defect, by giving a brief account of the species at present known to science.

The family Pselaphidœ is represented in these islands by fifteen named species, placed in six genera, four of which appear to be peculiar to Australia and New Zealand, whilst the others (Pselaphus and Euplectus) are of wide distribution; and there can be no doubt, that this list will be greatly augmented from time to time as our entomologists make further discoveries which will render, it necessary, to establish several new genera.

Those which have been described are named as follows:—

• Tyrus mutandus

• Pselaphus pauper

• Bryaxis inflata

• " micans

• " dispar

• " deformis

• " impar

• " grata

• Dalma pubescens

• Sagola major

• " prisca

• " miscella

• " parva

• Euplectus convexus

• " opacus.

The Beetles comprising this family are small, but remarkably handsome as compared with the greater portion of our Coleoptera; their characteristic colour is red, varying from orange to brown; and they may be readily distinguished from all our other beetles by their abbreviated elytra and cumbersome antennæ, the latter being usually terminated by a distinct club; but inexperienced collectors are apt to confound them with the Brachelytra, a mistake, however, which is easily avoided by attending to the joints of the tarsi, as well as the general outline of the body; the abdomen of the Pselaphidœ, though comparatively as much exposed as is the case with the insects belonging to Brachelytra is much less elongate.

The group is divided into the sub-families Pselaphini and Euplectini, and as an instance of the importance of a thorough investigation of our Coleoptera, I may quote from a paper read by Dr. Sharp, before the Entomological Society of London, in which it is asserted that the discovery of “the new genera Dalma, which is intermediate between the two genera Batrisus and Euplectus, indicates that the division of the Pselaphidœ into two main groups can scarcely be maintained.”

I have found these insects in various parts of this Province amongst vegetable refuse, under boards and stones, in splintered stumps of trees, and in company with, if not actually joint inhabitants of the nests of, the Red Ant, at all seasons of the year; but although they occur under such varying circumstances, a collector will be a long time in obtaining many species, or even many individuals of any one species, as it is but seldom that more than one or two are met with at one time, and being inconspicuous as to size, they are very likely to be overlooked altogether.

much narrowed at the shoulders, each with a sutural, and a very distinct curved discoidal stria; they are quite shining and furnished with a few fine curved hairs. Hind body rather densely set with very fine depressed hairs.

Bryaxis inflata, n. sp. Pilosa, nitida, rufescens, capite prothoraceque picescentibus; vertice foveis duabus magnis; prothorace basi trifoveolato, foveis lateralibus magnis, sulco curvato profundo conjunctis; elytris abbreviatis, apice utrinque fortiter sinuatis, estriatis; abdomine balde convexo; Metasterno brevissimo. Long. corp. 2 ½ mm.

Mas., abdomine segmento 2° ventrali apice medio leviter emarginato, seg. 4° basi tuberculo parvo, 6° leviter impresso.

Antennæ pilose, rather stout, fifth joint distinctly longer than the contiguous ones; ninth joint hardly broader than the eigth; tenth transverse, nearly twice as broad as the ninth; eleventh joint large, a little broader than the tenth, distinctly pointed at the extremity. Apical joints of maxillary palpi stout. The part of the head in front of the antennæ distinctly rostrate; the upper surface of the head with two very large pubescent foveæ between the eyes. Thorax subglobose, in front of the base with a very deep curved impression, terminating on each side in a large fovea, and in its middle impressed with a small and not very distinct fovea. Elytra not longer than the thorax, rounded at the sides, and greatly narrowed at the base; convex, without striæ or humeral impression, but emarginate on each side at the extremity. Hind body very convex, all its dorsal segments about equal in length.

Bryaxis micans, n. sp. Rufescens, nitida, impunctata, setis elongatis, erectis parce vestita; capite fronte depressâ, vertice bifoveolato; prothorace elongato, simplice; elytris striâ suturali minus distinctâ, discoidali nullâ. Long. corp. 1 ¾ mm.

Mas., antennis articulo 5° magno, intus acuminato, articulis 9-11 distortis; metasterno medio impresso; trochanteribus anterioribus spinâ tenui; abdomine segmento 2° ventrali ante apicem tuberculis duobus, apice setiformibus subito recurvis. Fem., incog.

