THE PROCEEDINGS LiNNEAN Society NEW SOUTH WALES. FOR THE YE^R 1892. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED FOR THE SOCIETY BY F. CUNNINC4HAME & CO., 146 PITT STREET. SOLD BY THE SOCIETY. isys 0^.'^^ (V SYDNEY K. CUNNINGHAME AND CO., PRINTERS, PITT STREET. CONTENTS OP VOL. YLL (SECOISriD SERIES.) PART I. (Issried September 1st, 1S02.) PAGE Contributions to a more exact Knowledge of the Geographical Distri- bution of Australian Batrachia. No. iii. By J. J. Fletcher ... 7 A Monograph of the Temnocephahoi. Part i. By Professor W. A. Haswell. [Title.] 19 Notes on some specimens of Plants collected at King George's Sound by Mr. H. Willis. By the Rev. W. Woolls, Ph.D., F.L.S. ... 25 On Panax Gum. By J. H. Maiden, F.L.S., &c 35 Studies in Australian Entomology. No. v. — Notes on the Sub-family Broscini (GarabidceJ, with Descriptions of new Species, By Thomas G. Sloane 45 Notes on Australian Coleoptera, with Descriptions of new Species. Part XL By the Rev. T. Blackburn, B.A., Corr. Mem 65 Notes on Australian Cynipidm, with Descriptions of several new Species. By Walter W. Froggatt 152 Observations on the Charopidw. Part i. By C. Hedley, F.L.S. (Plates L and II.) 157 A second undescribed Form of Womerah from Northern Australia, By R. Etheridge, Junr., Palaeontologist to the Australian Museum, and Geological Survey of N. S. Wales. (Plate iii.) ... 170 Elections and Announcements 1,21,42 Donations 1, 21, 42 Notes and Exhibits 20,40,174 27775 IV. CONTENTS. PART II. (Issued Xovember 22nd, 1803.) PAGE A viviparous Australian Peripatus (P. leuckartii, Sang.). By J. J. Fletcher, M.A., B.Sc 179 Jottings from the Biological Laboratory of the Sydney University. By Professor W. A. Haswell, M.A., D.Sc. No. 16. — Note on the Occurrence of a Flagellate Infusorian as an Inti'a-cellular Parasite .. 197 Catalogue of the Described Hymenoptera of Australia. Part II. By W. W. Froggatt 205 On twenty new Species of Australian Lepidoptei-a. By T. P. Lucas, M.K.C.S.E., L.S.A., Lond., L.R.C.P.Ed 249 Further Notes on the Oviparity of the larger Victorian Peripatus, generally known as P. hucl-artii. By Arthur Dendy, D.Sc. ... 267 List of twenty Species of Mosses collected at Lord Howe Island. By T. Whitelegge, F.R.M.S 277 Notes on Australian Coleoptera, with Descriptions of New Species. Part XII. By the Rev. T. Blackburn, B.A., Corr. Mem. ... 2S3 Note on a new Decapodous Crustacean, Prosojpofi Ethefidgei, H. Woodw., from the Cretaceous of Queensland. By Henry Woodward, LL.D., F.R.S., of the British Museum, London (Plate iv.) ... 301 Note on Queensland Cretaceous Crustacea. By R. Etheridge, Junr. 305 On Leaia MitcheUi, Etheridge, fil., from the Upper Coal Measures of the Newcastle District. By R, Etheridge, Junr., Palaeontologist to the Australian Museum, and Geological Survey of N. S. Wales 307 On the Genus Perm?7a. By C. Hedley, F.L.S 311 Elections and Announcements 202 Donations > 175,202,279 Notes and Exhibits 200,277, PART III. (Issued March 16th, 1893.) PAGE Observations on the Poisonous Constituents of the Venom of the Australian Black Snake ( P'^eudtrhU ^Jorp/tyriixc^sJ. By C. J. Martin-, M.B., B.Sc 319 Gall-making Buprestiils. By Walter W. Froggatt 323 *0n the Pliocene Mollasca of New Zealand. By Professor F. W. Hptton, F.R.S., Hon. Mem. L.S.N. S.W. [Title.^ 327 * Contributions to our Knowledge of Ceratodm. Part I. — The Blood Vessels. By Professor W. Baldwin Spencer, M.A. [Title.} ... 327 * Notes on an Undescribed Acacia from New South Wales. By Baron von Mueller, K.C.M.G., M. & Ph.D., LL.D., F.R.S. [Title.]... 327 Some New South Wales Plants Illustrated. By R. T. Baker. No. ii. Tarrietia argyrodendron, 'Benth. (Plate v.)... ... ... ... 333 The Range of Placostylns ; a Study in Ancient Geography. By C. Hedley, F.L.S 335 Jottings from the Biological Laboratory of the Sydney University. By Professor W. A. Haswell, M.A., D.Sc. No. 17. — Three Zoological Novelties 340 * Observations upon the Anatomy of the Muzzle of Ornithorhynchus. By Professor .J. T. Wilson, M.B., and C. J. Martin, M.B., B.Sc. [Title.] 343 *0n the ]3eculiar Rod-like Tactile Organs in the Integument and Mucous Membrane of the Muzzle of Oriiithorhyiichus. By Professor J. T. Wilson, M.B., and C. J. Martin, M.B., B.Sc. [Title.] 343 Note on the Occurrence of certain Fossils in previously unrecoi'ded localities in N.S.W., with Remarks on the Correlation of certain Beds in the Newcastle and Illawarra Districts. By John Mitchell 345 ^Description of a new Hakea from Eastern New South Wales. By Baron von Mueller, K.C.M.G., M. & Ph.D., F.R.S., and J. H. Maiden, F.L.S., F.C.S. [Title.] 352 Notes on the Family Brarhyscelidm, with some Account of their Para- sites, and Descriptions of new Species. Part i. By Walter W. Froggatt. (Plates vi.-vii.) 353 » Papers marked with an asterisk will be published in the Macleay Memorial Volume. PART III. (continued). PAGE Note on the Fructification of (?fo.s.so/)^em-. By John Mitchell ... 377 Observations on certain Undescribecl Gall-making Goccidoi of the Sub- FsLinily Brachyscelince. By A. Sidney Olliff. [Title.] 378 Some New South Wales Plants Illustrated. By R. T. Baker. No. iii. Acacia 23UClioiiifo7'niis, \Yendl. (Plate viii.)... ... ... ... 379 On the supposed New Zealand Species of Lepto2')0)na. By O. F. von MOELLENDORFF, Ph.D. ... 385 Schizoglosaa : a new Genus of Carnivorous Snails. By C. Hedley, F.L.S. (Plates IX. -X.) 387 Note on Gastrodia sesavioides, R.Br. By the Rev. W. Woolls, Ph.D., F.L.S 393 Oological Notes. By Alfred J. North, F L.S. i.^Notes on the Nesting-place and Eggs of Halcyon sordidus, Gould .395 ii. — Notes on the Nesting-place and Eggs of Cyauorhamphiis rayneri, G. R. Gray .. 397 Modifications of the Billetta or Gnalealing Wonierah. By R. Ethe- RIUGE, Junr. (Plate XI.) 399 Description of a new Tree-frog from New South Wales. By G. A. Boulenger. 403 *Observations on the Myology of PaUiianis Edwardaii. By Professor T. Jeffery Parker, D.Sc, F.R.S., and .Josephine Gordon Rich. [Title.] 410 *0n Parmarochlea Fischeri, Smith. By C. Hedley, F.L.S. [Title.] ... 410 *0n the Geographical Relations of the Floras of Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands. By Professor Ralph Tate, F.L.S., F.G.S [Title.] ...410 Revision of the Australian Amarygmides. By the Rev. T. Blackburn, B.A., Corr. Mem. Part i. The Genus Chalcoptervs 411 Elections and Announcements 315, 329, 348, 374, 381, 406 Donations 315,329,348,374,381,406 Notes and Exhibits 328,344,373,380,404 » Papers marked with an asterisk will be published in the Maclea}- Memorial Volume. PART IV. (Issued May 1st, 1S93.) PAGE Descriptions of some new AraneidcB of New South Wales. No. i. By W. J. Rainbow. (Plate xii.) 471 Descriptions of Australian Micro-Lepidoptera. xvi. Tineidae. By E. Meyrick, B.A., F.Z.S 477 Reference List of the Land and Fresh-Water MoUusca of New Zealand. By C. Hedley and H. SuTER 613 Some New South Wales Plants Illustrated. No. iv. Acacia pruinosa, Cunn. ByR. T.Baker. (Plate xiii.) 666 Notes and Exhibits 667 President's Address 668 Office-bearers and Council for 1893 690 Title-page, Contents, Index to Vol. vii. (2nd Ser.), List of Plates and Corrigenda. LIST OF Pl.ATICS VOL. YII. (second series). Plates I. -II. — Tasmania!! species of Gharo2ja (G. bischoffen-sis, Bedd., C. antialbci, Bedd., C. gadensis, Bedd., and C. albaiiemis, Cox). Plate III. — Sword-like Womerah from Northern Australia. Plate IV. — Prosopon Etheridgei, Woodw. Plate V. — Tarrietia argyrodcndron, Benth. Plates VI. -VII. — Brachyscelid galls and coeciils. Plate VIII. — Acacia pugioniformis, Wendl. Plates IX. -X. — Schizoglossa novoseelandica, Pfr. (sp.). Plate XI. — Billetta or Gnalealing Womerah. Plate XII. — Australian Spiders (Slephano]^^ aspera, Rainb., and Gycloctentis abyssinus, Urq.). Plate XIII. — Acacia pruinoAa, Cunn. CORRIGENDA. Page 104 — The number of this page was inadvertently omitted. Page 243, last line but one — for Trigonia carbonaria read Trigona carbonaria. Page 300, line 10 — before sat brevoribus insert quam 4"**. Page 333, line 19— for T. trifolialata read T trifoliolata. Page 346, line 25 — for G. ienreopteroides read G. tceniopteroide'-:. Page 405, line 9 —for Nfeggerathiopsis. read Noggerathiopsis. Pa"e 418, line 12 — for G. ttnthracinum read G. anthracinm. Page 452, line 32— for G. loginsculiis read G. lovgiusctdus. IPI^OCEEIDinsrG-S LINNEAN SOCIETY 2>TE'^v7;7- SOTJim ■^XT'-.a^XjES. WEDNESDAY, 27th JANUARY, 1892. The President, Professor Haswell, M.A., D.Sc, in the Chair. Mr. "W. J. Rainbow was elected a Member, and Miss Sarah Hynes, B.A., an Associate Member of the Society. Donations (since the Meeting in November, 1891). "Department of Agriculture, Brisbane — Bulletin." Nos. 12 and 13 (November-and December, 1891). From the Secretary of Agriculture. " Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society." Vol. v.. No. 3 (1890). From the Society. " Transactions of the Entomological Society of London for the year 1891." Part 3 (October). From the Society. Z DONATIONS. " Zoologischer Aiizeiger." xiv. Jahrg., Nos. 359 and 375-379 (1891). From the Editor. "Australian Museum — Report of the Trustees for 1890;" "Records." Vol. i., No. 10 (December, 1891). From the Trustees. South Australia — " Reports on Coal-bearing Area in neighbour- hood of Leigh's Creek " (1891). By the Government Geologist. From the Author. "Annals of the Queensland Museum." No. 1 (1891). From the Museum,. " Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales." Vol. ii., Parts 10 and 11 (October and November, 1891). From the Director of Agriculture. " Bulletin de la Soci6te Royale de Geographie d'Anveis." Tome xvi., 1'"® Fascicule (1891). From the Society. "Gesellschaft fiir Erdkunde zu Berlin — Verhandlungen." Band xviii., Nos. 7 and 8 (1891); " Zeitschrift." Band xxvi., Nos. 4 and 5 (1891). From the Society. Three Conchological Pamphlets. By Edgar A. Smith. From , the Author. Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society, 1891." Part 5 (October). From the Society. " United States National Museum — Proceedings." Vol. xiv., Nos. 851, 857, 864, 865, 867-879 (1891). From the Museum. " United States Department of Agriculture — Division of Ento- mology— Insect Life." Vol. iv., Nos. 1-4 (October and November, 1891). From the Secretary of Agriculture. " Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College." Vol. xvi., No. 10 (September, 1891). Fi^om the Curator. " The Pharmaceutical Journal of Australasia." Vol. iv., Nos. 11 and 12 (November and December, 1891). Froin the Editor. DONATIONS. 3 " Journal of Comparative Medicine and Veterinary Archives." Vol. xii., Nos. 10 and 11 (October and November, 1891). From the Editor. "The Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society." Vol. xlvii., Part 4, No. 188 (November, 1891) ; " List of the Society" (November, 1891). From the Society. " Reichenbachia — Orchids illustrated and described." By F. Sander. Second series, Vol. i.. Parts 7 and 8 ; " Berliner Euto- mologische Zeitschrift." Band xxxiv., Heft 1 (1891) ; "Stettiner Entomologische Zeitung." lii. Jahrg., Nos. 4-6 (1891). Fro7n the Eon. Sir William Macleay, M.L.C., F.L.S. " Joui'nal of the College of Science. Imperial University of Japan." Vol. iv.. Part 2. From the Director. " Iconography of Australian Salsolaceons Plants." Decade viii. By Baron von Mueller, K.C.M.C, F.R.S. From the Premier of Victoria, through the Librarian, Public Library, Melbourne. "The Victorian Naturalist." Vol. viii., Nos. 8 and 9 (Decem- ber, 1891, and January, 1892) From the Field Naturalists^ Club of Victoria. " The Perak Government Gazette." Vol. iv., Nos. 35-39 (November and December, 1891). From the Government Secretary. " Abhandlungen aus dem Gebiete der Naturwissenschaften herausgegeben vom Naturwissenschaftlichen Verein in Hamburg." Band xi., Heft 2 and 3 (1891). From the Society. "Bulletin de la Societe d'Etudes Scientifiques d' Angers." n.s. T. xix. (1889). From the Society. "Journal de Conchyliologie." 3™® S^rie, Tome xxx., Nos. 1-4 (1890). From tJie Society. "Memoires de I'Academie Imperiale des Sciences de St. Peters- bourg." vii® Serie, Tome xxxviii., Nos. 2 and 3 (1891). From the Society. 4: DONATIONS. "The Missouri Botanical Garden — Second Annual Report." From the Director. " Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Phila- delphia, 1891." Part 1. From the Society. "Annual Reports of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution for the years 1888 and 1889." " The Forest Trees of North America." By Asa Gray (1891). From the Smithsonian Institution. " Proceedings of the Cambridge Philosophical Society." Vol. vii., Parts 4 and 5 (1891). From the Society. " Bulletin de la Societe Beige de Microscopie." xvii™" Annee, No. 10 ; xviii"^" Annee, No. 1 (October, 1891). From the Society. " Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom." n.s. Vol. i., Nos. 1-3 (1889-90); Vol. ii., No. 2 (November, 1891). From, the Association. " Zoological Society of London — -Transactions." Vol. xiii.. Part 3 (October, 1891); "Proceedings for the year 1891." Parts 2 and 3 (August and Octobei', 1891); "Abstracts," 3rd November, 1891, 17th November, and 1st December, 1891. From the Society. " The Australasian Joux'nal of Pharmacy." Vol. vi., No. 72 (December, 1891). From the Editor. Queensland — " Annual Progress Report of the Geological Survey for the year 1890." From R. L. Jack, Esqr., Government " Archiv fiir Naturgeschichte." Ivii. Jahrg., Band i., Heft 2 (1891). From the Editor. "Jahreshefte des Vereins fiir vaterlandische Naturkunde in Wiirttemberg." xl vii. Jahrg. (1891). From the Society. "Horse Societatis Entomologicse Rossicse." T. xxv. (1890- 1891). From the Society, DONATIONS. 0 " Abhandlungen heraiisge2;eben von der Senckenbergischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft." Band xvi., Heft 3-4 (1891). From the Society. " University of Melbourne — Calendar for 1892 ; Examination Papers," November, 1891 ("Matriculation"). From the Uni- versity. "Journal of Comparative Neurology." Vol. i., Part 3 (October, 1891). From the Editor, Professor C. L. Herrich. " The Canadian Record of Science." Vol. iv., Nos. 6 and 7 (1891). From the Society. " Journal and Proceedings of the Hamilton Association." Pait vii. (1890-91). From the Association. "Johns Hopkins University Circulars." Vol. xi., Nos. 92 and 93 (November, 1891). From the University. " Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science — Inaugural Address." By Sir Robert G. C. Hamilton, K.C.B., President (Hobart), Fourth Meeting (1891). Fromthe Associa- tion. "Transactions and Proceedings and Report of the Royal Society of South Australia." Vol. xiv.. Part 2 (December, 1891). From the Society. " A Summary of the Darwinian Theory of the Origin of Species." By Francis P. Pascoe, F.L.S., &c. From the Author. "Hooker's Icones Plantarum." Third Series. Vols, i.-xi.. Part 3 (1867-91). From the Bentham Trustees, Keiv Gardens. " Memoires de la Societe des Naturalistes de la Nouvelles Russie, Odessa." Tome xvi, No. 1 (1891); "Memoires Mathe- matiques." T. xiii. (1891). From the Society. "L' Academic Royale des Sciences, des Lettres et des Beaux Arts de Belgique— Annuaire " (1890 and 1891). " Bulletins." Third Series. Tomes xviii-xxi. (1889-91). From the Society. b DONATIONS. " Mittlieilungen aus der Zoologischen Station zu Neapel." Band x., Heft 1 (1891). From the Society. " Victoria — Reports and Statistics of the Mining Department, for the quarter ended 30th September, 1891." From the Secretary for Mines. "List of Snakes in the Indian Museum." By W. L. Sclater, M.A,, F.Z.S. From the Trustees. ''Archives N6erlandaises des Sciences exactes et Naturelles." Tome XXV., 3""^ et 4"''= Livraisons (1891). From the Society. " Western Australia — Annual General Report of the Govern- ment Geologist for the year 1890." From the Author. PAPERS READ. CONTRIBUTIONS TO A MORE EXACT KNOWLEDGE OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF AUSTRALIAN BATRACHIA. No. iii. By J. J. Fletcher. This third small contribution records the collections which have coine to hand since June last. The subject is not by any means exhausted ; but as there is no immediate prospect of further supplies of material, the results so far gained may presently be briefly reviewed ; and with this, for the time being, one must be coutent. (ii.) The inland division of N.S. W. (West of the Dividing Range). (r) From Lucknow, near Orange (collected by Mr. W. W. Froggatt). Limnodynastes tasmaniensis Hyperolia marmorata dorsalis Pseudophryne bihronii Hyla ewingii, vslv. B. Only one species in this collection calls for comment, namely II. efvingii, var. B (eleven specimens), characterised, as to most of the specimens, by the presence of even more spots and markings on the flanks and elsewhere than in var. A (calliscelis) and than I have ever previously seen. This is the first time, too, that the species has occurred in any of the collections from the inland division, and it is probably to be regarded as a straggler from the coast. Further references to these specimens will be found below. (s) From Wellington Caves (collected by Mr. W. W. Froggatt). Limnodynastes tasmaniensis Fsetidophryne bihronii 5 GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF AUSTRALIAN BATRACHIA, (t) From Yass (collected by Mr. W. W. Froggatt). Limnodynastes tasmaniensis Crinia signifera dorsalis Pseudojjhryne hibronii Hyla ewingii, var. B (one specimen). Syla aurea was seen also, but specimens were not brought. As in the collection from Lucknow, H. ewingii var., is here associated with some of the widely distributed species which are to be met with in any tolerably complete inland collection. One or more specimens of a single species from a single station have been received as follows : — Limnodynastes dorsalis, Cooma (Dr. Cobb), Cowra (Rev. A. Fletcher) ; L. tasmaniensis, Weut- worth, N.S.W. (Mr. A. Sidney OUiff) ; Cryptotis brevis, Gosford (Mr. C. T. Masson). A third instalment of frogs from Dandaloo yielded nothing not previously sent : a supplementary collection forwarded by Mr. Sloane from Emu Plains, Tirana,, contained specimens of Hyla peronii, not previously obtained. Quite recently on the Blue Mts. I have found both Limnodynastes tasmaniensis and Hyla dentata to occur. Two collections from South Queensland — one from the coast, the other from inland — may here be recorded. (a) From Pim]iama, S. of Brisbane (collected by Miss A. Harding). Limnodynastes peronii Hyperolia marmorata Cryptotis brevis Pseudophryne coriacea Hyla lesueurii This collection was obtained during a very unfavourable season, and does not at all satisfactorily represent the batrachian fauna of the district. No peculiar Queensland species are included ; otherwise, as far as it goes, it shows a fauna very similar to tliat of our northern river districts, as was to be expected . BY J. J. FLETCHER. V (I)) From Waroo, Inglewood, about 60 miles west of Stanthorpe (collected by Mr. A. J. Ewen). Livmodynastes tasmaniensis Pseudophryne coriacea Crinia signifera Hyla lesueurii Hyperolia marmorata lato^mlmafa Fifty-seven living specimens were kindly forwarded in an ingeniously contrived vivarium by Mr. A. J. Ewen, through the kind raerliation of Mr. R. Etheridge, junr., of the department of Mines. In this collection the burrowers are conspicuously absent ; and there are no peculiar Queensland species ; but it is noticeable how inland, as well as on the coast, in about this latitude, P. coriacea seems to have more or less completely replaced P. hibronii, so common further south (recorded by me from eight inland stations, besides Benalla and Ballarat in the .southern colony) : otherwise, as far as it goes, it is a fairly typical inland collection. A somewhat more extended and definite knowledge of the geographical distribution of Australian Batrachians appearing to be desirable, the best way of making a beginning seemed to be to obtain from as many localities as possible, more particularly extra-coastal ones, as complete collections as could be got together, and then to record them. Thanks very largely to a number of friends, to whom I freely acknowledge my indebtedness, a start for IST.S W. has been made. Collections from seven coastal stations (in this case rather districts), and from seventeen inland stations — besides four others from which single specimens or specimens of a single species are recorded, circumstances not allowing of collections being made — have been got together, comprising several hundred individuals, and in some cases form- ing good series. Collections from stations on the South Coast, on the Northern Tablelands, and especially on the Darling, and still further west, are, however, still desiderata ; and I should be very gla.d indeed to receive such, or promises of co-operation in obtaining them. 10 GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OP AUSTRALIAN BATRACHIA, Every collection recorded, doulitless only more or less, and some- times even very, incompletely represents the batrachian fauna of the particular locality whence it came. More particularly was this the case when the collectors were unprepared for burrowers, and when the collecting was not continued over a sufficiently long- period, preferably over several seasons. In an interesting paper on " The Distribution of Fresh-water Fishes''* in Anaeiioa, Professor Jordan says: "It is easy to ascertidn the more common inhabitants of any given stream. It is difficult, however, to obtain negative results which are really results. You cannot often say that a species does not live in a certain stream. You can only affirm that you have not yet found it there ; and you can rarely fish in a stream so long that you can find nothing that you have not taken before." If in this extract for the words " stream" and "fish," wherever such occur, we substitute the words "district" and "collect," we shall have the case not less admirably stated as regards Batrachians. In spite of the difficulties in the way of getting even approxi- mately complete collections, and in acquiring negative evidence of value, and though many desirable localities are still untouched, already certain conclusions, which further knowledge may extend but cannot otherwise very materially alter, may at this stage quite legitimately be drawn. It is quite evident that batrachians ai'e to be found in the interior wherever the conditions allow of their existing, not only near the rivers, but at a distance from these wherever there are lakes, lagoons, or swamps, even though these are not always absolutely proof against frequent or long continued droughts. A newspaper reporter quite recently accompanying a Minister of the Crown on a journey to the Bogan just after the breaking-up of a dry season thus describes what he saw between Warren and Coonamble, N.S. W. : "The scenery was of the monotonous order peculiar to the plain country. There were great bare patches of miles in extent without a living thing to be seen except a few * Trans. American Fisheries Society, 1888, p. 4. BY J. J. FLETCHER. 11 slieep here and there, kangaroos, emus, plain turkeys, bronze- winged pigeons, . . . various kinds of ducks and other game. . . . The country is indented here and there with shallow- depressions in the earth, which are filled with water after the rains, and sometimes form chains of ponds across the country." At Emu Plains, some eighteen miles from the Murrum'oidgee, Mr. Sloane has been good enough to collect for me ; in this locality there are swamps, but they dry up every year about December, or exceptionally a month or two later ; in fact there is no perma- nent water except in the station dams ; nevertheless frogs are not scarce ; and though my friend is a busy man, and natural history tastes in quite another direction occupy his leisure, yet just about the homestead he has been able to collect seven species — only one less than the number at present recorded from Tasmania (Hyla verreauxii not being regarded as a distinct species). Here, as elsewhere, provided only that the frogs can live out the more or less lengthy perinds of aestivation, in some years more trying than in others, the ponds after rain, wherever the soil is not too sandy, are at times sufficiently permanent and sufficiently numerous, forming chains of ponds across the country as quoted above, to affiDrd a means whereby batrachians may be enabled to migrate from places where they have become established, and so to gain new stations ; or to re-people the old haunts should excessively dry seasons prove utterly disastrous. The possibility of spawn being carried to distant localities on the feet of aquatic birds need not be left out of consideration ; but I imagine the means of dispersal mentioned to be of prime importance, and that the great river-system of the interior of the colony is the main source of distribution and replenishment. Secondly, whenever anything at all like a fairly characteristic collection is obtained, it will be found to comprise representatives ■of all three dominant Australian families. This is exemplified over and over again in the larger collections recorded. Out of about fiity-four known Australian species New South Wales may be credited with about thirty -four, of which four [Uyla jervisensis, II . dimolops, 11. nasuta, and Hylella bicolor\ 12 GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF AUSTRALIAN BATRACHIA, all from the coastal division, are not represented in my collections, but as a set-ofF to this two species \Hyla gracilenta and Phanerotis] have been added to the coastal fauna, and one [H. rubella] to the inland fauna. Of the thirty species met with, twenty-five belong to the coastal division, and eighteen* (not including Limnodynastes Jletcheri, for reasons given below) to the inland division, fourteen species being common to both. The fauna of the coastal division, the conditions being very favourable, is rich for the relatively small area, and is tolerably well known, not many new species in all probability remaining to be discovei'ed : its members may be roughly divided into four groups : (1) the species frequenting the semi-ti'opical brushes of our northern river districts, or the seques- tered gullies of the Blue Mts., or the Illawarra Range, such as Ilixophyes, Phanerotis, Cryj)totis, Limnodynastes peronii, Hyla gracilenta, H. phyllochroa, and H. lesueurii : (2) the swamp and river frogs, such as most of the species of Lini7iodynastes, Crinia signifera, and Hyla aurea : (3) the largely terrestrial tree-frogs which at least have recourse to water for breeding purposes, such as H. ewingii, H. ccerulea, H. dentata, and H. peronii : and (4) the terrestrial batrachians par excellence, mostly toads, frequenting damp places, but avoiding water, such as the species of Pseudo- phryne, and probably also Hyperolia marmorata. The restriction of some species to the coastal division is explicable on the ground there only are to be found the natural conditions under which they flourish ; on the other hand we find some species inhabiting both regions under conditions of humidity, kc, and amid surroundings widely different. One of the most marked differences between the coastal and inland faunas arises from the absence from the latter of the brush and gully-haunting frogs ; the balance is made up of three elements : (1) cosmopolitan species, (2) several peculiar species, of which two \Notaden and GhirolejJtes platycephalus] seem to be characteristic of the plain country, for neither of them has occurred in collections * Excluding also Pseudophryne coriacea, Waroo being just a little north of the northern border of N.S.W. BY J. J. FLETCHER. 13 from the Tablelands, and Mr. J. D. Cox and Mr. A. G. Hamilton, who know the Mudgee District well, never met with either of them, and (3) a few stragglers, sometimes from the east, in collec tions from the Tablelands, as Limnodynastes peronii (one specimen) in the collection from Guutawang, close to the western slope of the Dividing Range, and Ilyla etvingii var. in the collections from Yass and Lucknovv ; sometimes, however, apparently from the north, as Limnodynastes ornatus at Guntawang, Hyla rubella at Dandaloo and Bearbong, and perhaps H. latopalmata, though this may be a widely distributed notthern inland species at about its southern limit. In any case, the distribution of some of our species cannot be satisfactorily dealt with until more is known of the distribution of Queensland species. That the Dividing Range does not separate two move widely divergent faunas than, as far as present knowledge goes, have been met with, is not surprising when the faunas of the east and west coasts are contrasted, for it then appears that of fourteen species recorded in the B.M. Catalogue from W. Australia, seven, or 50 per cent., are members of our coastal fauna, and eight (iiichiding Helioporus albo-punctatus, recorded from the Murray) of our inland fauna. And it may be said generally of any and every colony, that its batrachiau fauna consists of an admixture of more or less cosmopolitan forms and of a small number of others characteristic of the region. Hyla ewingii, Dum. & Bibr., was described in the Erpetologie Generale (T. viii. p. 597, published in 1841), the habitat being Tasmania; the description adds, " les parties superieures offrent un gris verdatre." It is figured in Voy. au Pole Sud, Batrc. pi. I. fig. 3, of which Dr. Giinther in the first edition of the B.M. Catalogue of Amphibia says, "figure not good." The localities given in the second edition of the same work are Tasmania, Hobart, Melbourne, and Australia, var. A {H. calliscelis) being recorded from King George's Sound. Dr. Giinther (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (3), XX. (1867), p. 57) also records H. ewingii from N. E. Australia. 14 GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OF AUSTRALIAN BATRACHIA, Mr. Krefft (P.Z.S. 1863, p. 389) includes H. ewingii among the Batrachians occurring in the neighbourhood of Sydney, and says : " This pretty little Hyla is rather a rare species, and I do not think that I ever found more than six or eight specimens of it gener-ally under stones during the cold season." In the same paper he says of H. verreauxii : " A rather rare frog, which I have occasionally taken from under the bark of the Tea-tree, and from under rocks in moist localities ; never taken during the summer. No specimens from other parts of Australia have as }'et come under my notice." Tn his paper on " Australian "Verte- brata, Recent and Fossil" (Industr. Prog. N.S.W. [1871], p. 747), we have a slightly different version : for it is there stated of E. ewingii that the Sydney " Museum is in possession of specimens from almost every part of Australia, the west coast excepted," while U. verreauxii is said to be "very common almost everywhere on the eastern border." One of our commonest frogs in the County of Cumberland, equally common also in the three adjacent counties, though I have not seen it from any inland localities, until it occurred in two of Mr. Froggatt's collections noted above, is a little Hyla, of which Mr. Boulenger kindly named specimens for me as H. ewingii var. caUiscelis, Peters. It is the little frog whose shrill twee, twee, twee, repeated from half-a-dozen to a dozen times or more, may be heard in damp weather even during the winter months, as I have pointed out elsewhere. From its common occurrence Mr Krefft was no doubt familiar with this frog ; but as Peters' description was published only in 1874, Mr. Krefft could not have i-ef erred to it under this name in the papers quoted above. E. de7itata. Kef erst., is a Sydney frog, and was described in Ai'chiv fiir Naturge.sch., for 1868, but it is not mentioned in the latest of Mr. Krefft's pa[)ers published in 1871. It seems to me therefore very probable that when Mr. Krefft referred to E. ewingii and E. verreauxii as species occurring in the neighbour- hood of Sydney and elsewhere on the east coast, he meant to denote the two frogs now known as E. evnngii var. caUiscelis, Peters, and E. dentata, Keferst. BY J. J FLETCHER. 15 To Mr. W. W. Froggatt I am vpry much indebted for thirty-one specimens of the typical form of H. etvingii from the neighbour- hood of Ballarat, Victoria. I do not know this frog from any locality in N.S.W., though I have one specimen of a Hyla obtained by me under the bark of a tree in a gully on the Blue Mts., which I am inclined to refer to this species : it is larger (52 mm. from snout to vent) than any specimen of H. kreffti or II. etvingii I have seen, it has the fingers insufficiently webbed to be referred to the former, and is toq long in the legs, the tibio-tarsal joint of the adpressed limb reaching beyond the level of the tip of the snout, to quite satisfactorily be placed in IT. ewinyii, with which otherwise it has most in common ; if it may correctly be regarded as a very large and unusually long-legged individual of the typical form of H. ewingii, then it is the only specimen from N.S.W. known to me ; while if it should not strictly be referable to this species, then, as far as my experience goes, H. etvingii is repre- sented in N.S.W. only by var, calliscelis. H. etvingii var. calliscelis from King George's Sound differs from the typical form " in having the hinder side of thighs with large pui'plish -black spots on yellowish ground ; a purplish-black spot in the groin " (B.M. Cat. 2nd ed. p. 407). In specimens from the County of Cumberland and from the three adjoining counties, the presence of spots seems quite constant either in the groin or on the flanks, frequently they are absent on the hinder surface of the thighs : the concealed surfaces of the legs in living specimens and in such as have not been long in spirits, are of a bright orange ; while the dark inguinal spots in the living animal appear on a background tinged with light yellow. Some of Mr. Froggatt's specimens from Lucknow are much more spotted and blotched even than Sydney examples, in six of them "the large well-defined dark spot commencing between the eyes and covering the middle of the back " of the descriptions being not merely a darker shade of the groundcolour "speckled all over with blackish," but partially edged or to some extent invaded by a dark tint like that of the ordinary inguinal spot* : none of them have spots on the hinder surface of the thighs, and some of them are not more blotched than Sydney specimens. 16 GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OP AUSTRALIAN BATRACHIA, The beautiful little Hyla brought me alive from Ballarat by Mr. Froggatt, referred to in my last paper (p. 254), has puzzled me not a little : with the general characters of H. ewingii, it presented when alive a broad bright green dorsal band edged by a dark narrow band, and with also a lateral linear dark band, in which respects it differs from the thirty-one (spirit) specimens of ff. ewingii from the same locality ; and makes some approach to the specimens from Lucknow, collected and given to me also by Mr. Froggatt, who likewise brought me one of these specimens alive ; (this specimen, like every other specimen of H. ewingii var. callis- celis which I have ever seen, was entirely devoid of any green tint). I do not know how to speak of it except as another variety of H. ewingii (var. C). Limnodynastes tasmaniensis, Gthr., is a widely distributed and variable eastern species rein-esented in my collections, exclusive of Sydney specimen.s, by about 120 specimens, from fourteen inland and several coastal stations. In the original description (B.M. Cat. 1st ed. p. 33) the toes are said to be "slightly webbed at the base, slightly fringed"; in the second edition of the B.M. Catalogue, Mr. Boulenger says, "toes moderate, slightly fringed." The typical form may be described as having usually no crimson or reddish spots on the upper eyelids, though in young specimens these may occasionally be present and more frequently a vertebral red stripe ; three metacarpal tubercles, two metatarsal tubercles, tarso-metatarsal joint of adpressed limb reaching the eye, or between the eye and the nostril ; fingers and toes not pointed, toes slightly fringed, slightly webbed at the base (the basal webl)ing appears to me merely the continuity of the fringe of two contiguous toes, and when the fringe is very slight the webbing is correspondingly slight, and the toes may be said to be almost free) ; throat of male dusky, tinged with yellow, concealed surfaces of both sexes tinged with yellow, especially in the breeding season, in some of my collections, as from Wentworth, Urana (togetlier with the typical form), Mudgee (together with the typical form, and L. Jletcheri), and Waroo, BY J. J. FLETCHER. 17 however, there are specimens of what I can regard as only a well-marked variety of this species, with or without recognisable crimson or reddish spots on the upper eyelids, a little longer in the legs (the tarso-metatarsal joint of the adpressed limb reaching the level of the tip of the snout, or not quite so far, or even further), with two or with three metacarpal tubercles, with two or with one metatarsal tubercle (the outer one being either absent or at least not distinguishable), with very often a very distinct basal webbing of the toes, and without pointed fingers and toes. In other words, but that the head is not much depressed and the snout not shorter than usual, some of these specimens might be referred to L. platycephalus ; while if the fingers and toes were but pointed, some of them might very well be referred to L. Jletcheri. Of four specimens from Wentworth three have crimson spots, all have a distinct basal webbing, but in two of them the tai'so-metatarsal joint of the adpressed limb does not reach beyond the level of the nostiil ; they have three metacarpal tubercles, but in none of them is there a recognisable outer metatarsal tubercle. From Tirana Mr. Sloane, whom I had asked to look out for specimens with crimson palpebral spots, kindly sent me two specimens alive, of which he wrote, " I send you a couple of remarkably robust specimens of L. tasnianiensis ; I have seen several specimens with i^eddish markings on the upper eyelids, but the two sent do not show it so strongly marked " ; one of these, 60 mm. from snout to vent, is the largest specimen of the species I have seen ; they agree substantially with the specimens from Wentworth, but are both a little duskier on the throat and sides of chest ; and more spotted on the undersurface of the calf and foot. Of eighteen specimens from Waroo, some have crimson palpebral spots, some have two metatarsal tubercles, while others appear to have but one, and some appear to have but two meta- carpal tubercles, some of them are much spotted on the throat, sides of chest and even of the abdomen, and on the undersurface of legs ; one specimen is of quite the typical form. From Gunta- wang, with specimens of the typical form, together with specimens of what might be called L. Jletcheri if the fingers and toes were 18 GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION OP AUSTRALIAN BATRACHIA, pointed, I have two specimens of the same batch as the two type specimens of the latter sent to Mr. Boulenger ; these have the fingers and toes pointed as Mr. Boulenger describes, but I cannot help thinking that there is something abnormal about them — possibly they may, when collected, have been put into too strong spirit, — and that they are of the same species as the speci- mens without pointed fingers and toes, and that both are simply a variety of L. tasmaniensis. Mixophyes fasciolatus, Gthr., the type speciuiens of which came from the Clarence River (two specimens appearing to be in the Collection at the time the second edition of the Catalogue was published), is said to have the tibio-tarsal articulation reaching to the tip of the snout, and the " toes two-thirds webbed, so that the three outer phalanges of the fourth toe remain free." I have before me a fine series of seven large specimens, of which five were obtained for me by Mr. Helms on the Richmond Rivei', and two others subsequently a little further to the north on the Tweed : in all these the tibio-tarsal articulation of the ad pressed limb reaches well beyond the level of the snout (say from ;j to 1 inch), while as to the webbing, several may be said to agree with the description, others have a little more webbing, it is thicker, and intensely pigmented, the maximum being reached in a very tine specimen from the Tweed : the difference in size between the type, of which measurements are given by Dr. GUnther, and this specimen is very well indicated by the following : in Dr. Giinther's specimen length of body (from snout to vent) 33 lines, length of hind limb 54 lines : in my specimen the corresponding measure- ments are 3^ inches, and 8 inches (to the tip of the fourth toe along the straightened leg) : now in this specimen every toe, even the fourth, is webbed to almost the very tip on at least one side (of the toe), but the toes cannot be said to be fully webbed, because toes 2-4 are not equally webbed on both sides (of the toe). There is in the Macleay Museum from the Richmond River a still larger and finer example than mine, — the largest Australian frog I have yet seen — which is more or less similar BY J. J. FLETCHER, 19 in regard to the more than usually copious webbing ; it is not accessible at present, and I cannot give further particulars about it, but it is the frog exhibited by Mr. Masters at the meeting of this Society in March, 1886 [Proceedings (2), I. p, 238]. Specimens of this species from the Blue Mts. are normally webbed, but are longer in the legs than the type, like my northern river specimens. In endeavouring to find a place in our systematic lists for such specimens as the above, one has choice of two alternatives ; either to consider that they are representatives of new species and to deal with them accordingly, or, as I think the more desirable course, to treat them as varietal forms, and to note them as such. With the advantages which residence in the country naturally gives in the way of acquiring some knowledge of certain species in their natural haunts, and of obtaining with greater facility perhaps larger series of specimens of other species than naturalists abroad can very often have at their disposal, it has ceased to cause me surprise that I sometimes meet with individuals whose characters refuse to come perfectly and exactly into the line as laid down in the text-books ; or that characters which seem to be of more or less considerable specific importance when only a few specimens have been available, should sometimes turn out to be variable when larger series of specimens are examined. A MONOGRAPH OF THE TEMFOCEPHALE.E. Part i. Bt Professor W. A. Haswell, M.A., D.Sc. [This paper will be published in the forthcoming Macleay Memorial Volume. 1 20 NOTES AND EXHIBITS. Dr. Cox exhibited a specimen of Purpura textilosa, a common marine shell on the South Australian coast, brought to him from Brewarrina on the Darling ; and he said that at first he was extremely puzzled to account for the means of transport to such a distance from the coast. The true explanation of the matter probably was to be found in the fact that as, instead of carrying lime so great a distance — Brewarrina being fully 1000 miles by river from the sea — it was usual to take up shells from the coast by the river steamers and burn them where required, the specimen exhibited had formed part of such an importation. Mr. Palmer exhibited a snake {Eoplocephalus nigrescens, Gthr.) and a lizard (Tiliqua gigas, Sch.) caught yesterday on the Blue Mountains, as they came to drink at a little runnel of water very shortly after it had been caused to flow from a pool higher up by one of his companions, the weather being very hot and dry until the heavy rain accompanying the heavy thunderstorm later on in the afternoon. Eev. J. M. Curran exhibited some excellent lithographs of rock-sections which had just been executed in Sydney under his supervision. In reply to an enquiry on the part of Mr. A. Sidney Olliff as to the exact habitat of the splendid Lucanid beetle, Phalacrog- nathus Muelleri, described by Sir William Macleay in 1885 (P.L.S.N.S.W., Vol. X., pp. 135 and 474) from two specimens about which the only information then available was that they came from North Australia, Mr. F. A. Skuse said that specimens had recently been received by the Australian Museum from Russell Scrub, Boar Pocket, near Cairns, Queensland. 21 WEDNESDAY, 24th FEBRUARY, 1892 Dr. J. C. Cox, F.L.S., Vice-President, in the Chair. Mr. L, Osborn Beal, Dunedin, N.Z., was introduced as a visitor. Professor J. T. Wilson, M.B., Ch.M., Sydney University, was elected a member of the Society. DONATIONS. "The Perak Government Gazette." Vol. v., No. 1 (January, 1892). From the Government Secretary. "The Australasian Journal of Pharmacy." Vol. vii., Nos. 73 and 74 (January and February, 1892). From the Editor. " The Pharmaceutical Journal of Australasia." Vol. v., No. 1 (January, 1892). From the Editor. " Zoologischer Anzeiger." xiv. Jahrg., Nos. 380-381 (December, 1891, January, 1892). From the Editor. ■ " Catalogue of Books added to the Radcliffe Library, Oxford Museum, during the year 1890." From the Trustees. "Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society, 1891." Part 6 (December), No. 85. From the Society. 