HETEROMERA, MALACODERMATA, ETC. 



79 



this latter species in synonymy, considering that we have but one variable and 

 widely distributed species. Judging from the material before me, the Samoan 

 race (type from Wallis Is.) appears to differ constantly from the New Guinea 

 race (cupripennis) in its smaller size, less shining, more finely punctate, and 

 straighter-sided thorax (the sides converging slightly from the base), and in the 

 different colour pattern on the elytra, which present the suture aeneous or 

 bronze, ranging outwardly through purple, blue, green, aeneous to coppery 

 (on 4th interval), beyond which they are dark and scarcely metallic. C. cupri- 

 pennis, though very variable in hue, does not present this sequence of colours. 



I have not seen an authentic specimen of C. planicollis, and Fairmaire's 

 description is not sufficiently detailed to enable me to be sure of the accuracy 

 of the above determination. 



18. Chariotheca samoensis, sp. n. 



Black, moderately nitid, elytra metallic, varied aeneous and cupreous, with 

 the 5th, 6th, and 7th interstices raised externally, almost overhanging the 

 exterior stria, and 3rd, 5th, and 7th intervals strongly cariniform towards apex. 



Head closely, almost rugosely punctate ; antennae reddish, barely reaching 

 middle of thorax, last five joints forming an elongate club. Thorax widest 

 at the base, thence gradually, arcuately narrowed in front ; anterior angles 

 acute, strongly produced, base finely margined at sides ; disc rather coarsely 

 but irregularly punctate, much less densely than the head. Elytra strongly 

 punctate striate, individual punctures elongate, striae deeply impressed towards 

 apex, intervals feebly convex except as above. Thoracic epipleura very strongly 

 punctate, prosternum not impressed. Abdomen with the first three segments 

 moderately sparsely and, except in front, finely, the last two densely and finely 

 punctate. Tarsi normal. No apparent sexual differences in the three speci- 

 mens before me. 



Long. 10 mm. 



Savaii : Safune, lower forest, 1000-2000 ft., lO.v.1924 (Bryan). 

 (Paratypes in Bishop Museum, Honolulu.) 



According to the key given by Gebien (Tenebr. N. Guin., p. 383), this 

 species would appear to be C. alternicostis Geb., but the latter has a differently 

 shaped thorax, narrowed towards the base as well as the apex, with crenulate 

 sides, and differently coloured elytra. 