Mas., antennæ rather stout, first joint elongate, quite as long as the three following joints together, these scarcely differing from one another; fifth joint elongate, inwardly projecting and angulate; joints nine, ten, and eleven forming a distorted club; the tenth joint is broader than the ninth; but has its base cut away on one side, and its apical portion projecting; the eleventh joint is large, and it also is irregularly formed; its base being broad and oblique, and the articulation not in the middle,

but on one side. Head depressed in front, so that the antennal tubercles are distinct and between the eyes with two distinct foveæ. Thorax narrow and elongate, longer than broad, the sides prominent in the middle, the base margined; on each side, behind the projecting part of the thorax, and obscured by it, there is a not very easily seen fovea. Elytra longer than the thorax, with a fine sutural stria, but otherwise without striæ or depressions. The whole of the upper surface is shining and impunctate, but bears some long, sparing, fine hairs.

Bryaxis dispar, n. sp. Piceo-rufa, nitida, setis elongatis tenuissimis parcius vestita; vertice bifoveolato, fronte depressâ; prothorace simplice, latitudine haud longiore; elytris striâ suturali distincta, discoidali nullâ. Long. Corp. 21/3 mm.

Mas., antennis 10—articulatis, articulis duobus ultimus estus, concavis; trochanteribus anterioribus spinâ tenui elongatâ armatis; abdomine segmento 2° ventrali ante apicem processis tenuibus duobus leviter recurvis insigne.

Mas., antennæ longer than head and thorax; first joint scarcely so long as the two following together; fifth joint longer, but scarcely stouter than the contiguous ones; eight joint small, scarcely so large as the seventh; ninth joint large, cut away on one side, so as to leave the apical portion prominent on that side; eleventh joint large, much broader in one direction than in the other, and with one of the two broad faces impressed or concave. Head with the front much depressed in the middle, and the vertex with two large foveæ. Thorax much narrower than the elytra, about as long as broad, the sides dilated a little in front of the middle, and on each side there is an indistinct fovea behind the dilated part. Elytra much longer than the thorax, with a deep and distinct sutural stria; but without other impressions. Legs long and rather slender. The whole of the upper surface is shining and impunctate, and bears some long, fine hairs.

Bryaxis deformis, n. sp. Fem., rufescens, nitida, setis elongatis tenuissimis parcius vestita; capite quadrifoveolato (foveis frontalibus antice minus discretis); prothorace simplice; elytris striâ suturali profundâ, discoidali nullâ; predibus quatuor anterioribus deformibus (tibiis extus curvatis). Long. corp. 2 mm.

This species closely resembles the Fem. of B. dispar, but has the antennæ shorter and stouter, and has two foveæ in the frontal depression, which appear quite distinct and separate when viewed from above; but less so when looked at from the front. The four front tibiæ are extremely remarkable, as from the middle to the extremity they are much bent outwards.

This form is so remarkable that I at first supposed the legs were deformed; but, after a careful examination, I have concluded that it is more probably natural. Except for the characters mentioned above, the insect closely resembles the Female of B. dispar.

Bryaxis impar, n. sp. Rufescens, nitida, glabra, vertice bifoveolato; clypeo antice transversim impresso; elytris striâ suturali minus profundâ. Long. corp. 1 ½ mm.

Mas., antennis 10-articulatis, art. 9° maximo; metastorno late sed parum profunde impresso; abdomine segmento basali ventrali apice bituberculato.

Fem., antennis 11-articulatis, art. 9°, 10° que transversis; metasterno abdomineque simplicibus.

Antennæ, stout and short (except for the two terminal joints in the male; the basal joint short, its visible part not longer than the second joint; the ninth joint in the male excessively developed, longer than broad, and on the inside it is a little cut away at the extremity, and the tenth joint in the same sex is only about half the bulk of the ninth; in the female, the seventh and eighth joints are extremely small; the ninth joint is also very short, but much broader than the eighth; and the tenth joint, which is also short, and very transverse, is considerably broader than the ninth, the eleventh joint being comparatively large. The head is smooth and shining; it has in the frontal depression two indistinct foveæ, and the vertex has also two very small foveæ. The thorax is about as long as broad, smooth, and shining, without impressions or foveæ. The elytra are very elongate, quite smooth and shining, and show only on each a single fine sutural stria. The hind body is very short and deflexed; the legs are slender.