22 DONATIONS. "Archiv fur Naturgeschichte." Iv. Jahrg. (1889), ii. Band, 1 Heft. (1891) ; Ivii. Jahrg. (1891), i. Band, 3 Heft. From the Editor. "Journal of the Linnean Society of London— Botany." No. 175 (Voh xxvi.), Nos. 183-188 (Vol. xxvii.), and Nos. 189-193 (Vol. xxviii.); "Zoology." Nos. 124-125 (Vol. xx.) and Nos. 145-147 (Vol. xxiii.) ; « List of the Society, 1890-91." From the Society. " Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W." Vol. ii., Part 12 (December, 1891). From the Director of Agriculture. "Royal Society of Edinburgh — Proceedings." Vol. xvii. (1889-90); "Transactions." Vol. xxxiv. (1890); Vol. xxxvi., Part 1, Nos. 1-8 (1889-90). From the Society. "Geological and Natural History Survey of Canada — Contribu- tions to Micro-Palaeontology." Part 3. From the Director. "United States National Museum — Proceedings." Vol. xiv., Nos. 859-860 (1891), From the Museum. " Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College." Vol. xxii., No. 1 (December, 1891) ; "Annual Report, 1890-91." From the Curator. "American Naturalist." Vol. xxv., Nos. 298-299 (October and November, 1891). From the Editor. "Johns Hopkins University Circulars." Vol. xi.. No. 94 (December, 1891). From the University. "Journal of Comparative Medicine and Veterinary Archives." Vol. xii.. No. 12 (December, 1891). From the Editor. "Canadian Record of Science." Vol. iv., No. 8 (1891). From- the Society. "Department of Agriculture, Brisbane — Bulletin." No. 14 (December, 1891). From the Secretary for Agricidture. DONATIONS. "Transactions of the Canadian Institute." Vol. ii., Part 1, No. 3 (October, 1891). From the Institute. " Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science — Address by the President of Section A." (Hobart, 1892.) From the Association. " Supplementary Appendix to Travels amongst the Great Andes of the Equator." By Edward Whymper ; " Coleoptera." By A. Sidney Olliff. From the Author. " Memoirs of the Geological Survey of N.S.W. — Palaeontology." No. viii., Part 2. "Contributions to a Catalogue of Works, &c., of the Australian and Tasmanian Aborigines." By R. Etheridge, Junr. From the Hon. the Minister for Mines. "Journal of Conchology." Vol. vi., No. 12 (October, 1891). From the Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. " Transactions of the Entomological Society of London for the year 1891." Part 4 (December). From the Society. " Societe Botanique de Lyon — Bulletin Trimestriel." No. 1, Janvier-Mars, 1891. From the Society. " Academie Roy ale Danoise des Science et des Lettres, Copen- hague— Bulletin pour 1891." No. 2 (Mars-Mai). From the Society. " Verhandlungen des Naturhistorischen Vereines der preussis- chen Rheinlande Westfalens und des Reg.-Bezirks Osnabriick." xlvii. Jahrg., Zweite Halfte. From the Society. "Societe Zoologique de France — Bulletin pour I'Annee 1891." Tome xvi., No. 8 ; " Memoires." Tome iv., Nos. 3 et 4. From the Society. " Zoological Society of London — Abstract." January 5, 1892. From the Society. "Queensland— Report on the Moondilla Gold Field, 1891." By R. L. Jack, Government Geologist. From the Author. 24 DONATIONS. " Records of the Geological Survey of India." Vol. xxiv., Part 4(1891). From the Society. " Bericht iiber die Verwaltung und Veimehrung der koniglichen Sammlungen fiir Kunst und Wissenschaft zu Dresden in den Jahren 1888 und 1889." From Professor A. B. Meyer. " Technical Education Series, No. 8 — Report on a Beetle destroying boots and shoes in Sydney." By W. W. Froggatt. From the Curator., Technological Museum, Sydney. 25 PAPERS READ. NOTES ON SOME SPECIMENS OF PLANTS COLLECTED AT KINO GEORGE'S SOUND BY Mr. H. WILLIS. By The Rev. W. Woolls. Ph.D., F.L.S. Some time since I forwarded to the Linnean Society, with Notes, 38 specimens of plants collected at King George's Sound by the Rev. R. Collie, F.L.S., and in so doing I endeavoured to explain, by the assistance of my late friend Mr. C. S. Wilkinson, F.G.S., the probable reason why the flora of Western Australia ditFers so much from that of the eastern portion of the continent. That eminent geologist was of opinion that, during the Miocene period, the condition of Australia was very different from what it now is, as probably the ocean occupied all that low country between Spencer's Gulf and Western Australia ; whilst during the Cretacean period about two-thirds of Australia must have been under the ocean. Supposing, therefore, that Eastern and Western Australia at some very remote period were separated by water, and that, in the course of many generations, the conditions of soil and climate have been considerably modified in both regions, it may be presumed that the western or purely Australian plants became very much localised, whilst the eastern flora, in addition to the few species which have immigrated to it from the west, has been mixed with plants of an Asiatic or Polynesian type. An examination of 35 species, which have recently been collected at King George's Sound, will show how few have travelled eastwards : — (1) DlLLENIACE^. 1. Rihbertia fxirjuracea, Benth. (2) POLYGALE^. 2. Comesperma confertimi, Labill. 26 SPECIMENS OF PLANTS COLLECTED AT KING GEOPtGE's SOUND, (3) TREMANDREyE. 3. Tetratheca setigera, Lindl. (4) RUTACE^. 4. Boronia crenulata, Sm. 5. B. heterophylla, F.v.M. (5) Gbraniace^. 6. Pelargonium Rodneyanum, Lindl. (6) Sterculiace^. 7. Thomasia quercifolia, J. Gay. (7) Thymele^. 8. Pimelea rosea, R.Br. 9. P. imbricata, R.Br. (8) Leguminos^. 10. Isotropis striata, Benth. 11. Oxylobium callistachys, Benth. 12. Chorizema angustifolium, Benth. 13. Burtonia scabra, R.Br. 14. Daviesia Jiexuosa, Benth. 15. Eutaxia myrtifolia, R.Br. 16. E. virgata, Benth. 17. Vicia angustifolia, Roth, (introduced). 18. Acacia hastulata, Sm. (9) Myrtace^. 19. Melaleuca thymoides, Labill. 20. Agonis linearifolia, Schau. (10) UMBELLIFER.E. 21. Xanthosia rotundifolia, DC. BY THE REV. W. WOOLLS. 27 (11) Proteace^. 22. Adenanthos obovata, Labill. 23. A. harhigera, Lindl. i\2) Composite. 24. HelijJterum Manglesii, F.v.M. 25. Helichrysum bracteatum, Willd. (13) GOODENIACE^. 26. Dampiera alata, Lindl. 27. D. leptoclada, Benth. (14) SOLANACE^. 28. Anthocercis viscosa, R.Br. (15) Epacride^, 29. Andersonia sprengelioides, R.Br. 30. Astroloma compactum, R.Br. 31. Lysinema Jiiyibr latum, F.v.M. 32. LeuGopogon carinatus, R.Br. 33. Dracophyllum capitaturn, R.Br. (16) H^modorace^. 34. Conostylis setigera, R.Br. (17) JUNCACEiE. 35. Xerotes micrayitha, Endl. (1) The genus Hibbertia, according to Baron Mueller's census, contains 87 species, and of these one half are purely western plants, and have never emigrated from that Colony. Only one, H. stricta, R.Br., is common to the Australian Colonies and Tasmania. H. furfuracea, Benth., or Pleurandra furfuracea, R.Br., is strictly a western species, and not nearly allied to any of the eastern species. Though the flowers resemble those of H. diffusa, R.Br., the two plants are very distinct in habit, the one 28 SPECIMENS OF PLANTS COLLECTED AT KING GEORGe's SOUND, being an erect shrub of several feet in height, and the other being a small prostrate plant, whilst the position of the stamens and the number of the carpels differ matex'ially. (2) Gomesperma conferturn, Labill., is peculiar to W. Australia, though in appearance it resembles G. ericinum, DC, which is common to the eastern Colonies and Tasmania, and has the keel- petal horned and the sepals not obtuse. Of the 24 species of the genus 16 occur in W. Australia, II being peculiar to that Colony, and the other 5 extending to S. Australia, Victoria, N. S. Wales, Queensland and Tasmania. C. scoparium, Steetz, G. voluhile, Labill., and G. calymega, Labill., are the only species which have travelled from the west to N. S. Wales. (3) Tetratheca setigera, Endl., belongs to a genus almost exclu- sively W. Australian, only two species, T. ericifolia, Sui., and T. juncea, Sm., being known in E. Australia, and these so different in character from the majority of the species as to suggest a long series of ages for their differentiation, that is to say, presuming that the genus which is strictly Australian had its origin in the western part of the continent. Of the small order Tremandrese, the genera Platyiheca and Tremandra are unknown in the east, as well as any species of Tetratheca which have the ovules solitary in each cell, and seeds glabrous and shining. (4) Of the genus Boronia, which is known to have about 60 species in Australia (Census, F.v.M.), more than half (33) are limited to the west. B. serrulata, Sm., is peculiar to N. S. Wales, but it is nearly allied to B. crenulata, Sm., differing chiefly in its larger and more numerous flowers, the structure of its style, and the hairiness of its filaments. B. heterophylla, F.v.M., belongs to a section of the genus exclusively w^estern, and is characterised by having the sepaline anthers different from the petaline ones. The well known B. meffastigina, Nees, is of the same section. Whilst the species of Boronia are almost equally divided between the west and east, N. S. Wales has a much larger share of the species of Eriostemon and Phebalium, and it is remarkable that only one species, £. difformis, Cunn., is common to the Australian BY THE REV. W. WOOLLS. 29 colonies. Some genera of the Rutacese are endemic in the east, and others are common to that part of Australia, tropical Asia, and the isles of the Pacific. (5) Pelargonium Rodneyanum, Lindl., is not peculiar to W. Australia, as it occurs in Victoria, N". S. Wales, and S. Australia. In Mitchell's Expeditions, vol. ii. p. 144, it is stated that near the Murray he discovered " a beautiful new species of the Cape Pelar- gonium, which would be an acquisition to our gardens." This be named "/*. Rodneyanum in honour of Mrs. Riddell, of Sydney, granddaughter of the famous Rodney." Baron Mueller has figured this species amongst his Victorian plants. Perhaps it may be regarded as one of those plants which had their origin in Africa (a region famous for its Pelargoniums), as Mr. Bentham considered it nearly allied to P. reniforme, Curt., from the southern part of that continent. (6) Thomasia quercifolia, J. Gay, with 19 species of the genus is of western origin, and only one species, T. petalocalyx, F.v.M., and that nearly approaching T. angustifolia, Steud., has travelled to S. Australia and Victoria. Of the Sterculiacese, numbering 126 species, more than half {^Q) are endemic in W. Australia (Census, F.v.M.), but the following genera are not represented in that region, viz : Sterculia, Tarrietia, Heritiera, Ungeria, Helicteres, Methorium, Melhania, Melochia, Dicaiyidium and Abroma. 7) Pimelea rosea, R.Br., and P. imbricata, R.Br., with 21 other species of the genus, are limited to W. Australia. According to Mr. Bentham, Pimelea occurs only in Australasia; one species, P. longifolia, Banks and Sol., being common to Australia and New Zealand, and 9 others peculiar to the latter. Draj)etes, Wickstroemia and Phaleria do not occur in W. Australia ; but Prapetes is represented in Tasmania and Victoria as well as in New Zealand, whilst the others have species in the Oriental Archipelago, the isles of the Pacific and E. Australia. (8) Of the great order Leguminos* comprising 1065 species (Census, F.v.M.) more than a third are endemic in W. Australia, 30 SPECIMENS OF PLANTS COLLECTED AT KING GEORGE's SOUND, and the following genera do not extend to any of the other colonies, viz : Jansonia, Latrobea, Euchilopsis and Labichea. (a) Isotrojns striata, Benth. This species and 4 others are limited to W. Australia. Only one extends to S. Aus- tralia and N. S. Wales. (6) Oxylobium callistachys, Benth., formerly Callistachys lanceo- lata, Vent., is an ornamental plant, and differs in appear- ance from the species generally. Of the genus, 17 are peculiar to W. Australia, and 7 occur in N. S. Wales. (c) Clwrizema angusti/oUum, Benth., with 13 species of the genus, is limited to W. Australia. 0. parviflorum, Benth., is the only one which extends to the east. {d) Burtonia scahra, R.Br., belongs to a genus principally western. (e) Daviesia Jlexuosa, Benth., is one of a large genus, 41 species of which are limited to the west, and 13 occur in N. S. Wales. (/) Eutaxia myrtifolia, R.Br., and E. virgata, Benth., are western species. E. em'petrifolia, Schl., is common to W. and S. Australia, Victoria, and IST. S. Wales. {g) Vicia ahgustifolia, Roth., is an introduced plant. {h) Acacia hastulata, Sm., is a small shrub known only from King George's Sound. (9) Melaleuca thymoides, Labill. The genus Melaleuca has in a'll Australia 101 species, about 70 of which ax'e westei'n and 18 occur in N. S. Wales. Agonis linearifolia, Schau., resembles a Leiytospermum. When the Flora Australiensis was published, Agonis was regarded as peculiarly western ; but Mr. P. M. Bailey discovered one in Queensland (1888) A. lysicephala,¥.v.'M. ; and A. Scortechiniana is found to be common to N. S. Wales and Queensland (1881). (10) Xanthosia rotundifolia, DC, differs very much from the species near Sydney, as it is nearly glabrous. The genus is con- fined to Australia, 13 being western and 5 eastern species. Three extend to Tasmania. BY THE REV. W. WOOLLS. 31 (11) Aclenanthos obovata, LabilL, and A. barbigera, Lindl., are Proteaceous shrubs. With two exceptions the species (14) are limited to W. Australia. The genus is remarkable for its peculiar style, and is not closely allied to any other. (12) Helichrysum bracteatum, Willd., is a composite found in all the Australian colonies, and with Helipterum Manglesii, F.v.M. {Rhodanthe Manglesii, Lindl.), is often seen in gardens. (13) Dam.piera alata, Lindl., and D. leptoclada, Benth., belong to a genus comprising 38 species, of which 27 are limited to W. Australia. Only seven occur in N. S. Wales and one in Tasmania. (14) Anthocercis viscosa, E.Br., with eight other species, is limited to W. Australia, and has the reputation of being poisonous. Four species are found in N. S. Wales and one in Tasmania. The genus Anthocercis is nearly allied to Duboisia, of which D. Hop- woodii, F.v.M. , is the famous " Pitury" of the blacks. According to Mr. F. M. Bailey, F.L.S., they chew the leaves of it as white men do tobacco. (15) (a) The genus Andersonia is limited to W. Australia and has 20 species. A. sprengelioides, B.Br., is very common at King George's Sound. (b) Astroloma compactum, R.Br, (referred by Baron Mueller to Styphelia), is nearly allied to A. humi/usum, R.Br., a species found in most of the Australian colonies. Accord- ing to the Flora, there are 18 species of the genus, three only extending to the East. (c) Lysinema fimbriatum, F.v.M., is remarkable with the other four species of this western genus for having its filaments free from the base. (d) Leucopogon carinafus, R.Br., belongs to the section "Striatte" of the genus. The Baron joins Xewcopo^on with Styphelia, but according to the Flora it reckons 120 species, of which 78 are western. It is worthy of remark that L. Richei, R.Br., a species growing near the coast, is common to five of the Australian colonies and Tasmania. 32 SPECIMENS OP PLANTS COLLECTED AT KING GEORGE's SOUND, (e) Dracophyllum capitatum, R.Br., occurs only in W. Aus- tralia, to which may be added D. aquarrosum, R.Br., D. Drummondii, Benth., D. phlogiflorum, F.v.M., D. gracUe, R.Br., and D. parvijlorum, F.v.M. Two species are indigenous in Tasmania, one in Queensland, and one [D. Fitzgeraldi, F.v.M.) in Lord Howe's Island. (16) Conostylis setigera, R.Br., belongs to a genus having 32 species, all peculiar to W. Australia. It is worthy of notice that the only species of Hsemodoracese in N. S. Wales are H(em,odorum planifolium, R.Br., and H. teretifolium, R.Br. (17) Xerotes micrantha, Endl., is a species found in S. and W. Australia, Victoria, and N. S. Wales. The genus comprises 32 species, of which 19 aie limited to W. Australia and 11 occur in N. S. Wales. The only Xerotes found out of Australia is one in New Caledonia. It is remarkable, on looking over a few specimens gathered promiscuously at King George's Sound, that Pelargonium Rodney- anum, Vicia angustifolia, Helichrysum, bracteatuni, and Xerotes micrantha are the only species found on the eastera part of the continent, and of these one is probably of African and the other of European origin. The rest of the species stand, as it were, isolated, and illustrate the I'emark of Sir J. D. Hooker that, in reference to the flora of Australia, " there is a greater specific difference between two quarters of Australia (South-eastern and South-western) than between Australia and the rest of the globe ; and that the most marked characteristics of the flora are concen- trated at that point which is geographically most remote from any other region of the globe." Western Australia is rich in the number of its species. Baion Mueller reckons 3560, and of these the great majority are "purely Australian, without any admixture of any other element," whilst in the eastern colonies the number of such plants is proportionately less. It appears, therefore, that in Western Ausfcralia the flora of the continent had its origin, and that whilst certain species have migrated to the east, they have become associated with those from other parts. Why so few BY THE REV. W. WOOLLS. 33 species, comparatively speaking, have left their original source is a problem not yet solved, and it is doubtless the result of causes which remain to be explained in reference to geological periods long past. Whatever may be the cause, it is a fact that in the great orders Leguminosse, Myrtacese and Proteacese, many of the western genera are either wholly unrepresented or only partially represented in the east. For instance, the large genera Gastro- lobium and Jacksonia have very few species out of Western Australia, whilst at least four genera are not represented in any other part of Australia. In the Myrtaceje, also, a similar unequal distribution appears. The large genus Verticordia, with the exception of one species in Queensland and Northern Australia, is exclusively western ; and Calycothrix, with its numerous species, has only two representatives in N. S. Wales. Actinodium, P'de- anthus, Wehlia, Astartea, Hypocalymma, Balaustion, Conothamnus, Regelia, Phymatoc'wpns, Calothamnus, Lamarchea and EremcBa are limited to the west ; and in Eucalyptus not more than six or seven species are common to both regions. Again, in the Proteacese, Simsia, Synaphea, FranUandia, and the large genus Dryandra, no species have migrated eastward ; whilst in Petropldla, Isopogon, and Banksia, the eastern species are few. In the large order of the Compositfe, 206 occur in the west and 296 in N. 8. Wales. Only three genera, with one species each, viz., Pithocarpa, Decazesia and Trichocline, are peculiar to W. Australia. It must be remarked in reference to this order that the species are more widely dis- tributed than any other, being easily conveyed by the nature of their seeds, and being in many instances mere weeds suited to all climates. Notwithstanding these considerations, however, many of the western, species are truly local, whilst the number of the eastern composites has been augmented by plants from Asia, Australasia and Polynesia. In the Epacridese, Oligarrhena, Needhaniia, Conostephium, Coleanthera, Lysinema, Cosmelia, Sphenotoma and the large genus Andersonia, nine of the species occur in the East ; whilst amongst Monocotyledonous plants, all the species of the Hsemodoracese, with the exception of very few, are strictly limited to the west. It would be easy to pursue the 34 SPECIMENS OF PLANTS COLLECTED AT KING GEORGe's SOtlND. subject further, and to show from Baron von Mueller's valuable " Census of Australian Plants " (to which I am so much indebted for the numbers and distribution of species) how correctly Sir J. D. Hooker concluded, more than thirty years ago, that Western Australia is the centrum and cradle of plants purely Australian, and that in Eastern Australia the flora is not so rich in endemic species, or so free from an admixture of such as may be regarded as of foreign origin. At the present time it is impossible to explain these phenomena, but it is probable that the progress of geological science may hereafter bear testimony to the causes whicli have led to fche differentiation of the Australian flora. Note. — Since these remarks were written, I have received from the same locality Banksia coccinea, R.Br., £. attenuata, R.Br., B. Uicifolia, R.Br., Callistemon speciosus, DC, and Sccevola attenuata, R.Br., none of which species extend to Eastern Austi^alia. 35 ON PANAX GUM. By J. H. Maiden, F.L.S., &c. Panax is a geaus of the Araliaceae, several species of which order are more or less acrid or aromatic. But the recorded instances of gum or resin being found in any of them are extremely few. and in no case, so far as I am aware, has the composition of the exudation been dealt with, much less an analysis given. In the common English ivy ( Hedera helix), there is stated to be contained "the gum-resin called Hederine, used by varnish- makers, and said to be depilatory and emmenagogiie." (Lindley, Medical and (Economical Botany.) "An aromatic gum-resin comes from A^'alia racemosa, spinosa, and hispida. (Lindley, Vegetable Kingdom.) Meryta Sinclairii, Seem., of New Zealand, "is charged with a peculiar resin in all its parts." (Kirk's Forest Flora of Neio Zealand.)* All the above quotations refer to resins or gum-resins. We now come to guins in the Araliaceae, and the two references I give are all I can find of gums in this natural order, and they both refer to Panax, the genus to which all the gums I have been able to obtain up to the present also belong. " Panax Golensoi exudes a gum very similar to gum arabic, and occasionally used for adhesive purposes. " ( Report Neiv Zealand Exhibition, 1865.) * Since the above was written I have received from Mr. W. W. Froggatt a quantity of a gum-resin from Astrotriche jloccosa, DC, belonging to this natural order. -It has a very pleasant perfume, and appears to be an interesting substance. It exuded from sickly shrubs whose stems had been wounded by a small GurcuUo, 36 ON PANAX GUM, " Panax sainhucifolms in Novam Angliam extendit. Truncus cum ramis gummifluus." (Mueller, Fragm. vii., 95.) It would appear, therefore, that the Araliaceae exude both gums and resins. It is a fact not generally known that the same natural order, the same genus, and even the same species may exude both a gum and a resin, and some writers have even doubted the exactness of their own observations when they have found both a gum and a resin in closely related plants. I hope to show in another place, chiefly by citing Australian instances which have come under my own notice, that the occurrence of both a resin and a gum in the same genus and even species, is by no means uncommon. Returning to P. samhucifolius, I have not yet obtained gum from the normal species, but from a variety, viz., P. aambucifolius, var. angit,sta, or, according to Baron von Mueller's nomenclature, P. dendroides, var. angusta. This plant is found on the banks of the Snowy River, amongst boulders of rock, attaining a height of about 8 feet, with a diameter of two inches when grown in tree shape ; mostly, however, the plant is shrubby, with a number of thin stems. The gum was obtained from old sickly plants. When obtained fresh it has a peculiar sweetish odour, and when placed in the mouth it has a pleasant flavour, reminding one strongly of a rose jujube. It dissolves wholly in the mouth in a few minutes, and except for the perfume already alluded to, it might readily be taken for one of the readily soluble Wattle gums. Nevertheless when I first received it I was informed that in a local family it had the reputation of being injurious, and even poisonous. The gum is credited with having caused vomiting and serious symptoms which lasted three or four days in a young man Vho had eaten the gum as freely as one would Wattle gum. Nothing in my analysis shows any poisonous substance in the gum, and as this is the only instance which has come under my notice of alleged poisoning by Panax gum, the sufierer may have been under a misapprehension. At the same time, it must be BY J. H. MAIDEN. 37 boi'ne in mind that vegetable substances of an injurious nature {e.g., the poisonous principle in Macrozaviia seeds) are sometimes not capable of detection by ordinary chemical processes. My sample has the appearance of an inferior gum arable ; it breaks with a dull couchoidal fracture ; the colour varies from amber to colourless. After 24 hours in cold water a portion of the gum remained undissolved, and had swollen a good deal. After separating the solution, this insoluble substance was treated with very dilute potash ; it readily dissolved, and on acidifying with acetic acid and adding alcohol, arabin was precipitated, showing the insoluble portion to have been metarabin. The gum soluble in cold water was proved to be arabin. The composition of this sample of gum is :— Arabin 68-8 Metarabin... ... ... ... 16"1 (by difference) Ash 2-0 Water 13-1 100 0 I have I'eceived (also from Mr. William Bauerlen, collector for the Technological Museum) a sample of gum from Panax murrayi, obtained from Lindendale, Lismore, where it is known locally as " Pencil Cedar," and where it attains a height of 40-60 feet, and a stem-diameter of 9 to 24 inches. It was collected in January, 1892, and was analysed a month later. This gum is brittle, like that of P. sambtocifolius, var. angusta, and not viscous like that of P. elegans. Its taste is not pleasant ; it has not much odour, not resembling P. elegans in this respect. It is fairly light in colour, although portions are as dark as ordinary glue. In cold water it wholly dissolves to a clear transparent liquid, not opalescent like that of P. sambucifolius, var. The aqueous solution has an odour different from that of the others, and not so pleasant. It is difficult to describe. 38 ON PANAX GUM, On the addition of alcohol of specific gravity -834, the gum is precipitated as an opaque white substance, and is arabin. The composition of the gum is : — Arabin ... ... ... ... 85*1 Ash 2-3 Water 12-6 100-0 Two specimens of gum from Panax elegans may now be described separately. 1. Found at Lismore. Diam., 1 foot. Height, 50-60 feet. Gum gathered April, 1891, and analysed the following February. Both gums are rather dark in colour, and resemble Wattle gum. They are in irregular lumps of about half an inch in thickness. Both are plastic after months of keeping. Both are mainly soluble in water, the insoluble portion largely swelling up in that liquid. The odour of the a(?|ueous solution of No. 1 sample of P. elegans resembles that of carrots in a remarkable degree. This is noteworthy, and reminds one of the close afiinity of the Araliaceje and Umbelliferse. 2. Panax elegans. Sample from Ballina, N.S.W. This specimen has been partly described under No. 1. In aqueous solution it has an aroma which reminds one of hops. The following analysis gives a good idea of the composition of both gums of P. elegans. Arabin 70*2 Metarabin 9-8 (by difference) Ash 3-3 Water 16-7 lOO'O Co7iclusio7is. Panax gums closely resemble Acacia gums in composition. They both contain gums wholly soluble in cold water, and con- sisting entirely of arabin, and gums partially soluble in water, BY J. H. MAIDEN. 39 though containing varying proportions of metarabin, which sub- stance causes them to swell in cold water. The gum of P. murrayi would form a valuable substitute for gum arable, and it would be a valuable minor industry for this country if it were procurable in large quantities. All the gums possess some odour, obtained from the barks, and isolation of the odoriferous bodies could be best carried out by analysis of tlie bark. This odoriferous principle in the Araliacere, and reminding one of the Umbelliferse, has long been known. "Most of the species have a very strong smell of aniseed and celery, — hence the name of 'Celery-tree' is given to Panax (Notliopanax) elegans by the Queensland colonists." (Seemann, Flora vitiensis, 114). The ash of Panax gums principally consists (in my samples) of lime, magnesium, and potassium, with a trace of iron, and although the bases were present principally as carbonates, both sulphuric and phosphoric acids were found. Quantitative deter- minations of the different constituents of the ash were not made, with the exception of phosphorous pentoxide, the percentage of Pj O5 in the ash of P. elegans being 'GGQ, The gums may therefore be considered as principally the calcium, magnesium and potassium salts of arable acid. 40 NOTES AND EXHIBITS L»r. Wool Is sent for exhibition the plants from King George's Sound referred to in his paper, and flowering specimens of Capparis Mitchelli, Lindl., and C. lasiantha, R.Br., both from the Namoi, with the kindly intimation that they might after- wards be added to the Society's herbarium. Mr. Fletcher exhibited a collection of interesting plants from the Blue Mountains, which Dr. Woolls had kindly determined. Also living adult and young specimens of Feripatus — the former part of a collection of about one hundred specimens obtained last month on the Blue Mountains, the later part of their progeny, amounting to at least two hundred specimens, subsequently born in captivity ; also the prematurely born young of an accidentally injured femalOj advanced embryos extruded during the drowning of the mothers, and dissected females showing the oviducts crammed with embryos. In view of this fresh evidence, therefore, he again emphatically protested against the sweeping generaliza- tion of Dr. Dendy, to which extensive publicity has been given, and which has appeared in at least four scientific journals, tliat Feripatus leuckartii, Sang.,— in the wide sense in which Dr. Dendy uses that teim, namely, to include the N.S.W. Feripatus — " is really oviparous," as well as against Dr. Dendy's infeiences and conclusions with regard to certain young specimens exhibited at a Meeting of this Society in October, 1888. Mr. Froggatt exhibited (1) a series of specimens illustrating the life-history of the butterfly lalmenus evagoras, Don., the larvse of which he had recently obtained at Maitland ou the foliage of Acacia decurrens, and had noticed that they were visited by numberless ants, attracted by a sugary excretion : (2) a large arboreal spiny grasshopper recently obtained by Mr. Bauerlen, botanical collector of the Technological Museum, at Ballina, Rich- mond River, much resembling in appearance the rough and thorny creeper upon which it is found : and {'?>) a small collection of rare NOTES AND EXHIBITS. 41 beetles obtained either by Mr. Bauerlen at Ballina or by the exhibitor at Allalong, near Maitland, and including Monohammus sp., Hehecerus crocogaster, Boisd., StenofJerus ostricilla, Newm., Phaolus Madeayi, Pasc, Xylonyclius sp., Amphirhoe decora, Newm., Penthea solida, Pasc, Projjhanus cupreus, Gray, and Brenthis sp. Dr. Cox exhibited a noteworthy collection of starfishes, i emark- al)le sponges, and fine specimens of Gorgonias brought up by ])earling divers from considerable depths off the extreme north- west coast of Australia, for the opportunity of exhibiting which he was indebted to Mr. Gibbins, who had taken much trouble to bring specimens.* Also specimens {^ and Q) of the prawn Palctimon ornatus, Olivier, which has recently and suddenly appeared in great numbers in the Hunter River, and is now coming into the market for edible purposes, though in his experience such had never been previously the case. Also good photographs of angler-fishes, and of a " siamese-twin " shark (Acanthias antarctica) from New Zealand. Mr. A. G. Hamilton sent for exhibition a specimen of a large hairy caterpillar infested with several hundreds of parasitic mites, found by him at lUawarra. Mr. Maiden exhibited a series of specimens of Capjmris nobilis, the " Wild Lemon," of the Richmond River ; also specimens of Phehalium Billardieri taken from a tree of the unusual dimensions of 35 feet high and 8 inches in diameter of trunk ; also a twig of Notelcua longifolia with a leaf of the unusual length of 10^ inches from tip to articulation, and illustrating the specific name ; also the Panax gums referred to in bis paper. * Mr. Whitelegge subsequently kuidly furnished the subjoined hst of these specimens : — AsTEROiDEA — fLinckia 7niliaris, M. & T. ; "^ Pentaceros nodidoswi, Perrier ; t Goniodiscus pleyadella, M. & T. ; t Nardoa novce- ccdedonice, Perrier; •]■ Anthenea tuberculosa, Gray; Echinaster purpurens. Gray : Gorgonacea — Ctenocella pectinata. Pall. ; Juncella f/emmacea, M. Ed. & H. ; + Iciligorgia orientalis, Ridley ; t Callipodium australiense, Ridley : Porifera — lantheUa fiahelliformis. Gray (very large, 28 inches high and 30 wide) ; Thrinacophora sp. t Ijiicomnion. 42 WEDNESDAY, 30th MARCH, 1892. The President, Professor Haswell, M.A., D.Sc, in the Chair. Mr. G. A. McKay was introduced as a visitor. The President announced that the Council had under considera- tion the question of the proposed Macleay Memorial Volume, and that a committee had been appointed to make the necessary preliminary arrangements. DONATIONS. " Archives Neerlandaises des Sciences Exactes et Naturelles publiees par la Societe Hollandaise des Sciences a Harlem." Tomes i.-xix. ; xx,, Parts I and 2 ; xxiv.. Parts 4 and 5 ; xxv., Part 2 (1866-91). From the Society. " Tijdschrift voor Entomologie uitgegeven door de Neder- landsche Entomologische Vereeniging." xxxiii. Dl. (1889-90), Afl. 3-4 ; xxxiv. Dl. (1890-91), Afl. 1-2. From the Society. " Tijdschrift der Nederlansche Dierkundige Vereeniging." 2'^'= Serie, Dl. i.-iii., Afl. 1-2 (1886-91). Froin the Society. " Zoologischer Anzeiger." xv. Jahrg., Nos. 382-384 (Jan.-Feb., 1892). From the Editor. " Bulletin de la Societe Beige de Microscopie." xviii™^ Annee (1891-92), No. 2. From the Society. " Perak Grovernment Gazette." Vol. v., Nos. 2-4 (Jan.-Feb., 1892). From the Government Secretary. DONATIONS. 43 " Bolletino dei Musei di Zoologia ed Anatomia comparata della R. Universita di Torino." Vol. vi., Nos. 104-111 (1891). From the Museum. Australian Museum — " Records ; Contents and Index, Vol. i."; "Catalogue of Marine Shells of Australia and Tasmania." Part 1 (1892). By J. Brazier, F.L.S. ; "List of Cephalopoda in the Collection of the Australian Museum." By J. Brazier, F.L.S. From the Trustees. New South Wales : Public Instruction — "Report of Curator of Technological Museum for 1890." From the Cttrator. "Transactions of the Royal Society of Victoria." Vol. ii , Part 2 (1891). From the Society. " Smithsonian Institution — United States National Museum — Annual Report, 1888-89." pp. 1-277, 447-589, 609-728, and Appendix, pp. 1-50. From the Museum. " Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College — Bulle- tin." Vol. xxii., Nos. 2-3 (1891-92). From the Curator. "United States Department of Agriculture — Division of Ento- mology." Vol. iv., Nos. 5-6. From the Secretary of Agriculture. "Bulletin of the American Geographical Society." Vol. xxiii., No. 4, Part I (1891). From the Society. "Journal of Comparative Medicine and Veterinary Archives." Vol. xiii., No. 1 (Jan., 1892). From the Editors. " Verhandlungen der Gesellschaft fiir Erdkunde zu Berlin." Band xviii. (1891), Nos. 9-10. From the Society. " Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society." Vol. xlviii.. Part 1, No. 189 (Feb., 1892). From the Society. " Annales de la Societe G^ologique de Belgique." Tome xviii., 2"^ Livn. ; Tome xix., P« Livn. (1891-92). From the Society. "Victorian Naturalist." Vol. viii., No. 11 (March, 1892). From the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria. Western Australia. — "Report on the Goldfields of the Kimber- ley District" (1891). From the Author, the Government Geologist. 44 DONATIONS. " Cambridge Philosophical Society — Proceedings." Vol. vii., Part 0 (1892) ; "Transactions " Vol. xv., Part 2 (1891). From the Society. " Iconography of Australian Salsolaceous Plants." Decade ix. (1891). By Baron von Mueller, K.G.M.G., F.R.S. From the Premier of Victoria, through the Librarian, Public Library, Mel- bourne. "Zoological Society, London — Abstract of Proceedings " 2nd Feb., 1892. From the Society. "Pharmaceutical Journal of Australasia." Vol. v., No. 3 (March, 1892). From the Editor. " Agricultural Gazette of New South "Wales." Vol. iii.. Parts 1 (Jan.) and 2 (Feb. 1892). From the Director of Agriculture. "Geological and Natural History Survey of Canada — Anuual Report." New Series, Vol. iv. (1888-89). From the Director. " Societe des Sciences de Finland — Acta " Tome xvii. (1891) ; "Oefversigt af Forhandlingar." Vol. xxxii. (1889-90); " Bidrag till Kannedom till Finlands Natur och Folk." H. xlix.-l. (1890- 1891). From the Society. "Kaiserliche Leopoldino-Carolinische deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher — Leopoldino." xxvi. Heft (1890) ; " Nova Acta." Band liv., Nr. 5 ; Iv., Nr. 3 ; Ivi., Nr. 2 u. 3 (1890-91). From the Society. "Transactions of the Entomological Society of London for the year 1891." Part 5 (Feb., 1892).^ From the Society. "Entomologisk Tidskrift utgifven af Entomologiska Foreningen i Stockholm." Arg. xii. (1891). From the Society. " Revista de Sciencias Naturaes e Sociaes Orgao da Sociedade Carlos Ribeiro." Volume Segundo, No. 7. From the Society. " Bulletin de la Societe Royale Linneenne de Bruxelles " Nos. 1-4 (Nov., 1891,-Feb., 1892j. From the Society. Sydney Free Public Library — "Report from Trustees for 1891." From the Trustees. 45 PAPERS READ. STUDIES IN AUSTRALIAN ENTOMOLOGY. No. v.— NOTES ON THE SUBFAMILY BROSCINI (CARABID.i-:), WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES. By Thomas G. Sloane. In a former paper (P.L.S.N.S.W., 1890 (2), v. p. 189) I divided the Australian Broscini into two main divisions, viz. : — i. With temporal ridge very indistinct. ii. With temporal ridge distinct. Further consideration and study of the subfamily induces me to think this grouping misleading. To arrange the genera of any subfamily into natural groups one requires a knowledge of at least all the important genera constituting such subfamily found in all parts of the world. I have only a knowledge of the Australian genera. These genera have very different values from a classificatory point of view, a circumstance which occurs in all branches of Entomology ; this is a difficulty in the way of drawing up tables of genera, especially partial ones, because the genera must theoretically be considered as of equal value, though practically they may not be so. Taking the Australian Broscini, we find three distinct types, represented by the genera Promeco- (lerus, Eurylychnus, and Percosoma respectively. The genera of the first group, or type, have been arranged by me (I.e. p. 190) in a table that may be taken as useful as far as it goes. These genera, with Eurylychnus, are differentiated from the others by the presence of a setigerous puncture in the scrobe of the mandibles. The Percosoma group (Percosoma, Lychnus and 46 STUDIES IN AUSTRALIAN ENTOMOLOGY, Percolestus) are without a puncture in the scrobe of the mandibles.* This feature also appears to be wanting in the New Zealand forms. In the present paper I take the genus Promecoderus first, because I have already treated of it ; the other genera I take in what seems to me the order of their affinity as leading from Promecoderus. Promecoderus castelnaui, n.sp. (J. Shining black (sometimes with a bronzy tint on elytra), legs black, antennae and palpi piceous black. Head large, smooth ; frontal impressions broad, shallow ; clypeal suture hardly marked ; vertex lightly transversely impressed behind ; eyes not very prominent, inclosed behind ; post-ocular prominences small. PrO' thorax cordate, about as broad as long (4 x 4mm.), convex, very slightly declivous behind ; sides rounded, not dilatate, shortly narrowed behind ; marginal border narrow, hardly sinuate on the sides before the base, not crossing the middle of the base; basal angles sharply defined, but hardly right angles ; median line distinct. Elytra oval (8 x 4|mm.), convex, lightly rounded on sides, declivous to peduncle behind the scutellum, striate ; the dosal strife distinct, none on the sides, first four distinct, but only the 1st reaching the apex. Last four ventral segments with a round fovea on each side. In ^ the four basal joints of anterior tarsi dilatate and spongiose below, and with two basal joints of middle tarsi spongiose below ; last joint of tarsi narrow, not flattened. Length, (J 14, 9 16 ; breadth, $ 4^, 9 5 mm. * I would note that the form of the anterior margin of the prosternum may prove of value in dividing the Australian Bkoscini. It is edged with a continuous border in Promecoderus (all species), Cerotalis (all species), Adotela (4 species which I have examined), and Gnathoxys (I have only been able to examine a single example of Gn. tessellatus, Mael.). In Eurylychnus the border is entire in E. oUiffi, Bates, while E. hlagravii, (]asteln., and E. victorke, SI., have only obsolete ti-aces of it at each side. There is no border to the anterior margin of the prosternum in Percosoma, Lychims, and Percolestus. BY THOMAS G. SLOANE. 47 [Jah. — New South Wales; Narrabri (Musson), Warialda District (Sloane). I received both $ and $ from Mr. Musson, who took them at Narrabri, and formerly I had a ^ taken by myself in the Waiialda district. I believe this to be the insect to which de Castelnau refers when he says, under the name P. striato-punctatus, he has a specimen from the Darling River* ; however, apart from the inappropriateness of the name striato-jninctatus, I hardly think this species will be found to extend to Victoria. I have already expressed the belief that P. striato-punctatus, Casteln., = P. 7iigrico7'7iis, Casteln. f This species is allied to P. comes, SI., from which it differs in its narrower form, in the prothorax being proportionately broader in comparison with the elytra, in its larger head, blacker colour, and in the marginal border of the elytra not being entire on the base, &c. Promecoderus concolor, Germ. When reviewing the genus Promecoderus two years ago I followed de Castelnau, who had been followed with doubt by M. Putzeys in his Revision des Broscides de I'Australie, and main- tained P. Jioioitti, Casteln., as a species distinct from P. coricolor, Germ. Since then I have obtained a larger series of specimens from different localities, which convinces me that they must be regarded as one species, and that P. anthracinus, Macl., and P. politus, SI., must also be placed as synonyms of P. concolor. I further sink P. lucidicollis, Casteln., to the rank of a variety, and regard P. ohlongus, Casteln., as a synonym of P. lucidicollis. M. Putzeys gives the dimensions of P. oblongus, Casteln., as 12x4-^ mm. The synonymy will, therefore, be: — P. concolor, Germ., = P. suturalis, Casteln.; P. lucidus, Putz., (these agree with the typical form of P. concolor); P. howitti, Casteln.; P. anthracinus, Macl.; P. politus, SI. (the last three are identical, but do not seem to me * Trans. Roy. Soc. Victoria, 1868, viii. p. 168. t P.L.S.N.S.W. 1890, (2), v. p. 210. 48 STUDIES IN AUSTRALIAN ENTOMOLOGY, to warrant being regarded as even a variety); var. /'. lucidicollis, Casteln., = P. ohlongus, Casteln. I have specimens of a small Promecoderus, from the Namoi River, which is so closely allied to P. lucidicollis, Casteln., that I cannot find characters to separate them. Had I been able to maintain P. lucidicollis as a good species, I should still have regarded the Namoi form as entitled to rank as a variety ; I now have to include it under P. concolor, and propose for it the name var. namoyensis ; the following is a description : — P. namoyensis, $. bronzed black, shining, undersurface black with a metallic tinge, legs piceoas black, tarsi, palpi and 1st joint of antennae piceous. Head smooth, with a broad shallow im- pressioQ across vertex behind the eyes ; eyes prominent, inclosed buhind ; post-ocular prominences weak. Prothorax smooth, sub- convex, a little flattened on the disc, about as long as broad (3|-x3^ mm), truncate in front and behind; sides I'ounded, somewhat dilatate in middle, narrowed behind ; marginal border narrow, not crossing middle of base ; median line lightly im- pressed. Elytra oval (6-|^ x 4 mm.), subconvex, a little flattened on the disc, smooth, with the stria next the suture lightly marked- o. More parallel ; the prothorax and elytra more convex ; the elytral striae more distinctly marked. Length 11|, breadth 4 mm. Hah. — 'New South Wales ; Narrabri (Musson), Gunnedah (Sloane). The ^ diff'ers from P. lucidicollis, Casteln., in having the pro- thorax and elytra more depressed ; the $ has, however, almost exactly the same facies. Both sexes are duller coloured, and have the elytral striae more noticeable than P. hccidicollis ; the marginal border does not cross the middle of the base as it does, with rare exceptions, in that species ; the transverse impression behind the eyes is a noticeable feature in the present variety, but is wanting in P. lucidicollis. The tarsi and the fovere of the ventral segments are similar in both. BY THOMAS G. SLOANE. 