317 



But the markings are usually feeble and (on the fourteen 

 specimens taken by Mr. Stalker) never sharply denned. 



ESSOLITHNA PUNCTICOLLIS, 11. sp. 



Black. Densely clothed with slaty-grey scales, with 

 numerous snowy-white ones scattered about, and on each 

 elytron condensed to form a conspicuous spot on the middle 

 of the seventh interstice. In addition with numerous larger 

 scales (or very stout setae) resting upon the surface. 



Head wide; with dense concealed punctures; front with 

 a narrow median line, continued to middle of rostrum. 

 Rostrum about as long as wide, sides between scrobes some- 

 what rounded in front, but almost parallel to between eyes. 

 Scape short and unusually stout; first joint of funicle as long 

 as three following combined. Prothorax moderately trans- 

 verse, sides evenly rounded; with dense and rather coarse, 

 partially concealed punctures. Elytra subcordate, widest at 

 about basal third; with rows of large, partially concealed 

 punctures. Legs shcrt and stout. Length, 7-10 mm. 



Hab. — Western Australia: Lake Austin (Blackburn's 

 •collection), Lennoiiville, Mullewa (Miss J. F. May). Type, 

 I. 3215. 



The largest known species of the genus. Its nearest ally 

 appears to be cordipennis, which is a much smaller species, 

 with very different antennae. The clothing is somewhat vari- 

 able, but the conspicuous white spot, on the seventh interstice 

 on each elytron, is alike on six specimens. On the sides of 

 the head and on parts of the under-surface and legs the white 

 scales are also fairly dense, but elsewhere they are scattered 

 singly. The prothorax, to the naked eye, appears to have 

 three infuscate lines, but these are really due to absence of 

 white scales. On abrasion the head and rostrum are seen to 

 be densely covered with subconfluent punctures, the median 

 line common to both is continued as a ridge from the middle 

 of the rostrum to the apical triangle, the space on each side 

 of the ridge being depressed. On abrasion also the prothorax 

 is seen to be entirely without granules, a most unusual feature 

 in the genus; but the tarsi, each terminated by a single claw, 

 are conclusive that the species should not be referred to 

 Polyphrades. The elytral punctures are usually about the 

 width of the interstices, in some places slightly less, in others 

 slightly more ; before abrasion, however, they appear to be 

 much smaller, and in fairly deep striae. The interstices are 

 densely covered with small, normally quite concealed 

 punctures. 



