392 



punctures. Scape short, inserted distinctly nearer base than 

 apex of rostrum. Frothorax quite as long as wide, sides 

 moderately rounded, surface somewhat uneven; with dense, 

 round, clearly-defined punctures. Elytra strongly trisinuate 

 at base, with shoulders clasping prothorax, sides oblique to 

 middle and then subarcuate to apex; with rows of rather 

 shallow punctures; with feeble tubercular swellings support- 

 ing fascicles. Under-surface with punctures normally con- 

 cealed. Two basal segments of abdomen almost flat in middle. 

 Length, 4J-4J mm. 



Hah. — Tasmania: Waratah (A. M. Lea). 



A very distinct species. The almost entire absence of 

 clothing (other than setse) from the upper-surface is ap- 

 parently natural, as the two typical specimens (whose sex is 

 doubtful) are alike in this respect. The highly-polished space 

 causes the head to look as if a polished cap had been drawn 

 over portion of it. The elytra are so shaped, and the fascicles 

 so placed, as to cause the posterior declivity to appear to 

 commence quite close to the base. On each elytron there is 

 an oblique row of feeble, subconnected, pale fascicles, com- 

 mencing on the third interstice at the basal fourth, and end- 

 ing on the seventh at its middle; from this one there is an 

 oblique row of sooty fascicles, one on the fifth, one on the 

 third, and a very feeble one on suture at about one-fourth 

 from the apex. On the two elytra, therefore, these fascicles 

 appear to mark the sides of a diagonally placed square; but 

 there is also a feeble fascicle on the middle of the third 

 interstice. 



ROPTOPERUS BRYOPHILUS, n. Sp. 



d" . Blackish; head and rostrum of a dingy red; 

 antennse and tarsi paler. Densely clothed with muddy-brown 

 scales, somewhat variegated on elytra; under-surface with 

 paler clothing. Upper-surface with numerous fascicles. 



Head densely squamose in front, elsewhere bald and 

 shining. Rostrum wide at base, sides narrowed to, and 

 parallel-sided in front of antennse; basal third with coarse 

 concealed sculpture, elsewhere shining and with minute punc- 

 tures. Scape short, inserted somewhat nearer base than apex 

 of rostrum. Prothorax about as long as wide, sides 

 moderately rounded; surface uneven and with normally- 

 concealed punctures. Elytra not very long, base strongly 

 trisinuate, sides moderately rounded; punctures normally 

 concealed ; third, fifth, and seventh interstices with distinct 

 fascicles, Under-surface with large partially-concealed punc- 

 tures. Mesosternal receptacle feebly raised, walls thin and 

 U-shaped, feebly cavernous. Basal segment of abdomen 

 gently depressed in middle, the second flat. Length, 2f mm. 