49 Promecoderus ambiguus, n.sp. Lfevigate, form comparatively short, elytra much broader than prothorax. Shining, upper-surface bronzed-black, with a greenish tinge, undersurface rather piceous, legs piceous black, tarsi and . palpi blown. Head large, without impression across vertex behind the eyes ; clypeus slightly rugulose ; clypeal suture distinct, ending in a short foveiform impression on each side ; the lateral channel from above eye to base of mandible straight, not oblique ; eyes round, prominent, inclosed behind ; post-ocular prominences rather inconspicuous, about half the length of eyes ; mentum with strong median tooth. Prothorax convex, almost as long as broad (3^- x 3| mm.), truncate in front and behind, widest about the middle ; sides dilatate in middle, shortly narrowed behind ; marginal bonier narrow, not sinuate before basal angles, stronger and entire on base ; a broad lightly marked trarisverse impression a little in front of the base ; median line fine, very lightly impressed. Elytra rather convex, short, oval (8 x 5-^ mm.), rounded on the sides, broadest a little behind the middle ; shoulders rounded ; suture lightly impressed ; lateral border narrow ; marginal punctures as usual. Ventral segments smooth, four last with a broad shallow round fovea on each side. Posterior trochanters long and pointed at apex. Length 13, breadth 5^ mm. Hah. — Northern Territory of South Australia. A single specimen in my collection received from the Rev. Thos. Blackburn of Adelaide. The last ventral segment has one puncture on each side of the anus (therefore I believe it to be the (J), and the anterior tibiae are without spongiose tissue below. In these respects, and in the form of the posterior trochanters it resembles P. distinctus, SI., which is its nearest ally among previously described species. I have not been able to compare them, but would note the more metallic colour of the undersurface in P. distinctus. 4 50 STUDIES IN AUSTRALIAN EMTOMOLOGY, In the following notes I Lave not attempted to give a complete diagnosis of the previously desciibed genera, but the short note on each will be sufficient for their determination. Genus Eurylychnus, Bates. This genus has been formed by Mr. H. W. Bates [Ent. Mo. Mag. 1891 (2), II. p. 285], whose lamented death has been reported since these notes were written, for the reception of a small insect belonging to the Broscini from Mt. Kosciusko, which he has named E. olliffi. The leading characters of the genus, as I regard it, are the following : — Head with strong frontal impressions ; a strong transverse impression behind the eyes ; eyes round and prominent, a single supra-orbital puncture above each. Mandibles stout, sharply hooked at apex, a setigerous puncture in the scrobe. Antennae raoniliform. Palpi thick, apical joint truncate. Elytra striate. Anterior thighs short, dilated, but without dentiform projection below in ^ ; anterior tarsi with three basal joints obliquely produced externally, and in the ^ either clothed below with spongiose tissue or not. I know of three species belonging to this genus which may be divided as follows : — a. Elytra with scutellar stride : size large E. blagravii, Casteln. aa. Elytra without scutellar striole : size small. Prothorax subcordate, gently narrowed behind. Prosternum without a border along anterior margin E. victorice, Sloane. Prothorax orbiculate, very shortly narrowed behind. Prosternum with a complete border along anterior margin E. olliffi, Bates. BY THOMAS G. SLOANE. 51 EURYLTCHNUS BLAGRAVII, Casteln. Mecodema hlagravii, Casteln., Trans. Roy. See. Victoria, 1868, VIII. p. 161 ; Percosoma blagravii, Putz., Stett. Ent. Zeit. 1868, p. 323 ; Bates, Ent. Mo. Mag. 1891 (2), ii. p. 286. In his note on this species, Mr. Bates says : — " If the male prove to have the soles of the dilated joints of the anterior tarsi furnished with a hair-pad, the species will belong to Eurylychnus, from which it differs only in the elytra having a scutellar striole." I took a number of specimens of both sexes under logs in the brushes at Burrawang in Nov., 1890, and am able to state with certainty that the male has no " hair-pad " on the lower side of the joints of anterior tarsi. The tarsi are so much alike in both sexes that I cannot determine the sex by their means ; neverthe- less, I do not consider a new genus necessary for its reception. So-called genera which rest on a single character of doubtful value, appertaining to only one sex, seem to me too artificial for practical workers in zoology ; though, no doubt, rigid cabinet specialists may find them indispensable. This species has been very carefully described by M. Putzeys, but to complete my notice of the genus Eurylychnus, I append the following description founded on specimens from Burrawang. Form robust, convex. Black, legs reddish. Head large, with strong transverse impression behind eyes ; frontal impressions strong, curved, diverging backwards, widening internally at clypeal suture, — this well marked, — a raised space between frontal impressions and lateral channel on each side ; eyes round, promi- nent. Labial palpi subsecuriform (broader in ^ than in 9). Prothorax lightly convex, almost as long as broad (5 x 5|mm.), very slightly emarginate in front, — the anterior angles being broadly rounded and a very little advanced ; sides almost parallel on anterior part to behind the middle, lightly rounded to anterior angles, shortly narrowed behind ; lateral border narrow, reflexed, shortly sinuate before base, thickened at the rather prominent basal angles ; base sinuate ; median line lightly marked ; a short strongly marked longitudinal fovea in front of each basal angle ; 52 STUDIES IN AUSTRALIAN ENTOMOLOGY, a single marginal puncture on each side, placed just before where the sides begin to narrow behind. Elytra convex, oval (11 x 6^ mm.); strongly and regularly striate; interstices convex; scutellar striole very short ; lateral border narrow, reflexed, interrupted near the peduncle on each side ; about six punctures along each margin, those of the middle part widely placed, round, and foveiform. Presternum not bordered along anterior margin. Ventral segments impunctate— excepting last with a single seti- gerous puncture on each side of anus in both sexes. Length 21, breadth 6^ mm. Hab. — N. S. Wales ; Mt. Kosciusko (Helms), Burrawang : Vic- toria ; Marysville, Otway Ranges (Sloane) ; Harrietville District (Blackburn). EURYLYCHNUS VICTORIA, n.Sp. Form light. Black, legs and mouth parts reddish. Head large ; a strong transverse impression behind the eyes ; frontal impressions strongly marked, rugulose ; a narrow groove with I'aised external edge extending from above each eye to base of mandibles ; space between this groove and frontal impressions raised ; eyes prominent, inclosed behind ; post-ocular prominences weak. Prothorax not convex, subcordate, nearly as long as broad (3| x 3| mm.), truncate in front, lightly sinuate behind ; sides lightly rounded on anterior half, lightly narrowed behind ; lateral border narrow, sinuate before the base, thickened and forming a small protuberance at the basal angles ; median line strongly marked ; one marginal puncture on each side, placed slightly before the middle. Elytra lightly convex, oval (7 x 4|mm.), truncate at base, sti'iate ; striae entire and well marked ; interstices equal, not convex; no scutellar striole; lateral border narrow, reaching from peduncle to apex ; a few widely placed punctures along margin. Presternum with anterior margin not bordered. Joints of anterior tarsi a little obliquely produced externally. Length 14, breadth 4 J mm. Hab. — Victoria. This species I received from Mr. W. Kershaw, as coming from near Melbourne. BY THOMAS G. SLOANE, 53 I do not know the sex of tbe specimen described, but its affinity seems more to E. blagravii, Casteln., than to E. olliffi, Bates, therefore I think it likely the anterior tarsi are similar in both sexes. Its smaller size, less dilatate prothorax, and less strongly striate elytra at once distinguish it from E. blagravii, while from E. olliffi its more elongate form, and less globose prothorax, separate it readily. EuRYLYCHNUS OLLIFFI, Bates. E. olliffi, Bates, Ent. Mo. Mag. 1891 (2), ii. p. 286. A single specimen is in my collection, taken at Burrawang on 10th Nov., 1890, on which the following description is founded : — (J. Form short, robust, head small. Black, legs and parts of mouth reddish. Head small, smooth ; a strong transversal impression behind eyes ; frontal impressions strong, diverging behind ; clypeal suture strongly impressed ; a narrow lateral groove with raised external edge, extending from back of each eye to base of mandibles, space between this groove and frontal impression raised ; eyes round, prominent, without post-ocular prominences. Prothorax short (3 x 3-|mm), rather depressed on disc, declivous on sides, broadest about middle, lightly emarginate in front, — the anterior angles being broadly rounded, margined, and slightly advanced ; sides lightly rounded on anterior half and a little narrowed to the front, shortly and decidedly rounded behind ; lateral border narrow, reflexed ; a small protuberance extending vertically downwards in the form of a ridge on each side, just before the basal angles, — these obtusely rounded ; median line very strongly impressed, not reaching either margin ; the marginal channel widening inwards on each side a little before the basal angles, thus causing the posterior part of the prothorax to appear sinuate ; three setigerous marginal punctures on each side, the 1st just behind the anterior angles, 2nd about middle, 3rd just after the prothorax begins to narrow behind. Elytra shortly oval (6| x 4^ mm.), rather depressed on disc, declivous on sides and behind, striate ; strise strongly marked on disc, very 54 STUDIES IN AUSTRALIAN ENTOMOLOGY. indistinct on declivous part of sides ; obsolete towards apex ; no scutellar striole ; lateral border broad, reflexed^ widened and flattened on each side near the peduncle ; about six widely placed setigerous punctures along each margin. Prosternum with an entire border along anterior margin. Ventral segments strongly divided, last segment with a single puncture on each side of anus. Anterior tarsi broad, three basal joints obliquely produced on external side and clothed below with spongiose tissue. Length 12, breadth 4-^ mm. Hnh. — New South Wales; Mount Kosciusko (Helms), Burra- wang (Sloane). The three remaining genera form a natural group characterised by having the mandibles without a setigerous puncture in the scrobe, and the prosternum not bordered along its anterior margin. The following is a brief summary of the features that may be used to separate them from one another : — Form short ; prothorax subquadrate, hardly at all narrowed behind. Head without a transverse impression behind eyes. Antennae moniliform, short, thick Percolestus. Head with a transverse impression behind eyes, and deep frontal grooves. Antennae moniliform Lychrius. Form elongate ; prothorax subcordate, greatly narrowed behind. Head without transverse impression behind eyes or deep frontal grooves. Antennae subfiliform, not thick Percosoma. Percolestus, n.g. Head moderate, lightly impressed on each side behind the eyes ; eyes spherical, prominent ; temporal ridge obsolete ; one supra-orbital puncture on each side. Mandibles short, broad, arcuate, obtusely hooked at apex ; inner edge not dentate ; scrobe without setigerous puncture. Alaxillce short, not projecting beyond labrum, hooked at apex. Labrum short, sexsetose, truncate, anterior angles rounded. BY THOMAS G. SLOANE. 55 Mentum short, deeply emarginate ; lobes broadly rounded in front ; median tooth strong, bifid at apex. Palpi : labial thick, penultimate joint bisetose, last joint elongate, longer than penultimate, cylindrical, truncate ; maxillary with penultimate joint short, conical, last elongate, thick, truncate. Antennce short, moniliform, 1st and 3rd joints about equal in length, 1st thick, cylindrical, 3rd with apical half globose, then suddenly constricted, the basal half narrow, cylindrical, 2nd joint short, conical. Prothorax short, the angles rounded ; one marginal puncture on each side, about middle. Elytra short, broad. Legs : $. Anterior femora short, thick, without a dentiform projection below ; anterior tibiae short, strongly excavate below, outer edge finely serrate near apex ; anterior tarsi short, the joints short, broad, a little obliquely produced externally, without any spongiose tissue below. Percolestus blackburni, n.sp. Form short, robust. Black, shining ; undersurface more polished ; palpi piceous. Head short, broad, convex, smooth, not constricted behind eyes, lightly and broadly impressed on each side behind the eyes, the impressions becoming obsolete on vertex; a light impression on each side of the clypeus, hardly reaching behind clypeal suture ; clypeus subtruncate ; eyes globular, prominent, not inclosed in prominences behind ; prothorax sub- convex, subquadrate (4^x5 mm.), a little narrower behind than in front, truncate in front and behind ; sides shortly rounded to anterior angles, — these not advanced, — more gently rounded to basal angles, — these not marked, — lateral border narrow, reaching the base ; median line very fine, not reaching either margin ; a single marginal puncture on each side, placed a little behind the middle. Elytra convex, shortly oval (9x6 mm.), lightly striate; striae very fine, those near the suture more distinct; 56 STUDIES IN AUSTRALIAN ENTOMOLOGY, interstices flat, no scutellar stride ; lateral border narrow, reach- ing from peduncle to apex ; a few punctures along the margin, sparingly placed on anterior half and becoming closer towards apex. Prosternum with anterior margin not bordered. Ventral segments smooth, without punctures, except a single one on each side of the anus. Hab. — Victoria (taken by Rev. Thos. Blackburn in the moun- tains above Harrietville, Upper Ovens River). This species may be separated at a glance from all the other Australian Broscini by its short, broad prothorax, which is broadly rounded, but hardly at all narrowed beliind. Genus Lychnus, Putzeys. This genus, founded by M. Putzeys (Stett. Ent. Zeit. 1868, p. 324) for the reception of a Tasmanian species which he named Lychnus ater, is closely allied to Percosoma ; so closely, indeed, as to suggest that it might be regarded with advantage as a section of that genus. However, I have not sufiicient material at my command to justify me in uniting it with Percosoma, and in deference to pi'evious vvorkers who have considered Lychnus a good genus, I still maintain it distinct. The species as yet recorded belong to Tasmania, but their affinity is rather to the Victorian species of Percosoma than to those from Tasmania. Its distinguishing characters are : — Antenn;e moniliforra; head with strong frontal impressions, and a strong transverse impression across the vertex at the back of the eyes. In the $ the anterior thighs are dilatate in the middle, with the lower side forming a strong obtuse projection. In 1878 Mr. Bates described two species, L. strangulatus and L. striatulus, as new. He expresses himself as being doubtful if L. ater, Putz., could have had the transverse impression across the head that is so conspicuous a feature in his two species, because M. Putzeys does not allude to it either in Lis diagnosis of the genus or in his description of L. ater. This BY THOMAS G. SLOANE. 57 doubt seems to have been one reason for his thinking neither of his species could be L. ater, Putz. It appeal's to me that M. Putzeys thinking this genus thoroughly specialised by the moniliform antennae, and the form of the anterior thighs in the (J, must have regarded this feature of small importance, and so omitted to mention it. I have a specimen from the north of Tasmania which seems undoubtedly to be L. strangulatus, Bates ; it agrees thoroughly with M. Putzeys' description of L. ater (apart from the transverse impression at back of head). I therefore think the names synonymous, and in this belief have united them. The puncturation of the elytral striae mentioned by M. Putzeys in his description of L. ater, and referred to by Mr. Bates in his remarks, is to my mind of no value, being, in all probability, caused by long immersion in spirits of wine. Lychnus ater, Putzeys. L. ater, Putz., Stett. Ent. Zeit. 1868, p. 325 ; L. strangulatus, Bates, Cist. Ent. ii, 1878, p. 317. (J. Form elongate, not convex. Black. Head not large ; a strong transverse impression behind eyes ; frontal impressions sti-ong, curved, diverging backwards ; a narrow lateral groove from above each eye to base of mandible ; eyes rather prominent ; post-ocular prominences strong, almost equalling eyes in size. Prothorax depressed on disc, cordate, a little wider than long (4| X 5mm), truncate in front and behind ; sides almost parallel on anterior part from behind anterior angles to posterior marginal puncture, decidedly narrowed, but not sinuate, to base ; lateral border narrow, extending from anterior angles to slightly behind basal angles, — these obtuse — ; median line lightly marked ; a marginal puncture on each side about the middle, three other seti- gerous punctures on the margin just behind each anterior angle. Elytra not convex, oval (9| x 6 mm.), striate ; strise shallow, lightly impressed ; interstices not convex ; shoulders rounded ; base declivous to peduncle ; lateral border narrow, slightly reflexed, extending from peduncle to apex ; a row of setigerous 58 STUDIES IN AUSTRALIAN ENTOMOLOGY, punctures along margin, very thinly placed on anterior part, much more closely on apical third. Anterior thighs short, dilatate in middle, lower side strongly and obtusely produced. Length 18, breadth 6 mm. Hah. — Tasmania. Lychnus striatulus, Bates. L. striatulus, Bates, I.e. p. 318. To render my notes complete I append Mr. Bates's description of this species, which is unknown to me. "L.strangulato simillimo,differt tantum statura minori elytrisque distinctius striatis interstitiis convexis. Niger, minus nitidus ; elytris oblongo-ovatis, paullo angustioribus et supra minus planatis. Long. 17 mm. (J." " Differs from L. strangulatus only in being smaller, propor- tionately narrower, and in the elytra being more distinctly striated, or rather the feebly or not at all incised stride are separated by convex interstices. The strise have no traces of puncturation. In its narrower, more oblong and convex form it resembles the 9 of L. strangulatus more than the $ ; but both the specimens before me are clearly males, having the broad, subdentiform dilatation of the undersurface of the anterior tibiae [query femora ?]." "Central Tasmania (Simson). Coll. A. Fry and H. W, Bates. Mr. Janson has a third example." Genus Percosoma, Schaum. The type is P. carenoides, White, a well-known Tasmanian species. The species I associate in this genus fall naturally into two groups, the Australian and the Tasmanian ; the former differ greatly from the latter, though not sufficiently, I think, to warrant the formation of a genus for their reception. Of the two Australian species as yet recorded, I only know both sexes of P. montanum, Casteln., and in this species the $ has the anterior thighs with a strong dentiform projection on the lower side as in Lychnus. BY THOMAS G. SLOANE. 59 The following is a table of the species. a. Lateral border of prothorax not inter- rupted posteriorly, reaching basal , angles. A single setigerous punc- ture above each eye Australian species. Sides of prothorax gently nar- i-owed behind, not emarginate before basal angles P. montoriMm, Casteln. Sides of prothorax sharply nar- rowed behind, emarginate before basal angles P. conco^or, Sloane. aa. Lateral border of prothorax interrupted posteriorly, not reaching basal angles. Several setigerous punctures above each eye, placed in an elongate fovea, one or more punctures on vertex outside this fovea Tasmanian species. Elytra very finely striate, inter- stices flat P. carenoides, White. Elytra strongly striate, interstices convex near sides P. sulcipenne, Bates. The two Tasmanian species, P. carenoides, White, and P. siclci- penne, Bates, resemble each other in the very large head with long jaws, and in the shape of the prothorax, which is broadest towards the front and greatly constricted near the base, with broad lateral margins interrupted before the base. In all these points they diiFer from the two Victorian species, P. montanum, Casteln., and P. concolor, SI., which have the head moderate in size, the jaws not very elongate, and the prothorax more gradually narrowed behind, with the lateral margins narrow and not interrupted before the base. The Tasmanian species are said to be without the strong triangular projection on the lower side of the tibiae in the ^ ; but in P. montanum, Casteln., (the only species of which I am sure I know both sexes), we find this feature more prominent than even in the described species of Lychnus, to which genus it was sup- 60 STUDIES IN AUSTRALIAN ENTOMOLOGY, posed to be confined. In all the species the anterior tarsi are nearly similar in both sexes, and without spongiose tissue on the lower side. Percosoma montanum, Casteln. Meocdema montanum, Casteln., I.e. p. 163. Percosoma montanum, Putz., Ann. Mus. Civ. Genov. 1873, iv. p. 316. Form narrow, elongate. Black, shining. Head not large, smooth ; a broad transverse impression behind the eyes, hardly at all marked across the vertex ; frontal impressions light, short ; eyes prominent, inclosed behind, projecting beyond post-ocular prominences, — these not strong. Antennae subfiliform, not taper- ing. Prothorax not convex, narrow, cordate, about as long as broad (5x5;^ mm.), truncate in front and behind; sides lightly rounded on anterior half, gently narrowed, but not sinuate, towards base, lateral border narrow, extending from anterior to basal angles, — thesu slightly obtuse ; median line lightly marked ; a single marginal puncture on each side, placed at about half the length, just before the sides begin to narrow. Elytra convex, oval, narrow (11 J x 6^ mm.), very lightly striate (the striae hardly visible to the naked eye) ; shoulders rounded ; base declivous to peduncle, apex broadly rounded ; lateral border narrow, reaching from peduncle to apex ; a row of round punctures a little within the margins, these more closely placed towards apex. A single puncture on each side of anus in both sexes. Length 21, breadth 6^ mm. jj. — With anterior thighs not canaliculate below, dilatate in middle, with strong obtusely pointed triangular projection on lower side. g. — With anterior thighs lightly canaliculate below, dilatate in middle, the outer edge of the channel on lower side slightly produced. Hah. — Victoria ; Yarragon, Gippsland (Sloane), Dandenong Ranges (French). I have no doubt this is P. montanum, Casteln. M. Putzeys in his remarks on de Castelnau's specimens of this species says of BY THOMAS Q. SLOANE. 61 the eyes, " ntioius grand que les tuLercules post-oculaires," and further on says, "Corselet un peu plus long que large." Neither of these remarks is applicable to my specimens, in which the eyes are larger than the prominences inclosing them behind, these being weakly developed, and the prothorax slightly broader than long. The dentiform projection on the lower side of the anterior thighs in the ^ is not mentioned either by de Castelnau or M. Putzeys. Percosoma concolor, n.sp. Form elongate. Black, shining. Head not large ; a broad transverse impression behind eyes, lightly marked across vertex ; frontal impressions feeble, broad, short ; eyes rather prominent, inclosed behind ; post-ocular prominences not large or protube- rant ; antennae subfiliform. Prothorax not convex, cordate, nearly as long as broad (5x5^ mm.), truncate in front, lightly sinuate behind ; sides lightly rounded on anterior half, obliquely narrowed behind, lightly sinuate towards base ; lateral border narrow, extending from anterior to basal angle, a little thickened at basal angles, these rather obtuse ; median line lightly marked ; a transverse impression on each side a little in front of the base ; several setigerous punctures along anterior half of niai-gin, the posterior one placed just behind where the sides begin to narrow. Elytra lightly convex, oval, wider than prothorax (12 x 7mm.), finely striate ; the interstices flat ; shoulders rounded ; base truncate, lightly declivous to peduncle ; apex broadly rounded ; lateral border narrow, reaching from peduncle to apex ; a few sparsely placed punctures a little within the margin. Ventral segments lightly rugose towards sides, last with one puncture on each side of anus. Length 22, breadth 7 mm. Hab. — Victoria; Marysville District (Track to Yarra Falls, Best). A single specimen in my collection received from Mi'. D. Best, of Melbourne. I have not ascertained the sex of ray example, but judging from the fact that the anterior thighs are as in the 9 of P. montamim, I believe it to be a c^. Its broader form and the shape of the prothorax at once distinguish it from P. montanum. 62 STUDIES IN AUSTRALIAN ENTOMOLOGY, Percosoma carenoides, White. Broscus carenoides, White, Voy. Ereb. and Terr. p. 5, pi. 1, fig. 8. Mecodema percoides, Casteln., I.e. p. 163. P. carenoides, Putz., Stett. Ent. Zeit, 1868, p. 321. This is a well known species ; the following description will enable it to be identified : — Black, shining, thighs and mouth parts reddish. Head very large, smooth ; jaws long, greatly hooked at apex ; clypeus usually with three setigerous punctures on each side ; eyes not very prominent, inclosed behind ; post-ocular prominences small ; several setigerous punctures, placed longitudinally in an elongate fovea, above each eye, and, just outside this fovea, a single large |)uncture on each side of vertex. Prothorax cordate (6 x 7jmm.), lightly rounded on anterior part of sides, broadest a little behind anterior angles, sharply constricted and transversely impressed a little before the base, — ^the sides being straightened to meet the base ; lateral margins broad, interrupted at basal constriction ; a row of punctures along each lateral margin from anterior angle to basal constriction ; median line lightly impressed. Elytra not convex, oval (14x8;|mm.), very finely striate; the interstices flat ; the 5th stria with about a dozen punctures along its course, these more closely placed near base and apex, smaller towards apex. Length 26-28, breadth 81 mm. Hab. — Tasmania. Percosoma sulcipenne. Bates. P. sulcipenne. Bates, Cist. Ent. ii. 1878, p. 317. I have a single specimen of this tine species which is found in the N. W. parts of Tasmania. The following is a brief description. Form elongate, robust. Black, opaque, head very large, not narrowed or transversely impressed behind, rugulose in front ; jaws long and hooked at apex ; eyes round ; a rounded promi- nence behind each eye about as large as the eye and equally prominent ; several setigerous punctures, placed in an elongate foveiform depression, above each eye, and three large punc- BY THOMAS O. SLOANE. 63 tuies, placed in a transverse row, on each side of the vertex about level with post-ocular prominences. Prothorax cordate, very little broader than long (8 x 9 mm.), broadest just behind anterior angles, gradually narrowed to near the base, then constricted, the sides being straightened to meet the base ; lateral margins broad, not reflexed, extending from anterior angle to posterior constriction, then oksolete ; a row of setigerous punctures along their length ; anterior margin longitudinally striolate ; median line distinct ; disc transversely striolate ; basal part rugulose. Elytra oval (17 x 10| mm.), rather convex, declivous towards apex, striate ; striee fine near the suture, the interstices not convex, those towards the sides strong, the interstices convex, 5th stria with three strong punctures on basal third. Posterior tiochanters long, acute. Length 35, breadth 10|mm. (Mr. Bates's measurements are 26-30 mm. ; so my specimen seems an unusually lai-ge one.) A brief epitome of the facts relating to the distribution of the Australian Broscini may prove of interest, though I can make no attempt to draw any conclusions from these facts. The subfamily Broscini is represented in the Australian fauna (excluding Nesv Zealand) by 80 species, divided among 9 genera as follow : — Promecoderus (36 species) has its metropolis in the dividing ranges of South-eastern Australia.* Twenty-two of the species are from that part of Australia lying south of a line drawn from Brisbane to Port Lincoln ; of these only P. concolor (from South-western N. S. Wales, Victoria, and South Australia) and P. hlackburni [from South Australia, Port Lincoln, and York Peninsula] are found far removed from the mountain ranges. Three species, of normal form, are from Tasmania and the islands in Bass Strait. Four species, of normal form, from West Australia (of these P. clivinoides, P. dyschirioiJes, and P. scauroides are very " close " species). Four other species constitute a group (the P. bruymicornis group*) peculiar to Tasmania ; two species {P. distinctus and/*. * For a table grouping the species, see P.L.S.N.S.W. 1890 (2), v. pp. 193, 195. 64 STUDIES IN AUSTRALIAN ENTOMOLOGY. ambiguus) are of a very distinct type confined to West and North Australia ; the remaining species, P. gracilis, is an isolated species ranging from Bathurst, N. S. Wales, to South Australia. Cerotalis (5 species), two are from south-western Australia, of one the exact habitat is unknown ; one is said to be from Victoria ; the last is from the Dawson River, Queensland, and is very distinct from the others. Adotela (14 species) seems to be found over most of the Australian continent, except the south-east. On the eastern side of the continent, Gayndah in Queensland is the furthest south that the genus is known to extend ; inland a species is found on the Darling River ; on the south coast Wallaroo, S.A., is the most easterly point from which a species is recorded. Gnathoxys (14 species) has no species recorded from Queensland or Victoria. In N. S. Wales two species are found (G. tessellatus is found about Sydney) ; South Australia has four species recorded from it. The other eight species are distributed between King George's Sound, Swan River, and Port Essington. Brithysternum calcaratum, the only species of the genus, is from Peak Downs, Queensland. Eurylychnus (3 species) is peculiar to the mountains of south- east Australia, its range extending from the Shoalhaven River, N. S. Wales, to the Otway Ranges, Victoria. Percolestus blackburni, the only species of the genus, is an isolated form from the mountains at the source of the Ovens River, Victoria. Percosoma (4 species) has two species in Victoria and two in Tasmania. The species from the mainland are closely related and differ greatly from those of Tasmania, the latter also being nearly related to each other. Lychnus (2 species) is peculiar to Tasmania. It may be noted that the last three genera are more nearly related to the New Zealand types of Broscini than to the other Australian genera. All the species of Broscini found in Australia are apterous. 65 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES. By the Rev. T. Blackburn, B.A., Core. Mem. Part XI. C A R A B I D .E. Lebiides. Trigonothops longiplaga, Chaud. I have recently received from various localities examples scarcely separable from this species, and an examination of these and of specimens from Tasmania of T, pacifica, Er., appears to me to point strongly to the conclusion that T. longiplaga, Chaud., cannot be considered other than a variety of T. pacifica. De Chaudoir distinguishes it by the following characters — (a) head less narrowed behind the eyes, (b) prothorax less short and a little less rounded laterally, (c) elytra more elongate and less strongly striated, with flatter interstices, (d) spots on the elytra more yellowish, the anterior one sending out a narrow prolongation to the base. Of my Victorian examples, — which I know were taken in com- pany and are certainly conspecific irUer se, — only one presents all the characters attributed to longiplaga ; they all agree in having the anterior elytral spot prolonged to the base, but two of them have the prothorax distinctly shorter than the other, and of these one has the elytra distinctly wider than the other. The elytra are striated a little less strongly than in one of my Tasnianian examples of T. pacifica, but I have another Tasmanian example which is striated quite as strongly as the Victorian specimensj but presents no other character distinctive of longiplaga. 63 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, From S. Australia I have three examples, all taken near Port Lincoln. In these the anterior elytral spot is prolonged forward still more widely and conspicuously than in the Victorian form, one of them even having nearly the whole basal margin filled by it. These S. Australian specimens, moreover, have the front margin of the prothorax more or less distinctly straighter than in the Tasmanian and Victorian forms, in consequence of which the front angles of the prothorax are more defined, being obtuse but not altogether rounded oif. This form might perhaps be conveniently named, thus : — T. pacifica, Er., var. lindensis; prothoracis angulis anticis minus rotundatis ; elytrorum plaga anterior! antrorsuni usque ad basin late producta. From W. Australia 1 possess a single specimen which may possibly represent a separate species, though I fail to detect any good distinction except in respect of characters that in the forms alluded to above certainly appear to be liable to slight variation. Compared with T. pacifica this insect has a slightly shorter pro- thorax, but I can find no other structural difference. The anterior elytral spot is quite as in pacifica, but the hinder spot is as in T. flavofasciata, Chaud., i.e., is a fascia occupying the entire apex of the elytra and is of even width, but zigzagged on its anterior margin. I think it must be regarded with hesitation as a var. of T. pacifica. It may be thus characterised : — T. pacifica, Er., var, (?) occidentalis ; differt prothorace paullo breviori, elytrorum macula postica fasciam formanti apicem totam complenti, antice dentata. I may add that the variations mentioned above are undoubtedly not sexual characters ; nevertheless, as I have not seen both sexes of all the forms alluded to, there remains a possibility that an examination of these might reveal specific characters. Of the other described species of the genus T. lineata, Dej., is very different from all the above mentioned forms ; T. dimidiata, Chaud., I have not seen, but it is evidently a very distinct form • T. plagiata, Germ., is identical with lineata, Dej.; T. fiavofasciata. BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 67 Chaud., is extremely like some vars. of T. pacifica, Er., and in my opinion is of doubtful validity j T. nigricollis, Macl., is probably a good species ; there is nothing in the description of T. paUicli- collis, Macl., to distinguish it from T. jjacifica ; Sir W. Macleay's three species from N. W. Australia are said to have the posterior elytral spot " near " the apex, which seems to distinguish them from all the forms of Trigonothops known to me, the posterior elytral spot in all these being at the apex. I may add that the description of Dromius tridens, Newm., points to the probability of its being a Trigonothops, and that there is nothing in the brief description inconsistent with its being founded on the same species as T. pacifica, Er., in which case Newman's name would have priority. Demetrias tweedensis, sp.nov. Elongatus ; rufo-piceus, subtus dilutior ; prothorace capiti longitudine latitudineque sequali, longitudinaliter profunda sulcato, transversim subrugato, latitudine longitudini aequali, antice leviter emarginato postice subbisinuato, antice quam postice manifesto angustiori, angulis anticis baud productis, latitudine majori sat longe ante medium posita, lateribus leviter arcuatis ante basin sinuatis, angulis posticis extrorsum directis parum acutis ; elytris sat fortiter punctulato- striatis, ad apicem emarginato-truncatis, truncaturse angulo externo obtuso interno sat acuto, interstitiis convexis sparsim subtiliter punctulatis, interstitio 3° postice punctura singula instructo. [Long. 5, lat. If lines. This seems to be a genuine Demetrias, though on a casual glance it has much the appearance of a Xanthophoia, but the form of its palpi and other characters connect it with the former genus. It is very like a species from the Richmond River (N.S.W.) which seems likely to be D. rufescens, Macl., but is much larger and diflfers in the form of the prothorax, which is by measurement fully as long as wide (to a casual glance it looks longer), and evidently narrower across the front margin than across the base, 68 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, its widest part being evidently further fi'om the front and its sides at this point being snbangulate. The anterior narrowing of the prothorax as compared with the width at the base will at once separate the present species from J), hrachinoderus, Chaud. N. S. "Wales ; Tweed River ; given to me by Mr. Olliff. HOMETHES ANGULATUS, Sp.nOV. Oblongus; niger, antennis (basi testacea excepta) palpisque fuscis, pedibus (geniculis et ad apicem sunimum tibiis tarsorumque articulis infuscatis exceptis) mandibulisque testaceis ; prothorace transversO; latitudine majori longe ante medium posita, lateribus fortiter angulatis lineis binis fere rectis formatis ; elytris sericeo-tesselatis, leviter striatis, ad basin late rotundatim (quam H. sericei, Er., multo minus fortiter) productis. [Long. 31, lat. \\ lines. Much like H. sericeics, Er. (which is said, probably correctly, to be identical with I/, elegans, Newm.). Compared with it, the present species is narrower and more parallel ; its prothorax distinctly moi-e transverse, the greatest width nearer to the front, the lateral margin formed by two nearly straight lines which meet in an angle evidently more defined than the lateral angulation in H. sericeus; the elytra very much less strongly produced forward at the base. From H. guttifer, Germ., and marginipennis, Macl., the absence of a pale elytral margin inter alia distinguishes this insect ; H. emarginatus, Chaud., has joints 6-9 of the antennse white; ff. micans, Germ., and velutinns, Macl., have the prothorax at its widest at (or close to) the middle. Apart from colour, this species is very near H. guttifer, Germ., but the prothorax is at its widest a little nearer to the front, and has a more marked angle at its widest point ; also the projected front of each elytron is sub- angular, not evenly rounded. The colour difference has nothing to do with sex. S. Australia ; Port Lincoln district. BY THE REV. T, BLACKBURN. 0^ HOMETHES GRACILIS, Sp.nOV. Elongato-oblongus ; niger, antennis (articulo basali fere iiigro, articulis 4-6 et 9-11 infuscatis, exceptis) palpis mandibuHs pedibusque (horum geniculis et ad apicem summum tibiis tarsorumque articulis infuscatis exceptis) testaceis ; pro- thoracis latitudine longitudini aequali, latitudine majori paullo ante medium posita, lateribus ab angulis anticis fere ad medium leviter divergentibus hie vix angulatis liinc ad basin arcuatim convergentibus ; elytris sericeo-subtesselatis, leviter striatis, ad basin anguste modice productis, interstitio 3° guttulis obscure rufis seriatim ornato. [Long. 4, lat. l^g lines. A very elongate graceful species, probably in general facies resembling H. emarginatus, Chaud. ; but that species inter alia is described as having joints 6-8 of the antennae white, and does not appear to have the 3rd interstice of the elytra marked with pale spots. , Its narrow form will, I think, separate this insect from all others of the genus hitherto described, as also will the basal joint of the antennae black in strong contrast to the next following joints. H. velutimis, Macl., is only slightly described, but it is not said to be a particularly narrow species ; moreover, the description of the antennae does not make them agree with the species before me, and it is implied that the legs are entirely of a testaceous colour. S. Australia ; McDonnell Ranges. HoMETHES PARVICOLLIS, Sp.nOV. Ovalis ; niger, antennis fusco-piceis (articulo basali 3° que subtus testaceis exceptis), mandibulis apice rufescentibus, pedibus (geniculis sat late et ad apicem summum tibiis tarsorumque articulis infuscatis exceptis) pallide flavis ', prothorace parvo quam latiori fere longiori, latitudine majori longe ante medium posita, lateribus fortiter angulatis lineis binis fere rectis formatis ; elytris sericeo-tesselatis, leviter striatis, ad basin leviter latissime rotunda to-productis. [Long. 4^, lat. 1| lines. 