276 



feebly rounded sides, distinctly decreasing in width from base 

 to apex, with dense punctures of moderate size, the inter- 

 spaces with minute ones; with several feebly elevated spaces 

 along each side of middle, and with a distinct median carina. 

 Elytra not much wider than prothorax, with rather large,. 

 deep • punctures, in numerous more or less irregular series. 

 Flanks of prosternmn with conspicuous punctures and feebly 

 striated, but close to coxae without punctures and conspicu- 

 ously striated. Abdomen with fourth segment as long as third 

 and fourth combined, fifth transversely depressed in middle. 

 Feviora edentate; tibiae somewhat dilated at apex, all with 

 numerous acute ridges; basal joint of front tarsi inflated. 

 Length, 6-7 mm. 



9 . Differs in having the fourth segment of abdomen no 

 longer than third, the fifth convex in middle, and in the front 

 tarsi. 



Hah. — Queensland: Somerset (C. French), Cairns district 

 (A. M. Lea), Port Denison ; New South Wales (Macleay 

 Museum). Type, I. 3596. 



In general appearance closer to poi^osus than to any other 

 species in the Museum, but differs in having the median pro- 

 thoracic channel of that species replaced by a feebly-elevated 

 carina ; a character which will also readily distinguish it from 

 all other described species ; the carina is very narrow about the 

 apex, but elsewhere is conspicuous. The sides of the prothorax 

 and of the elytra, and the base of the latter, are conspicuously 

 metallic-green or blue ; the elytral punctures have a more or 

 less conspicuous purplish gloss, becoming green towards the 

 suture and sides, but few of the body parts or of the legs are 

 without a trace of metallic lustre, although the head and 

 prothorax are less conspicuously metallic than on the preceding 

 species, and the scutellum is not conspicuously purplish, but 

 the subtubercular elevations of the pronotum are sometimes 

 purplish ; the antennae are pale-flavous. The elytra at first 

 appear to be quite glabrous, but on close examination some 

 minute and sparse clothing may be seen at the tip. The elytral 

 punctures are large and closely placed, especially behind the 

 shoulders, where, however, they are not confluent, as trans- 

 verse ridges are entirely absent ; on the apical slope some 

 irregular striae containing one or two rows of punctures are 

 apparent. The abdomen of the male is glabrous along the 

 middle, and with the glabrous portion margined by long 

 straggling hairs. 



Alittus rugipennis, n. sp. 

 9 . Flavous ; head (except in front), prothorax, scutel- 

 lum, metasternum, and abdomen darker and with a purplish 



