84 



scales are seldom very dense. The abdomen is obscurely- 

 diluted with red towards the base. 



A specimen from Sydney appears to represent a variety. 

 It has the apex of the prothorax somewhat diluted with red, 

 the elytra with the basal markings continued as to the 

 shoulders, the postmedian longer and feebly connected with 

 the suture ; and the clothing rather dense, although still 

 sparse. 



Thechia alternata, n. sp. 



Brownish-red, parts of under-surface darker, antennae 

 and tarsi paler. Very densely clothed, even on the rostrum 

 almost to its tip, with dingy-greyish, more or less feebly 

 variegated, scales ; becoming whitish on under-surface. With 

 fairly numerous, strongly recurved setae on the upper-surface 

 and legs. 



Rostrum moderately stout, lightly curved, about as long 

 as prothorax ; with dense punctures entirely covered by scales 

 except at tip. Antennae rather long and thin, first joint of 

 funicle about as long as second and third combined. Pro- 

 thorax about as long as wide, sides moderately and evenly 

 rounded, base not much wider than apex ; with dense, coarse 

 punctures, partially traceable through but entirely covered 

 by clothing. Elytra distinctly wider than prothorax, parallel- 

 sided to near apex; with regular rows of large, deep, 

 partially-concealed punctures; alternate interstices moder- 

 ately raised. Under -surf ace with dense and coarse, but more 

 or less concealed punctures. Legs rather stout. Length, 3 

 mm. 



Hab. — Darnley Island (H. Elgner). 



The clawless tarsi and seven- jointed funicle are indica- 

 tive of Thechia, from the only previously known species of 

 which (pygmcea) it differs in being much larger, elytra densely 

 clothed and with alternate interstices raised ; with numerous 

 curious setae amongst the scales, etc. 



The clothing is so dense that the punctures are quite 

 covered, although usually traceable. The setae are of a most 

 unusual type, being so strongly recurved that the tips are 

 usually concealed amongst the scales, and in consequence they 

 appear decidedly H- shaped. 



Each elytron at base appears at first to be separately 

 rounded, but at about its middle there is a slight incurva- 

 ture, so that the space between the shoulders might fairly 

 be regarded as trisinuate. 



Thechia cinerascens, n. sp. 

 Of a dingy-brownish red. Densely clothed with mouse- 

 coloured or muddy-grey scales, becoming somewhat paler 