70 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, Remarkable for the great amplitude of its elytra as compared with the prothorax. The latter is Vjy measurement just barely longer than wide, and is not at all wider than the head j its lateral angles though very obtuse are extremely well marked, not in the least rounded off. The elytra become gradually and slightly wider hindward from the base to near the apex ; the front margin of each elytron is gently and very widely rounded forward, a character which will at once separate this species from all its named allies, unless it be one or two in whose descriptions the shape of this part is not mentioned, but they are very different in respect of other characters. From H. emarginatus, Chaud., the colour of the antennse will inter alia separate it, from H. velutinus, Macl., the nearness of the widest part of the prothorax to the front of that segment. The dark antennae and palpi are a noticeable character. N. S. Wales ; near Sydney. HOMBTHES ROTUNDATUS, sp.nOV. Late ovalis ; niger, antennis palpis mandibulis pedibusque totis testaceis ; prothorace quam longiori sat latiori, quam caput multo latiori, fere hexagonali, latitudine majori paullo ante medium posita ; elytris late rotundato-ovalibus, quam con- junctim latioribus vix sesquilongioribus, sericeo-tesselatis^ leviter striatis, ad basin modice sat anguste productis. [Long. 3f, lat. If lines (vix). Remarkable for the strongly rounded sides and great width of its elytra, which are by measurement scarcely half again as long as they are together wide, — at a glance they appear even wider, or something near circular. Apart from this character the entirely testaceous antennse (joints 5 and 6 scarcely infuscate), palpi, mandibles and legs will, I think, separate this species from all previously named in the genus. N. S. Wales ; Blue Mountains. BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 71 Dromius YARRiE, sp.nov. Oblongo-ovatus; nitidus; piceo-niger, elytris caeruleo-cupreoque- subiridescens, antennis palpis mandibulis pedibusque sordide testaceis, femoribus coxis et metasterno medio fere albidis ; capite prothoraceque alutaceis haud manifeste punctulatis ; illo fere sequali antice obscure trans- versiru impresso ; prothorace sat transverso, antice posticeque subtruncato, canaliculato, lateribus ab angulis anticis (his sat rotundatis) retrorsum ad basin leviter arcuatim angustatis, angulis posticis obtusis ; elytris obsolete striatis, interstitiis planis, interstitio 4° foveis nonnullis magnis fere obsoletis notato. [Long. 1|-, lat. f line. This species is very like a Metabletus in general appearance, but its mentum appears to be toothed, although it is difficult to be quite certain without dissection in the case of so minute a species, and I have seen only a single example. It is certainly congeneric, I think, with Dromiios humeralis, Macl., from which it differs (apart from colour) by its elytra less elongate, less parallel, and at their widest behind the middle, as well as by the much more obtuse hind angles of the prothorax. Victoria ; Upper Yarra ; sent by C. French, Esq. Sarothrocrepis posticalis, Guer. I am confident that this is only a var. of ^S'. corticalis, Fab. ; I have taken it frequently in company with typical examples of that insect, and 1 can find no character whatever to distinguish it except the absence of a forward prolongation of the elytral fascia, and even in respect of that character there are intermediate forms. In both forms the prothorax is very similar in shape, being much narrower across the front margin than at the base, with the sides diverging considerably from the front to (or nearly to) the middle and thence converging slightly with a fairly strong sinuation to the base, which is widely and distinctly (but not very strongly) lobed hindward in the middle, the hind angles being very sharp and with a slight outward direction. I am not sure that the 72 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, prothorax of S: posticalis is not a little more narrowed in front than that of typical S. corticalis, but the character is certainly too slight to be regarded as specific. The prothorax of the male in both forms is a little less transverse than of the female and seems to be at its widest slightly nearer to the front ; and the male has a slight excision at the end of the apical ventral segment. The above remarks are founded on the examination of a fairly long series from S. Australia, Victoria, and Tasmania. Sarothbocrepis (Lebia) calida, Newm, I believe this species to be identical with S. corticalis, Fab. ECTROMA OBSOLETUM, Sp.nov. Oblongum, postice latius ; testaceum, elytvis a basi retrorsum indeterminate fusco-3-vittatis, vittis postice ad fasciam sub- obsoletam subapicalem fuscam attingentibus, corpore subtus fusco-adumbrato ; antennarum articulo basali 3° longitudine ajquali ; prothorace sat transverso, antice subtruncato quam postice parum angustiori, lateribus parum arcuatis postice vix sinuatis, angulis posticis fere rectis (apice summo subro- tundato) ; elytris striatis, striis obscure punctulatis. [Long. 3, lat. l^Sj- lines. I have no doubt this species is congeneric with E. civicum, Newm., but as my example is a female there remains a possibility that the discovery of the male might prove it to be a Sarothrocrepis. In colour and markings it is not unlike a washed-out specimen of Sarathrocrepis corticalis, Fab., but is smaller than any example I have seen of that species, has the basal joint of the antennse longer, the prothorax of quite a different shape, &c., while its general form is much more elongate, with the elytra gently wider from the base nearly to the apex and with their lateral margins nearly straight. In respect of most of the above mentioned characters it agrees with the insect mentioned below, which I take to be E. (Lebia) henejicum, Newm., but differs from it by its more robust form, longer and stouter legs, less strongly transverse BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 73 prothorax, and by the absence of the dark patch or spot which in the latter species seems to be invariably present on either side of the scutellum. N.S. Wales ; Blue Mountains. ECTROMA BENEFICUM, Newm. I do not know any species to which the very brief description of this insect applies quite satisfactorily. De Chaudoir states that it is a congener of E. ( Lehia) civicum, Newm., and also that Lebia duponti, Putz., is conspecific with it. There appears to me to be probably a clerical or printer's error in the description of the latter, which states that a pale vitta runs from the shoulder towards the suture of the elytra, and then turns and runs up the elytra again " versus marginem," and also that independently of this the margin is entirely testaceous. It is difficult to understand how there can be room for all this marking outside the shoulder. If " versus marginem " were " versus suturam," the description would apply very satisfactorily to one of the varieties of an extremely variable species which is clearly, I think, congeneric with Lebia civica, Newm., and is very widely distributed in Australia. I believe that Lebia benefica, J^'ewm., and Cymindis inquinata, Er., are both varieties of this species. Also I believe Sarothrocrepis liturata, Macl., to be another variety of the same. I fear it is impossible, however, to arrive at any certainty regarding Newman's and Erichson's species mentioned above. The species before me, and of which I take the above mentioned to be varieties, is inconstant in size and markings. It varies from long. 2^, lat. 1 line to long. 3, lat. Ig lines. A darkly coloured exam- ple (such as Lebia daponti might have been founded on) has the head, prothorax and the antennae rufo-testaceous (the prothorax, however, having a somewhat semicircular blackish mark on the middle portion of its front). The elytra may be regarded as blackish, — in which case the lateral margins (narrowly), the apex (widely) and two vittse which unite on the base and also on the ■disc at about half the length of the elytra (enclosing an oblong 74 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, black space) are testaceous ; or the elytra of this variety may be regarded as testaceous, having a short blackish vitta (not quite touching the base) on either side of the scntellum, and also a large common black blotch (not quite touching the lateral margins nor extending into the hinder fifth part of the elytra, convex and also dentate hindward and being in the front half of its length divided into three branches, which narrow forward to the front margin of the elytra, — one on the suture and one close to the lateral margin on either side) which occupies the greater part of the surface. An example coloured as above, but in which the juxta-scutellar vitta should connect at its hind apex with the sutural extension of the large black blotch (I have not seen an example in which it quite connects) would agree with the description of Lehia benefica, Newm. Through a long series of specimens before me the dark colouring of the elytra gradually fails, the difficulty being to find two examples quite identical. First the sutural extension of the large blotch is much narrower and then disappears, then the juxta-scute]lar vitta dwindles to a small spot, then the lateral extensions of the large blotch become more slender and then are abbreviated in front, then the solid part of the dark blotch begins to fade out both in front and behind till it becomes quite a narrow fascia sending out three short extensions in front and with its hind margin convex and dentate hindward, then this fascia be- comes broken into a number of short disconnected longtitudinal lines (placed however so as to be evidently fragments of the same fascia), and finally these lines dwindle down to a single small spot placed at the point which in a full-coloured example is the centre of the solid part of the dark blotch. In this last named variety the elytra are entirely testaceous except a small dark spot on either side of the scutellum and another on tiie suture a little in front of the apex. Cymindis inquinata, Er., is probably one of these latter varieties in which the solid part of the dark blotch has become much reduced, and traces of its lateral extensions remain as short isolated lines. BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 75 The undersurface is testaceous, with the sides and apex of the abdomen more or less widely black. The legs are entirely testaceous. The description of Dromius tridens, Newm., is so meagre and vague that several widely separated species (including this) would come very near fitting it. I have not, however, seen any example of this species so large as D. tridens, and this, together with Newman's calling it a Dromius, points strongly to D. tridens being a Trigonothops (in spite of De Chaudoir's saying that it is congeneric with Lehia henefica, Newm.), — probably T. pacificay Er. I have examined the type of Sarothrocrepis liturata, Macl. (from N. W. Australia), and cannot distinguish it from examples of this species taken on the south coast of Australia. In all the numerous varieties I have seen of this insect there is a conspicuous isolated dark spot or blotch on either side of the scutellum and at least some trace of a more or less semicircular dark mark on the front of the prothorax. The prothorax is very strongly transverse in the female and considerably less so in the male, its sides moderately (female) or but little (male) rounded, its greatest width at (female) or just in front of (male) the middle, its front margin very little narrower than its base, its hind angles obtuse. The specimens before me are from Port Lincoln, Adelaide, Melbourne, the Victorian Alps, Central Australia, and N. W. Australia. COPTODERIDES. Philophlceus monticola, sp.nov. Sat depress us ; pubescens ; ferrugineus ; elytris fusco-piceis, lateribus (sat anguste) apice (ol)scure angustissime) et vittis singulis dorsalibus latis ferrugineis 3 his in quinta parte apicali deficientibus ; prothorace quam longiori minus quam duplo latiori, antice fortiter emarginato, postice sat fortiter lobato, ad latera utrinque 5-setoso, lateribus mox ante medium 76 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, sabangulatis, hinc ad basin vix sinuatis, angulis posticis baud plane rotundatis fex'e subprominulis (fere ut P. distinguendi, Cliaud.) ; elytris confertim subtiliter (quam P. australis uiulto minus fortitei-) punctulatis, obsolete striatis, humeris modice prominulis. [Long. 4^, lat. 2^ lines. Maris tarsorum intermedioruni articulis basalibus 3 subtus squamuloso-papillosis. Very like P. australis, Dej., but differing from it by the very much finer puncturation of the elytra, the more uniformly ferruginous antennae, the prothorax scarcely darker on the disc than on the margins, the i'ront of the prothorax more strongly emarginate making the front angles more prominent and con- spicuous, &c., &c. Compared with P. distinguendus, Chaud., the prothorax is markedly narrower, the elytra much more finely punctured, &c., &c. ; P. g7'andicej}s, Chaud., is (as its name implies) notable for its large head (a character not observable in the present species) and appears to be punctured as P. australis. P. intermedius, Chaud., inter alia multa, has the lateral margins of the prothorax only bisetose. P. australasice, Chaud., inter alia has the siitural apex of the elytra furnished with a small tooth. P. immacidatits, Chaud., and occidentalis, Blackb., have uni- colorous elytra. P. Froggatti, Macl., is only about half the size of this species and probably does not belong to this section of the genus. The other described species have different male characters. Victoria ; Alpine district. Philophlceus sydneyensis, sp.nov. Sat depressus ; pubescens ; ferrugineus ; elytris late f usco- trivittatis (vitta communi suturali postice abbreviata, alteris submarginalibus apicem vix attingentibus) ; prothorace antice bisinuatim minus fortiter emarginato, postice minixs fortiter BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 77 lobato, ad latera utrinque 2-setoso, angulis posticis obtusis vix distinctis, elytris confertim subtiliter punctulatis, obsolete striatis, humeris parurn prominulis. [Long. 3|-, lat. 1| lines. The above characters will distinguish this species from all of the genus previously described. The others having only two setose punctures on the lateral margins of the prothorax are intermedius, Chaud., ohtusus,Q\\».nA.^ angulatus, Chaud., hiculentus, Newm., rectangulus, Chaud., and perhaps mollis, Newni. The last three of these are entirely different in their style of markings and other characters. From obtusus and angidatus the present species differs inter alia by the sutural vitta being abbreviated at about f the length of the suture, — or (if the dark colour be regarded as the ground) by the two pale vittse uniting behind and filling up the apex. This species is very near P. iritermedius, its markings and colour being identical ; but differs from it by its head almost smooth, its prothorax much less narrowed behind, less emarginate in front and scarcely lobed behind, its elytra much more finely punctulate and having the shoulders much less promi- nent, and its considerably smaller size. I believe this is the first Philophlceus reported from N. S. Wales. I have not seen the male, but have no doubt its sexual characters are like those of P. intermedins. N. S. Wales ; Blue Mountains ; under bark of Eucalyptus. Philophlceus laticollis, sp.nov. Sat depressus ; pubescens ; ferrugineus, elytris fusco-piceis, lateribus (sat late) et vittis singulis dorsalibus latis ferrugi- neis ; his in quinta parte apicali deficientibus ; prothorace (maris vix feminse plane) quum longiori latiori, antice sub- bisiuuatim leviter emarginato, postice lobato, ad latera utrinque 5-setoso, lateribus rotundatis postice vix subsinuatis, angulis posticis rotundato-obtusis ; elytris fere ut P. australis sculpturatis, humeris minus prominulis. [Long. 5i-6, lat. 2|-2| lines. Maris tarsorum intermediorum articnlo 3° subtus simplici. 78 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, In the section of PhiloiMceus having the third joint of the intermediate tarsi simple in the male this species may be at once distinguished from all previously described except P. eucalypti, Germ., by the following characters in combination: — Prothorax 5-setose on either side, elytra not unicolorous on the disc and punctured not more finely than those of P. australis, Dej. It is remarkable for its extremely transverse prothorax (which is by measurement twice as wide as long in the female, and scarcely less wide in the male) which distinguishes it from P. eucalypti, Germ., and is one of the largest species of the genus. Victoria ; Alpine district. Philophlceus EUCALYPTI, Germ. (var. 1 Tasmania;). The only PhilojMoeus that I have seen from Tasmania is scarcely to be distinguished from this S. Australian species. I notice, however, that the antennse (except the basal joints) and the palpi are much darker than those of typical P. eucalypti, and there is a slightly more decided indication of hind angles to the prothorax. The tarsi of the male, the prothoracic setse, the elytral puncturation, and the colour and markings seem to be quite identical. I take it to be a local var. Philophlceus opaciceps, Blackb. I have received this species from Western Australia (York district). Philophlceus conpertus, sp.nov. Sat depressus ; pubescens ; ferruginous ; elytvis fusco-piceis, lateribus et vittis singulis dorsalibus minus latis ferrugineis ; his in sexta parte apicali deficientibus ; prothorace quam longiori fere duplo latiori, antice leviter emarginato, postice parum lobato, ad latera utrinque 2-setoso, lateribus ab angulis anticis retrorsum leviter arcuatis paullo ante medium angu- latis hinc ad basin nullo modo sinuatis, angulis posticis valde obtusis vix rotundatis ; elytris confertim subtilissime punctu- latis, leviter striatis, interstitiis leviter convexis. [Long. 4, lat. 1|^ lines. BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 79 My example of this species is a female, but there can hardly be a doubt of its belonging to the same section (the 2nd) of the genus as P. angulatus, Chaud., to which it is closely allied, though very distinct. Compared with that species the prothorax is wider and not quite so sharply angulated at the sides, which behind the angulation are not in the least sinuate, the hind angles, however, being more obtuse. The juxta-sutural elytral vitta continuous to near the apex and much narrowed behind distinguishes this species from all of the section (angulatus included) except eucalypti (in which, however, the said vitta is much wider in its front part), which inter alia has 5 setse on either side of the prothorax and much more strongly punctured elytra. The bisetose sides of the prothorax, in combination with very finely punctured elytra, which are not unicolorous but bear a narrow dorsal vitta abbre- viated behind and not turned inward towards the suture, will distinguish this insect from all others of the genus independently of sexual characters. I believe it is the first species of Philophloeus with a pattern on the elytra recorded from Western Australia. W. Australia ; Yilgarn ; sent to me by C. French, Esq. Agonocheila. The difficulty of this genus and of Philophloeus is greatly increased by the existence of several descriptions of the most unsatisfactory character, of which all that can be said is that they are very likely to have been founded on a Philophloeus or an Agonocheila, as the case may be, — but it is quite hopeless to refer them to any one in particular unless one could accomplish an examination of the original type, which is quite out of the ques- tion for Australian workers. I see nothing for it but to treat these as non-existent and to accept the risk of redescribing them. In my opinion the author of a sufficient description is perfectly justified in publishing it on the one condition that he do not create a synonym for a species already recognisable by descriptio7i. I fully admit that if an eventual examination of an original type can enable its identity to be satisfactorily proved, its name must have priority against all others whatsoever, — but I hold the author of 80 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, the first recognisable description perfectly free from blame even though the name he used have to become a synonym through the subsequent investigation of the specimen on which some unin- telligible description was founded. Lehia irrita, Newm., is an example in point. De Chaudoir seems to think it likely to be a Philophloeus. I incline to believe that it is an Agonocheila, and it is quite possible that it may be the species described below. But it could not be identified except by inspecting the original type (which if still existent is, I suppose in the British Museum), and therefore I disregai'd it. Agonocheila fenestrata, sp.nov. Sat depressus ; pubescens ; f usco-ferrugineus vel obscure rufo- testaceus, exemplortim plurimorum capite abdominis lateribus apiceque et elytris obscurioribus (his macula brevi anguste oblonga longitudinali discoidali antice posita, et exemplis nonnullis altera communi transversa subobsoleta pone medium posita, ornatis) ; prothorace quam longiori fere duplo latiori, antice leviter emarginato, postice lobato, quam caput parum latiori, ad latera utrinque 2-setoso, latitudine majori longe ante medium posita, lateribus paullo pone angulos anticos angulatis hinc ad basin letter fere recte convergentibus, angulis posticis rectis, basi quam margo anticus paiillo latiori; elytris modice (quam A. curtulce, Er., paullo minus fortiter) punctulatis, obsolete striatis, interstitiis vix planis. [Long. l|-2, lat. %-t line. This species seems very easily recognisable by its diminutive size and its brown elytra bearing a short line-like testaceous mark on the disc a little in front of the middle ; very rarely this mark is a little dilated laterally so as to be not much longer than wide, and almost equally rarely there is a short transverse testaceous mark crossing the suture a little behind the middle ; in some examples the external margins of the elytra are narrowly (and more or less faintly) pallid ; I have not seen an example in which the front pallid mark on the elytra is wanting except one probably immature, BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 81 in which the whole elytra are pallid. The species is remarkable also for the angulation of the sides of the prothorax (where the anterior of the two lateral setae is placed) being very near to the front margin — much nearer, e.g., than in A. curtula, Er., (^corti- calis, Chaud.). Compared with A. biguttata, Chaud., the present insect is much smaller, with different markings, very much more transverse prothorax, ifec. S. Australia; W. Australia; Victoria; common. SCARITIDES. EURYSCAPHUS SULCICOLLIS, Sp.noV. Minus latus; niger; nitidus; capite minus transverso, supra oculos utrinque bipunctulato, inter oculos vix rugato, sulcis fron- talibus modicis antice minus fortiter divergentibus, postice linea curvata conjunctis ; prothorace quam longiori fere duabus partibus latiori, marginato, transversim leviter rugato, leviter canaliculate, intra margines laterales utrinque late longitudinaliter sulcato, lateribus postice vix sinuatis, margine antico manifeste bisinuato, angulis anticis leviter productis, mavginibus utrinque bipunctatis; elytris modice convexis, fere Ifevibus, quam conjunctim latioribus sat lon- gioribus, ad basin leviter emarginatis, humeris reflexis, disco postice utrinque punctura sat magna instructo. [Long. 16, lat. 6? lines. The most striking character of this species is the wide shallow sulcus on either side of the prothorax considerably within the lateral margin running from the front hindward, and gradually becoming fainter as it approaches the base (there is an approach to this sculpture in E. bijninctatus, Macl.). The large puncture on the hinder part of the disc of each elytron distinguishes the present insect from ail the previously described Uiiryscaphi except bipunctatus, Macl., obesiis, Macl., tatei, Blackb., and ebeninus, Sloaue ; the elytra are distinctly longer in proportion to their width (as 19 to 16) than in any of the last named except tatei, Blackb., to which this species is rather close, differing, however 82 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, (apart from the absence of elytial sculpture, which may be an unimportant character), by the presence of the prothoracic sulci already mentioned, by its less transverse head on which the frontal sulci are gently curved -outward and forward in front with less approach to an angle than in the other Euryscaphi known to me, and by the non-sinuate hinder portion of the lateral margins of tlie prothorax. The legs do not appear to differ materially from those of E. ohesus, Macl. The elytra are not much wider than the prothorax (as 16 to 14i), and their sides are but little rounded. S. Australia; basin of Lake Eyre. EURYSCAPHUS CHAUDOIRI, Sp.nOV. Minus latus ; nitidissimus ; aterrimus ; capite valde transverso, supi'a oculos utrinque bipunctulato, inter oculos sat fortiter ragato, sulcis frontalibus modicis antice fortiter extrorsum directis, postice linea curvata conjunctis ; prothorace quam longiori tribus partibus latiori, marginato, transversim obsolete rugato, canaliculato, lateribus posfcice manifesto sinuatis, margine antico vix bisinuato, angulis anticis leviter productis, marginibus utrinque bipunctatis ; elytris convexis sub- tilissiine vix striatis, quam conjunctim latioribus sat lon- giorihus, ad basin leviter emarginatis, humeris reflexis, disco postice utrinque punctura sat magna instructo. [Long. 15, lat. 6 lines (vix). The elytra distinctly longer than usual in proportion to their width (as 17^ to 15) together with the presence of a large puncture on the hinder part of the disc of each elytron will separate this species from all others described except tatei, Blackb., and sulcicollis, Blackb. It differs from the former by its consideiably more transverse prothorax (| again as wide as long), somewhat more elongate elytra (which are differently sculptured), &c., and from the latter by the frontal sulci much more angulated, differently sculptured prothorax, with sides sinuate behind, &c. S. Australia, near Morgan, BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 83 Clivina iEQUALis, Blackb. In describing this species (P.L.S.N.S.W., 1889, p. 718) I find I omitted to mention an important character, viz., that it has a perfectly well defined abbreviated punctulate stria on either side of the scutellum on the basal part of the juxta-sutural interstice. Owing to the presence of this additional stria, it should be noted, the stria that is bent outwards at the base to meet one of the external striae is the 5th counted along the base, but the 4th (as stated in my description) if the count be taken a little behind the base. ANISODACTYLIUES. Hypharpax (Harpalus) australis, Dej. I have recently taken near Sydney two male examples which I have no doubt are referable to this species, of which I had previously seen only females. A study of these males shows them to be perfectly distinct from Harpalus inornatus, Germ., although so like it that apart from the sexual characters there might be room for doubt whether the differences are really specific. The hind femora of these examples are devoid of the tooth that is found in the males of so many species of Hypharioax, and which is very strongly developed in inornatus, and the hind tibise are nearly straight, the same in inornatus being strongly bent inward near the apex. Apart from these sexual characters the hind tarsi of these examples are not quite so short as those of inornatus but I cannot specify any other reliable distinction, unless it be that their prothorax is a trifle more strongly transverse, and with hind angles a little better defined than the same in H. inornatus. According to the Baron de Chaudoir's diagnosis of Hypharpax (Ann. Mus. Gen., 1878, p. 496) its essential distinction from Diaphoromerus consists in the dentate hind femora of the male, but it was pointed out by Mr. Bates in the same year (Cist. Ent., II., 320) that this is not a constant character, and in Trans. Roy. Soc. S. A. (1887, p. 182) I expressed the opinion that the true character of the genus consists in the short hind tarsi — a character 84 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, which is well marked in the Sydney specimens before me, their hind tarsi being very much shorter than those of any BiajjJwro- merus that I have seen, and with the basal joint not longer than the second. The female differs from Ef. inornatus by its straighter hind tibiae and slightly longer hind tarsi. Hypharpax obsolktus, sp.nov. Brunneus, aeneo- vel subviride-micans, labro mandibulis palpis antennis pedibus scutello et (nonnullis exemplis) marginibus lateralibus flavis ; prothorace fortiter transverso postice quam antice vix latiori, postice utrinque foveolato, foveolis sat perspicue punctulatis, lateribus modice rotundatis, angulis posticis sat rotundatis, latitudine majori mox ante medium posita ; elytris subtiliter striatis, interstitiis planis (postice angustioribus convexis), 3° longe ante apicem (nonnullis exemplis) punctura setifera instructo. [Long. 3-3i, lat. l|-li lines. Maris tarsis anterioribus 4 minus fortiter dilatatis ; femoribus posticis simplicibus ; tibiis posticis vix arcuatis. This species seems very distinct from all previously described. Count Castlenau unfortunately gives no information as to the sexual characters of the numerous Anisodactylides which he described under the name Harpalus, and de Chaudoir has certainly, I think, mixed up Diaphorovierus and Hypharpax in the utmost confusion, so that it is a difficult matter to arrive at absolute certainty, but at any rate there is no species from W. Australia described by either of those authors which seems at all near the present one. Of described species H. Deyrollei, Cast., comes perhaps nearest to it, but in that the hind angles of the prothorax are entirely rounded off (non-existent in fact), whereas in this insect though somewhat rounded at the apex they are quite well-marked, much as in H. inornatus, Germ. W. Australia ; Yilgarn ; sent to me by C. French, Esq. BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 85 AMBLYTELIDES [tribus (sensu Lacordairei) nova]. Amblytelus. Amhlytehts is (as M. Lacordaire says) a very difficult genus to place, but I cannot satisfy myself that the great French author has done well in placing it in the Trigonotomides, inasmuch as its mentum is not particularly feebly emarginate. I have a consider- able number of species before me (including one from Tasmania which is evidently the typical species), and in all these, and also in Erichson's figure, the meotum is not much different from that of many Feronides, but is totally distinct from that of typical Trigonotomides {e.g., Lesticus or Abacetus). I think there is no doubt tiiat this genus and some other genera hitherto undescribed allied to it ought to be regarded as repre- senting a distinct " tribe " (as Lacordaire understood the term), i.e., a group of equal value with that of the Feroniides, Trigono- tomides, &c. This group will be characterised among the Carahidoi as follows : — intermediate coxal cavities closed, head furnished above with two supra-orbital setigerous punctures and not grooved beneath to receive the antennae, mandibles with a setigerous puncture in the groove, basal 3 joints of antennae glabrous (4th pubescent, at least near the apex), margin of the elytra interrupted at posterior 3rd and having a distinct internal plica, terminal joint of maxillary palpi not springing obliquely from the preceding joint. I believe the following character will also prove to be constant : — 8th interstice of elytra strongly plicate-carinate near the apex. Besides Amblytelus I think there can hardly be a doubt that Dyscolus austrcdis, Er., and D. dilatatus, Er., will find a place in this tribe, indeed Mr. Sloane has shown me a specimen said to be of the latter (alleged to have been named by Mr, Bates and agree- ing with the description) which certainly is an Amblytelus or (more probably) of a new genus very near Amblytelus ; it unfortu- nately was badly broken in transmission, and is now hardly fit to be dealt with. Mr. T. G. Sloane has sent me a number of interesting species allied to Amblytelus (together with some valuable notes), and my 86 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, own collection contains several moi'e also allied to Amhlytelus. On these I find it necessary to form two new genera characterised below. The following tabulation will show how these genera are related : — A. Penultimate joint of tarsi bilobed. B. Prothorax with two marginal punctures on either side Amhlytelus. B. Prothorax with only one marginal puncture on either side Dystrichothorax. A A. Penultimate joint of tarsi not bilobed Epelyx. Amblytelus. The following is a tabulation of the described species of Amhlytelus. I have placed A. vittatus, Motsch., merely from the description, as I have not seen any insect agreeing with it. It appea rs to be a very small species resembling A . curtus, Fab., in style of markings but with the testaceous margin of the elytra extremely narrow. A. Each elytron (separately) bearing a pale discal vitta. B. The pale vittfe widely confluent in the front part of the elytra. C. Prothorax much narrower at base than at front margin sinuatus, s)).nov. CO. Prothorax very little narrower at base than at front margin brevis, sp.nov. BB The pale vittae not confluent in front i . ' ^l , { vittatics, Motsch. AA. Elytral markings consisting of a large common pale blotch discoidalis, Black b. AAA. Pale elytral markings narrowly limited to the suture and lateral margins... mornatm, Blackb. AAAA. Elytra without distinct markings (size very small) minutus, Macl. BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 87 Amblytelus brevis, sp.nov. Quam A . curtus, Er., minus elongatus ; pallide rnfo-testaceus, elytris vittis 3 nigris (mediana communi nullo modo, lateralibus vix, basin attingentibus) postice conjunctis ornatis ; prothorace fortiter transverse, angulis posticis rotundato-obtusis. [Long. 4-4|, lat. If-lf lines. Smaller than A. curtus, Er., and a shorter and wider insect ; the prothorax is more strongly transverse and less narrowed behind and is without any trace of dark spots ; the general colour is decidedly more yellow {i.e., less ferruginous) and the elytra are differently marked ; regarding the pale colour of the elytra as the ground tint the markings consist of three dark vittse (the middle one on the suture where it commences considerably behind the scutellura, the others occupying about the 6th and 7th interstices of each elytron, and commencing close behind the base) which unite behind and fill up the whole apical quarter of the elytra with the exception of the margins, which remain of the ground colour. The other described species resembling this in style of markings is vittatus, Motsch., (which inter alia is described as an oblong insect, with the di^sc of the prothorax inf uscate and the yellow lateral margin of the elytra very narrow, — in the present s^iecies it occupies the whole of the lateral two interstices). I have seen many examples of this insect and do not observe any variability. S. Australia and Victoria. Amblytelus sinuatus, sp.nov. Ab A. brevi vix differt nisi capite paullo majori et prothorace aliter formato; hoc minus transverso postice quam antice manifesto angustiori, lateribus postice manifesto sinuatis, basi tota sinuatim rotundata (nullo modo in medio lobata). [Long. 4^, lat. 2 lines (vix). This insect is extremely close to the S. Australian species described above, but the differences seem to be constant. The head in A. sinuatus is (independently of sex) distinctly broader and more massive, partly owing to the eyes being evidently larger eO NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTER*, and more prominent. The prothorax is distinctly less strongly (though nevertheless strongly) transverse, and is very evidently more narrowed behind ; its sides are distinctly though slightly (in brevis not at all) sinuate immediately in front of the base ; and the base itself differs as follows : — In sinuatics it runs as a continuous curved (nevertheless sinuous) line from one hind angle to the other (the convexity of the curve directed hindward), and there is nothing at all like a median lobe distinguished from the rest of the base, while in brevis the middle part of the base forms a very wide and quite well defined lobe. N. S. Wales ; taken in the Blue Mountains by Mr. T. G. Sloane. Dystrichothorax, gen.nov. Ab Amblytelo differt prothorace utrinque i)unctura setigera singula solum instructo, hoc ad angulum posticum posito. All the species that I have seen of this genus differ from all that I have seen of Amblytelus in their prothorax being much wider behind. The subapical intra-marginal carina of the elytra is as in Amblytelus. In the male the front tarsi are but little dilated, the basal 3 joints having scale-like papillfe beneath. Amblytelus amplijjennis, Macl., belongs to this genus. D. BicoLOR, sp.nov. Oblongus ; nitidus ; testaceus, elytris utrinque vitta discoidali nigricanti a basi retrorsum gradatim dilatata, abdomine medio infuscato; prothorace leviter transversO; antice quam postice sat angustiori, canaliculato, transversim rugato, utrinque ad basin late longitudinaliter sulcato, antice linea arcuata trans- versa fortiter impresso, margine antico rotundatim subpro- ducto, lateribus subdiaphanis ab angulis anticis (his rotun- datis) ad medium rotundatim divergentibus hinc ad basin trisinuatam (vix sinuatim) leviter convergentibus, angulis posticis rectis ; elytris ad basin quam prothoracis basis vix latioribus, a basi retrorsum cito dilatatis (latitudine majori pone medium posita), puuctulato-striatis, interstitiis fere BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 89 plauis (3° puncturis setiferis obscuris notato, 8° apicem versus plicato-elevato), angulis humeralibus acutis. [Long. 3-|-4, lat. 1-i lines. The subdiaphanous lateral margins of the prothorax are margined within by a fine interrupted black line, which is pro- bably liable to be wanting. The setiferous punctures of the 3rd elytral interstice are very inconspicuous and difficult to discern, except by their setpe. This species bears a reaiarkable superficial resemblance to the Cistelid, Apellatus nodicornis, Blackb. N.S.W,, Blue Mountains. Dystrichothorax sloanei, sp.nov. PrfBcedenti affinis ; minor ; totus rufo-ferrugineus (elytrorum singulorum disco toto plus minusve infuscato excepto) ; prothoracis lateribus ab angulis anticis usque ad basin rotun- datim nee sinuatim divergentibus ; elytrorum interstitiis paullo magis convexis. [Long. 3-3|, lat. li lines (vix). Of very different superficial appearance from the preceding owing to its different colouring, but otherwise scarcely differing ■except in the few character.s specified above. The principal difference lies in the absence of sinuation in the sides of the pro- thorax behind the middle, which makes the segment appear of a bell-shape (its base being its widest part, whereas in D. biculor the prothorax is distinctly wider about the middle than across the base) ; in both species the subdiaphanous lateral margins become gradually wider hindward, but more strongly in sloanei than in bicolor. N. S. Wales; Richmond R.; sent to me by Mr. T. G. Sloane. Dystrichothorax bipunctatus, sp.nov. Oblongus ; nitidus ; ferrugineus, capita obscuriori ; prothorace quam longiori circiter quarta parte latiori, postice quam antice paullo latiori, canaliculato, trans versim rugato, utrin- que ad basin fovea magna profunda (antice linea arcuata transversa fortiter) impresso, margine antico rotundatira subproducto, lateribus leviter arcuatis postice vix sinuatis, 90 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, angulis jiosticis subrectis ; elytris subtiliter (latera versus vix manifeste) punctulato-striatis, ad basin qiiam prothoracis basis vix latioribus, a basi retroisum cite dilatatis, angulis humeralibus acutis, interstitiis plauis (3° puncturis setiferis 2 notato, 8° apicem versus plicato-elevato). [Long. 3|, lat. 1^ lines. Australia ; exact habitat uncertain ; taken by Mr. T. G. Sloane. Dystrichothorax lividus, sp.nov. Oblongo-ovatus ; nitidus ; livide-brunneus, nonnullis exemplis ad latera dilutioribus ; capitis sulcis frontalibus elongatis profundis ; prothorace quam longiori fere tertia parte latiori, postice quam antice sat latiori, canaliculato, transversim rugate, utrinque ad basin fovea magna sat profunda (antice linea arcuata transversa leviter) impresso, margine antico leviter prominulo, lateribus leviter arcuatis postice vix sinnatis, angulis posticis subrectis ; elytris ad basin quam prothoracis basis vix latioribus, a basi retrorsum cito fortiter dilatatis (latitudine majori pone medium posita), subtiliter (latera versus vix perspicue, postice magis fortiter) punctulato- striatis, interstitiis planis (3° puncturis magnis subobsoletis 2 notatis, 8° apicem versus plicato elevato), angulis humerali- bus acutis. [Long. 3i, lat. 1^ lines. N. S. Wales; Richmond R.; Mr. T. G. Sloane. Dystrichothorax vicinus, Sloane (MS.). Nitidus ; siibtus testaceus, prothorace capiteque testaceis, elytris nigris ad basin testaceis et utrinque vitta testacea sat brevi ornatis (vittis ad basin conjunctis) et ad latera late testaceo- marginatis, prothorace subquadrato antice quam postice fere angustiori, lateribus postice vix subsinuatis, angulis posticis fere rectis subdentifoimibus, basi in medio late leviter lobata; elytris subovalibus sat convexis, striatis, striis subtilissime punctulatis (1* 2* que ad basin confluentibus), interstitiis sat planis (3° apicem versus puncturis 2 impressis, 8° apicem versus plicato-elevato). [Long. 5|, lat. 2^ lines. BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 91 A very distinct species ; the discal vittse of the elytra are narrow, scarcely extend into the apical ^ of the elytra, and are much narrowed behind. The insect has the general appearance of an Amhlytelus. The base of the prothorax is very charac- teristic ; immediately within the hind angle on either side it is emarginate and the inner apex of the emargination joins the middle piece of the base in a distinct angle. Victoria ; Princetown ; taken by Mr. T. G. Sloane. N.B. — Mr. Sloane's collection contains an example, also from Victoria (Yarragon), which I hesitate to regard as a species distinct from D. vicinus, although it differs in several respects from the type ; it is larger (long. 6 lines), the base of the elytra is not testaceous except where the vittse and lateral margins meet it, the vittjB are longer, reaching nearly to the apex, the reflexed margin of the prothorax seems a little wider, and the elytra are a little more strongly punctulate-striate. The following tabulation will assist in identifying the species of this genus. A. Elytra devoid of well defined pale discal markings. B. Small species — long. 4 lines or less. C. Prothorax evidently wider at the baFe than in the middle. D. Frontal sulci of head very elon- gate and deep lividus, ap.nov. DD. Frontal sulci of head normal ... sloanei, sp.nov. CC. Prothorax not wider at the base than in the middle , hipunctatus, sp.nov. BE. Of large size — long. 5 lines or more amplipennis, Macl. AA. Elytra with well defined pale discal markings. B Middle of base of prothorax reaching hindward much further than the hind angles vicinus, Sloane. BB. Base of prothorax very little promi- nent hindward in the middle bicolor, sp.nov. l NOTES 0\ AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA Epelyx, gen.nov. Ab AmUytelo differt tarsorum articulo 4° baud bilobo. Maris tarsis anticis leviter dilatatis subtus sparsim squamuloso- papillatis. Epelyx lindensis, sp.nov. Sat breviter ovalis ; nitidus ; supra obscure ferrugineus, prothorace piceo-umbrato, elytris (margiuibus lateralibus et spatio communi indeterminato pone vel circa scutellum exceptis) piceis, antennis palpis pedibus et corpore subtus (hoc plus minus piceo-umbrato) testaceis ; prothorace quam longiori dimidia parte latiori, antice quam postice vix angustiori, canaliculato, leviter transversini rugato, margine antico emarginato-truncato, lateribus raodice sat sequaliter arcuatis, angulis (anticis sat rotundatis hand productis) posticis rotundato-obtusis, basi media late vix lobata ; elytris ad basin quam prothoracis basis parum latioribus, conjunctim sat jequaliter ovalibus, subtiliter striatis, striis distincte punctulatis, interstitiis planis (3° 5° 7° que puncturis setiferis seriatim ornatis, 8° apicem versus plicato-elevato). [Long. 3, lat. 1| lines, S. xlustralia ; near Port Lincoln. Epelyx latus, sp.nov. Breviter late ovalis ; sab nitidus ; totus ferrugineus, corpore subtus pedibusque dilutioribus, elytris plus minusve piceo- umbratis ; prothorace quam longiori vix dimidia parte latiori, antice quam postice vix angustiori, canaliculato, leviter transversim rugato, margine antico sinuato-truncato, lateribus modice sat sequaliter arcuatis, angulis (anticis sat rotundatis) posticis rotundatim valde obtusis, basi utrinque obliqua; elytris prothorace plus quam duplo latioribus, leviter (postice magis fortiter) striato-punctulatis, interstitiis sat planis, V puncturis sat magnis 3 (7° puncturis circiter 7) impresso, 8° apicem versus jilicato-elevato. [Long. 2|, lat. \\ lines. BY THE REV. T, BLACKBURN. 93 A short wide insect with the prothorax very small in comparison of the elytra. Less darkly coloured than the preceding, and also smaller, with the prothorax not so strongly transverse and differently shaped in the hinder part. In latus the base on either side runs from the hind angle obliquely (and a little sinuately) hindward and inward, the oblique lines thus formed meeting the median piece of the base almost subangularly ; thus the hind angles of the prothorax not only are a good deal rounded off, but are formed by lines inclined to each other at a very obtuse angle ; in lindensis the base on either side runs from the hind angle directly inward and not (or scarcely) at all hindward until it is slightly deflected hindward to form a very feeble median lobe ; the hind angles thus being formed by lines inclined to each other at a much less obtuse angle. In both sjjecies the actual junction of the base and sides is a good deal rounded off. N. S. Wales ; Blue Mountains ; taken by T. G. Sloane, Esq. FERONIIDES. Ehytisternus splendens, sp.nov. Subdepressus ; sat parallelus, niger elytris Isete caeruleo iridescentibus, antennis palpis tarsisque ferrugineis ; protho- race vix transverso, antice quam postice vix angustiori, antice sat fortiter emarginato, subobsolete canaliculato, subtiliter transversim rugato, ad basin utrinque foveato et bisulcato (sulco interiori profundo elongate, exterior! brevi obscuro), latitudine majori ante medium posita, lateribus postice baud sinuatis, angulis posticis valde obtusis vix rotundatis ; elytris fortiter striatis, striis postice baud minus profundis, 5 in medio minus profunda, 6* 7* que antice subobsoletis ; prosterno ad latera fortiter rugato; tarsis posticis externe sulcatis. [Long. 6, lat. 2J lines. The decidedly bright blue iridescence of the elytra seems to be a good character for this insect. R. cyathodera, Chaud., is said to be " subiridescent " only, and besides it is a considerably larger ■94 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, insect, and is stated to have its elytra striated as R. liopleura, whereas the elytra of the present species are striated very differently, the enfeeblement of the striae 5-7 being limited to the anterior part, so that in more than the apical ^ part of the elytra the striation is nearly regular and even. Ji. sulcatipes, Blackb., has the slightest suspicion of iridescence, but it also differs inter alia in much larger size and in the very much more extensive enfeeblement of the 5th-7th elytral striae. I notice that in this species the strigosity of the prosternal episterna is exceptionally strong, and is even extended a little on the middle part of the prosternum. Victoria. Rhytisternus cardwellensis, sp.nov. Subdepressus ; minus parallelus ; nitidus ; niger, vix iridescens antennis palpis tibiis ad basin summam tarsisque rufescentibus; prothorace leviter transverso, postice quam antice multo angustiori, antice parum emarginato, canaliculato, trans- versim subobsolete rugate, ad basin utrinque foveato et bisulcato (sulco interiori modice elongato exteriori brevi obscuro), latitudine majori paullo ante medium posita, lateribus antice fortiter rotundatis postice fortiter sinuatis, angulis posticis valde obtusis nullo modo rotundatis ; elytris fortiter striatis, striis postice baud minus profundis, ^^ leviter nee obsolete impressa, 6" subobsoleta, 7* vix impressa, omnibus postice sat fortiter impressis ; prosterno ad latera minus fortiter rngato ; tarsis posticis externe vix manifesto sulcatis. [Long. 6|^, lat. 2| lines. This species is distinguished from nearly all its described ■congeners by its prothorax being much narrower across the base than across its front margin, and the sides of the same being quite strongly sinuate in their hinder part. It is perhaps nearest to R. puella, Chaud., but in that species inter alia the hind angles of the prothorax are said to be right angles. N. Queensland ; Cardwell ; in the collection of C. French, Esq. BY THE EEV. T. BLACKBURN. 