytra, muzzle, abdomen, and appendages 

 more or less testaceous, parts of antennae and of legs 

 infuscated. 



Head with rather small and not very dense, but distinct, 

 punctures, becoming larger and more crowded on clypeus. 

 Eyes widely separated and rather prominent. Prothorax 

 almost twice as wide as the median length, sides and angles 

 evenly rounded; with fairly dense and small, sharply-defined 

 punctures, becoming slightly larger on sides. Ehjtra at base 

 no wider than base of prothorax, sides gently rounded and 

 widest across middle ; with regular rows of fairly-large punc- 

 tures, becoming smaller towards but distinct to apex. Flanks 

 of yroiiternum striated throughout. Metasternum wath some 

 large punctures towards sides. Hind femora minutely dentate ; 

 claws acutely appendiculate. Length, 3^-3| mm. 



TJ.ah. — Queensland: Cape York (Blackburn's collection), 

 Stewart River (W. D. Dodd). Type, I. 3095. 



In size and general appearance something- like some of the 

 dark varieties of apicalis, but with a metallic gloss (absent, 

 however, from the Cape York specimen, but which is in poor 

 condition), elytral punctures distinct to apex and eyes smaller, 

 more prominent and more widely separated, and the median 

 groove on one specimen so indistinct that it could be fairly 

 regarded as absent, and from two others altogether wanting. 

 The clypeus, although without a distinct suture posteriorly, is 

 quite distinctly separated from the rest of the head by being 

 slightly separately convex, and with punctures much denser 

 than on the space immediately behind it. The three specimens 

 before me appear to be all males, as the four front tarsi are 

 distinctly inflated, and their eyes are of the same size. The 

 notch on each of the hind tibiae is rather feeble, but on the 

 middle ones of normal size. The general outlines are almost 

 perfectly elliptical. 



