824 AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES, 



N.B. — This insect no doubt resembles H. tristis, Macl., and 

 luridus, Macl., (from Queensland), but differs in having the 

 thorax decidedly wider at the base than in front, and doubtless in 

 other particulars. Mr. Macleay has done me the favor of looking 

 at this insect and informing me that it is distinct from the two he 

 has described. 



Hygrotophus nutans, Macl. 



I should say that M. Fairemaire is quite mistaken in 

 thinking that his Berosus externespinosus is identical with this 

 in.sect. I have specimens before me which I believe to be 

 H. nutans. From the description it would appear to be a much 

 smaller insect than B. exteriiespinosus, and covered with pubes- 

 cence. If I am right in my identification I cannot regard the 

 verticality of the head or the rounded basal outline of the thorax 

 as a satisfactory generic character. The former depends much on 

 accident (I have specimens of typical Berosus before me with the 

 head so declivous as to be quite vertical), and the latter is a mere 

 question of degree. At the same time the insect has a very 

 distinctive appearance, and does not seem at home in Berosus. 

 Structurally I can see very little to distinguish it, but its hind 

 tarsi much narrower on their widest face than their tibijB, together 

 with the dense pubescence of the elytra, and the transverse natui*e of 

 the prothoracic sculpture are very noticeable characters. In the 

 specimens before me the thorax is not much more rounded behind 

 than that of some species of Berosus. I believe the genus to be 

 a good one. 



Berosus majusculus, sp.nov. 



Oblongo-ovatus ; convexus ; supra testaceus ; palpis apice, capite 

 postice, prothoracis disco, et elytris, plus minus f usco-nigro-notatis ; 

 subtus (capite antice, prosterno in pai'te, abdomine nonnullis 

 exemplis postice, et pedibus, pallidis exceptis) niger ; capite pro- 

 thoraceque fortius minus crebre punctulatis ; elytris apice emargi- 

 natis, punctulato-striatis, interstitiis planis subtilius nee crebre 

 punctulatis. Long 2.^-4 lines, lat. 1-1§ line. 