95 MlCROFERONlA AoELAIDiE, Blackb. The minute Carabid which I described under this name seems to have been wrongly referred by me to the Feronini, as I find that it has not the oblique sulcus traversing the elytral epipleurse which appears to be an essential character of that sub-family. Removed from the Feronini it must find its place, I think, among the Anchomenini, and is probably related to Lestignathus and Lacordairia, though it has not much superficial resemblance to either of them. LOXANDRUS. The most salient character of this genus seems to consist in the 3rd interstice of the elytra having only a single puncture, and that placed slightly in front of the middle of the elytra ; further characters may be found (at least for the Australian species) in the total absence of the abbreviated basal stria of the elytra, and the exceptionally conspicuous puncturation of the ventral segments, which are not transversely sulcata. I am unable to regard the presence or absence of wings as an essential character (the Baron de Chandoir, I observe, associates winged and apterous species in Leptojwdus), as I have before me an apterous insect which presents all the above characters, and seems to have no structural difference whatever from winged examples of the genus, except the absence of wings. There is a generally distributed species of this genus of which I have examples (apparently quite incapable inter se of specific separation), from very widely divided localities, and which I believe to have been described by the Count de Castelnau and ISir W. Macleay as Pcecilus iridescens, Cast., and Pcecilus suhiri- descens, Macl. It is a small insect (long. 4-4^ lines) of extremely brilliant iridescence, with the parts of the mouth, the antennae and the legs more or less reddish or reddish-brown, with the pro- thorax (by measurement) very slightly transverse, punctulate behind, somewhat quadrate, its greatest width about the middle, its sides slightly arched, its hind angles roundly obtuse, and its 96 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, front distinctly margined all across, and with the striae of its elytra strong and distinctly punctulate and their interstices somewhat convex ; it is winged, and has rather prominent eyes. Besides this species, the Baron de Chaudoir places in Loxandrus the following three : — Poecilus rufilahris. Cast., (from Queensland), which is described as an iridescent insect, larger than iridescens (long. 5 lines), with reddish-brown labrum and palpi, black legs and brown tarsi, prothorax wider in front than behind (where it is punctulate), and elytral striae strongly punctulate ; Poecilus gagatinus, Cast., (from Tasmania), described as a small species (long. 3| lines), entirely black ; and Poecilus atrouitens, Macl., (from Queensland), which is briefly characterised as a little smaller than subiridesceris, with the impressions on the head feebler than in that species, the elytral interstices less convex, and the surface almost devoid of iridescence. I have not seen any species that I can identify with the three just named. Loxandrus l^vicollis, sp.nov. Alatus; sat elongato-ovalis; nitidus; niger, vix cyaneo-iridescens, capite antice palpis antennis tarsisque rufescentibus ; oculis sat fortiter prominulis ; prothorace haud punctulate, quam longiori plus quam tertia parte latiori, tenuiter canaliculato, utrinque ad basin sulco elongato longitudinali impresso, antice late leviter emarginato, margine antico quam postico paullo latiori, latitudine majori sat longe ante medium posita, lateribus modice arcuatis, angulis posticis obtusis vix rotundatis ; elytris punctulato-striatis, striis latera versus minus profundis, stria abbreviata scutellari nulla, interstitiis sat planis (3° ante medium punctura ornato). [Long. 4*, lat. 1| lines. Probably near L. rufilahris, Cast., but with the prothorax entirely devoid of puncturation (except the two marginal punctures). Compared with the species mentioned above, as probably L. iridescens, Cast., this insect inter alia has a more transverse prothorax, wider towards the front and with the BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 97 margin running along the front, obsolete in the middle, the striae of the elytra narrower, but much more conspicuously punctured, the interstices considerably less convex, and the eyes more prominent. S. Australia ; near Morgan. LOXANDRUS MICANS, Sp.nOV. Apterus ; sat elongatus ; nitidus ; niger, cyaneo-iridescens, capite antice palpis antennis tarsisque picescentibus ; oculis parum prominulis ; prothorace postice sparsissime punctulato leviter transverso, tenuiter canaliculato, utrinque ad basin sulco elongato longitudinali impresso, antice modice emarginato (angulis anticis manifeste prominulis), hie quam ad basin sat angustiori, latitudine majori paullo ante medium posita, lateribus modice arcuatis, angulis posticis rotundato-obtusis ; elytris striatis, striis 1-6 antice punctulatis, stria abbreviata scutellari nulla ; interstitiis vix convexis (3° ante medium punctura ornato). [Long. 6, lat. 2^ lines. Very distinct by the absence of wings, as well as by its size notably surpassing that of the previously described Australian Loxandri. The prothorax is distinctly margined all across its front ; the punctures at its base are very few, but well defined. Victoria ; in the collection of C. French, Esq. TRECHIDES. Trechus. I have recently examined tlie tyjies of the species of Trechus from Gayndah described by Sir W. Macleay and which are in the Australian Museum. I do not feel sure that any of them are true Trechi. T. rufilahris is a singular insect, for which I do not feel prepared to suggest a place. T. atriceps appears to be a Thenarotes, and T. ater a 9 Lecanomerus. T. concolor may be a Trechus ; unfortunately it is a unique 9. V ,*:' ^ y-i^y 98 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, BEMBIDIIDES. Bembidium. I have recently made an examination of the Australian types described by Sir W. Macleay as belonging to this genus. I was unfortunately not able to study them sufficiently at leisure to enable rae satisfactorily to characterise new generic forms among them, which would, I think, be necessary in treating them pro- perly ; but as Sir W. Macleay in describing them intimated that he referred them to Bembidium only in a general sense, I think that I can furnish some notes on them which may prove useful pending a more exhaustive treatment of the subject. One of them, B. transversicoUe, appears to uie to be a small Harpalid very close to my Notophilus Icetus (of which, however, I had not a specimen with me for comparison). The unique type in the Australian Museum is unfortunately in very bad condition, so that I fear it will be hardly capable of satisfactory examination. The other species are all, 1 think, rightly referred to Bembidium (using the name in a very general sense). I should say, however, that B. gagatinum and Jiavipes might properly be referred to a new genus, hipartitum. to another new genus and hrunnipenne to still another. The following appear to be typical Bembidia, viz., bipustulatum, amplipenne and subviride. The rest of the species are, I think, congeneric with Tachys Mindersi, Blackb., and other species which I have referred provi- sionally to Tachys as presenting in general the structural characters of that genus, while at the same time their superficial resemblance to typical Bembidia suggests the probability that eventually they may receive a distinct generic name, Bembidium ocellatum, Blackb. This species is identical with B. subviride, MacL, of which it must in future be regarded as a synonym. The rest of the species described by Sir W. Macleay as Bembidia are distinct from all T have described unless my Notophilus lo'tus should be identified with Bembidium transversicoUe, Macl. BY THE KEV. T. BLACKBURN. 99 PALPICORNES. Hydrobaticus tristis, Macl. An examination of the type of this species shows that it differs from H. australis, Blackb., in having the interstices of the elytra evidently convex behind, the alternate interstices slightly more so than the others, and the commencement of the posterior declivity a little marked, not quite evenly continuing the general surface. Hydrobaticus luridus, Macl. I have inspected the type of this insect and have no doubt of its being a variety of H. tristis. In his description Sir W. Macleay says that it differs from that species only by its smaller size and pale lurid colouring. I have found a very similar variation in H. australis. LAMELLICORNES. DiPHUCEPHALA SPRETA, sp.nOV. Viridis, capite postice prothoraceque aureo-micantibus, antennis (clava picea excepta) pedibusque rufis, tarsis apice picescen- tibus ; pilis supra brevibus fulvis subtus elongatis albidis vestita; clypeo (maris) antice profunde arcuatim exciso, angulis anticis divergentibus ; capite crebre ruguloso ; prothorace crebre fortiter vix profunde punctulato late leviter canali- culato, sulcis transversis sat profundis sulcum dorsalem baud attingentibus, lateribus in medio angiilatis, angulis posticis acute rectis; elytris sat fortiter transversim rugulosis obsolete 2-costatis ; tibiis anticis ad apicem extus 2-dentatis. [Long. 5, lat. 2i lines. A large and handsome species ; the only one yet recorded, I think, from W. Australia with red legs. W. Australia ; in the collection of C. French, Esq. LiPARETRUS MAURUS, .sp.nOV. Ovalis ; minus nitidus ; piceo-niger, antennarum stipite rufo, pedibus picescentibus ; prothoiace (basi excepta) setis erectis 100 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, nigris fimbriate, corpore subtus cinereo-pubescenti ; capite conf ertim minus fortiter prothorace magis fortiter nee erebre, elytris sat fortiter subseriatim, prepygidio subtiliter nee erebre, pygidio fere ut pi'othorax, punctulatis ; clypeo antice manifeste arcuatim emarginato ; fronte late longitudinaliter concavo ; prothorace postice obsolete eanaliculato ; elytris sat fortiter geminato-striatis ; tibiis anticis extus obtuse 3-dentatis ; tarsis validis, posticorum articulis basalibus 2 sat sequalibus ; antennis 9-articulatis. [Long. 3|, lat. 1^ lines. This species is closely allied to L. concolor, Er., and L. collaris, Macl. The latter difiers from it inter alia by its brownish elytra and more densely frilled prothorax with finer puncturation. L. concolor is a shorter and more ovate species with the prothoracic channel entire or nearly so, the prothoracic puncturation much coarser, the propygidium much more strongly punctulate, the basal joint of the hind tarsi very evidently shorter than the 2nd joint, &c. I suspect that the specimens from N. S. Wales which Sir W. Macleay referred to L. concolor were examples of the insect I am describing. N. S. Wales ; Blue Mountains. LiPARETRUS LUGENS, sp.nov. Late ovalis ; subnitidus ; piceo-niger, antennis palpis elytris tibiis tarsisque obscure rufescentibus ; prothorace basi excepta setis erectis brunneis fimbriate, corpore subtus cinereo-pubescenti ; capite confertim minus fortiter, pro- thorace fortiter rugulose confluenter (fere ut L. salebrosi, Macl.), elytris sat fortiter nee rugulose nee confertim, prepy- gidio vix fortiter vix erebre, pygidio sat fortiter vix erebre, punctulatis ; prothorace vix manifeste canaliculate ; elytris obsolete geminato-striatis ; tibiis anticis extus fortiter triden- tatis ; tarsorum posticorum articulo 2^' quam 1"^ fere dimidio longiori. Maris clypeo antice lato retiexo-emarginato, angulis anticis extrorsum acute prominentibus ; fronte longitudinaliter BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 101 obtuse bicarinata ; tarsorum aaticorum articulo primo intus dilatato. Feminse clypeo antice minus lato leviter reflexo-emarginato, anguiis anticis sat acutis ; fronte obtuse minus fortiter bicarinata. [Long. 4, lat. 2g lines. This species belongs to the first section (Sir W. Macleay's arrangement) of Liparetrus, and is not very closely allied to any previously described species. N. S. Wales ; taken by Mr. T. G. Sloane near Albury. Liparetrus Adelaide, si).nov. Ovalis ; sat elongatus ; subnitidus ; niger, palpis antennis (clava excepta) elytris (basi anguste nigra et nonnullis exemplis lateribus infuscatis exceptis) pedibusque rufis ; supra pilis erectis pallide brunneis sat dense vestitus, corpore subtus pygidio propygidioque dense cinereo-birsutis ; capite pro- thorace pygidio propygidioque confertim sat fortiter subrugu- lose, elytris fortiter minus crebre, punctulatis ; prothorace leviter vel vix manifesto canaliculato ; elytris sat distincte geminato-striatis ; tibiis anticis extus 3-dentatis ; tarsorum posticorum articulo 2° quam 1"^ dimidio longiori. Maris clypeo antice minus lato, fortiter reflexo-emarginato, pone ajjicem angustato, anguiis anticis extus sat acute productis ; tarsorum anticorum articulo basali intus anguste elongato. Feminse clypeo antice angustato subtruncato, vix emarginato. [Long. 4-4f , lat. 21-2? lines. According to description this species must be very near the Queensland L. fulvohirtus, Macl., but is very much larger. The late Sir W. Macleay compared an example with the type of his species and reported it " quite distinct." S. Australia ; near Adelaide. SciTON, gen.uov. Generi Anodontcmyci affinis; labri anguli nullo modo prominuli; palpi maxillares crassi, articulo apicali breviter ovali quam 102 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, secnndus vix longiori, quam tertius vix dimidio longiori (quam latiori vix duple longiori) ; clypeus (speciei typicse) antice abrupte truncatus. Antennae magis elongate (speciei typicfe 9-articulat8e). Anodontonyx, Shp., must be very near Colohostonia, Blanch., diflfering inter alia by the number of joints in the antennse. The latter is also no doubt near Sciton, but inter alia its maxillary palpi have their apical joint " oblongus " and the clypeus is " rotundatus." Having only a single example I have been unable to dissect the parts of the mouth. SCITON RUBER, Sp.nOV. Sat elongatus ; minus nitidus ; subparallelus ; totus ruber nisi tibiis obscnrioribus, antennis palpisque dilutioribus ; supra glaber subvelutinus ; sternis pilis suberectis subtilibus spar- sim inconspicue vestitis ; segmentis ventralibus pedibusque setis sat robustis instructis ; clypeo obscure ruguloso, antice late abrupte truncato, lateribus fortiter sinuatis ante oculos baud dilatatis ; capite postice prothoraceque vix manifesto punctulatis; hoc quam longiori fere duplo (postice quam antice paullo minus) latiori, antice late marginato, supra sequali, lateribus leviter arcuatis, margine antico sat profunde bisinuatim emarginato, basi bisinuata, angulis anticis acutis modice productis posticis rotundatis (superne visis subrectis); elytris sparsim leviter punctulatis, perspicue striatis, inter- stitiis alternis quam cetera latioribus ; pygidio nitido, longitudinaliter sulcato, subtiliter sat crebi-e punctulato ; propygidio (hoc ab elytris hand plane obtecto) pubescenti ; corpore subtus sat nitido ; sternis sat crebre subfortiter punctulatis ; segmentis ventralibus sparsius subtiliter punc- tulatis et transversim punctorum majorum setiferorum seriebus instructis ; coxis posticis quam metasternum parurti brevioribus ; femoribus latis ; tibiis anticis extus fortiter 3- dentatis; unguiculis simplicibus; antennis 9-articulatis, stipite quam clava duplo longiori, hujus laminis 3 subsequalibus. S. Australia. [Long. 8, lat. 4 lines. BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 103 COLPOCHILA CAMPESTRIS, Sp.nOV. Ovata ; sat brevis ; rubro-ferruginea, vix iridescens, capite prothoracequeobscurioribus; pectorevalde hirsute; abdomine setoso ; capite confertim riigulose confluenter nee crasse, prothorace (hoc subvelutiao) pygidioque (hoc haud carinato), elytris (his geminato-striatis) obscure, punctulatis ; antennis 9-ai-ticulatis ; tarsorum posticorum articulo 2° quam basalis manifeste longiori. Maris (exempli typici) antennis carentibus ; pygidio apice late sinuato-ti'uncato. Feminse antennarum clava 5-articulata, hujus articulo 2° quam 3° (et basali quam ille) quarta parte breviori ; pygidio valde gibboso apice minus late truncato. [Long. 11-|-, lat. 6 lines. Very near the S. Australian C. fortis, Blackl)., from which it diflPers by its darker colour, somewhat broader and more robust build, less distinctly punctured elytra, and the antennal characters. In the female the basal joint of the club is not much more than half as long as the third joint, and the second joint is about intermediate in length between the first and third, whereas in C. fortis (female) the basal joint of the club is scarcely shorter than the second, and the second is scarcely shorter than the third. The pygidiura also in C. campestris (female) is very much more gibbous than in C. fortis. In the male the pygidium is much more widely and less straightly truncate at the apex than in the male of G. foTtis, and no doubt the antennal characters are different. From C. giganteo,, Burm., the five-jointed (in the female and no doubt in the male also) flabellum of the antennae distinguishes the present insect. In C. dubia, Blackb., the antenaiB (female) are much like those of C. campestris, — the 2nd joint of the flabellum, however, being markedly less abbreviated, — but the species inter alia is considerably more strongly punctulate, more nitid and more elongate. The other species of this group of Colpochila (large insects having a sharply defined lateral protho- racic gutter set with long soft hairs) difi'er still more widely. In NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, my tabulation of Colpochila (P.L.S.N.S.W., 1890, pp. 520-2) this species falls under " FF" on p. 521 with C. fortis. W. Australia ; near Yilgarn ; sent by C. French, Esq. Frenchella, gen.nov. Labium planum; palporum labialium articulusultimus elongato- ovalis ; maxillse 5-dentatte ; palporum maxillarium articulus ultimus quam penultimus duplo longior ; labrum minus crassum, angulis fortiter prominulis ; antennae 9-(vel. 8 ?) articulatse, clava 3-articulata quam stipes paullo breviori ; pectus setis elongatis sparsim vestitum ; tibise posticse (ut Colpochilce) apicem versus fortiter dilatatse ; tarsi modice elongati ; unguiculi simplices ; elytra nullo modo geminato- striata. I am unable to specify any character to separate this genus from Colpochila (regarded as including Haplonycha) except the absence of any approach to a geminate arrangement of the strise on the elytra. Nevertheless the facies is quite diiferent, approaching that of Heteronyx, and I do not think the species described below could with any propriety be referred to Colpochila. I do not find any distinctive sexual characters among the examples before me. The genus Homolotropus, Macl., differs from this intei' alia by its geminate-striate elytra, Platydesmus, Macl., by its depressed form, greatly developed antennal club, &c., Colohostoma by the apical joint of its labial palpi being " crassus." It is most probable that Haphmycha striatella, Blanch., ohscuricornis, Blanch., and rugosa, Burm,, should be placed in this genus, which I have named after C. French, Esq., the Victorian Colonial Entomologist. Frenchella lubrica, sp.nov, Ovalis ; convexa ; pernitida ; supra glabra, ad latera fulvo- ciliata ; subtus capillis fulvis elongatis minus dense vestita ; piceo-nigia, capite prothoraceque vix rufescentibus an tennis palpis et tarsorum apice rufis ; capite confertim sequaliter rugulose punctulato, clypeo reflexo antice rotundato-truncato, sutura clypeali distincta angulata ; prothorace quam longiori BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 105 plus quam dimidio latiori, feie ut caput sed paullo sparsius punctulato, linea mediana Isevi, basi bisinuata quam apex (hoc modice emarginato) dimidio latiori, lateribus postice fortiter rotundatis antice siuuatis, angulis anticis acutis, posticis obtusis ; elytris crebre sat crasse punctulatis, trans- versim rugulosis, leviter regulariter striatis, striis apicem versus obsoletis ; tibiis anticis extus 3-dentatis ; antennis 9-articulatis; pygidio crasse ruguloso, longitudinaliter carinato. [Long. 6^, lat. 3 1 lines. Of the three species mentioned above as probably belonging to this genus the descriptions are very brief, but they all seem distinct from this species ; striatella is called " tota ferruginea," ohscuricornis has the club of the antennae blackish and the elytra iridescent, while rugosa is said to be dark brown with the elytra paler. The uppermost tooth on the front tibiae of this insect is small but well defined, and is directed almost straight forward. Victoria ; Swan Hill ; taken by C. French, Esq. OCNODUS LUGUBRIS, Sp.nOV. Piceus, antennis palpis pedibusque rufescentibus ; capite pro- thoraceque crebre, elytris minus crebre, pygidio sparsim, fortiter punctulatis ; puncturis in fundo plus minusve pallidis vix manifeste setigeris ( '? exemplo typico abraso) ; elytris vix perspicue 3-costatis ; clypeo antice late rotundato ; tibiis anticis extus obtuse 3-dentatis. [Long. 4|, lat. 2 lines. The puncturation of the elytra (which tends a little to run in rows) and of the pygidium is decidedly coarse, that of the head and prothorax less so, but conspicuously closer. On the elytra the sutural stria is fairly well-marked, and there is no trace of other strife, but an indication from a certain point of view of three scarcely distinct costee. The pygidium is strongly fringed with longish fulvous hairs. The prothorax is decidedly more than half again as wide as long, strongly convex and even above, the sides very gently arched, the front (which is very strongly bisinuate, with sharp angles) very little narrower than the base, the hind angles obtuse and somewhat rounded, the base bisinuately 106 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, rounded hindward (the middle part a good deal produced hind- ward, but hardly distinctly lobed). The interstices of the punctures on the elytra are scarcely rngulose. The SGutellum is moderate in size, and strongly transverse. W. Australia, Roebuck Bay ; sent by C. French, Esq. Hbteronyx merus, sp.nov. Modice elongatus ; minus convexus ; postice vix dilatatus ; sat nitidns ; ferruginous ; fere glaber, capillis fulvis sparsim fimbriatus ; clypeo confertim crasse rugulose, capite postice crasse minus crebre, prothorace sparsim acervatim minus fortiter, elytris sat fortiter nee crebre sublineatim, pygidio sparsim fortiter, punctulatis ; clypeo brevi lato ante oculos extrorsum fortiter producto, antice obsolete angulatim late emarginato ; prothorace quam longiori fere duplo latiori, postice quam antice plus quam dimidio latiori, lateribus leviter arcuatis, basi vix bisinuata, angulis anticis sat acutis sat producfcis, posticis bene determinatis obtusis fere rectis ; elytris hie illic obscure striatis, setis inconspicuis fulvis sparsim ornatis ; tibiis anticis extus valde 3-dentatis : labro a clypeo obtecto ; antennis 9-articulatis ; coxis posticis ad lateia quam metasternum sat brevioribus quam segmentum ventrale secundum sat longioribus ; unguiculis bifidis. [Long. 4|-5*, lat. 2|-3i lines. I have not seen any other Heteronyx very close to this one, which possesses several characters unusual in the genus, especially the clusters of punctures thinly scattered over the prothorax and the peculiar sculpture of the elytra consisting in fairly defined rows of punctures (here and there appearing in a certain light to run in striae for snort distances) separated by wide intervals on which are here and there little groups of punctures similar to those of the rows. N. Queensland ; sent by C. French, Esq. Heteronyx arcanus, sp.nov. Modice elongatus ; sat convexus ; postice vix dilatatus ; sat nitidus ; rufo-piceus, antennis palpisque testaceis ; capillis BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 107 fill vis minus sparsim vestitns ; capite crasse rugulose crebre, prothorace crassissime sat sparsim, elytris crebre crasse squamose, pygidio subcrebre minus fortiter, punctulatis ; clypeo brevi lato ante oculos minus fortiter extrorsum producto, antice late rotundato ; prothorace quam longiori (et postice quam antice) plus quam dimidio latiori, lateribus leviter arcuatis, basi bisinuata, angulis anticis sat acutis sat productis, posticis rectis ; elytris haud striatis, pustulis inconspicuis setas erectas ferentibus instructis ; tibiis anticis extus sat fortiter 3-dentatis ; labro a clypeo obtecto ; antennis 9-articulatis ; coxis posticis ad latera quam metasternum multo brevioribus, quam segraentum ventrale secundum paullo longioribus ; unguiculis bitidis. [Long. 4^-51 lat. 2J-3 lines. N. Queensland ; sent by 0. French, Esq. Heteronyx protervus, sp.nov. Modice elongatus ; sat convexus ; postice minus dilatatus ; sat nitidus ; ferrugineus, antennarum clava testacea ; pilis erectis fulvis sparsim vestitus; clypeo crebre fortiter rugulose, capite postice crebre fortiter nee rugulose, prothorace insequaliter sparsius sat fortiter, elytris crasse vix squamose vix crebre, pygidio sparsim sat fortiter, punctulatis ; clypeo brevi lato ante oculos extrorsum fortiter producto, antice rotundato (vix sinuatim) ; prothorace quam longiori (et postice quam antice) plus quam dimidio latiori, lateribus vix arcuatis, basi leviter bisinuata, angulis anticis leviter productis sat acutis, posticis subrectis ; elytris nuUo modo striatis ; tibiis anticis extus sat fortiter 3-dentatis ; labro a clypeo obtecto; antennis 9-articulatis ; coxis posticis ad latera quam metasternum sat brevioribus quam segmentum ventrale secundum sat longiori- bus ; unguiculis bitidis. [Long. 4^-.'), lat. 3 lines. N. Queensland ; sent by C. French, Esq. N.B. — Since the publication of my tabulation of the 1st section oi Heteronyx (P.L.S.N.S. W,, 1888, pp. 1329-1331) several addi- tional species have come befox'e me belonging to that section and 108 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, forming a group distinguished by the combination of 9-jointed antennae, comparatively short hind coxae, and very strongly bifid claws. This little group seems to be confined to Northern Aus- tralia, and occupies in my tabulation (loc. cit.) lines 10-21 on p. 1331. I propose now to substitute the following for the contents of lines 13-21 in order to include the additional species, but I regret that I must drop H. corpulentns, Macl., oat of this revised table, as I have not an example of the insect before me ; at the time of my drawing up the original table I had a type lent me by Sir W. Macleay and since returned. From memory and description, however, I think it is distinguishable from all the species included in the following table by the character referred to in its name — viz., its short broad form ; it is certainly not identical with any of them. G. Front outline of clypeus not evenly rounded (i.e., more or less truncate or sinuous). H. Elytra evenly punctulate. I. Uppermost tooth on margin of front tibiae well defined protervus, Blackb. II. Uppermost tooth on front tibiae almost obsolete hreviceps, Blackb. HH. Elytral punctures subseriate and with unpunctureJ spaces of various area. I. Clypeus much more closely punc- tured than forehead ; size mode- rate merus, Blackb. II. Head somewhat evenly punctured ; size very large piceo-niger, Macl. GG. Front outline of clypeus quite evenly rounded. H. Punctures of prothorax excessively coarse arcamis, Blackb, HH. Punctures of prothorax very much finer rugosipennis, Macl. BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 109 Haplopsis viridis, sp.nov. Breviter ovata; supra fulvo-, subtus griseo-, pilosa; minus nitida ; laete viridis, corpore subtus (et nonnullis exemplis elytris) obscuriori ; capite prothoraceque sat crebre granulatis ; hoc fortiter transverse, antice angustato, lateribus leviter arcuatis, angulis anticis fortiter productis posticis obtusis ; elytris obscure rugulosis, 5-lineatim (plus minusve distincte) longi- tudinaliter convexis, lineis glabris vix rugulosis ; tavsorum posticorum articulo 1° quam 2^^ fere duplo breviori. Maris clypeo latissime quadratim producto antice late leviter emarginato antennarum clava elongata, tibiis anticis externe leviter 3-dentatis. FeminjB clypeo antice angustato vix emarginato, antennarum clava brevi, tibiis anticis externe fortiter 3-dentatis. [Long. 3-3f, lat, l|-2 lines N. S. Wales and Victoria. Byrrhomorpha, gen.nov. Generi Heteronyci affinis ; mentum concavum ; palporum labialium articulus apicalis piriformis ; maxillae 5-dentatge ; palporum maxillarium articulus ultimus quam penultimus plus quam duplo longior ; labrum permagnum supra clypeum sursum productum ; antennae breves, Q-articulatse, clava brevi 3-articulata ; tibiae posticse minus breves apice modice dilatatae ; tarsi modici ; unguiculi simplices ; corpus valde crassum, crasse sculpturatum ; elytra sulcatis sulcis sub- geminatis. The species of this genus to a casual glance present somewhat the appearance of Byrrhus ; this peculiar build in combination with a labrum strongly elevated above the clypeus (giving the front of the head strongly the trilobed appearance characteristic of certain species of Heteronyx) and simple claws will, I think, distinguish the genus from all its allies. The mentum and labrum are so related to each other that from a certain point of view they appear to form a continuous surface which is deeply 110 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, concave longitudinally. I do not notice any sexual distinctions except that the antennal club seems a little elongated in the examples I take to be males. Byrrhomorpha verres, sp.nov. Breviter ovalis ; valde convexa ; nitida ; fere glabra ; atra, tarsis scutelloque vix rufescentibus, antennis palpisque rufo- testaceis ; capite confettim crasse rugulose, prothorace con- fertim rugulose minus crasse, elytris ciasse in^equaliter minus crebre, pygidio subtiliter confertissime aspere, punctulatis ; clypeo autice sat fortiter emarginato ad labrum recipiendum, ante oculos leviter extrorsum dilatato ; prothorace quam longiori (et postice quam antice) vix tertia parte latiori vix manifesto canaliculate lateribus leviter arcuatis ; basi valde retrorsum dilatata, margine antico fortiter arcuatim emar- ginato, angulis anticis acutis fortiter productis, posticis rotundato-obtusis (superne visis rectis et extrorsum subpro- ductis) ; scutello magno antice punctulato; elytris insequaliter sulcatis, interstitiis sat latis fortiter insequaliter transversim rugulosis, alternis quam cetera irregulai'iter latioribus ; tibiis anticis extus 3-dentatis, dentibus inferioribus magnis acutis, tertio parvo ; coxis posticis quam segmentum ventrale secundum vix longioribus ; corpore subtus pernitido fortiter minus crebre punctulato. [Long. 5, lat. 3 lines (vix). Viewed from the side the labrum presents somewhat the appearance of a small upturned horn or tusk. The sculpture of the elytra is different from that of any of the allied genera. The elytra cannot, I think, be regarded as genuinely geminate-striate, and I should place the genus among those with the elytra simply striate; but nevertheless tlie irregularity in width of the interstices (which might be called uneven costse) brings some of the sulci somewhat into pairs, — but this arrangement is rendered still more irregular by some of the wider interstices being in places split apart by uneven furrows that traverse them ; moreover the distinctness of this arrangement varies in different examples. S. Australia ; Poi't Lincoln and elsewhere. BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. Ill Byrrhomorpha PONDEROSA, sp.nov. Prsecedenti valde affinis ; multo major ; prothorace quam longiori (et i)ostice quam antice) fere duplo latiori, angulis posticis subrectis (superne visis aciitis et fortiter extrorsum retror- sumque directis) ; elytris minus fortiter sulcatis. [Long. 6, lat, 85 lines. W. Australia; Yilgarn ; sent by C. French, Esq. PSEUDOHETERONYX. Heteronyci affinis sed apterus ; elytra conglutinata ; metaster- num breve. Huic generi Heteronyx haldiensis, Bl.ackb., tribuendus est. PsEUDOHETERONYX HELiEOIDES, Sp.nOV. Brevis ; fortiter convexus ; postice leviter dilatatus ; minus nitidus ; supra fere glaber pilis erectis fulvis sparsissime vestitus, subtus et in pedibus setis fulvis minus sparsim vestitus ; piceo-niger, antennis palpisque rufis, illarum clava testacea ; clypeo crebre, capite postice minus crebre, protho- race sparsim, pygidio etiam magis sparsim, leviter sat crasse punctulatis ; elytris substi'iatis et leviter foveato-rugulosis ; clypeo antice sinuato-truncato, ante oculos extrorsum vix perspicue producto ; prothorace quam longiori fere duplo (postice quam antice baud multo minus) latiori, lateribus a basi antrorsum arcuatim convergentibus, basi media sat lobata, angulis anticis modice ]iroductis sat acutis, posticis (superne visis) obtusis ; tibiis anticis extus obtuse 3-dentatis ; labio a clypeo obtecto ; antennis 9-articulatis ; coxis posticis quam metasternum (hoc brevi) vix brevioribus, quam seg- mentum ventrale secundum parum longioribus ; unguiculis appendiculatis. [Long. 5^, lat. 3^ lines. This species bears a remarkable resemblance to a Helceid {e.g., Nyctozoihis) on a casual glance. The absence of wings is a rare character among the Melolonthidce, and I do not know how it escaped my notice when I was describing P. baldiensis ; which, 112 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, however, is much more like a Heteronyx superficially than is P. helceoides. The basal joint of the hind tarsi is considerably shorter than {in P. baldiensis about equal to) the 2nd joint. N. Queensland ; a single example sent by C. French, Esq., and generously presented to me. Rhop^ea soror, sp.nov. Minus elongata ; pubescens, capite prothoracis margine antico sternis (his densissime) pygidio pedibusque longe villosis ; rufescens vel flavo-brunnens ; capite subcrasse, prothorace confertim sat subtiliter, elytris dupliciter (et crebre sat sub- tiliter et minus crebre magis crasse), punctulatis ; prothorace quam longiori (et postice quara antice) fere duplo latiori, lateribus crenulatis sat fortiter arcuatis, angulis posticis obtusis fere rectis ; elytris singulis apice manifeste rotundatis. Maris antennarum flabello minus elongato 7-articulato, articulo 3° intus producto. Feminse antennarum flabello brevi 6-articulato, articulo 4° intus producto; tarsis posticis brevibus. [Long. 10-101 lat. 5^ lines. Very near R. heterodactyla, Germ. ; the principal differences that I notice are as follows : — The flabellum of the antennae is evidently shorter (in heterodaclyla male it is by measurement as long as the basal 4 joints of the tarsi together, in this species clearly less), the puncturation is throughout a trifle stronger and less close, the prothorax is more narrowed in front with its sides very evidently more strongly rounded, the elytra (regarded indi- vidually) are manifestly more rounded at the apex. N. S. Wales, near Tamworth ; taken by C. T. Musson, Esq. Rhop^a MUSSONi, sp.nov. Minus elongata ; pilus elongatis sparsim (in capite sternisque sat dense) vestita ; rufescens ; capite sat crebre prothorace minus crebre subfortiter punctulatis, elytris subcrasse rugu- losis, pygidio confertim subtilius punctulato ; prothorace BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 113 quam longiori dimidio (postice quam antice fere duplo) latiori, lateribus crenulatis modice arcuatis, angulis posticis rectis ; elytris singulis obsolete 2-costatis, apice minus rotundatis. Maris antennaruiu flabello elongate 6-articulato, hnjus articulo priino quam ceteri multo breviori. Feminse antennarum flabello minus elongato 6-artioulato, hujus articulo primo perbrevi. [Long. 9-10, lat. 5-5i lines. Differs from all the previously described species of Rhopcea by its much coarser sculpture. The antennae come nearest to those of R. Verreauxi, but differ considerably. In Verreauxl (male) the 3rd joint of the antennae is unusually elongate, the 4th is sharply produced in a kind of spine internally and the apical 6 form a very elongate flabellura (all the latter being subequal in length except the 1st, which is a little shorter than the rest). In Mussoni the 3rd joint of the antennae is less elongated, the 4th is scarcely produced internally, and the apical 6 form a flabellum not very much different from that of Veri-eaihxi except in the 1st of them being very much shorter. I have not seen a female Verreauxi and therefore cannot compare the female of the present species with it. N. S. Wales, near Narrabri ; taken by C. T. Musson, Esq. AnOMALA AUSTRALASIA, Sp.nov. Oblongo-ovalis : sat convexa ; viridis, antennis rufis, pedibus nonnuUis exemplis piceis ; capite confertim subtilius subru- gulose punctulato ; prothorace fortiter transverse, subtiliter plus minusve distincte crebre punctulato, antice angustato, angulis posticis rotundato-obtusis; elytris sparsius subtilissime punctulatis, puncturis pauUomajoribus sat crebre intermixtis, his hie illic obscure seriatim in striis vix impressis positis ; pygidio magis fortiter punctulato ; tibiis anticisextus apicem versus bidentatis, et in medio dente subobsoleto armatis. [Long. 8, lat. 4| lines. The only Australian Anomala that I can find to have been described is fusco-viridis, H. and J., which is omitted from Masters' Catalogue. It is differently coloured from the present 8 114 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTEaA, insect, and inter alia is said to have its elytra " deeply punctate sulcate." N. Territory of S. Australia ; also N. Queensland. MiCROVALGUS. This is an extremely difficult genus to deal with ; it appears to contain numerous Australian species so closely allied inter se that it is most difficult to characterise them in such manner as to enable them to be recognised by description. Only three have been named, — Lapeyrousei, G. & P., (N.S.W. and Vict.), charac- terised as a dark brown species, with reddish elytra and tibiae and underside blackish, and the clypeus perceptibly emarginate ; nigrinus, Macl., (Queensland), entirely black with the clypeus rounded in front; and ca^aneipennis, Macl., (Queensland), having the head and prothorax black and elytra chestnut, and the clypeus truncate in front. Judging by the exaoiples before me, which certainly represent at least several species, the differences in the outline of the clypeus are very slight. The colour as a rule seems somewhat constant, I think I know M. Lapeyrousei and nigrinus ; if my identification is correct the former is evidently larger than the latter, and the basal joint of its hind tarsi is longer in proportion to the second joint. The following species from Western Australia is evidently distinct from any hitherto described. MiCROVALGUS YILGARNENSIS, sp.nov. Ferrugineus, elytris ad latera et apicem infuscatis ; albido- squamosus ; prothorace quam longiori vix sexta parte latiori, angulis anticis acutis valde productis fere spiuiformibus, posticis obtusis, lateribus leviter arcuatis ; tarsorum posti- corum articulo basali quam secundus plus quam dimidio longiori. , [Long. 1|, lat. ^ line. An exceptionally narrow species, coloured differently from those previously described, and remarkable for the very strongly pro- jecting front angles of the prothorax, which (if the head be in its natural subvertical position) stand out free of the body, and are BY THE REV, T. BLACKBURN', 115 conspicuous to the naked eye, looking like two horns. No other species that I have seen approaches this one in this respect. W. Australia ; Yilgarn ; sent to me by Mr. C. French. CISTELIDiE. Apbllatus MASTERSi, Macl. I have examined the type of this insect, and have no doubt whatever of its being the female of A. palpalis, Macl. CURCULIONID.^ (BRACHYDERIN.E). Prypnus (?) SQUAMOSUs, sp.nov. Oblongus (mas), magis latns (fern.) ; niger squamis, supra griseis vel albidis (nonnuUis fuscis maculatim intermixtis), subtus albidis nonnullis fulvis intermixtis, vestitus ; breviter inconspicue fulvo-setosus ; rostro capite angustiori longiori, longitudinaliter bisulcato, supra sat fortiter arcuato ; oculis sat magnis, modice convexis ; antennis modicis, scapo oculorum marginem posticum vix attingenti; prothorace transverso, antice posticeque truncate, crebre tuberculato- ruguloso, canaliculato, margine antico sub oculos ciliato ; elytris ad apicem singulatim leviter acuminatis, punctulato- striatis, interstitiis subinsequalibus alternis leviter alternis fortiter convexis, interstitio 3° ad basin antrorsum promiuente, humeris reflexis subprominulis, sutura postice cariniformi. [Long. 5-6, lat. l|-2,2, lines. In freshly coloured examples, the head and rostrum are densely clothed with nearly white scales, in which a few of a pale fuscous colour are intermingled (sometimes in small patches), the rest of the upper surface being densely clothed with scales of an obscure ashen hue, much interrupted by patches of fuscous scales which form on the prothorax an ill-defined central band and some small lateral spots, and on the elytra more or less numerous ill-defined and small spots ; the most conspicuous marking is the dark central band of the prothorax ; the general aspect is that of a dull ashy- coloured insect, with the head and rostrum almost white, or at any 116 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, rate, much and conspicuously paler than the rest of the surface. A very distinct depression divides the rostrum from the head. The rostrum would probably appear tri-carinate if it were abraded. There is a short well-defined longitudinal fovea just above the base of the rostrum. The funicle of the antennae is slightly longer than the scape. Its basal joint is the longest, except the 2nd, which is half again as long, 3-5 each half as long as 2, and distinctly longer than wide, 6 and 7 somewhat longer. The base of the elytra is considerably wider than the base of the prothorax. The sides of the latter are gently and evenly rounded. The sides of the elytra are somewhat evenly arcuate, very gently in the male, pretty strongly in the female. The metasternum is very short, scarcely longer than the diameter of the middle coxse, and only about f the length of the basal ventral segment. The prothorax is without ocular lobes and the rostral scrobes are linear and curved downward. I have little doubt but that this species is closely allied to that which Herr Faust has described (Deutsch. Ent. Zeit. xxx. p. 362) as " Prypnus (1) pygmceus." It differs a little from Fryptnus in facies, owing to the absence of well-marked tubercles near the apex of the elytra, the dense squamosity of the surface, and the slightly uneven appearance of the elytra which seem to be thickly furnished with slight scarcely defined nodosities ; this appearance is caused, I think, by the punctures in the strise being deep and coarse, so that the scales on the intei'stices, between each two of these punctures, seem to be slightly protuberant above the scales that fill the punctures themselves. It difiers also from Prypnus in the presence of a fringe of cilia on the front margin of the prothorax, behind the eye. N. S. Wales ; Blue Mountains. (OTIORHYNCHIN.