288 



9 • Differs in having the rostrum somewhat longer and 

 thinner, with much smaller (but still distinct) punctures, con- 

 cealed only about base ; scape inserted in middle of rostrum, 

 and abdoixien more convex. 



Hah. — Queensland; Cooktown (Blackburn's collection); 

 Endeavour and Bloomfield Rivers (C. French) ; Kuranda (H. 

 Hacker); Cairns (E. Allen). Type, I. 1531. 



With two elytral spots as in himaculatiis, but third inter- 

 stice conspicuously elevated near base. On the upper-surface 

 the scales are mostly of a slaty or sooty-brown, but on one 

 specimen they are mostly of a light-brown. Some of the erect 

 scales a.re ochreous, but they are usually sooty ; on the elytra 

 they are more numerous on the third and fifth interstices than 

 elsewhere. The distinct spot on each elytron is of irregular 

 shape, and on the third and fourth interstices ; the scales 

 composing it are usually whitish, margined with ochreous. On 

 the under-surface and legs the scales are usually of a dingy- 

 grey, but sometimes of a slaty-grey. 



Metyrculus cinerascens, n. sp. 



9 . Dark reddish-brown; rostrum black, except at apex. 

 Densely clothed with greyish scales. 



Head with punctures entirely concealed. Rostrum 

 moderately long, sides distinctly incurved to middle; with 

 numerous small punctures, rather sparse about middle, but 

 becoming denser and larger towards base. Scape inserted 

 almost in exact middle of rostrum, distinctly shorter than 

 funicle. Prothorax moderately transverse, rather convex; 

 with dense concealed punctures. Elytra not much wider than 

 prothorax, base rather lightly trisinuate, sides almost parallel 

 to beyond the middle; with rows of large partially-concealed 

 punctures; third interstice with an obtuse swelling near base. 

 Mesosternal receptacle with thin U-shaped walls ; almost 

 open. Femora indistinctly grooved. Length, 4 mm. 



Hah. — Queensland: Cairns district (A. M. Lea). Type, 

 I. 1532. 



The mesosternal receptacle is longer and more typically 

 U-shaped than in himaculatus, but as, when viewed from in 

 front, its upper margin is seen to slightly overhang the base, 

 it could not strictly be regarded as open. In build and 

 general appearance it is something like Tychreus reversus, but 

 that species has conspicuously dentate femora. The rostrum 

 is of a shining-black, except at the tip; but the general 

 surface, where visible, is of a rather dingy reddish-brown; 

 the claw joints and tibial hooks are paler, but the antennae 

 are almost black, although diluted with red in parts. The 

 scales are all more or less greyish, but towards the base of the 



