184 



Bah. — South Australia: Oodnadatta (Blackburn's col- 

 lection). Type, I. 1356. 



The four front tibise are bicalcarate at apex, the spurs 

 are small and touch, but are quite distinct from some direc- 

 tions. Many other species appear at first to have two spurs, 

 but the supposititious second one is usually a fascicle. Others 

 also have the apex really bicalcarate, but the spurs, although 

 not widely separated, are not touching, one marking the apex 

 of the slight subapical sinus, and usually supporting a fascicle, 

 and the other overhanging the apex. 



Two specimens, apparently females of this species differ 

 in having the eyes closer together (a most unusual feminine 

 character), and the first joint of funicle distinctly longer than 

 the second; hind tibiae not notched near apex, the four front 

 ones each with a single spur, rostrum longer, thinner, more 

 shining, with smaller and sparser punctures and antennae 

 inserted almost in middle, and basal segment of abdomen dis- 

 tinctly convex. 



Melanterius biseeiatus, n. sp. 



Colour and clothing much as in preceding species. 



Eyes widely separated. Rostrum long and thin; with 

 ■distinct punctures about base, elsewhere sparse and minute. 

 Scape thin, inserted about three-sevenths from apex of 

 rostrum, somewhat shorter than funicle; first joint of funicle 

 slightly longer than second. Prothorax with punctures much 

 as on preceding species. Elytra cordate, base not trisinuate, 

 :sides rather lightly rounded, with rows of fairly large, sub- 

 oblong punctures, becoming small .posteriorly; interstices 

 wide, each with two rows of distinct punctures, ridged along 

 middle, but the ridges very feeble or absent at base. Under- 

 surface with moderately dense punctures, but in a single row 

 on parts of metasternal episterna; each of third and fourth 

 abdominal segments with a single row across middle, basal 

 segment rather strongly convex. Femora stout, moderately 

 dentate. Length, 4J-4| mm. 



Hah. — South Australia: Oodnadatta (Blackburn's col- 

 lection). Type, I. 1357. 



The sutural interstice is unusually wide, as nowhere is it 

 narrower than the second, and posteriorly it is wider; it has 

 a median ridge only on the posterior declivity, and even there 

 it is irregular and ill-defined; its punctures are somewhat 

 irregular, although subseriate in arrangement. On all the 

 others the punctures are in two almost regular series. In my 

 table would be associated with interstitialis, incomptus, and 

 tristis, from all of which its larger size and very different 

 elytral punctures will readily distinguish it. The (three) 

 typical specimens are probably all females. 