^.) TiTINIA. The group of Australian Curculionidcs to which this genus belongs, may be characterised as Otiorhynchidce having the hind BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN, 117 corbels open, the claws free, and the metasternum evidently longer than it is in Otiorhi/nchus and its immediate allies. They are allied to the European Phyllohius. In this group Titinia seems to be characterised sufficiently (for distinction from the other genera yet described except Idaspora) by the following in combination : prothorax not or scarcely bisinuate at base ; scape of antennse strongly arcuate, reaching when set back well on the prothorax, but not extending to the elytra ; funiculus of antennae 7-jointed, none of its joints transverse; scutellum distinct; femora unarmed ; front coxse contiguous. Between Idaspora and Titinia the distinction seems very uncertain. Mr. Pascoe, the author of both genera, at the time he characterised them supplied a tabulation of the differences between them and other genera, in which (E.M.M., 1869) he distinguishes them by the club of the antennse pedunculate in Titinia, sessile in Idaspora. A little later, however, he described a species as Titinia marmorata (Ann. Nat. Hist. 1872), of the club of whose antennse he says, " vix pedunculata," at the same time adding a note that Titinia can best be separated from Idaspora by its rostrum " having no raised lines or costse border- ing the scrobes on each side and continued back nearly to the eyes." A reference to the original diagnoses does not throw much light on the matter, as the only tangible difference I find is that the scrobes are said to approximate above in Titinia and not to approximate in Idaspora, while a note is added after Idaspora to the effect that it differs from Titinia in its longer rostrum with the scrobes lateral. I have a large number of specimens before me which appear to belong to one or other of these two genera, but I cannot make two genera of them. Tn fact, the distinctness of the raised lines bordering the scrobes varies in the individuals of a species. If, however, the scrobes in Idaspora are strictly and entirely lateral, none of the examples in question can be referred to that genus, so I think it will be well to call them all Titinia. I may observe that I believe one of the species before me to be Merimnetes tenuis, Germar. It is very common all over S. 118 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, Australia and extremely variable both in size and markings. One variety agrees perfectly with Germar's description, except in not being a Merimnetes, its claws being free. It is decidedly a Titinia, showing no tendency towards the special characters of Idasjyora, In the descriptions following, the species with the scrobes approxi- mated above are pretty certainly Titinia; those with the scrobes less or scarcely approximate seem to hover between the two genera, but I really cannot see any reason for separating them generically. Among the species before me is one which I am inclined to regard as Idaspora terrea, Pasc. It agrees in every respect with the description of that insect except in the scrobes not being truly lateral but cutting to some extent into the upper surface of the rostrum, though much less so than in others which seem to be true Titinice. It is extremely like some vars. of what I regard as Merimnetes temcis, Germ., but differs in its scrobes being much less approximate above and the sides of the prothoTax very evidently less rounded. In my collection are examples from Victoria of what I have no doubt is Merimnetes uniforinis, Boh. It is not unlike a Titinia, but may be at once distinguished by its claws soldered together except at the extreme apex. Titinia brevicollis, sp.nov. Picea; squamis (subtus albidis, supra obscure fuscis his non- nullis aurantiacis maculatim intermixtis) dense vestita, antennis pedibusque obscure ferrugineis ; illarum clava f usca ; scrobibus supra approximatis ; antennarum funiculi articulo basali quam 2"^ vix longiori, hoc 3° 4° que conjunctis sequali ; prothorace fortiter transverso ad basin fere subbisinuato, sparsim manifesto punctulato, basi quam margo apicalis manifeste latiori, lateribus leviter arcuatis; elytris punctulato- striatis. [Long. 1 ?, lat. ^ line. The prothorax is distinctly more transverse than in any other known to me of the genus. If the species is not variable (my two examples are quite identical), it may be at once distinguished by BY THE REV. T. BLACKBUR-V. 1 1 9 the numerous small spots of a golden colour sprinkled over the dark brown of the elytra. The punctures on the prothorax are quite visible in spite of the dense clothing of scales. Probably the derm sculpture of an abraded specimen would appear very different. The antennal club is distinctly pedunculate. The elytra are devoid of distinct erect bristles. The 3rd joint of the antennal funicle is notably longer than the 4th. W. Australia ; taken by E. Meyrick, Esq. TiTINIA LiETA, Sp.nOV. Picea ; squamis (subtus albis supra obscure fusci.s, his nonnuUis albis nonnuUis f ulvis intermixtis) dense vestita ; scrobibus supra approximatis ; antennarum funiculi articulo basali quam 2"^ sat longiori, hoc sequentibus 2 conjunctis sub- breviori ; prothorace vix transverse, antice tubulato, ad basin fere subbisinuato, sparsim punctulato, basi quam margo apicalis sat latiori, lateribus postice sat fortiter rotundatis ; elytris punctulato -striatis. [Long. 1|, lat. /„ li^^- On the upper surface the white scales clothe the cheeks, the portion of the rostrum between the scrobes form a ring round the eyes, project as extensions of the white undersurface on the sides of the prothorax, clothe the scutellum and extend backward a little along the suture, and form a spot on each shoulder ; while the fulvous scales mingle with the white ones round the eyes, form two narrow lines diverging hindward on the prothorax, and are sprinkled here and there over the elytra • the sides of the latter are irregularly clothed with greyish scales. The antennal club is scarcely pedunculate. The elytra bear some short semi-erect hair-like bristles. The 3rd joint of the antennal funicle is not longer than the 4 th. Victoria ; Alpine district; a single specimen. TiTiNiA (Idaspora ?) eremita, sp.nov. Picea ; squamis pallide griseis (his supra inter squamas f uscas intermixtis) dense vestita, antennis (clava excepta) tibiis tarsisque obscure ferrugineis; scrobibus parum approximatis; 120 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, antennarum funiculi articulo basali qnam 2"^ multo longiori, hoc sequentibus 2 conjunctis manifeste breviori ; prothorace quam caput vix latiori, vix transverse, ad basin fere truncato> sparsim punctulato, basi quam margo anticus baud latiori, lateribus vix arcuatis ; elytris punctulato-striatis. [Long. 13-21 lat. |-1 line. The prothorax having almost straight sides scarcely bulges out in the middle enough to exceed the head in width. The grey scales (which are of a leaden tone) on the upper surface form a continuous stripe down the prothorax, head (where it is at its widest), and rostrum and are more or less conspicuous on (at least the base of) the elytral suture ; they also are condensed along the sides of the elytra and form some irregular markings on its general surface, which, however, are little conspicuous except in very fresh examples. The antennal club is feebly pedunculate. The elytra bear short semi-erect stout hairs which seem to be wanting in all but the freshest examples. The 3rd joint of the antennal funicle is slightly longer than the 4th. S. Australia ; basin of Lake Eyre. TiTiNiA (Idaspora ?) bicolor, sp.nov. Piceo-fusca ; squamis (subtus albidis, supra fusco-brunneis) dense vestita, scutello niveo, oculis griseo-circumcinctis ? scrobibus parum approxiraatis ; antennarum funiculi articulo basali 2° longitudine sequali, hoc quam 3"^ multo longiori ; prothorace vix transverao, ad basin vix subbisinuato, sparsim obscure punctulato, basi quam margo anticus vix latiori, lateribus sat arcuatis ; elytris punctulato-striatis. [Long. 2-3, lat. l-l-^ lines. The punctures in the prothorax each bear a little seta, like a granule, and a row of granule-like setse runs down each interstice of the elytra. The white scales on the scutellum are wanting in specimens at all abraded. The whitish scales of the undersurface extend to the underside of the femora, and in some examples to BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 121 tlie extreme lateral margin of the elytra. The antennal club is scarcely pedunculate ; the 2nd joint of the funiculus is about as long as the 3rd and 4th together. S. Australia ; basin of Lake Eyre. The following is a tabulation of distinctions among the species of Titinia and Idaspora so far as they are known to me. The two species that are not known to me are T. ignara, Pasc, and T. marmorata, Pasc. The colouring of these is different from that of any species I have seen, but I am afraid colour and markings are very little to be relied upon. T. ignara, however, is described as having its prothorax longer than wide, and if this be correct by measurement, that character will separate it from all the following. Of T. marmorata the author says that the prothorax is subcylindric, which at once furnishes a distinction from all the species I have seen except T. eremita. The latter and T. marmo- rata are from localities so far apart that they seem unlikely to be identical, and are very differently marked and coloured, — e.g., T. marmorata having 3 fuscous vittiB on its prothorax, which is quite a different style of marking from that of the prothorax of T. eremita. A. Rostrum very narrow between the scrobes. B. Basal joint of the funiculus much longer than 2nd joint. C. Prothorax considerably wider at base than at front margin Icnta, Blackb. CC. Base and front margin of prothorax about equal in width — tenuis (Merimnetes), Germ. (1). BB. Basal joint of the funiculus about same length as second joint hrevicollis, Blackb. AA. Rostrum but little narrowed between the scrobes {Idaspora, Pasc.?). B. Basal joint of funiculus scarcely or not longer than 2nd joint. 122 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, -- C. Sides of prothorax strongly rounded in the middle bicolor, Blackb. CC. Sides of prothorax lightly and evenly arcuate terrea, Pasc? BB. Basal joint of funiculus much longer than 2nd joint eremita, Blackb. LEPTOPSIN"^. ESMELINA. Mr. Pascoe's reference of this genus to the Leptopsides seems to me very much open to criticism. The absence of ocular lobes from the prothorax (not referred to by Mr. Pascoe in his diagnosis) is much more suggestive of the Br achy derides, nor are the eyes (although certainly a little more acuminated beneath than those of most Br achy derides J very much different from those of some species of Prypnides whose place among the Brachyderides is not questioned. Mr. Pascoe calls the posterior corbulse "apertse," but it seems to me they are rather of the form which M. Lacor- daire calls " subcavemosse." I should incline to refer the genus to the Brachyderides, where it seems to me to stand at no great distance from Dermatodes, and in some respects to be very near Mr, Pascoe's genus Styreus. I may say that I have examined specimens of E. flavo-vittata, Pasc, in the Macleay Museum, said to be named on Mr. Pascoe's authority, and have myself taken the same species in the Blue Mountains (the original locality), and as it is an insect with very characteristic and unusual markings on the elytra I do not think there is any possibility of my identifica- tion of it being erroneous. In describing the following new species of Esmelina I draw attention to the probability that it may be Lagostomus australis, Boisd., (^Za^og^omw* was a nom-prseocc, for which Dermatodes was substituted). This is little more than a guess, founded on proba- bility arising from the habitat of my insect and its resemblance to Dermatodes. Dr. Boisduval's description consists of eight BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 123 •words and would fit scores of Australian Gurculionidce ; however, this is one that would fit, and so I have thought it well to give the name australis to the present species, judging that if it be not specifically identical with Boisduval's the chances are strong against its being generically identical. EsMELiNA AUSTRALIS (1 Lagostonius austrolis, Boisd). Ovalis; nigro-picea ; confertiiu squamis brunneis albidisque intermixtis vestita, et setulis brevissimis suberectis crebre obsita ; antennis subferrugineis ; capite prothoraceque crebre puuctulatis et rugulosis ; hoc supra sequali ; elytris seriatim punctulatis, puncturis sat magnis, interstitiis planis. [Long. 4-4 1, lat. 13-2 lines. The male is evidently narrower and smaller than the female. The whole sculpture is completely buried in squamosity except the central carina of the rostrum and the rows of punctures on the elytra. The semi-erect setae are minute and need looking for. Closely examined the vestiture seems to be a ground of brown scales on which whitish scales are very thickly and evenly sprinkled, but in some lights there appears to be a slight coppery gloss, which is most conspicuous on the head and undersurface. The scales on the middle part of the femora are almost black. The piothorax has no trace whatever of a central carina or furrow, but in some examples there is a very feeble transverse impression near the front margin. It is probable that the elytra of an abraded example would be found to be striated, but in a fresh example the elytral sculpture consists simply of lines of extremely conspicuous (and moderately large) punctures. I regret that I have not a spare specimen from which to remove the scales in order to describe the underlying sculpture more definitely. The rugulosity of the prothorax seems to be somewhat coarse on a small space which I have denuded of scales. Differs from E. flavo-vittata, Pasc, chiefly by its colour and markings and by the front of its elytra less strongly reflexed, especially near the shoulder. N. S. Wales ; Blue Mountains. 124 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, (AMYCTERIN^.) CUBICORHYNCHUS MUSSONI, Sp.nOV. Ovalis ; confertim piceo-squamosus ; piceo-niger, elytris ad latera et pedibus maculatira albido-squamosis ; nigro-setosus ; cristis in capite sat elongatis retrorsum inclinatis ; tuberculis frontalibus nnllis ; prothorace confertim granuloso ; elytris obscure punctulato-striatis, interstitiis planis alternis quam cetera paullo latioribus. [Long. 6, lat. 2§ lines. A somewhat longer and more oval species than most of its congeners ; this character, together with the black colour of its setae, the very close granulation of its prothorax, and the absence of frontal tubercles will distinguish it. The form of the crests on the head also is peculiar ; their external outline evenly continues bindward the external outline of the rostrum almost to the length of half the rostrum. Probably nearest to C. jnceo-setosus, Macl., which, however, is described as having its prothorax canaliculate down the middle and subtuberculate on the sides. This is the only Cubicorhynchus known to me in which the prothorax is not at all canaliculate. N. S. ^Yales; taken by C. T. Musson, Esq., F.L.S., near Tam- worth DiALEPTOPUS APPROXIMATUS, Sp.nOV. (J Angustus ; nigricans, obscure subvittatim plumbeo-argenteo squamosus, tuberculis pedibusque rufescentibus ; rostro quam caput longiori, leviter bicarinato ; prothorace apice hand bilobo ; elytris prothorace parum latioribus seriatim foveatis, biseriatim tuberculatis, seriei externse tuberculis 4 magnis conicis internse 6 vel 7 (anterioribus minoribus), trans processus humerales quam trans prothoracem sat angustio- ribus ; tarsis valde elongatis, posticorum articulo 2° quam 1"^ vix breviori ; antennax'um scapo quam tarsorum anticorum articulus 4"^^ vix breviori, funiculi articulis basalibus 2 manifeste elongatis. [Long. 7, lat. 2\ lines, BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 125 Near D. sepidioides, Pasc, and differing from it by its longer tarsi (the 2nd joint of the hind tarsi scarcely shorter than the 1st), the very much feebler carinse of the rostrum, and the larger and differently arranged tubercles of the elytra ; in the outer row the tubercle nearest the base is much larger than either the 1st or 2nd in the same sex of sepidioides, and is placed slightly further back than the 1st is in that species. The apical ventral segment is transversely sulcate near its hinder margin, the sulcation being not very sharply defined and being extended forward a little in the middle. W. Australia ; near York ; sent to me by C. French, Esq. Opetiopteryx, gen.nov. Caput sequale ; rostrum breve crassissimum a capite vix dis- tinctum ; mentum profunde in cavitate immersum ; scrobes antice positse, ab oculis longe remotse, leviter arcuatse ; antennarum brevium scapus oculum vix attingens ; hie rotundatus sat parvus a prothorace liber ; prothorax asqualis antice bisinuatus, postice truncatus, in medio canaliculatus, utrinque leviter arcuatus, lobis ocularibus distinctis; scutellum minutum ; elytra aequalia, ovalia, apice singulatim acuminata, humeris hand prominulis ; tibite sat rectae, apice (pi"8esertim anteriores 4) introrsum acuminato-dilatatis ; tarsi breves sat paralleli, articulis basalibus 3 fortiter transversis subtus tomentosis. The insect for which I propose this name is one of the most perplexing Gurculionidce I have met with ; its head and rostrum (including the mouth organs as far as they can be examined without dissection) are extremely like those of Sclerorhinus, except that the upper surface of the rostrum is very evidently narrowed forward and is only obsoletely concave longitudinally, and has a very feeble carina down its middle, at the hind end of which is a small fovea, while the scrobes are extremely short, being separated from the eyes by a very long interval, and the scape of the antennae when laid back scarcely reaches the eyes. The funiculus of the antennae is scarcely longer than the scape, 126 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, and the club is nearly as long as the last 3 joints of the funiculus together. The joints of the funiculus scarcely differ inter se, save in the basal joint being a little stouter than the rest. The tarsi are very short and parallel (the 3rd joint scarcely wider than either of the preceding) and are tomentose on their under surface. The metasternum is longer than in most of the Amycterince, being about as it is in some of the Cylindrorhinince. The basal two ventral segments are elongate, the 3rd and 4th together a trifle shorter than the 2nd, and longer than the 5th. The whole surface is entirely devoid of the tubercles and spines so characteristic of the Amycterinoi. I am in some doubt as to the sub-family in which this remark- able species should be placed. Its very short and extremely robust rostrum, with the mentum deeply sunk in the buccal cavity is so characteristic of an Amycferid that I have given that character the preference in determining its place. But the metasternum is certainly inconsistently long, and the tomentosity of the underside of the tarsi (which latter, however, is found in Melanegis), and the absence of tubercles, &c., perhaps point to Bothynorhyyichus as a nearer ally. The latter genus I have not seen, but according to description the present insect could certainly not be referred to it as it differs inter alia from Bothynorhynchus by the short scape of its antennae and the strong ocular lobes of its prothorax. It may be observed, however, that Bothynorhynchus itself is regarded by Schonherr as being very near the Aviycterince, and is differentiated by Lacordaire only by the tomentosity of the undersurface of the tarsi, — which character loses its value by its presence in Melanegis (not known to Lacordaire), — apparently in all other respects a perfectly typical Amycterid. Opetiopteryx frigida, sp.nov, Ovalis ; picea, squamis pallide viridibus variegata ; his corpus femoraque subtus dense vestientibus, rostrum antice margin- antibus, et vittas 2 in prothorace et in elytris maculas basales nonnullas vittamque lateralem marginalem formantibus ; corpore supra sparsim obscure punctulato, puncturis setas BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 127 minutas rubras ferentibus ; eljtris leviter striatis, striis puncturis sat magnis instructis, interstitiis subconvexis. [Long. 5-51 lat. 2-2^ lines. In treating of the genus I have mentioned the characters sufficiently at length to render a further specific description unnecessary. Victoria ; Alpine district ; under a stone near the summit of one of the higher mountains. (RH YPAROSOMIN^. ) Dysostines glaber, sp.no v. Nitidus ; glaber (antennis pedibusque setosis exceptis) ; niger- rimus, antennis rufo-picescentihus ; maris prothorac e quam elytra vix angustiori, his fere a basi retrorsum angustatis ; feminse prothorace quam elytra sat angustiori, his late ovali- bus ; rostro quam ad apicem latiori fere duplo longiori, supra arcuato vix manifeste carinato, dupliciter minus punctulato; capite inter oculos longitudinaliter foveato, dupliciter (postice sat crebre)punctulato; antennarura funiculi articulis basalibus 2 sat elongatis ceteris moniliformibus ; prothorace subgloboso, postice quam antice latiori, subtilissirae canaliculato, sparsira fortiter punctulato (puncturis nonnullis parvis intermixtis) ; scutello minuto ; elytris fortiter punctulato-striatis, inter- stitiis sparsim punctulatis, humeris subprominulis lateribus mox pone basin dilatatis ; pedibus valde robustis, tibiis anterioribus 4 intus dente magno obtuso armatis et infra denticulatis et ad apicem valde arcuatis (posticis maris intus longe ciliatis), posticis maris ante apicem intus subito angus- tatis et ad apicem fortiter introrsum curvatis et calcare valido armatis, feminse ad apicem dilatatis ; prosterno inter coxas anticas quam antennarum clava baud angustiori ; segmento basali ventrali (maris) late concavo subinsequali, feminse vix concavo subinaequali. Variat prothorace rufo. [Long. 3-3|, lat lyVll ^i^^s 128 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, The male characters vary somewhat in development. In some examples the teeth on the inner side of the tibiae are much larger than in others. The long cilia on the tibiae are, I suppose, easily- rubbed off, as in some examples they are wanting, while in one male (the other sexual characters of which are very feeble) they are present even on the intermediate tibise. Victoria ; this very fine and distinct species is not uncommon under stones at an elevation of about 6000 feet above the sea on the Alpine range. Dysostines advena, sp.nov. Subopacus ; setis suberectis sparsim vestitus ; piceo-niger, antennis coxis femorum basi tibiarum basi apiceque tarsisque plus minusve rufescentibus vel testaceis ; supra squamis piceis brunneisque intermixtis confertim vestitus ; maris elytris quam prothorax vix latioribus antice sat parallelis apicem versus fortiter angustatis ; feminae elytris quam prothorax sat latioribus postice minus angustatis ; rostro quam ad apicem latiori sesqui longiori, supra arcuato, confertim punctulato, carinato ; prothorace vix transverso, canaliculato (canali sub squamas abdito) pone apicem transversim impresso, vermicu- lato-rnguloso, postice quam antice vix latiori, lateribus fortiter rotundatis; scutello vix manifesto; elytris leviter striatis,striis puncturis subquadratis sat magnis instructis, interstitiis alternis quam cetera magis elevatis, humeris vix prominulis ; pedibus sat robustis, maris tibiis posticis intus angulatim dilatatis ; coxis anticis contiguis ; maris segmento ventrali basali longitudinaliter concavo, in medio postice transversim prominenti ; antennarum funiculi articulis basalibus 2 sat elongatis, ceteris brevibus. [Long. 1|, lat. ^-^'g line. In fresh specimens the sculpture is almost entirely concealed by a dense covering of scales. This is an inconspicuous-looking little species; the contiguous front coxse seem inconsistent with its being a Dysostines, but I can find no other structural peculiarity whatever, and in the species originally attributed to the genus by its author BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 129 (Mr, Pascoe) the coxae vary from being " remote " to " approxi- mate." This is the smallest species yet described of the genus. It has a certain superficial resemblance to a very small Poly- phrades. One of my examples (probably immature) is of a rufo- testaceous colour. Victoria ; Alpine district. (CYLINDRORHININ^. ) Centyres sinuatus, sp.nov. Ovatus ; piceus, squamis griseis vel silaceis vel cinereis confer- tim vestitus, antennis plus minusve rufescentibus ; his sat elongatis, scapo prothoracem fere attingenti, funiculi articulis basalibus 2 elongatis (2'*quam 1"^ fere longiori quam S"'^ fere duplo longiori, ceteris inter se fere sequalibus quam 3"^ parum brevioribus) ; rostro obsolete longitudinaliter carinato ; prothorace quam longiori fere sesqui latiori, antice quam postice sat angustiori; vix manifesto canaliculato, obscni'e ruguloso, lateiibus modice rotundatis ; scutello minutissimo ; elytris basi quam prothoracis basis parum latioribus (maris ovalibus quam prothorax parum, feminfe ovatis quam pro- thorax multo, latioribus) subtiliter striatis, striis sat fortiter minus confertim puuctulatis (externis postice valde siuuatis), interstitiis leviter convexis, sutura postice sat fortiter carinata; segmento ventrali 2° quam 3*"^ parum longiori, maris segmento basali longitudinaliter leviter concavo. [Long. 31-4, lat. Ig-lf lines. The punctures in the strise each bear a small scale, as in the previously described species of the genus. The present insect agrees well with Mr. Pascoe's generic diagnosis except that segments 2-4 of the abdomen are not quite exactly equal inter se, the 2nd segment being slightly longer than either of tlie next two, but very much shorter than the two together. The strong sinua- tion (behind the middle) of some of the elytral striae (especially the 3rd and 4th) is a very marked character, as also the strongly cariniform elevation of the suture behind. The rostrum is very 9 130 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLKOPTERA, little shorter than the protliorax ; its scrobes gradually disappear considerabiy in front of the eyes. The ocular lobes ^re feeble and very low down on the sides of the prothorax Victoria ; Alpine district. (GONIPTERIN.E.) GONTPTERUS RUFUS, Sp.nOV. Rufus, antennarum clava infuscata, supra squainis minutis pallidis sparsim obscure (snbtus sat dense squamulis albidis piliformibus) vestitus ; rostro quam caput vix longiori carinulis nonnullis obscuris longitudinaliter instructo, crebre subtilius rugulose punctulato ; capite inter oculos impresso, quam rostrum paullo magis fortiter punctulato ; prothorace subconico fortiter rugulose punctulato ; scutello elongato- triangulari; elytris sequaliter punctulato-striatis, ])uncturis sat magnis subquadratis, interstitio 3° antice fortiter (5° minus fortiter) tuberculiformi, humeris extroisum sat promi- nentibus, tuberculo post humerali valido acuto. [Long. 4, lat. 2 lines (vix). The almost uniform red colour of this species will distinguish it from nearly all previously described of the genus ; the legs and front part of the elytra are a trifle brighter than the other parts, and the prothorax is slightly the most obscure part. The punctu- ration of the elytra scarcely differs from that of G. suturalis, Gyll. The post-humeral tubercle is strongly developed and more acute than usual in the genus. As with many of its congeners, the anterior tuberosity of the 3rd and 5th interstices is more marked in some examples than in others. The 5th interstice is more or less feebly callous near the apex. The 3rd joint of the antennae is something less than twice as long as the 2nd. I may add that a near ally of this species has been taken in Tasmania by Mr. J. J. Walker, R.N., but this latter appears distinct, having the prothorax evidently less coarsely rugulose, and the post-humeral tubercle shorter and blunter. Victoria; Alpine district. BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 131 (ATERPIN^. Medicasta. According to Mr. Pascoe's tabulation of genera of Aterpincn {Journ. L. Soc, 1871), Medicasta differs from Ethemaia by its parallel-sided tarsi. On reference to the diagnosis of the former no comparison with Ethemaia is found there beyond a remark that the two genera are obviously related to each other, — but the eye being covered above by its orbit (mentioned in the diagnosis) is evidently a distinctive character. Some years later Mr. Pascoe published the name of another allied genus, — Hyphceria, — which he characterised far too briefly, merely remarking " characters as in Ethemaia, but 3rd tarsal joint not bilobed " ; and in the description of the species, he says that the sides of the head project slightly over the eye. Hence Medicasta and Hyphif.ria must be very close to each other and have not been distinguished inter se. There is, therefore, a doubt incapable of determination whether the following species is a Medicasta or a Ilyphceria, but it agrees with the diagnosis of the former, except that the sides of the head are not dilated so as to cover the eyes more than partially ; the eyes nevertheless are but little prominent. Medicasta lugubris, sp.nov. Oblonga ; piceo-nigra ; antennarum scapo basi curvato quam funiculus parura breviori, hujus articulo basali sat crasso parum elongato, 2° multo graciliori vix breviori, ceteris panllo brevioribus ; rostro quam caput vix breviori huic (oculis exceptis) latitudine fere sequali, quam antennarum scapi longitudo vix angustiori, supra longitudinaliter 4-sulcato, sulcorum interstitiis elevatis (interstitio mediano minus fortiter), carinis ita formatis abrupte ad rostri basin desinen- tibus ; prothorace subcylindrico vix transverso, antice leviter constricto, supra insequali, crasse nee crebre rugulose punctu- lato, antice quam postice paullo angustiori, basi bisinuata ; elytris leviter striatis, striis sat crasse nee crebre punctulatis, 132 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, interstitiis antice convexis, dorse carinis tuberculisque insequali. [Long. 3J, lat. 1^ lines. The inequalities on the elytra are very intricate. At the base of the posterior declivity is a large transverse tubercle on each elytron, the two tubercles almost meeting on the suture ; the hind face of these tubercles bears some black scales, and from the external end of each tubercle a carina runs back to the apex, the whole space between the carinas being elevated and the carinas themselves being tuberculated, their tubercles bearing some black scales. Between each of these carinas and the external margin is a tubercle which is the apical one of a series of 4 on the 5th interstice. The 3rd interstice bears two large tubercles (one at, the other a little in front of, the middle) which are connected by oblique wavy carinas, with the corresponding tubercles on the 5th interstice. The 7th interstice is cariniform in almost all its length. Most of the elevations are more or less clothed with black scales (where they are absent probably my example is abraded). Victoria ; Alpine district. Aterpus raucus, sp.nov. Ab A. tuberculato, Gyll., difFert statura minori, antennis multo magis gracilibus, capite crebre crasse ruguloso, pedibus rufis. [Long. 7, lat. 3 lines. Differs from all the previously described Aterpi of the tuber- cidatus-group by the coarse rough riignlosifcy of its head, which scarcely differs from that of the front part of the prothorax. Apart from the characters mentioned above, and its smaller size, I do not find any difference between this species and A. tuber- culatus. N. S. Wales ; Blue Mountains. Aterpus abruptus, sp.nov. Ab A. tuberculato, Gryll., differt rostro supra longitudinaliter minus convexo vix tarn fortiter canaliculato ; prothorace minus crebre minus grosse granulato, spatio mediano (hand BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 133 granulate) antice latiori nee parallelo hand vel vix pone medium prothoracis retroisum manifesto, elytds postice valde perpendiculari, sutura ad partis declivis basin magis fortiter magis abrupte tuberculato-carinata. Maris tibiis anticis sat elongatis sat gracilibus eequaliter sub- fortiter curvatis. Feminse tibiis anticis minus elongatis minus gracilibus subrectis vel potius intus vix bisinuatis. [Long. 7-8, lat. 2|-3 lines. Another member of the group of which A. triberculatus, Gyll., may be considered the type, and scarcely differing from that species except in its smaller size and in the characters specified above. The front tibiae of the only sex I possess of A. tuherculatus (the male, I believe) are unlike those of either sex of this species, being straight on the external margin, and having the internal margin rather deeply concave in its apical half. The prothorax is not at all canaliculate, but its whole surface is evenly convex except that it has a light transverse depression immediately behind the front margin ; the tubercles, however, with which its general surface is clothed much as in A. tuherculatus, are wanting on a small vaguely defined space occupying the front half of the middle line. The scutellum is conspicuously clothed with white scales. The most striking character of the species is the extreme abruptness of the apical declivity of the elytra. If the insect be regaided from the side it is seen that the apex of the elytra does not protrude hindward at all further than does the summit of the apical declivity, and the hind outline of the elytra [i.e., the line (as viewed from the side) connecting the summit of the apical declivity and the apex itself] appears concave. The tuberculation of the elytra is variable, in some male examples being almost exactly as in A. tuherculatus, while in others and in most females it is feebler and tending to run into interrupted costae. In very fresh examples the squamosity looks like a dusty brown indu- mentum and renders the surface opaque, while abraded specimens have a subnitid appearance. From A. horrens, Gyll., this species differs inter alia by its non-canaliculate prothorax, from seriatus, Boisd., (which has elytra considerably, though less abruptly. 134 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, declivous behind) by its differently shaped front tibiae, differently sculptured prothorax, &c., from A. rubus, Er., by its non-cristate prothorax, «fec. S. Australia. Pelororhinus proximus, sp.nov. Sat elongatus ; piceus vel nigro-piceus supra squamis subar- genteis et nonnullis fere croceis plus minusve vittatim vestitus, corpore subttis fere toto albido-squamoso pedibus rufe- scentibus ; prothorace quara latiori nonnihil longiori, lobis ocularibus baud plane nullis, elytris punctulato-striatis ; rostro supra longitudinaliter leviter sat sequaliter arcuato ; antennarum funiculi articulo basali quam 2"* feie sesqui longiori ; oculis quam P. argentosi, Gyll., sat minoribus. [Long. 5:^-6, lat If -2 lines. The scales on the Pelororhini are so easily rubbed off, and it is so seldom that specimens can be obtained which are not more or less abraded that it seems almost useless to give an exact account of the patterns formed by the scales on the elytra. In the present species the head and prothorax are marked almost as in P. argentosiis, and the scales on the elytra form a pattern similar to that in the same insect. Biit the scales forming the pattern-have a much less silvery tone, — in some examples they are to a con- siderable extent of a saffron or fawn colour, and the pattern is (in the examples before me) much less shar]>ly defined. The decided tendency of the silvery scales on the elytra to run in vittce seems, however, to be distinctive of argentosus and the present species. Placed beside an example of P. ai-gentosus the present species differs as follows, — the eyes are smaller and more widely separated (I am not absolutely certain that this may not be sexual), the 2nd joint of the antennal funicle is evidently shorter, the rostrum is a little longer and narrower, and the lower part of the front margin of the prothorax (viewed from the side) is slightly convex 'in a forwai'd direction, as though tending towards being an ocular lobe. The whole insect, moreover, is a little less elongate and especially a little less acuminate towards the apex. BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 135 P. margaritaceas, Er., inter alia has the basal joint of the antennal funicle louger in proportion to the 2nd joint. P. angustatus, Fahrs., inter alia is very distinctively and differently marked with silvery scales. P. pusio, Sch., is a much smaller insect, variegated ■with black, white and ferruginous markings. P. sparsus, Germ., is only doubtfully distinct from P. mactdosus, Fahrs., which inter alia is very different in respect of its rostrum. Victoria. Pelororhinus crassus, sp.nov. Minus elongatus ; piceus plus minusve rufescens, supra squamis argeiiteo-niveis et nonnullis obscure griseis maculatim vestitus, corpore subtus fere toto albido-squamoso ; prothorace quam latiori vix longiori, lobis ocularibus nullis ; elytris punctulato-striatis ; rostro supra longitudinaliter fortiter vix sequaliter arcuato, minus brevi ; antennarum funiculi articulo basali quam 2**^ fere sesqui longiori; oculis quam P. argentosi, Gyll., pauUo minoribus. [Long. 6-7, lat. 2-2| lines. The scale-pattern on the head and prothorax is almost as in P.argentosus ; on the elytra it is very different, having no tendency to run in vittse ; it may be best described by reganling the silvery- white scales as forming the ground ; this ground is interrupted by the rows of denuded spots or granules usual in the genus, and which are less closely placed in this species than in most others ; there are also two obscure fascia-like spots on each elytron (one a little in front of, the oihey a little behind, the middle) on which the scales are much less close than on the rest of the surface and are of a pale fuscous tone of colour ; the whole of these markings, however, are clearly defined only in very fresh specimens. The most distinctive character seems to consist in the form of the rostrum. Rhinaria caliginosa, Pasc. There does not seem to be much doubt that this species is either R. rugosa, Boisd., or B. excavata, Boisd., and it appears to me very probable that they are two names for one species. Between Boisduval's descriptions of the two I lind no difference excejjt that 136 NOTES OX AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, in that of R. excavata the prothorax is said to be " medio postice- que subinflatus," while in the other it is described as " medio subincrassatus," and that R. excavata is said to be a little larger than ruyosa. I have before me a short series taken in New South Wales (some at least of them from near Bombala, — the habitat assigned to B. caliginosa) which I cannot regai'd as representing more than one species, and which seem as if they might include all the above-named forms. I feel no doubt whatever as to their being caliginosa ; some of them have the sides of the prothorax a little sinuate behind the middle, which gives the base a slight prominence on either side that may be referred to in the expression " postice subinflatus," but I do not regard it as a specific character, for its conspicuousness seems to depend on whether the prothorax is quite in its natural position in respect of the elytra. Tn extremely fresh and bright specimens the squamosity of the elytra renders the sculpture apparently much less pronounced than it is seen to be in more or less abraded ones. The robust incrassation of the middle of the femora seems to distinguish this insect from many of its congeners, and the less prominence of its eyes from others. If R. excavata, Boisd., be really distinct from R. rugosa, Boisd., it becomes a question whether it is not the same thing as R. foveipennis, Pasc, as there seems nothing inconsistent with such a supposition except that in that case Boisduval has in his brief description omitted to mention that the alternate elytral interstices are more elevated than the others, —an important omission, no doubt, but quite Boisduvallian. Rhinaria tibialis, sp.nov. Picea ; squamis nigris aliisque cinereis (setulis suberectis inter- mixtis) dense vestita ; squamis cinereis in prothorace triline- atim condensatis, in elytris confuse marmoratim dispersis, corporis subtus fere superficiem totam vestientibus ; capite crista bifida (hac squamis pallidis densis vestita) antice instruc- to ; rostro nigro nitido, puncturis elongatis sparsim adsperso, supra a basi longe ultra medium carina longitudinali mediana instrncto, parte antica tertia concava ; prothorace quam ad BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 137 Wasin latiori vix longiori, supra sat fortiter minus crebre ruguloso vix distincte granulate, lateribus a basi ad medium leviter divergentibus delude fortiter rotundatim convergenti- bus, margine antico sat angusto sat fortiter rotundato- producto ; scutello dense albo-squamoso ; elytris a basi retrorsum leviter angustatis, leviter striatis, striis puncturis ocellatis raodicis minus crebre notatis, interstitiis modice convexis sat sequalibus, humeris rotundatis extrorsum sub- prominulis ; tibiis anticis intus ante apicem fortiter rotundato- emarginatis; extus ad apicem dilatatis; antennarum funiculi articulo 2° quam 1"^ sat breviori, 3'° sequali. [Long. 3|-4l, lat. l|-2 lines. In a fresh, biightly marked specimen the three pale lines on the pvothorax are sharply defined and the elytra are very conspicuously mottled with blackish brown and ashy scales, — the blackish scales predominating round the scutellum and about the middle of the lateral portions, and in other parts being very evenly mixed in small patches with the ashy scales. But the markings cannot be at all relied upon as a character, as in most examples they are very indistinct, the surface being nearly black with some obscure ashy shadings, or even of a uniform dusty brown, as though covered with an indumentum. The best character, I think, lies in the form of the front tibiae, which are short and stout, evidently widening from the base to below the middle, and then roundly scooped out on the inner side between the point and the apex in such fashion that the inner margin immediately below the middle appears almost like a very blunt tooth ; this chai^acter at once separates this species from the others known to me of the genus {e.g., cristata, Kirby, granulosa, Fahrs., myrrhata, Pasc). The nearest ally of R. tibialis is, I think, cristata, Kirby. Compared with that species the present one ditfers chiefly by the crest of its head, considerably smaller and especially less prominent at its vertex, though of similar shape and squamosity, by its rostrum very evidently narrower and more parallel (though otherwise very similar), by its differently shaped front tibiae, and by the absence of a short nitid carina on 138 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, the central line of the prothorax. I find this latter character constant in the species which I have no doui>t is cristata, Kirby. I believe the following characters in corabinatioa will distinguish this species from all the other Rhinarice at all resembling it in size and general appearance ; — rostrum convex and strongly keeled above (except close to its apex), head with a strongly prominent and densely scaly bifid crest, elytral interstices equal inter se, front tibise strongly and roundly emarginate immediately before the apex of the inner margin. /?. maculosa, Fahrs., is perhaps a little near this species, but inter alia its rostrum is rugulose, flattened above and subsulcate, and the shoulders of its elytra are more square. R. variegata, Boisd., is said to be identical with maculosa, Fahrs. Victoria ; Alpine district ; on young shoots of Eucalyptus. Rhinaria debilis, sp.nov. Elongata ; piceo-nigra, supra squamis piceis vestita, inter has squamis pallidis plagiatim (et setulis suberectis) intermixtis ; subtus dense jjallide squamosa ; capite bi-verrucosa verrucis infra conjunctis ; rostro nigro lato, longitudinaliter excavato, excavationis parallelse fun do piano antice caiinis 2 arcuatis brevibus instructo, latei-ibus fortiter cariniformibus ; pro- thorace parum transverse, sat fortiter nee crehre granulato, antice transversim impresso, lateribus sat fortiter rotundatis, margine antico sat fortiter rotundato-producto quam basis angustiori ; elytris late leviter sulcatis, sulcis foveis parvis nee crebris seriatim instructis, interstitiis angustis minus fortiter (prsesertim alternis) elevatis setis pallidis elongatis et granulis sat parvis ornatis, humeris rotundatis vix extrorsum productis ; tibiis anticis iatis compressis intus leviter bisinuntis, apice intus leviter (extus nullo modo) dilatatis ; antennaj-um funiculi articulo 2" quam 1"^ paiuni breviori. [Long. 5, lat 1| lines. I have little doubt that this species is as variable as most of its congeners in respect of the colours and arrangement of, the scales clothing its upper surface ; in the example before me the general BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 139 colour is black, and there are a number of spots caused by little patches of cinereous or brown scales, two or three on the pro- thorax, one on each shoulder (the scutellura is densely clothed with pale scales), and a number scattered irregularly over the elytra. The most conspicuous character is perhaps the wideness of the strise on the elytra and the consequent narrowness of the interstices, but this species is also readily distinguishable by its wide rostrum, the upper surface of wlrich is concave in its whole length, the floor of the concavity being almost perfectly parallel and flat, and furnished in its front part with two conspicuous, short, curved carinse, placed longitudinally side by side ; and by the shape of its front tibise, of which the apex is not in the least dilated externally. This species is allied to one occurring near Melbourne (Mr. French tells me it is mischievous on strawberry plants) which T take to be E. perdix, Pasc, but differs from it (apart from markings) inter alia by the much more parallel sides of the concave part of the rostrum, as well as by the 2ncl joint of the antennal funiculus no'^t much shorter than the first. Victoria : Alpine district. (HYLOBIIN.