This is the New Zealand representative of _S. olens_ or the "Devil's Coach Horse," one of the most familiar of British beetles. It is found occasionally in the neighbourhood of slaughter-houses, and may be at once distinguished from any of the allied species by a large spot of brilliant scarlet situated on each side of its head behind the eyes; this very conspicuous feature has given it the specific name of _oculatus_. I am at present unacquainted with the transformations of this fine insect, but they will probably closely resemble those of the typical species (_S. olens_) described in the majority of standard books on European Coleoptera. This beetle may be frequently seen flying in the sunshine, when it has a most striking appearance, owing to its large size and rapid motion. An unpleasant odour is found to arise when it is handled, this being noticeable in nearly all the members of the family. These beetles are comparatively numerous in New Zealand, the genus _Philonthus_ comprising several elongate active insects, of which _P. oeneus_ is one of the commonest, and may be found abundantly amongst garden refuse. Others frequent the seashore, feeding on decaying seaweed, and {26}may be noticed flying in all directions along the coast immediately after sundown. Another genus (_Xantholinus_) includes a number of interesting beetles found in old weevil burrows, and probably feeding on their inmates. Group LAMELLICORNES. Family LUCANIDÆ. _Dorcus punctulatus_ (Plate I., fig. 7). An abundant species chiefly attached to the red pine tree or rimu, where it may be found concealed beneath the scaly bark, in the angles of the trunk near the roots. When disturbed, it folds up its legs and antennæ on its breast, and, extending its powerful jaws, awaits the approach of the enemy, ready to bite anything coming within its reach. These, however, are purely defensive measures, the insect being quite harmless when left alone. The larva is at present unknown to me. Another species, _D. reticulatus_, is a much handsomer insect than the preceding; it may be at once recognized by four deep impressions in the thorax, filled in with light-brown scales; the margins of the elytra are similarly scaled, as well as four spots on each elytron, the remainder of the beetle being dark-brown and shining. It is generally found in totara bark, but is much scarcer than the last species. One small specimen I possess, remarkable for its brilliant appearance, was taken under the bark of a stunted black birch tree, over two thousand feet above the sea-level. Family MELOLONTHIDÆ. _Stethaspis suturalis_ (Plate I., fig. 8, 8a larva).