427 



are much larger and the fovea e much smaller, the prothoracic 

 punctures are also considerably larger: in these respects it 

 also differs from striata, and that species has some of the 

 antennal joints still more conspicuously inflated. 



Geomela, n. g. 



Eves rather coarsely faceted and prominent. Antennae 

 of variable length, third joint rather long. Maxillary palpi 

 rather short, apical joint subcorneal and longer than the pre- 

 ceding one. Epipleurae of elytra not very wide at the base 

 and disappearing before apex, gently convex, or at most 

 flattened in parts. Inter-coxal process of prosternum wedge- 

 shaped in front, base truncate or gently rounded; front coxal 

 cavities widely open behind. A bdornen with a conspicuous 

 lamella or plate behind each hind coxa. Legs moderately 

 stout ; claws unarmed. 



A genus of small beetles, whose species have the outlines 

 of the head, prothorax, and elytra forming an almost con- 

 tinuous oval or ellipse. The species all live on or close to the 

 ground, or in moss or fallen leaves; the typical species may be 

 seen in myriads during floods in the Hawkesbury River ; it 

 has been known to me for many years, but was previously 

 passed over owing to doubts as to its generic position; some 

 specimens of it were sent to the late Rev. T. Blackburn for 

 his opinion, and especially as to if he thought they repre- 

 sented an aberrant species of Ghalcolampra. In reply he 

 wrote: — "The small Chrysomelid cannot be placed near 

 Chalcolampra on account of its front coxae open behind. It 

 is very close to Plac/iodera, but differs, inter alia, by the 

 form of its elytral epipleurae, the smaller third joint of its 

 tarsi, and the peculiar carina on its ventral segments. The 

 third joint of its tarsi is unusuallv emarginate for a Chrvso- 

 nielid, but this is the case also in Plagiodera. I cannot make 

 its claws anything but simple, though I have had them under 

 a microscope." The examination of several additional species 

 lias convinced me that a new genus is required for it, and 

 although in its habits and general appearance (resembling, 

 on a small scale, several of the more rounded species) it 

 certainly appears to be allied to Chalcolampra, in the table 

 of genera it is rather widely separated from same and 

 associated with Psevdoparopsis (the genus proposed by 

 Blackburn for the reception of the Australian species pre- 

 viously referred to Plaqiodera). In the species where 

 specimens have been available for destructive examination, 

 the front coxal cavities are seen to be widely open behind, 

 out normallv the four front coxae are so close together that 

 unless the prothorax be separated from the mesothorax it is 