^.1 Orthorhinus bicolor, sp.nov. Oblongus ; piceoferrugineoque-variegatus ; dense squamis nigris et nonnuUis albis nonnuUis ferrugineis vestitus, squamis in elytris fasciam latam nigram postmedianam antice postice- que albo-mai'ginatam formantibus ; rostro sat valido pro- thorace vix breviori punctulato et longitudinaliter plus minusve strigato ; antennis (clava picea excepta) plus minusve ferrugineis, funiculi articulo basali quam 2-5 con- juncti vix breviori ; capite sat aequaliter convexo crebre nee crasse vuguloso, oculis minus approximatis minus crasse granulatis ; prothorace sat transverse, antice tubulato, a ■ basi ultra medium leviter pariim arcuatiiu angustato, obscure minus crebre granulato, in medio cariua longitudinali brevi 140 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, instructo ; elytris snlcatis, sulcis vix manifeste punctulatis, interstitiis granulis sat parvis et setulis suberectis ornatis ; femoi'ibus tibiisque omnibus dentibus singulis armatis. Maris antennis lostri prope apicem insertis ; tibiis anticis vix elongatis, [Long. 4-4|, lat. I5-I4 lines. In this species the derm is of two colours, being ferruginous with the base of the elytra (widely) and a fascia behind the middle of the same black. In fresh non-abraded specimens, however, this variegation of the derm is not very conspicuous. The scales are arranged as follows : — Those of ferruginous colour are few and very inconspicuous, and need to be looked for with a lens, except ou the scutellum, where they are condensed (the general appearance being of a black and white insect) ; I fear the head and prothorax are more or less abraded in all my examples, but in the brightest of them the ferruginous scales are a little more conspicuous than on other parts, and there is a snowy white spot in front of the scutellum (probably the remains of a larger mark) ; the front half of the elytra is indeterminately marbled with black and white, immediately behind which is a space almost deprived of ivhite scales (so that it appears as a conspicuous wide black fascia scarcely reaching the suture) ; this space is followed by one on which nearly all the scales are white mixed with a few ferruginous, and which extends to the apex but is interrupted by the subapical callosity, that and the space round it being black. The scales on the underside and on the legs are almost entirely white. The tooth on the hind tibise (which is below the middle) is larger and better defined than that of the front tibise. This species may be at once separated from many of its congeners by the total absence of large fasciculated tubercles from its upper surface. Unfortunately there are several species described by Boisduval and Pascoe in such fashion that it is most difficult to identify them. However, it may be said that Boisduval's cethiops is very much smaller than the present insect, and that it seems hardly possible that Mr. Pascoe could have failed to mention the presence of a well-defined tooth on the inner margin of all the BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 141 tibise (not only the front ones) if it had existed in anyof Australian Orthorhini that he has described. The species of this author bearing a general resemblance to 0. bicolor in size and the absence of fasciculated scales are hilipoides (desciibed as an Alcides — " in a moment of aberration" its author says), carinatus, infidiis, and meleagris ; of these hilipoides is said to have the basal joint of the funiculus of its antennt© " breviusculus," carinatus to have the alternate interstices of its elytra different from the rest, and meleagris is not intelligibly described (probably through a printer's error), but as its elytra are spoken of as being especially " short " and some (at least) of the interstices of the elytra are called " dentato-tuberculati " at the base, it is evidently not the insect before me. 0. infidus, I think, must be closely related to 0. bicolor, but inter alia seems to be much larger (the length being given as 6 lines) ; it is, moreover, not mentioned as having any white scales, nor are the elytra described as bearing any pattern-like markings ; its hind tibise are said to be " strongly com|)ressed near the apex," an approximation no doubt to the toothed hind tibiae of 0. bicolor, but the phrase would certainly not adequately describe the structure of the latter. Victoria ; Alpine district ; under bark of Eucalyptus about 6000 feet above sea-level. (ERIRHININ.^.) Emplesis. This genus is distinguished by Mr, Pascoe from all other Austra- lian Erirhinid genera by the following characters in combination : — Apical joint of tarsi short and stout, protruding but little from between the lobes of the 3rd joint, antennal funicle 7-jointed, elytra without posterior callosities, 2nd ventral segment not so long as segments 3 and 4 together. It is to be remarked, however, that these characters do not separate Emplesis from Storeus. In tabulating the genera of Erirliinidce (Ann, Nat, Hist. 1873, pp. 182-3) Mr. Pascoe adds the further character that the ventral sutures are straight in Emplesis and laterally curved in Storeus, 142 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, but elsewhere says that this distinction cannot be relied upon as constant. The two genera appear to me to be really veiy close to each other, and I cannot find any more exact structural difference than that the form of Um.jjlesis is much more narrow and oblong and that its 2nd ventral segment is evidently less abbreviated than in Storeus. Emplesis monticola, sp.nov. Elongata ; minus robusta ; nigra vel nigro-picea, squamis obscure ferrugineis et aliis albidis variegata, his pone medium alternatim cum illis in interstitiis longitudinaliter conden- satis ; funiculi articulo basali quam 2"^ fere duplo (hoc quam 3*"^ pauUo) longiori, ceteris brevibns, ultimis transversis ; prothorace leviter transverso mox pone apicem subito con- stricto-angustato ; elytris striato-punctulatis. Maris rostro quam prothorax vix longiori, modice robusto, supra sat opaco longitudinaliter striato, fere recto ; antennis paullo ante rostri medium insertis ; abdomine longitudinaliter concavo. Feminse rostro quam prothorax multo longiori, leviter arcuato, supra nitido leevigato ; antennis vix pone rostri medium insertis; abdomine asquali. [Long, lf-2, lat. % line. The whitish scales are condensed and prominent between the eyes but not so as to form a well-defined fascicle, on the pro- thorax they form three obscure vittse, they clothe the scutellum densely and they are condensed in short longitudinal lines on the elytral interstices at equal distances from the base, so that there appears to be a number of fasciae, each fascia formed of a number of short longitudinal lines placed side by side, the most conspicuous of these fasciaj being in the apical half of the elyti-a. The pro- sternum is distinctly concave in front of the coxae; the intermediate ventral sutures are lightly but distinctly arched at the sides. The pattern-like markings of the head without either callosity or fascicle, the comparatively short basal joint of the antennal funicle, and the long shining black laevigato rostrum of the female BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN, 143 will in combination distinguish this species. The antennal scape is of a bright ferruginous colour, but the general colour is darker than in most species of the genus. Victoria ; Alpine district. Emplesis ocellata, sp.nov. Minus elongata ; ferruginea, squamis ferrugineis aliis fuscis aliis albidis variegata ; in elytris squamis fuscis maculam niagnam communem basin attiugeutem postice sequaliter rotundatam et alliido-cinctam formantibus ; funiculi articulo basali quam 2"^ duplo longiori, ceteris brevibus ; prothorace sat transverso mox pone apicem sui)ito constricto-angustato supra insequali; elytris striato-punctulatis. Maris rostro quam prothorax sublongiori, apice leviter arcuato, modice robusto, supra opaco longitudinaliter striato et iineatim squamoso _: antennis paulio pone rostri apicem insertis. Femina latet. [Long. 1^, lat. j line. The remarkable spot formed by the scales on the upper surface will at once distinguish this species from all its congeners. This spot commences on the elytra at the base where it reaches from shoulder to sliouldeh From each shoulder the external marginof the spot runs hindward curving to the suture, which it reaches at about the middle of its length. The large common spot thus enclosed consists of dark brown scales mixed with a few scarcely noticeable lighter ones (those of the rest of the surface being pale ferru- ginous) ; the spot is margined (somewhat narrowly) with white scales and is continued forward a little on the prothorax, as is also the whitish border, both dark spot and pale border becoming gradually narrower and less distinct towards the front of the prothoiax, but the pale border being traceable evidently nearer to the front than is the dark S|)ot. The principal inequalities on the surface of the prothorax are two obscure gibbosities placed near the front on either side of the median line, which is feebly impressed. The prosternum is very feebly and widely concave in front of the coxse ; the intermediate ventral sutures are slightly 144 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, arched at the sides. There is a certain resemblance in style of marking between this species and E. umbrosa, Blackb., (though this resemblance is really only sliglit), but the two may be at once separated by the prothorux being scai'cely transverse in umbrosa and pretty strongly so in ocellata. Victoria ; Alpine district. Gerynassa affinis, sp.nov. Picea vel nigra, squamis fulvis (certo adspectu sub-aureis) et aliis nigrescentibus variegata; rostro obscure piceo-ferrugineo, quam prothorax longiori, nitido, basin versus obscure punc- tulato-striato; an tennis obscure ferrugineis, clava picea, scapo apice sat clavato, funiculi articulo 2° quam 1"^ sublongiori ; prothorace transverse, antice constricto-angustato, ante basin transversim subgibboso, lateribus ampliatis ; elytris trans basin sat sequaliter convexis, intra humeros baud longitudi- naliter depressis, in^qualiter piinctulato-striatis, interstitiis alternis hie iilic in carinis brevibus nigris parum conspicuis elevatis ; corpore subtus squamis pallide aureo-fulvis minus confertim ornato. [Long. 2-25, l^t. 1 line. In most examples the fulvous scales are irregularly scattered on the upper surface among the blackish ones without forming any- thing like a pattern, in other examples they are entirely wanting on a small space on either side of the scutellum or on a small space on either side of the prothorax near its base, those spaces consequently appearing as dark spots. From G. basalis, Pasc, the elevations on the alternate interstices of the elytra will at once distinguish this species ; from G. uodulosa, Pasc, it may be known inter alia by its much darker rostrum and antennae, the evenness of the convexity of its elytra across the base (the shoulders not being preceded by any depression), and the longer second joint of its antennal funicle. Victoria ; Alpine district. BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 145 Gerynassa minor, sp.nov. Ferruginea, squamis fulvis, aliis nigris, aliis cinereis, aliis albis variegata ; rostro qiiam prothorax longioii, arcuato, postice subtiliter longitiidinaliter striate, antice vix manifeste punc- tulato ; antennarum articulo basali quam secundus sat longiori, ceteris sat brevibus, clava picea ; prothorace trans- verso, antice sat constricto, lateribiis ampliatis ; elytris trans basin minus sequaliter convexis intra humeros longitudinaliter subimpressis, subsequaliter punctulato-striatis, interstitiis subconvexis vix in^qualibus ; corpoi'e subtus minus confertim albido-squamoso. [Long. 11, lat. ■!• line. An intricately mottled species ; the scales on the prothorax are shining ferruginous with some of a whitish colour sprinkled over the disc and more condensed on the sides ; on the elytra the whitish scales are prevalent and are condensed on the shoulders and also to some extent on the sides of the scutellum (which is dark brown) ; the 4th interstice is clothed with blackish scales in its basal part and the scales on the basal part of the 2nd and 3rd interstices are dark brown ; dark brown scales about the middle part of each interstice cause the appearance of an obscure fascia in which are several short longitudinal black lines ; immediately behind this fascia the scales are almost entirely whitish, so that it seems to be followed by a narrow pale fascia, behind which ferruginous scales predominate but are much sprinkled with whitish scales and present one or two short lines formed of blackish scales. The 2nd joint of the funiculus very decidedly shorter than the first (though considerably longer than the follow- ing joints) will distinguish this species from its described congeners ; its small size and the scarcely uneven interstices of its elytra are further distinctions from G. nodulosa, Pasc, which is perhaps its nearest ally. Victoria ; Alpine district, 10 146 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, Meriphus pullo, Er. I have recently taken a MerijjJius in several localities near Sydney, which agrees with Dr. Erichson's description of M. fullo in all respects except that the prothorax is by measurement distinctly wider across the base than long. It is possible if Dr. Erichson did not measure the proportions of his type that the prothorax may have appeared to his eye more elongate than the reality, and therefore it would not be safe to consider the Sydney species distinct from the Tasmanian on account of this discrepancy. The great distance between Sydney and Tasmania, nevertheless, suggests the probability that if specimens from both localities could be compared they would be found to present other differences. Meriphus humep.ali.?, sp.nov. Sat angustus ; sat gracilis ; piceo-niger vel ferrugineus, femorum basi tibiis rostro et antennarum scapo plus niinusve rufes- centibus ; squamis albidis setiformibus parce vestitus ; rostro maris capite prothoraceque conjunctis pauUo longiori, feminse paullo magis elongate ; prothorace quam longiori haud latiori ; antrorsum leviter angustato et constricto, rugulose sat crasse punctulato, haud carinato ; elytris punctulato-striatis, interstitiis alternis obscure granulatis, squamis albis in humeris maculatim dense condensatis ; femorum dentibus parvis. [Long, (rostr. incl.) l|-2, lat. ?-? line. The whitish scales are evenly and thinly distributed except that they are evidently condensed on the sides of the prothorax and the shoulders of the elytra (where they form a conspicuous white patch), that they clothe the scutellum densely, and that they are somewhat linearly placed along the interstices of the elytra, where, however, they are frequently interrupted in such fashion that the intervals on which they are wanting appear as faint and ill-defiued dark spots placed here and there along the interstices. As this pattern is present in all of the several examples I have seen, I think it is certainly not the result of abrasion. This BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 147 species differs from M. umbrinus, Pasc, inter alia, by the black funicle and club of its antennae, and from M. lineatus, Blackb., by its smaller size, the interruptions in the vestiture of the elytral interstices, the much smaller size of the teeth on its femora, the conspicuous white patch on the shoulders, (kc. The other described species are all very different. N. S. Wales ; near Sydney ; also in the Blue Mountains. Myossita munda, sp.nov. OI)longo-ovata ; sat convexa ; ferruginea, pilis albido-fulvis sat sparsim vestita, capite rostio antennisque (articulis basalibus 2 exceptis) nigris, tarsis obscuris ; rostro quam prothorax longiori, apicem versus leviter dilatato ; antennarum funiculi articulo basali quam 2"® duplo longiori ; prothorace sat fortiter transverse, antice angustato, lateribus modice rotun- datis, elytris punctulato-striatis, puncturis in striis sat magnis rotuiidatis vel subquadratis. [Long. 1|, lat. ^ line. This species does not seem to have anything like the quasi- pattern that some of its congeners show on their elytra through the uneven density of their pubescence, nor can I find any trace of the quasi-marking that Mr. Pascoe attributes to M. tabida, when he says that in certain lights the punctures on the elytra seem to be surrounded by pale rings. It may be distinguished from all previously described by its small size and the blackish colour (in contrast with its general ferruginous red) of the head, rostrum and antennae (the scape and the base of the funiculus of the latter being, however, more or less reddish). Victoria ; Alpine district. Myossita crucigera, sp.nov. Oblongo-ovata ; sat convexa; squamis crassis piliformibus albidis irregulariter vestita ; rufa ; capite, scutello, spatio circa scutellum, corporeque subtus (hujus apice excepto) nigricantibus ; rostro sat robusto quam prothorax vix longiori apicem versus leviter dilatato ; funiculi articulo 148 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, basali quam 2**' vix duple longiori, hoc 3'° fere sequali ; pro- thorace sat transverse, antice angustato, lateribus sat rotun- datis ; elytris leviter striatis, striis obscure punctulatis. [Long. 1^, lat. 5 line. The whitish hair-like scales on the elytra are wanting on a rather large roundish space around the scutellum, on the suture and on a transverse space crossing the sutui-e just behind the middle, bub not reaching the lateral margins. From a certain point of view (looking from the scutellum hindward, the rostrum being directed towards the observer) the denuded spaces present the appearance of a cross standing on a globe. The blackish head (the rostrum and antennae being red) and space around scutellum, in contrast with the red colour of all the rest of the insect (as seen from above) will also render this species very easy to identify. The sculpture of the elytra is very much less definite than in the preceding species. South Australia ; Lake Eyre basin. Eristus, gen.nov. Rostrum latum depressum leviter arcuatum minus elongatum basi leviter angustatum ; scrobes postmedianse ad oculi partem inferiorem attingentes ; scapus brevis ; funiculus 7-articu- latus ; clava sat distincta ; oculi magni rotundati sat prominuli fortiter granulati ; prothorax antice angustatus, lobis ocularibus nullis ; scutellum modicum ; elytra oblonga ; pedes sat validi ; femora sublinearia mutica ; tibise apice spina armatpe ; tarsi elongati, articulo tertio fortiter dilatato bifido, quarto elongate, unguiculi simplices divaricati ; meso- sternum inter coxas sat latum ; abdominis segmentum secundum quam sequentia 2 conjuncta baud brevius ; horura suturse rectse vel ad latera retrorsum leviter productis; corpus ( 1 specierum omnium) setis elongatis sparsim vestitum. Examples of this very abnormal form have long been in my collection, and I have delayed describing them because I have been unable to make up my mind to what subfamily they should be referred. Each re-examination, however, leads to the same BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 149 conclusion, — that they represent an aberrant type of Erirhinidcf, — and, therefore, I decide to describe them as such. They appear to me to be aberrant only in respect of the rostrum which (tliough not excessively short, being but little shorter than the prothorax) is most unusually wide and depressed, its width on the upper surface being not less than the length of the scape of the antennae, and fully twice the thickness of the rostrum (as viewed from the side). The rostrum, in fact, reminds one of the form of a duck's bill. Owing to the upper surface being arched longi- tudinally, and the lower surface scarcely so, the rostrum has a subulate appearance when viewed from the side. The structure of the scrobes is not very different from that of Glaucopela. The rostrum and the general appearance are very suggestive of a Cossonid (indeed the first species described below is very much like Phlceophagus spadix, Hbst., but with the elytra much wider at the base), but the combination of contiguous front coxae, distinctly articulated antennal club (its basal joint not much longer than the second) strongly dilated and bifid, 3rd tarsal joint and 1st ventral suture well defined, seems impossible for a Cossonid. I must acknowledge some misgivings as to whether it is possible that this genus is identical with that characterised by Mr. WoUaston under the name Thaumastophasis as a Cossonid. That author's expressions, — " scapo longiusculo " and " metasterno brevissimo," — would, however, be quite inapplicable to the species before me, and I do not think they could be fairly applied to them even if they were being compared with genera of Cossonidce. The metasternum is a little longer and the antennal scape is very much shorter for example than in Phlceophagus. Mr. Wollaston does not mention the antennal club in his Thaumastophasis as being distinctly articulated. On the whole, I do not see that much confusion will result even if (with these qualifications) I am re-naming Mr. Wollaston's genus, whereas it might be very confusing if I were to describe as Thaumastophasis species which should prove not to be attributable to that genus. I may add that I have in my collection an example which seems to me to be very possibly Mr. Wollaston's species (T. ocidatus), as it agrees 150 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, fairly well with the specific de.scription, but its antennal club is not in the least Cosso7iid-[ike, and I cannot see the appropriateness of the term " brevissimum " for its metasternunj. If it be Mr. Wollaston's insect, the species before me are undouVjtedly very close to Thaumasto2yhasis, but differ in the scrobes being subbasal instead of median and the scape of the antennae being much shorter. Eristus setosus, sp.no v. Oblongus; subnitidus; setis satcrassis pallidis sparsim vestitus; piceus, tarsis (et exemplorum nonnullorum tibiis) rufescen- tibus ; capite rostroque sat crebre minus fortiter punctulatis ; prothorace leviter transverso, antice sat angustato, ciebre minus fortiter umbilicato-punctulato, in medio longitudina- liter obscure carinato, lateribus sat rotundatis, basi leviter bisinuata ; elytris leviter striatis, striis puncturis sat magnis sat crebre instructis, interstitiis sat planis sat subtiliter punctulatis; corpora subtus sat crasse minus crebre umbilicato- punctulato. [Long. 2^, lat. * line. Victoria; Alpine district ; occurs in S. Australia also. Eristus bicolor, sp.no v. Ovatus ; subnitidus setis minus crassis (supra sparsis fulvis, in scutello et in corpore subtus niveis, in sculello et in meso- sterno metasternique in episternis densissime condensatis) ; piceus, capite (rostro incluso) prothorace pedibusque ruhs ; capite rostrique basi sat fortiter sat crebre punctulatis, rostri parte antica vix manifeste punctulata, capite inter oculos et rostri basi in medio longitudinaliter carinatis ; prothorace sat transverso, antice subconstricto-angustato, crebre fortiter punctulato, lateribus (parte constricta excepta) sat fortiter rotundatis ; elytris vix striatis, seriatim sat fortiter (inter- stitiis minus fortiter) punctulatis ; corpore subtus subcrebre subfortiter punctulato. [Long. 11, lat. h line. The piceous undersurface, antennae, and elytra strongly con- ti-asted with the red head, rostrum, prothorax, and legs render this a very conspicuous little species. Victoria ; Alpine district. BY THE REV. T, BLACKBURN. 151 APIONIN^E. ApION TERRiE-REGIN^, Sp.nOV. Oblongo-ovatutn ; nitidum ; nigrum ; setis bievibus albidis vestitum ; capite inter oculos concavo ; rostro sat valido, sat fortiter arcuato, sat cylindrico, quam caput prothoraxque conjuncta longiori, minus subtiliter punctulato ; antennanim articulo 2° quam 3*^® sat crassiori ; prothorace subcylindrico antrorsum pauUo angustato, sat crasse sat crebre punctulato ; elytris compressis sat fortiter sat sequaliter striatis, striis obscure punctulatis, interstitiis planis sat distincte minus crebre punctulatis. [Long. 2|, lat. 5 line. A large shining black species lesembling the European A. scutdlare, Kirby, but with compressed elytra, stouter and more strongly punctured (though otherwise similar) rostrum, head hollowed out between the eyes, prothorax less rounded on the sides, elytral interstices perfectly flat, &c., &c. The only previously described Australian Apion coming near it in size is -4. albertisi, Pasc, which, however, is described as haviug its prothorax impunctulate and only one distinct stria on each elytron. N. Queensland ; Palmer R. district ; given me by C. French, Esq. 152 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN CYNIPID^, NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN CYNIPID.E, WITH DESCRIP- TIONS OF SEVERAL NEW SPECIES. By Walter W. Froggatt. As far as I am aware, nothing has been written on the Aus- tralian CynipidcB, although a large number of the small parasitic hymenoptera, many of which are inquilines with the true Cynipidcc, have been described in European publications, chiefly by Francis Walker in his "Monograph of Chalcididae" and in his miscella- neous papers. In this short paper I propose to describe three species common about Sydney on the Acacias, A. discolor and A. longijolia ; and in my next conti'ibution on this group to work out those found on the Eucalypts. For the last three years I have been collecting and breeding out the gall-making inhabitants, and their parasites, from such excrescences and galls as I could find in the bush or obtain from my numerous friends interested in this work. One of the difficulties attending the breeding of the Cynijndce is that the parasitic wasps so outnumber the gall-makers that one can breed out hundreds of Chalcids and Proctotrupids without ever obtaining a perfect specimen of the Cynipid host. I believe that when our gall-flies are worked out, it will be found that Australia contains a large number of species, and I think that, though working under the disadvantages of want of access to type specimens of many genera, and a rather hazy knowledge of the classification of some of them, yet I shall be doing useful work in studying their life-histories, by drawing and describing them from living specimens, and by noting their parasites ; work requiring time, perseverance and a large amount of material; but there is at least the consolation that, if not successful one year, there is a BY WALTER W. FROGGATT. 153 chance if one is content to wait for the next year's crop of galls. There is certainly not much at present to show for a good deal of careful work ; but when one sees the large number of trees that are attacked and often rendered seedless year after year, such know- ledge as I am in search of must eventually become of more or less value even from the economic standpoint. In working at their classification I find the meagre details given by some of the earlier describers very bewildering, and the hair-splitting of more recent systematic entomologists even more distracting. I therefore pro- visionally place the three species presently to be described under the old genus Ci/nips. I propose to follow Cresson's arrangement of the genera (Catalogue of North American Hymenoptera, 1887, a most useful work to anybody interested in the study of hymenoptera). This writer gives two tables of classification of Cynipidce ; first, Mr. W. H. Ashmead's Synoptical Tables, taken from the Transactions of the American Entomological Society for 1886, which only deals with species occurring in that country ; and, secondly, a transla- tion of Dr. Mayr's tables, taken from his "Die Genera der gallen- bewohnendenCynipiden," which deals with European andAmerican forms. The latter divides them into two groups, the first con- taining the true gall-makers, and the second what he terms guest- flies, or those living in the galls formed by the first section. The three species I am about to describe are true gall-making Cynipids. CyNIPS ACACIiE-DISCOLORIS, n.Sp. Length of body, 2 lines. Expanse of wings, 4| lines. Head, thorax, and legs reddish-yellow; abdomen, eyes, markings round the ocelli, and inner margins of femora of fore legs black. Antennae reddish-brown ; first joint long, slightly curved, cylindri- cal ; 2nd pear-shaped, narrowest at base ; 3rd and 4th smallest ; 5-lOth rounded at base, square across at apex; 11-1 3th forming an oval club; all the joints clothed with fine hairs. Head narrow, hollowed behind, base black, ocelli red, eyes black, very prominent. Thorax : middle lobe of mesonotum large, scutellum large, smooth 154 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN CYNIPIDiE. and shining, with a few scattered hairs all over it; metathorax black beneath, and thickly clothed with black hairs. Abdomen black, covered with fine hairs. Wings fuscous, upper margin of forewings darkest, stigma black, nervures almost black. Legs covered with fine hairs. The gall is very common on Acacia discolor in the month of November, when the pupa of the Cynips will be found wrapped up in a black pupa case in the gall when opened. It is formed on the twigs where a leaf bud or small shoot is commencing to sprout ; sometimes it simply forms an oval swelling at the base of the shoot, but the typical form is an oval gall produced into three irregular horns at the apex, formed out of aborted leaf buds. It is very much infested by a small black Chalcid that attacks the gall and changes it into a shapeless fleshy mass ; scores ot these minute parasites will hatch out ot' a single gall. Locality: Rose and Double Bays, Thornleigh, N.8.W. Cynips ACACi^-LONGiFOLiiE, n.sp. Length of body, 2 lines. Expanse of wings, 4^^ lines. Head, thorax, antennse, and centre of upper side of abdomen from below second segment to tip of abdomen ochreous-yellow ; eyes and ocelli dark brown ; first two segments of abdomen and the edges of the following ones black, the colour fading in old specimens to an ochreous-brown; coxse and femora dark brown; underside of abdomen black. Antennae inserted below the eyes in a depression ; 13-jointed; 1st slender, cylindrical; 3rd-4th small, funnel-shaped; 5-lOth rounded at base and square at apex; ll-13th forming a club ; all from the second joint margined with fine hairs. Head rounded in front and not hollowed behind ; eyes and ocelli dark brown. Prothorax narrow ; middle lobe of mesonotum large, rounded in front, lateral lobes wedge-shaped ; scutellum large, rounded in front, heart-shaped. Abdouen broad and rounded at base, with a depression in the centre, rather pointed at apex. Wings large, hyaline ; costa and nervures black ; forewings clouded with a fuscous patch about | from the tip of wing. Legs clothed with fine hairs. BY WALTER W. FROGGATT. 155 The galls are round or oval, fleshy, about the size of a large filbert nut, containing several cavities in each gall. When they are ripe, about the end of October, they are brightly tinted with red and yellow, and are known in Victoria as " Wattle apples " by the children. They are formed on the flower stalk, as are also certain dipterous galls, and are very plentiful on the Acacias growing back from Rose Bay. Unless taken quite ripe, they are difficult to keep, as the galls decay, and the larvae die in consequence. Locality : Rose Bay, Botany, ifec. Cynips maideni, n.sp. Length of body, 2 lines. Expanse of wings, 4 lines. (J. Head, thorax, abdomen, coxaa and base of femora black ; the rest of the femora, tibiae, and tarsi pale yellow in live speci- mens, darker in old ones. ^. Differs in being slightly larger, with the abdomen broader, and from below the first segment of a rich yellow slightly margined with black on the sides. Antennae 13-jointed, ochreous-yellow, clothed with fine hairs ; 1st joint cylindrical ; 2nd cup-shaped ; 3-4th, very small, funnel- shaped ; 5-1 0th cylindrical, broad, rounded at base, and straight across at apex ; in the female these joints are smaller and more subovate ; 11-1 3th forming an oval-shaped club ; in the male the 5th joint is much larger than the following ones. Eyes vermilion when alive, ocelli bright hyaline ; head round in front, square behind. Thorax broad, shining, very rugose, tlie corrugations running in wavy lines; middle lobe of mesothorax large; scutellum large, shield-shaped. Legs covered with fine hairs. I have much pleasure in dedicating this fine species to J. H- Maiden, Esq., F.L.S., Curator of the Technological Museum, to whom I am indebted for many specimens, and whose work among our wattles is well known. This Cynips causes the small twigs and branches of Acacia longifolia to swell into thick fleshy galls, often several inches in circumference, and five or six inches long. 156 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN CYNIPID^ Several trees on the South Head Eoad near Vaucluse are attacked year after year, and I have taken galls from them for the last three years ; they are ripe about the end of October. This Cynips does not seem to be much attacked by parasites, and is easily bred from the gall. Another tree infested with this gall grew in the late Sir William Macleay's garden, but the galls were always very small, and it was only on breeding the Cynips out that I proved them to be the same species. This is not a common gall, and I only know of it in these two localities. Locality : Elizabeth Bay and Rose Bay. 157 OBSERVATIONS ON THE CHAROPID/E. Part I. By 0. Hedley, F.L.S. (Plates I. and ii.) Widespread throughout Australia and Polynesia is a group of land shells which, varying greatly among its membeis, yet appears clearly distinguishable from other orders by the small size of its species, their cancellated sculpture, in which stout ribs are a prominent feature, flame painting, straight sharp peristome, which describes a convex then a concave sweep on approaching the right insertion, and a projecting semitransparent callus, which buries the sculpture of the whorl on which it encroaches. For this group I provisionally accept the title Charojnda'., assigned by Hutton, 1884 (Trans. N. Zealand Inst. xvi. p. 199), extending, however, the limits indicated by that writer. His vague diagnosis runs as follows : " Animal heliciform with an external shell ; tail with a mucous gland." No type is nominated by the author of the family, and I therefore suggest that the type of Charopidce would naturally be the genus Charopa, Albers, whose type species is C. coma, Gray. I quote from " Die Heliceen," 2nd ed. p. 87, the original definition of that genus. Charopa, Albers (1860). " Testa umbilicata, tenuis, depressa, raro conica, plicis trans- versis, elevatis, pilis rigidulis sparse saepissime obsilis, costulata ; anfractus 4-5^, ultimus antice non descendens ; apertura parum obliqua, lunato-rotundata ; peristoma simplex, marginibus conni- ventibus." 158 OBSERVATIONS ON THE CHAROPIDiE, Under this head he assembled these species : — portia, Gray ; pinicola, Pfr. ; juloidea, Forbes ; eta, Pfr. ; ide, Gray ; varicosa, Pfr. ; epsilon, Pfr. ; coma, Gray ; anguiculus, Reeve ; gamma, Pfr. ; hiconcava, Pfr. ; omicron, Pfr. ; zeta, Pfr. ; dimorpha, Pfr. ; hypopolia, Pfr. ; sericatula, Pfr. ; iota, Pfr. ; kappa, Pfr. ; egesta, Gray ; dianw, Pfr. ; alpha, Pfr. ; and 6eto, Pfr. Considering the scanty material and information at the disposal of this sagacious naturalist, we may well admire his sketch of the affinities of this group, and regret that later writers have not followed the path indicated by the systematist of the last genera- tion. The only other reference to such a classification is the following remark by Pease (P.Z.S. 1871, p. 450), the fruits of an unrivalled knowledge and unremitting study of the land mollusca of Poly- nesia : — "Thirty-five or more species of Helices have been described from the Papuan Islands, Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand under the genera Patula, Discus, &c., which are more nearly related to the Polynesian genus Pitys. They are generally more planorboid in shape, with the aperture open and not laminate or dentate ; their relation to the genus Pitys cannot be determined until the animals are examined and compared." From the same article, p. 451, I extract the characters of the genus Pitys, Beck, first defined in the " Index Molluscorum," 1837, and whose type is P. oparica, Anton, as amended by Pease. Pitys, Beck (1837). " Shell orbicular or planorboid, finely radiately ribbed ; spire but slightly elevated, last whorl rounded at its periphery and also at the umbilicus, more or less openly umbilicate, rarely imper- forate ; aperture generally dentate or laminate ; radiately striped or tessellated on their upper surface with reddish-brown and yellowish, the stripes occasionally taking a zigzag form on the periphery and base ; rarely wholly reddish-brown ; generally covered with a thin epidermis, which, on a few species, supports short hairs." BY C. HEDLEY. 159 " The above genus," observes Pease, " was established by Dr. Beck on Helix oparica, Anton, from the collection made by the late Mr. Cuming at the island of Rapa (Opara), one of the Austral group, a few hundred miles south of Tahiti. There is no doubt as to the identity of the species, although it was described by Dr. Anton as H. oparica from America. By reason of the similarity between the shells of certain species discovered since and those of the European genus Discus, Fitz., = Patula, Held., all the Poly- nesian forms have been described under the European genus ; with few exceptions the shells are quite distinct and the animal decidedly so ; they are most numerous at the Hawaiian and Tahitian Islands, less so at the Samoas, and altogether absent in West Polynesia." Nevill (Hand List Mollusca, Indian Museum, Pt. I. p. 69) misquotes H. contorta as the type of Pitys. Allied to Pitijs is the genus Endodonta, Albers, type £. lamellosa, Ferussac, created for the reception of species from the Society and Sandwich A.rchi|)elrtgos. The description, "Die Heliceen," 2nd ed. p. 90, runs as follows : — Endodonta, Albers (1850). " Testa umbiiicata vel perforata, depressa, discoidea vel orbicu- lato-convexa ; anfractus 5-S arete voluti ; apertura rotundato- lunaris vel saepius angulata, rarissime simplex, plurumque in pariete ventrali lamellata, vel etiam margine basali lamellato- dentato, peristoma rectum, acutum." Nearly related to the preceding is the genus Libera, Garrett. No type is named, but the first species, which may be considered such, is L. fratercida, Pease. This genus was defined by Garrett (Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, Ser. 2, 1881, p. 390) in the following terms: — Libera, Garrett (1881). " Shell small, widely umlulicated, umbilicus (in adults) strongly constricted so as to form a cavernous or pouch-like cavity ; whorls 7-9, costulate or striate, last one angulata or carinate, rarely 160 OBSERVATIONS ON THE CHAROPIDiE, rounded ; aperture subrhomboidal or securiform ; peristome thin, simple, straight ; parietal region with one or two, and the palate with (rarely without) two or three, internal laminae ; columella emarginate and furnished with a spiral fold." Another genus which, judged by shell characters, would be assigned to the Charopidce is Diplomphalus, Crosse and Fischer (1872), described Journ. de Conch, xx. p. 288, type D. cabriti, Gassies. The anatomy of this form as elucidated by Fischer (Journ. de Conch, xxi. pp. 1-25, pi. in.) demands for it, on the contrary, a position among the Testacellidce. Fischer suggests {op. cit. p. 13), that various members of the Testacellidce, represent different groups of the Helicidm, just as sundry orders of mono- delphous mammals are shadowed forth among marsupials. We might pursue the idea further and inquire whether the Testacellidce may not be an artificial group composed of forms of diverse origin which have independently acquired similar secondary characteris- tics consequent on adopting carnivorous habits. If Diplomphalus possesses a caudal mucous gland and pedal groove, these would support the shell characters in claiming for it a derivation from some form allied to Charopa. Under Charojndce, Hutton ranges (Trans. N.Z. Inst. xvi. p. 200) these four genera : — Gerontia, Hutton (1884). " Shell depressed, widely umbilicated, striated ; periphery rounded ; whorls about five, slowly increasing ; aperture oblique. Mantle included. Jaw smooth, striated." First species (type f) G. pantherina, Hutton. Pyrrha, Hutton (1884). "Shell thin, translucent, of 4i-5|- regularly increasing whorls, subperforate. Animal heliciforra, ■ mantle subcentral, reflected over the peristome with an even margin ; tail truncate, with a large papilla and mucous gland. Jaw with flat ribs. Marginal teeth broad, with several points." First species (type 1) P. cressida, Hutton. BY C. HEDLEY. 161 PsYRA, Hutton (1884). " Shell imperforate or narrowly umbilicated, ribbed, periphery- rounded, not hairy. Jaw and teeth as in Charojm." First species (type X) P. dimorpha, Pfeifler. Therasia, Huiton (1884). "Shell conoidal, depressed, periphery subcarinated, subperforate or narrowly perforate, whorls smooth, striated or with membranous plaits. Jaw with flat ribs. Margiiaal teeth broad, usually with several points." First species (type 1) T. celinde, Gray. Seeing that the type of Thalassia is subrugata, Pfeifler, I must decline for the present to follow Hutton in classing it (oj). cit. p. 203) among the Charopidce. Possibly Gray's genus Laoma (1849), type L. Uimonias, Gray, may be inserted in the family under discussion, but it does not share the ordinary appearance of its members. Probably these two genera may also be included : — Thera, Hutton (1884). " Animal and jaw as in Patida. Shell conical, high, perforate, hairy ; periphery angled" (op. cit. p. 193). First species (type 1) T. alpha, Pfeifler. Phacussa, Hutton (1884). " Shell depressed ; periphery rounded ; whorls 5-6, gradually increasing. Mantle included. Jaw with flat ribs" (op. cit. p. 205). First species (type ?) P. hypopolia, Pfeifler. Suter proposed, but did not formulate, a group (genus 1) — Maoriana, Trans. N.Z. Inst. 1890, p. 96 — to replace Iluttonella (preoccupied) and to comprehend leioda, Hutton; pseicdoleioda, Suter ; wairarapa, Suter ; hectori, Suter ; microundidata, Suter ; and aorangi, Suter. He also quoted (op. cit. p. 90) Simplicaria, Moiisson, as a MS. generic term. Dr. von Martens has proposed 11 162 OBSERVATIONS ON THE CHAROPID^, " Critical List of the Mollusca of New Zealand," 1873, p. 12, the group (genus 1) Flammulina whose first species (type 1) is B. omega, Pfr. From the above review of the geuera proposed, it will be seen that the student of the Charopidce is better supplied with divisional names than with definitions. The following authors have written upon the dentition of the Charopidce^' : — Binney, W. G. : Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. 1875, p. 248, tumuloides, Garrett, and asltir, Sou v.; Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, Vol. iii. pp. 88 and 89, incerta, Mousson, tumuloides, Garrett, huahinensis, Pfr., and astur, Souverbie. Hutton : Trans. N.Z. Inst. xvi. pp. 161-182, iota, Pfr.; dimor- pha, Pfr. ; celinde. Gray ; coina, Gray ; lucetta, Hutton ; gamma, Pfr. ; theta, Pfr. 1 ; ide. Gray ; eta, Pfr. ; zeta, Ff r. ; lambda, Pfr. ; tapirina, Hutton ; portia, Gray ; venulata, Pfr. ; pantJierina, Hutton ; epsilon, Pfr. ; pumila, Hutton ; alpha, Pfr. ; helmsi, Hutton ; fulminata, Hutton ; plamdata, Hutton ; and thaisa, Hutton. Suter: Trans. N.Z. Inst. 1890, pp. 85-91, mutabilis, Suter ; sterkiana, Suter ; hrouni, Suter ; serpentinula, Suter ; hianca, Hutton ; cryptohidens, Suter ; and godeti, Suter. Semper : Reis. im Philip, iii. pi. ii. f. 18, bursatella. Hedley : Records Aust. Museum, i. p. 139, whiteleggei. Brazier. Though it seems a bold assertion, I consider that no other group of land shells is to-day so imperfectly understood, so mis- represented in standard works, and so inefficiently figured and described. Pfeiffer in his last volume of the " Heliceorum Viven- tium " scatters broadcast among different sections the species I wish to assemble under Charopidce. Of these forms Fischer (Manuel, p. 470) only mentions Endodonta to associate it with Discus, Trocho- morpha, &c, Hutton (op. cit. p. 200) recognises the genus Charopa, yet on p. 191 he tears away from it the type coma, a proceeding not * The writer does not possess the opportunity of assuring himself by personal inspection that all these species are correctly referred here. BY C. HEDLEY. 