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PLATYSOMA sp. nov. 
Plate: XX, fig, 6. 
Reference :—Provisionally determined as an undescribed species of Platysoma 
by Mr. G. Lewis. 
Classification :—Order, COLEOPTERA. Family, Histeride. 
Predaceous upon Zomicus sp. {The Blue Pine Tomicus) and 
Rhyncholus sp. in Blue pine. (And perhaps on Polygraphus 
minor, Steb.) 
Also upon Scolytus major and S. minor, Steb. in Deodar, 
and ARhyncholus sp. and AHylastes sp. in Spruce. 
Description. 
Beetle.—Flat, compact, somewhat elongate, black and 
shining ; all parts of the insect fit well together. Head is trans- 
verse and narrow and provided with stout black mandibles and 
two elbowed antenna, each of which ends inaclub, Thorax is 
wider than long, smooth in the centre with a few scattered 
punctures, these latter more numerous and larger at sides 
between the two broad shallow striz. Elytra twice as long as 
thorax, glabrous medianly with very fine punctures, the sides 
with three longitudinal prominent striz, the surface being 
punctured between them ; the elytra leave two segments of the 
abdomen anda portion of a third visible dorsally—these segments 
are constricted posteriorly, the surfaces being finely punctured. 
Length =3,ths to ths inch. Plate XX, fig. 6 shows a dorsal 
and side view of this beetle. 
Life: History, etc. 
This beetle is to be found in the adult stage towards the end 
of May. The writer discovered it in some numbers in the 
galleries of the Blue pine Tomicus beneath the bark of a newly 
felledtree. The galleries contained pupz and mature beetles of 
the Tomicus, and the Histerid was apparently feeding upon 
them. The width of body of the predaceous beetle exactly 
fits the Tomicus galleries. 