Bryaxis grata, n. sp. Rufescens, nitida, fere glabra; antennæ in utroque sexu 11-articulatæ, articulis penultimis parvis; clypeo antice æquali haud impresso; prothorace ante basin lineâ curvatâ impressâ, medio desinente; elytris striâ suturali distinctâ, plicâque intra-humerali obsoletâ; capite subtus medio lineâ longitudinali elevatâ valde discretâ; pedibus minus elongatis. Long. corp. 1 2/3 mm. (vix).

Mas., vertice bifoveolato; metasterno late impresso; abdomine segmento 2°, 6° que transversim foveolatis (segmento 5° medio omnino carente).

Femina, vertice æquali; metasterno abdomineque haud impressis.

Antennæ (only differing in the sexes in that those of the male are slightly longer than those of the female, with the first joint short, its visible part about as long as the second joint; third joint, more slender than, and about as long as the second joint; joints, fourth to tenth, bead-like, the

tenth differing but little from the others; eleventh joint abruptly larger, obtusely pointed. Thorax about as long as broad, smooth and shining, without foveæ, but immediately in front of the base transversely depressed, the depression, however, leaving the middle untouched. Elytra elongate, nearly twice as long as the thorax, each with a well-marked sutural stria, and an indistinct intra-humeral impression. Hind body very short.

N. g. Dalma pubescens, n. sp. Obscure rufescens, nitidus sed pubescentia (præsertim in abdomine) obtectus; prothorace ante basin transversim impresso trifoveolatoque, medio antice minus profunde, lateribus utrinque profunde canaliculatis; elytris striâ suturali latâ et profundâ, basique profunde bi-impressis. Long. corp. 2 ½ mm.; lat. elytrorum fere 1 mm.

Mas., antennarum articulo nono maximo (undecimo paulo majore) intus apice foveâ magnâ impresso.

Fem., ant. articulo nono præcedente paulo majore.

Antennæ stout in the male, moderate in the female; about as long as head and thorax, basal joint only a little elongate; second joint stout, bead-like, about as long as broad; joints third to sixth short, bead-like; joints seven and eight in the male short and very transverse, in the female scarcely differing from the preceding joints; ninth joint in the female broader, but scarcely longer than the eighth; in the male extremely large, subquadrate and impressed on the inner side at the extremity; tenth joint short and transverse in both sexes; eleventh joint stout, obtusely pointed, moderately long; in the male slightly stouter than in the female. Head rather small (smaller in the female than in the male sex), considerably narrower than the thorax, the frontal tubercles quite distinct, short, flattened, and shining, rather widely separated; the vertex is elevated, and on each side has a fovea confluent in front with a frontal depression. The thorax is narrower than the elytra, not so long as broad, the sides rounded in front, and considerably narrowed behind; in front of the base is a deep transverse impression, which commences on each side in a large fovea, from which there proceeds forwards a longitudinal impression; on the middle of the transverse basal impression is placed a very large fovea or depression, from which a moderately distinct channel proceeds forwards, but does not reach the front of the thorax; the thorax is not punctured. The elytra are longer than the thorax, and are redder than the rest of the surface; they are impunctate, but each has a very distinct sutural stria, and outside this they are rather deeply impressed, the impression between divided into two by a well-marked, raised, longitudinal fold. The whole surface is covered with a

fine yellowish pubescence, which is more distinct on the hind body than elsewhere.

Sagola major, n. sp. Rufescens, nitida, elytris rufis; prothorace transversim cordato; capite lato, angulis posterioribus leviter dilitatis. Long. corp. 2 ½ mm.

Mas., trochanteribus anticis prominulis acutis; abdomine segmento 6° ventrali tuberculis duobus elevatis. Fem., incog.

This species differs from S. prisca by its much broader form, by its more slender antennæ, the basal joint in particular of these organs being notably more slender, and by the more deflexed extremity of the hind body, as well as by the different characters of the male. The first visible dorsal segment of the hind body possesses a transverse band of glandular pubescence, which is wanting in the other species here described.

Sagola prisca, n. sp. Obscure rufa, elytris sanguineis, capite thoraceque parce, longius, abdomine dense pubescentibus; antennis crassiusculis, articulis quatuor penultimis leviter transversis; capite angulis posterioribus rotundatis. Long. corp. 2 ½ mm.

Mas., abdomine segmentis 3°, 4° que apice tuberculis duobus elongatis, 5° transversim depresso, apice emarginato.

Antennæ with the first joint stout and elongate, second joint small, sub-globular; third joint similar in shape to second, but still smaller than it; joints fourth to tenth differing little from one another; eleventh joint hardly as broad as the tenth, but a little longer than it, obtusely pointed. Head small and short, with two small foveæ on the vertex, and with a fine channel separating the short, flattened, frontal tubercles; this channel expanding a little behind, so as to appear as if it terminated in a very small fovea. Thorax subcordate, with a large quadrate impression on the disc behind the middle, and, close to each hind angle of this, a very small fovea, and with a larger fovea on each side. Elytra about one and a-half times as long as the thorax, a little narrowed towards the shoulders, each with a sutural stria, which towards the base is very deeply impressed, and between this and the shoulder with a coarse, elongate impression; this impression appears to be nearly divided into two near its base. The hind body is broad, and its exposed portion is slightly longer than the elytra.

Sagola misella, n. sp. Obscure rufa, elytris sanguineis; antennis articulis penultimis vix transversis; elytris abdomine multo brevioribus. Long. corp. 2 ½ mm.

Mas., a femina notis sexualibus externis vix distinguendus.

This species is very closely allied to S. prisca, but is readily distinguished therefrom, by its much shorter elytra and metasternum; its antennæ are also more slender, and their fifth joint is notably thinner; the hind body is broader towards the extremity; and the remarkably conspicuous male characters of S. prisca are in S. misella entirely wanting.

Sagola parva, n. sp. Corpore antice fortiter angustato. Obscure rufa, elytris sanguineis; antennis sat gracilibus, articulis penultimis vix transversis; prothorace elongato, latitudine fere longiore; elytris abbreviatis, abdomine multo brevioribus, prothorace vix longioribus. Long. corp. 2 1/3 mm.

Very closely allied to S. misella, but with the head and thorax narrower, and the elytra a little shorter than in that species; the antennæ also are rather less developed than in S. misella, being both a little shorter and more slender.

Euplectus convexus, n. sp. Rufescens, pube brevi depressâ, dense vestitus; fronte profunde bisulcatâ; prothorace angustulo, basin versus impressionibus tribus magnis; elytris striâ suturali basi profunde impressâ; impressioneque intra-humerali bene distinctâ; antennis articulo ultimo acuminato. Long. corp. 2 1/3 mm.

Mas., pedibus omnibus incrassatis, tibüs posterioribus intus angulatis.

Antennæ, shorter than head and thorax, second joint not so long as first; joints third to ninth bead-like, differing little from one another, except that the ninth is a little broader than the others; tenth joint, short, rather strongly transverse, about twice as broad as the ninth; eleventh joint, large, broader than the tenth. Head, rather long and narrow, very deeply impressed between the frontal tubercles; from each side of the impression proceeds backwards a deep furrow, which terminates between the eyes as a fovea-like expansion. Thorax much narrower than the elytra, about as long as broad, much narrowed behind, with a very large impression behind the middle, which is connected on each side with a deep large fovea near the hind angles. Elytra distinctly longer than the thorax, with the sutural stria deeply impressed at the base, and with a rather large intrahumeral impression.

Euplectus opacus, n. sp. Rufescens, opacus, pube brevissimâ densius vestitus; antennæ breves; capite parvo, transversim impresso; prothorace basin versus impresso, disco canaliculato; elytris striâ suturali, alterâque subtili, discoidali, abbreviatâ, basi profunde impressis. Long. corp. 1 1/3 mm.