163 justifiable by any rule of zoology, but one in which he is followed by Tryon. On turning to p. 17 of Tryon's Manual, 2nd Series, Vol. iii., the negligence with which this group is treated is at once apparent ; Charopa and Pitys, though, as Pease remarks, doubt- fully distinct, are sundered into different families ; the type of Endodonta is misquoted as huahinensis ; Pitys is wrongly fathered upon the brothers Adams and misdated 1855, while no intimation is given of the preoccupation of Libera, pointed out in Zoological Record, 1881, Index, p. 8. So many errors upon a single page sufficiently destroy our confidence in the treatment of the group by this monographer. To summarise : I would consider that "Pattda" has no existence in the Pacific ; that the southern species usually referred to that genus are not even of the Helicidoi family ; that these species can most conveniently be referred to one or other of the genera enumerated above, which genera may be grouped under the sub- family Charopidce, a division of the family ZonitidcB. None of the recorded descriptions fulfilling the exacting require- ments of modern malacology, I propose in this and subsequent communications to refigure and redescribe all the Australian Charopidte of which I can obtain authentic specimens. Having .studied the material accessible to me, I shall then consider the value of the proposed generic divisions ; provisionally, all will be quoted as " Charojja." The following descriptions and accompanying figures are based upon the author's types, most kindly placed at my disposal for that purpose by my friend Lieut. C. E. Beddome, R.N., of Hobart, Tasmania. Charopa albanensis, Cox (1867). (Plate II. figs. 5, 6, 7, 8.) S y n. — eastbournensis, Beddome and Petterd, MSS. Illus°- — Monograph Australian Land Shells, pi. iv. fig. 2 (2 figures); Manual of Conchology (2), ii. pi. LXii. figs. 25 and 26 (copied from the above). 164 OBSERVATIONS ON THE CHAROPID^, Desor"-— P.Z.S. 1867, p. 723; Men. Aust. L. Shells, p. 15; Monographia Heliceorum Viventium, vii. p. 138; Man. Conch. (2), ii. p. 209; Trans. N.Z. Inst, xxiii. (1890), p. 85. Shell thin, transparent ; contour sublenticular, apex obtuse. Colour hyaline-white, painted above and below with very faint radiating chestnut flames, each extending over three costse and narrower than the colour interspace, about 17 of these ornament the last whorl. Whorls 4^, gradually increasing in diameter, upper whorls deeply channelled at their superior suture, somewhat flattened below and descending tumidly to the inferior suture, last whorl not descending at the aperture, channelled at the suture, flattened between the suture and the periphery, rounded abruptly at the periphery and gently on the base. Sculpture : the embryonic surface is modelled upon that of the adult and consists of faint capillary costse, which become sharper and stouter as the growth proceeds, on the completion of a whorl and a-half the adult sculpture is abruptly substituted for the embryonic ; the costse here suddenly change to four times the size of their prede- cessors, with corresponding increase of the width of their interstices, in proportion as the shell increases so the intercostal spaces widen, their width is not always uniform nor are the costse always of uniform size, more rarely they are not parallel, never do they continue across the suture from whorl to whorl, on starting from the suture the latest costse are seen as sharp erect lamellae directed square across the whorl, nearing the periphery they ti-end obliquely backwards, their upright crest curling backwards, arrived beneath the periphery they steer straight across the base to the rim of the umbilical crater, into which they plunge directly, viewed edgeways (the apex of the shell uppermost) each costa is somewhat the shape of a letter S whose upper bend has been straightened ; upon the last whorl I counted 83 and upon the penultimate 60 costse ; between and parallel to the costse are from four to twelve micro- scopic raised hair-lines, which are crossed at right angles by similar spiial lines ; this secondary sculpture, which also extends over the costie, gives an appearance of network to the shell when highly magnified, here and there a hair-line thickens into a rudimentary BY C. HEDLEY. 165 costa. Umbilicus about a tliird of the width of the shell, deep, conical, showing every revolution and almost all the embryonic whorl, sculptured within similar to the spire. Aperture slightly oblique, ovate, lunate ; peristome sharp, straight, except at the columellar margin, where it is a little reflexed, viewed from above the peristome describes a wide convex, then a sharper concave curve on approaching the insertion. Callus on body whorl slightly projecting past an imaginary straight line drawn from insertion to insertion of the peristome, thin, transparent, just burying the costse overtaken by it. Diam. maj. 4^, min. 4, alt. 2|mm. T y p e in the Cox Collection. H a b. — Port Albany, West Australia (^Masters) ; Eastbourne, near Avoca, Tasmania (Beddome). var. Stanley PMsis, Petterd (1879). Syn. — petterdiana, Taylor (1879). Descr"- — Monograph Land Shells of Tasmania, p. 32 ; Quar- terly Journal of Conchology, ii. (1879), p. 287 ; Trans. Ptoy. Soc. S.A. Vol. iv. p. 75. Differs from the type by being more depressed, spire plane or nearly so. Type in the Hobart Museum. Hab. — Circular Head, Table Cape, Emu Bay, Torquay, Laun- ceston, and Mount Wellington, Tasmania ; islands in Bass Straits : Fernshaw (Petterd) and Gippsland (Australian Museum), Victoria. var. albida, Taylor (1879). Journ. of Conch, ii. p. 287. "White, without markings" (J. W. T.). Type(?). Hab.— (1). Specimens on which the above description is based, being the types of easthournenis, exactly coincide with some of the original lot collected by Masters in West Australia. From both, specimens of stanleyensis, collected at Circular Head and sent by Petterd, differ in a varietal degree. My experienced colleague and friend 166 OBSERVATIONS ON THE CHAROPIDiE, Mr. Brazier, who examined these specimens at my request, fully concurs with me in this opinion. The extended range we thus find possessed by albanensis is sliared by its congener C. paradoxa, Cox, and as our knowledge of the fauna of South-Western and South-Eastern Australia improves, so may the affinity demonstrated by Hooker between their respective floras be paralleled in the animal kingdom. These shells offer another illustration of the law pointed out by Garrett* — that the most widely diflfused species of land mollusca are always minute ; other instances are — Pu2m jmci/ica, Pfeiffer, in Australia ; Stenogyra gracilis, Hutton, and Piqja pedicula, Shuttleworth, in Polynesia ; Vallonia jiulchella, Miiller ; Vertigo viuscorum, Linne ; Zonites fulvus, Draparnaud ; Z. viridulus, Menke ; Z. nitidus, Miiller ; Acanthinula harpa, Say ; and Ferus- sacia suhcylindrica, Liune, which range through the northern ]>ortions of Europe, Asia, and America. C. ANTIALBA, Beddome (1879). (Plate I. figs. 5, 6, 7, 8.) Descr°- — Monograph of the Land Shells of Tasmania, p. 41 ; Proc. Eoy. Soc. Tasmania, 1879, p. 23 ; Trans. N.Z. Inst. xxii. 1889, p. 226. Shell thin, transparent; contour, a sphere truncated at the poles, deeply concave above and below, the umbilical excavation deepest. Colour brown, the shade of dry dead leaves, streaks of slightly lighter shade represent the flame painting of other species. Wliorls 5, the earlier enrolled within the later and almost concealed by them. From the channelled suture the last whorl rises perpen- dicularly, then arches outwards to its summit, from which it describes a curve of a third of a circle to its base, whence it incurves to the umbilical crater. The characteristic involute growth does not occur till the shell has attained a whorl and a half, at which point the embryonic sculpture is interrupted (as " Jouni. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philad. ISSl, p. 396. BY C. HEDLEY. 167 described in albanensis) by the adult and the shell at once com- mences to widen axia'.ly ; viewed either from above or beneath, the smoother plane embryonic shell is seen as the flat floor of the spiral or umbilical pit. Sculpture : the last whorl is adorned with 150 sharp erect straight costse, which are seen to stand out in profile on the periphery like the teeth of a circular saw, they are directed straight across the whorl from the spiral to the umbilical sutures and may be likened to the lines of longitude on a terrestrial globe. The secondary sculpture varies upon different parts of the shell, that sketched in the accompanying illustration is selected from the umbilical wall of the last revolution. U[)on the spire two or three raised hair-lines parallel to the costse occupy the intercostal spaces, at right angles similar hair-lines cross both these and the costte, producing a reticulated appearance. Towards the periphery these spiral lines grow faint, while the intercostal lines multiply to half-a-dozen, within the umbilicus the transverse lines diminish and the spiral sculpture assumes the supremacy. Umbilicus cup-shaped, profound, exposing every revolution, a third of the shell's diameter in width. Aperture perpendicular, crescentic, peristome straight, sharp, scarcely reflexed on the columellar margin, projecting at the periphery past an imaginaiy line drawn from insertion to insertion. Callus smooth, shining, thick, semitransparent, quite burying the overtaken costfe, pro- jected on the penultimate whorl in advance of the peristome. Diam. maj. '2^, min. 2\, alt. Ijmra. T y p e in the collection of C. E. Beddome, Esq., R.N. H a b. — Gad's Hill and Mount Bischofi", Tasmania (Beddome) ; occurred under timber. var. alba, var.nov. Entirely hyaline-white. Occurred with the above. C. BiscHOFFENSis, Beddome (1879). (Plate I. figs. 1, 2, 3, 4.) D e s c r"- — Monograph of the Land Shells of Tasmania, p. 39 ; Proc. Roy. Soc. Tasmania, 1879, p. 23. 168 OBSERVATIONS ON THE CHAROPIDJE, Shell thin, globose, slightly gibbous, very narrowly perforated. Colour brown, some specimens darker than others ; the last whorl apparently darker than its predecessors. Whorls 51 slowly increasing, the penultimate wider than the final when seen from above, channelled at the suture, tumid beneath it ; last whorl gradually and slightly ascending at the aperture, rounded at the periphery and on the base. Sculpture everywhere closely ornamented by microscopic transverse raided hair-lines, whose interstices are latticed by smaller spiral lines ; upon the base there are distinguishable some thirty faint and irregularly spaced costge, but this primat-y sculpture is obsolete above. Embryonic shell of ^ whorls, plane and nearly smooth, clearly marked off from the adult. Umbilicus very narrow, abrupt at the margin, half covered by a tongue of callus. Aperture crescentic, perpen- dicular, peristome thin, straight, projecting little at the periphery. Callus especially prominent and heavy, curving obliquely acioss the whorl. Diam. maj. 2J, min. 2^, alt. 2 mm. Type in the collection of C. E. Beddome. Es-q., R.N. Hab. — Mt. Bischoff, Tasmania (Beddome); occurred under timber. C. GADENSis, Beddome (1879). (Plate II. tigs. 1, 2, 3, 4.) Descr°- — Monograph of the Land Shells of Tasmania, p. 29 ; Proc. Roy. Soc. of Tasmania, 1879, p. 23. Shell thin, transparent; contour discoidal, spire plane. Colour hyaline-amber, unicolorous. Whorls 3-1, rather rapidly increasing, deeply channelled at the suture, rounded on their summits and at- the periphery, flattened somewhat on the base. Sculpture : embryonic whorls, comprising the fir.st 1^ revolutions, delicately sculptured by faint transverse capillary costse, the adult whoris are ornamented by fine capillary costte, of wliich the last whorl bears about 175. These are directed straight across the whorl, and are everywhere crossed \>y very minute raised hair-lines, which within the umbilicus grow coarser and dominate the transverse lines. Umbilicus about a third of the diameter of BY C. HEDLEY. 169 the base, deep, cup-shaped, margin rounded. Aperture slightly oblique, roundly lunate, peristome straight, sharp, projecting at the periphery, scarcely reflexed on the columellar margin. Callus projecting, bluish-white, thin, just burying the costse of the pre- ceding whorl. Diam. maj. 2, min. 1|, alt. |mm. Type in the collection of C. E. Beddome, Esq., R.N. Hab, — From Gad's Hill to Mt. Bischoff, Tasmania (Beddome) ; occurred in and under decayed timber. EXPLANATION OF PLATES. Plate Figs. 1-3. — Lateral, superior, and inferior aspects of the shell of C. hiichoffensis, Beddome. Magnified. Pig. 4. — Sculpture of the same. Much magnified. Pigs. 5-7. — Lateral, superior, and inferior aspects of the shell of G. antialba, Beddome. Magnified. Fig. 8. — Sculpture of the same. Much magnified. Plate ii. Figs. 1-3. — Lateral, superior, and inferior aspects of the shell of O. gadensis, Beddome. Magnified. Fig. 4. — Sculpture of the same. Much magnified. Figs. 5-7. — Lateral, superior, and inferior aspects of the shell of C. albaiieims, Cox. Magnified. Fig. 8. — Sculpture of the same. Much magnified. 170 A SECOND UNDESCRIBED FORM OF WOMERAH, A SECOND UNDESORIBED FORM OF WOMERAH FROM NORTHERN AUSTRALIA. By R. Etheridge, Junr., &c. (Palaeontologist to the Australian Museum and Geological Survey of N. S. Wales.) (Plate III.) Since I read a short Note to the Society on a Woraerah from Northern Queensland,* Mr. Charles Hedley has been instrumental in obtaining for me the loan of a second form of this weapon from the Rev. George Brown, secretary to the Australasian Methodist Mission, pi'esumedly undescribed, and believed by the latter to come from North Queensland.! The history of the specimen is as follows : — It was collected about four years ago, by the late Captain Alex. Craig, of the ship " Princess Louise." The ship was wrecked, the Captain killed on a subsequent voyage, and the log lost. On the voyage on which * P.L.S.N.S. W. 1892, vi. (2), Pt. 4, p. 699. t Additional Note. — 14/7/92.— Mr. Hedley and myself have found, since the publication of my Paper, a brief record of this womerah by the late John Macgillivray, who says : — " The throwing-stick in use at Cape York extends down the N.E. coast as far as Lizard Island. . . . It is made of casuarina wood, and is generally three feet in length, an inch and a quarter broad, and half an inch thick. At the end a double slip of melon shell, three and a half inches long, crossing diagonally, serves as a handle, and when used the end rests against the palm of the right hand, the three last fingers grasp the stick, and the fore finger and thumb loosely retain the spear." [Narr. Voy. H.M.S. Rattlesnake during the years 1846-18^0, I. 1852, p. 18.) This reference thus enables us to extend the range of this womerah throughout the Cape York Peninsula, the Gilbert River being situated at its extreme base. — R. E., .Tun. BY R. ETHERIDGE, JUN. 171 the womerah was obtained he made a trip from Sydney to the Torres Straits Islands, thence westward round Dutch New Guinea to the Admiralty Islands, and back to Sydney. It, therefore, became of importance to determine from what part of the Continent this weapon came. One naturally turns in the first instance for information to the late R. Brough Smyth's tine work on the " Aborigines of Victoria ;"* failing that to the excellent illustrations given in Governor Eyre's " Journals of Expeditions of Discovery into Central Austx-alia." f In neither of these works is any figure of the present womerah given ; but on appealing to the valuable Macleay Collection at the University, with the aid of the Curator, Mr. G. Masters, three perfectly similar weapons were unearthed, and all labelled Port Darwin. So much for the district in which this form of throwing-stick is employed. Further researches amongst other works failed to find any description of such an implement as the present, but in Knight's " Study of the Savage Weapons at the Centennial Exhibition, Philadelphia, 1876," | are two rough figures, without explanations, of *' Spear-throwing Sticks, South Australia," one of them with a general resemblance to our womerah, but without any detail displayed. South Australia, with the light thrown upon the subject by the Macleay Museum specimens, must be an error, for the throwing-stick s of the southern portion of Australia are quite of a different type. The womerah is lath-like and slightly curved, although for the first two feet from the handle it is straight, the curvature then liecoming gradually marked, and the blade attenuating to a sharp point at the outer end. The total length is three feet nine inches, and two and a quarter inches wide at the lower or proximal end, and just above the hand hold. The blade is one-sixth of an inch * The Aborigines of Victoria, 2 vols. (4to., Melbourne, 1878 : Govern- ment Printer.) t Two vols. (Svo., London, 1845.) :;: Ann. Report Board Regents Smithsonian Inst, for 1879 [1880], p. 276, f. 117. 172 A SECOND UNDESCRIBED FORM OF WOMERAH, in thickness, and is quite flexible. The whole "womerah has been stiiined red, except eight inches from the proximal and five and a half from the distal end, which spaces have been left uncoloured, and with the grain of the wood showing. At the proximal end the blade has been cut out to form a handle, and is terminated by a more or less shortly-pyriform knob-shaped mass of black gum cement, over which string has been spirally wound and interlaced in a highly finished manner, tlie whole smeared with a thin coating of gum-cement, and then coloured red like the blade. The string is at the edge of the gum knob wound three times spirally, occupying a space of somewhat less than a quarter of an inch, then passed along parallel to the length of the womerah for the space of an inch, and again following this for one and a quarter inches in a spiral direction. The carving of the handle is in the condition of very fine, regular, and beautifully executed incised lines, extending for three and a quarter inches up the blade. The first and widest band is of transverse or spiral lines, the second of oblique lines inclined to the right, the third trans- verse, the fourth obliquely inclined to the left, the fifth again transverse, the sixth oblique to the right as before, and the seventh and last again transverse, and the widest of all. It will be observed that the oblique lines alternately to the right and left produce a kind of herring-bone pattern divided by transverse bands, I have not met with a precisely similar ornament in any Australian weapon or ornament, although the simple herring-bone pattern is not uncommon. The attenuated distal end of the blade is mounted with a very neatly made hard-wood peg, somewhat bottle-stopper shaped, and lashed on by fine fibre or string. The largest of the Port Darwin womerahs in the Macleay Museum, precisely similar in shape to this one, is three feet nine and a half inches long, and two inches and two-eighths wide at the base of the blade. It is an exact counterpart of the Rev. G. Brown's, but is coloured throughout the entire length. The second is three feet five inches long, and one and five-eighths at BY B. ETHERIDGE, JUN. 173 the base. It is without carving of any description, wholly coloured, of much rougher workmanship, the knob at the end of the handle merely a ball of gum, and the peg and lashing at the distal end washed with white pipeclay pigment. The third example is three feet five and three-quarter inches in length, and two inches wide at the base. It is wholly coloured red, and the handle carved, but the carving extends a much shorter distance up the blade than in Mr. Brown's. As I have before said, the only illustration in any way approached by this weapon is one of the two womerahs from " South Australia " given by Knight. The blade is very slightly curved, the cut-out portion of the handle very short, no carving, and the ball end of the handle circular and without sculpture. EXPLANATION OF PLATE III. Fig. 1. — Upper surface of womerah. Fig. 2. — Handle; edge view. Fig. 3. — Peg end ; edge view. (All the figures mucli reduced.) 174 NOTES AND EXHIBITS, NOTES AND EXHIBITS. Mr. Hedley exhibited specimens of Charopa alhanensis, Cox ( = eastbournensis, Beddome and Petterd, MSS.), C. antialha, Beddome, C. gadensis, Beddome, and C. hischoffensis, Beddome, in illustration of his paper. Mr. Froggatt showed the insects described in his paper; also coloured drawings of the same, and of their galls. Mr. Etheridge exhibited the peculiar womerah described in his paper. Mr. Henry Deane showed the ordinary flowers of a seedling of an Australian plant, Pavonia hastata (N. O. Malvaceae), growing in his garden at Hunter's Hill ; and he stated that he had hoped to have shown also cleistogamous flowers from the same plant, but that his intention had been defeated by the extremely inclement weather. Also monstrous specimens of Zinnia showing the transformation of florets into shoots, a condition probably induced by the continuance of damp warm weather. P.L.S.,N.5.W(2"dSer.)VoL.Vn PL I wfiWl^'^"" ,„„ff?ffl»*f>^ ■^i'Mi C. Hedley del. P.L.S.,N.S.W(2'^'^Ser.)VoL.VII pi.n C Hedley del- PL.S..N.S.W(2"^ Sen) Vol. VII pi.m C. Hedley del. 175 WEDNESDAY, 27th APRIL, 1892. The President, Professor Haswell, M.A., D.Sc, in the Chair. DONATIONS. "Archives de Biologie." T. vii., Ease. 4 ; T. x.-xi. (1890-91) ; " Curtis's Botanical Magazine." Third Series. Vol. xlvi. (1890) ; "Notes from the Leyden Museum." Vols, xii.-xiii. (1890-91); " Nouvelles Archives du Museum." 3™^ Serie. T. ii. (two parts) ; T. iii., Part 1 (1890-91) : " Zeitschrift fiir wissenschaftliche Zoologie." Bd. li.-liii., Heft 1-3 (1890-91). The gift of the late Hon. Sir Williain Macleay, F.L.S. " Royal Geographical Society of Australasia : Queensland Branch — -Proceedings and Transactions." Vol. vii., Part 1 (1891- 92). From the Society. "Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society, 1892." Part 1 (February). From the Society. '• Gesellschaf t fiir Erdkunde zu Berlin — Verhandlungen." Band xix. (1892), No. 1; "Zeitschrift." Bd. xxvi. (1891), No. 6. From the Society. "The Journal of Comparative Medicine and Veterinary Archives." Vol. xiii., Nos. 2 and 3 (February and March, 1892). From the Editors. " Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College — Bulle- tin." Vol. xxii., No. 4 (January, 1892); Vol. xxiii., No. 1 (Feb., 1892). From the Curator. "Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society." Vol. vi., Nos. 3 and 4 (1891). From the Society. 12 176 DONATIONS. " Smithsonian Institution — United States National Museum — Bulletin." Nos. 41 and 42 ; "Annual Report, 1888-89." pp. 427- 445, 591-608, 729-735": "Proceedings." Vol. xiii. (1890); Vol. xiv., Nos. 880-881 (1891-92). From the Museum. "Comite Geologique, St. Petersbourg — Bulletins." Tome ix., Nos. 9-10 (1890), Tomex., Nos. 1-5 (1891) ; Supplement au Tome X. (1891); "Memoires du Comite Geologique." Vol. xi., No. 2 (1891). From the Committee. " Bulletin de la Societe Imperiale des Naturalistes de Moscou." Annee 1891, Nos. 2-3. From the Society. " Bulletin de la Societe Beige de Microscopie." xviii™® Annee, Nos. 3-4 (1891-92). From the Society. "The Australasian Journal of Pharmacy." Vol. vii., Nos. 75 and 76 (March and April, 1892). From the Editor. " Perak Government Gazette." Vol. v., Nos. 5-6 (February 26th and March 11th, 1892). From the Government Secretary. "Royal Society of London — Proceedings." Vol. L., Nos. 303-304 (January, 1892). From the Society. "Records of the Geological Survey of New South Wales." Vol. ii., Part 4 (1892). From the Hon. the Minister for Mines. " Memoires de la Societe des Naturalistes de Kiew." Tome x., Liv. 3-4 ; Tome xi., Liv. 1-2 ; Supplement au Tome xi. (1892). From the Society. "Department of Agriculture, Victoria — Bulletin." No. 14 (December, 1891). From the Secretary for Agriculture. "Indian Museum, Calcutta — Catalogue of the Mantodea." Nos. 1-2 (1889-91) ; "A Catalogue of the Moths of India." Parts 1-7 (1887-89); "Indian Museum Notes." Vols, i.-ii., Nos. 1-4 (1891); "A Monograph of the Oriental Cicadidse." Parts 1-4 (1889-91). From the Trustees. " Zoologischer Anzeiger." Nos. 385-386 (February and March, 1892). From the Editor. "The Victorian Naturalist." Vol. viii., No. 12 (April, 1892). From the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria. DONATIONS. 177 "Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History." Vol. iii., No. 2, pp. 227-290 ] Vol. iv., No. 1, pp. 1-32; "Annual Report, 1890-91." From the Museum. " Johns Hopkins University Circulars." Vol. xi., Nos. 9.5 and 96 (February and March, 1892); "Studies from the Biological Laboratory." Vol. v., No. 1 (1891). From the University. " Annual Report of the Auckland Institute and Museum for 1891-92." From the Curator. "Journal of Morphology." Vol. ii., No. 3 (April, 1889) ; Vol. iv., No. 1 (June, 1890) ; Vol. v., No. 2 (September, 1891). From Professor Haswell, M.A., D.Sc. "Hooker's Icones Plantarum." Fourth Series. Vol. i., Part 4 (January, 1892). From the Bentham Trustees. " Mitteilungen aus dem Natui'historischen Museum in Ham- burg." viii. Jahrg. (1890). Froyyi the Director. Department of Agricultui'e, N.S.W. — "The Forage Plants of Australia." By F. Turner, F.L.S., F.R.H.S.*; "Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales." Vol. iii.. Part 3 (March, 1892). Frortx the Director of Agriculture. "Societe Botanique de Lyon — Bulletin Trimestriel." viii™® Annee, Nos. 1-4 (1890); ix-^^ Annee, No. 2 (1891). From the Society. "Zoological Society of London — Abstracts": February 16th, and Mai-ch 1st and 15th, 1892 ; " Report on the Additions to the Menagerie during the Month of February, 1892." From the Society. Manchester Museum, Owens College — Museum Handbooks : " General Guide to the Museum " ; " Catalogue of the Embryo- logical Models " ; " Outline Classification of the Animal King- dom." From the Keeper of the Museum,. " Annual Report of the Zoological and Acclimatisation Society of Victoria for the year 1891." From the Society. " Journal of the Cincinnati Society of Natural History." Vol. xiv., Nos. 1-2 (1891). From the Society. 178 DONATIONS. " Societe des Naturalistes de la Nouvelle-Russie, Odessa — Memoires." T. xvi., Part 2 ; " Memoires de la Section Mathe- matique." T. xii. (1892). From the Society . "American Philosophical Society — Proceedings." Vol. xxix., No. 135 (1891). From the Society. " United States Department of Agriculture — Division of Orni- thology and Mammalogy: North American Fauna." No. 5 (1891). From the Secretary for Agriculture. " New York Academy of Sciences — Annals." Vol. v., Extra Nos. 1-3 (February, 1891); "Transactions." Vol. x., Nos. 2-6 (1890-91). Fro7n the Academy. "Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia — Proceedings, 1891." Part 2. From the Academy. "Essex Institute— Bulletin." Vol. xxi., Nos. 7-12 (1889); Vol. xxii., Nos. 1-12 (1890). From the Institute. " Verhandlungen der k.-k. zoologisch-botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien." xli. Band, Quartal 1-2 (1891). From the Society. "Canadian Institute, Toi-onto — Transactions." Vol. i., Part 2 (March, 1891); "Fourth Annual Eeport" (1890-91); "Time Reckoning for the Twentieth Century." By Stanford Fleming, C.M.G., LL.D., C.E., &c. From the Institute. " Nova Scotian Institute of Natural Science — Proceedings and Transactions." Vol. vii.. Part 4 (1889-90). From the Society. " Boston Society of Natural History — Proceedings." Vol. xxv,, Parts 1-2 (1890-91). Fro7n the Society. "American Naturalist." Vol. xxvi., No. 301 (January, 1892). Frovi the Editors. " Mittheilungen der Naturforschenden Gesellschaft in Bern aus dem Jahre 1890." From the Society. "Societe Helvetique des Sciences Naturelles — Actes, 73"^ Ses- sion " (1890) ; " Compte Rendu, 73'"« Session " (1890). From the Society. 179 PAPERS READ. A VIVIPAROUS AUSTRALIAN PERIPATUS {P. LEUCKARTII, Saeng.) By J. J. Fletcher, M.A., B.Sc. For some years past a species of Peripatus has been known to occur in New South Wales ; and no one has ever said of it that after studying Sedgwick's full description of Perijjatus leuckartii he was fairly certain that it did not belong to that species, but to a new one. On the contrary, no one has ever called it, or proposed to call it, by any other name than P. leuckartii, Sang. Further, on the ijjse dixit of Dr. Dendy himself it is to be called P. leuckartii ; for in two recent papers he quite authoritatively says that P. insignis is " the only other known Australian species " : but P. leuckartii has fifteen pairs of walking legs, and P. insignis has fourteen pairs ; and no Peripatus with other than fifteen pairs has hitherto been recorded from New South Wales. Now this New South Wales Peripatus, which even according to Dr. Dendy is P. leuckartii, and which has never been otherwise designated, is not only as viviparous as P. capensis, for example, but there has not been, since the year 1888, the slightest room for any doubt on the subject, for, among others, the simple and suflELcient reason that the very first specimen of it that was ever opened, in the month of July, 1888, proved to be in the same interesting condition as the first specimen of P. capensis dissected in 1873 by Moseley, who says that on opening it he "found the animal to be viviparous, and full of far-advanced embryos." Nor is this mere assertion on my part, as I shall presently show, for one of the Australian Peripatus embryos was preserved by Dr. Haswell, who gave it to me in October, 1888, and it has remained in my possession ever since. This embryo is approximately at the same stage of development as one of Moseley's advanced Cape embryos just referred to, and, allowing for the specific difference 180 A VIVIPAROUS AUSTRALIAN PERIPATUS, in the number of legs, it is very fairly represented by his figure thereof (Phil. Trans. Vol. clxiv, pi. lxxv, fig. 3). Moseley's observation is now nearly twenty years old, but to this day the correctness of his conclusion is undisputed. There- fore, in the case of the Australian specimen which in July, 1888, I gave to Dr. Has well, who a few days later found it to be, full of far-advanced embryos, told me of his experience, promised me one of the embryos, and a few weeks later fulfilled his promise, it is not at all clear to me what other conclusion any sane individual could possibly have arrived at under such circumstances than that it, too, was viviparous ; or, this being so, what there was about this simple fact in any way more remarkable or in any way affording better cause for undue excitement and exultation than that John Gould or his predecessors should have actually found that Australian birds, like birds in other countries, were unques- tionably oviparous. Moseley calls such a specimen as that he refers to, a pregnant specimen ; and I have said of the Australian specimen in question that on dissection it proved to be pregnant, as anyone will see on turning to the Proceedings of this Society for 1888 [Vol. iii. (2nd ss.). Part 2, p. 892, footnote] ; and as Dr. Haswell, who made the dissection, is, I am glad to say, still in Sydnej', I need not enlarge on the subject of the agreement of the statement with the facts ; it suflB.ces to say that not only had a pregnant specimen been met with as far back as the year 1888, but that the fact is on record. And this was only the first of a series of experiences, each by itself sufficient to establish the undoubtedly viviparous nature of the Peripatus with which we had to deal, and which has never been called anything but P. leuckartii. But even so, what was there to make a fuss about 1 No unprejudiced critic can deny that to anyone of the stamp of O. W. Holmes's youthful correspondent, " who longed to leap at a single bound into celebrity," there certainly was here presented an opportunity of gaining, if not celebrity, at least a little cheap notoriety, or, failing that, an inexpensive method of putting himself abundantly en evidence on very slight provocation. Otherwise, and as Peripatus was viviparous all along the line, and the Australian P. leuckartii BY J. J. FLETCHER. 181 simply and naturally came up into line, there was just as little need to rush into print with sensational announcements about it as there is for an ornithologist who finds the previously unknown eggs of an already described bird, or a previously undescribed bird and its eggs, with a flourish of trumpets to flood the scientific journals with announcements of a new and rare discovery. A brief but correct record of the matter was made for future guidance ; and that was sufficient. At this time Dr. Dendy and the Australian Peripatus were strangers and had not met ; one could not therefore he expected to provide against such a contingency as that on July 31st, 1891, a Victorian naturalist should arise and say with an emphasis which quite settles the matter, that Peripatus leuckartii, the common 30- legged Peripatus of Eastern Australia, is not viviparous at all, that it difiers widely in this respect from all other known species, and that before the date mentioned nobody knew anything whatever about its mode of reproduction, or as he puts it, " Hitherto [i.e., prior to July 31sfc, 1891] little has been known of its habits, and nothing of its mode of reproduction " ; in reply to which I may say that, as regards the New South Wales Peripatus, at least, while all this is both entertaining and amusing, the Victorian naturalist in question seems to have arrived a little late on the scene, and to have got ofi" the track and to have lost himself en route, because there is no difficulty whatever in proving, even to his satisfaction, that the New South Wales Peripatus was viviparous in 18S8, that it is still viviparous in 1892, and that in the interval it was also viviparous ; or that it does not differ, and within the period mentioned has not difl^erej, from extra- Australian species in respect of its viviparity. In four recent papers* [Nature, Sept. 17th, 1891 ; Victorian Naturalist, Sept., 1891 ; Proc. Roy. Soc. of Victoria, Vol. iv. n.s. * These are severally entitled : "An Oviparous Species of Peripatus" [the only Australian species referred to in the text being P. leuckartii] ; "The Mode of Reproduction of P. leuckartii" ; "On the Oviparity of P. leuckartii" ; and " The Reproduction of P. leuckartii." In two of them P. insignis is referred to as " the only other Australian species "or " the only other known Australian species." 182 A VIVIPAROUS AUSTRALIAN PERIPATUS, p. 31 ; and Zoologischer Anzeiger, December 28th, 1891] Dr. Dendy has announced the discovery that P. leuckartii — meaning thereby any Australian Peripatus which is not referable to the 28-legged F. insignis — is oviparous, that until he made this discovery nobody, more particularly myself,f knew anything about its mode of reproduction, and that it appears from my observa- tions that the young are hatched in October. If all or any of this be correct, then of course the object given to me by Professor Haswell and referred to above as an embryo, is not and cannot be such, but it must be considered to be a yolk granule — a yolk granule with a pair of rudimentary antennae, and fifteen pairs of developing walking legs, but only a yolk granule, however remarkable, nevertheless ! For since Dr. Dendy describes the deposited eggs of P. leuckartii as consisting of " milky fluid contents containing very many yolk granules, but with no appear- ance of an embryo," it is obviously impossible that advanced embryos could be present in younger (intra-uterine) ova of such an animal. Clearly, therefore. Dr. Dendy would have done well either to have confined his remarks entirely to the mode of reproduc- tion of the Victorian Peripatus, or else to have been quite sure of his ground. Because as set forth in his four papers Dr. Dendy has committed himself to definite statements about Peripatus leuckartii which when applied to the New South Wales Peripatus are simply preposterous ; and when they are applied to the Victorian Peripatus are found, in view of subsequently ascertained facts, to be in need of so much limitation and qualification that when they come to be soberly restated in a modified form they may well be excused from knowing themselves when placed beside t In three of Dr. Dendy's papers I am referred to as " the only observer, so far as I am aware, who has said anything of its [P. leuckartii] hfe- history." Of course I knew nothing, because prior to July 31st, lo91, " nothing [was] knovvn of its [P. leuckartii] mode of reproduction " ; what there was to know was that P. leuckartii was oviparous and differed widely, &c. I have never said a word in the past on the subject of the life-history of any but N.S.W. specimens of P. leuckartii ; and what I said about these was quite in order. BY J. J. FLETCHER. 183 the somewhat inflated and pretentious originals. And the clue to what has happened may be oflfered in a few words. Both Hutton and Sedgwick — the former as long ago as 1876 — had found that sometimes the New Zealand Peripatus deposited eggs, and being cautious naturalists and duly mindful of a certain time-honoured wise saying — which a recent observer has con- clusively shown to be every whit as applicable to the Victorian Peripatus as to the ordinary barn-door fowl — they did not commence operations by straightway proceeding to count the chicks — or at least not aloud and in print — on the very day on which the eggs were found some months in advance of the date at which even on a very moderate estimate, and under the most favourable circumstances possible, the young could be expected to hatch, if indeed that were to happen at all : on the contrary, they first waited to see what happened, and then talked, not about what they had expected to happen, but what they actually found to have happened ; and so Hutton says " Although vivi- parous, the eggs are often extruded before development is complete; but these always die " [Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (4) 1876, XVIII, p. 362], and Sedgwick in his Monograph on Peripatus says he can corroborate Hutton. This, it might not unreasonably be expected, would be enough to put subsequent egg-finders on their guard about discussing with confidence — in print at any rate — the possibilities of such eggs before, instead of after, the hatching of the young. Now, on July 31st, 1891, Dr. Dendy found a batch of Victorian Peripatus eggs — the only Australian Peripatus eggs anybody has ever met with — and two of his papers about them are dated July 31st, not 1892 but 1891, a thii'd was read on August 10th, 1891, and the fourth on August 13th, 1891, but bears a postscript of date September 4th, 1891 ; whereas the eggs at the very earliest were not expected to hatch before the end of October, and even at that particular early period on quite erroneous grounds. Moreover, no one of them contains any reference whatever to the experiences of Hutton and Sedgwick with the eggs of the New Zealand Peripatus ; and Dr. Dendy argues as if the eggs found by himself were the only Peripatus eggs ever met with, as if he knew for certain that they were 184 A VIVIPAROUS AUSTRALIAN PERIPATUS, fertilised ova, and bound to hatch " at the end of October," — for though I knew nothing about the mode of reproduction, Dr. Dendy shows to his own satisfaction that my observations, which, have reference solely to a viviparous Peripatus, supplied the finishing touch to his splendid generalizations on the oviparity of P. leuckartii — and as if the N.S.W. Peripatus was not, and could not possibly be viviparous ; consequently some new and remark- able conclusions are arrived at, and as so often happens under such circumstances, the new turns out not necessarily to be all true, because, in spite of Dr. Dendy's discoveries, among other things, the New South Wales Peripatus is viviparous, and when the Victorian Peripatus does lay eggs in July, not only are the young not hatched therefrom " at the end of October," or anywhere near that date, but at present, as far as I can learn, no one is bold enough to affirm that lie ever knew a single instance in which young ever did hatch from such eggs. If the Victorian Peripatus really is oviparous, then it is oviparous, and when the matter is settled nobody can raise any objections to its being so : in that case also the mode of repi-o- duction of the Victorian Peripatus will certainly differ from that of the New South Wales Peripatus, and if such be true, no valid objection to that can be raised ; indeed perhaps certain cynics, on other than biological grounds, might be disposed to aver that if the N.S.W. Peripatus certainly were one thing, that in itself would be full and sufficient reason why, on princi[)le, the Victorian Peripatus should be something else as widely different as possible ; but with such we are not now concerned. Dr. Dendy's modest claim is not, however, merely that he has proved that the Victorian Peripatus is oviparous, but that the common 30-legged Australian Pei-ipatus wherever it occurs is so ; and that until he shared his discovery with the world, he alone of all mortals knew anything of its mode of reproduction. To this it may be objected that Dr. Dendy's announcements were premature, and that in part they were based on the erroneous supposition that P. leuckartii, as it occurs in New South Wales, is not viviparous ; that if the oviparity of the Victorian Peripatus were eventually established, not even then would Dr. Dendy's statements about BY J. J. FLETCHER. 185 the mode of reproduction of the supposed oviparous P. leuckartii still apply to it without modification ; that the statement or implication that P. leuckartii is oviparous cannot be allovi'ed to pass muster until it is shown either that the New South Wales Peripatus is not viviparous, or that it cannot correctly be referred to that species ; and that the wide difference in the mode of development of P. leuckartii as compared with all other known species is not proved, since the N.S.W. Peripatus is viviparous, and in the case of the Victorian Peripatus, if the wide difference consists in this that "the young are hatched at the end of October," that wide difference has now vanished, while if it lie that eggs were once deposited, then on the same grounds Dr. Dendy should have stated that the New Zealand Peripatus was sometimes oviparous. Hence, under any circumstances whatever, explanations and restatements are necessary. And as Dr. Dendy does not now for the first time hear that P. leuckartii as it occurs in New South Wales, is indisputably viviparous, and does not in its mode of reproduction differ widely from all other known species, and that there has never been any reason to suppose otherwise, it would have been just as well if an early opportunity of making the necessary modifications and of setting matters straight, had been found, because already his unmodified statements are finding their way into the records of zoological literature, and confusion and misapprehension must necessarily result. For example in Part i. of the Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society for 1892, recently to hand, there is (p. 37) an abstract of one of Dr. Dendy's papers, and it there occurs this wondrous statement, a perfectly legitimate deduction by a recorder whose bona fides is not to be questioned : " The eggs [of P. leuckartii?^ appear to be laid in or about July, and the young are hatched at the end of October." As a joke, or even as a fairy tale, this is, of course, perfectly admirable, becavise — and we may here leave the viviparous N.S.W. Peripatus entirely out of con- sideration for a moment — there must be a considerable number of individual specimens of Peripatus within the territory of Victoria, where, we are told, Peripatus is not an uncommon constituent of that section of the invertebrate fauna which lives out of sight 186 A VIVIPAROUS AUSTRALIAN PERIPATUS, daring the day time; and if only a fair proportion of the adult females lay their eggs in July of any given year, and if at the end of October following only a fair proportion of young are hatched therefrom — and we have it on high authority that the eggs are laid in July, and that the young are hatched at the end of October — it follows that except perhaps in very unfavourable years there ought annually to be a large accession to the Victorian Peripatus fauna just about October 31st: yet if the entire human population of Victoria were to turn out en masse and for a period of one month, six weeks, two months, and for how much longer we have not yet been told, dating from November 1st, were to devote themselves enthusiastically and exclusively to a search, over the whole area of the colony of Victoria, for the young of the Victorian Peripatus just hatching or newly hatched from eggs laid in July previous, the enthusiasts would find themselves engaged in a quest not less fruitless than if the same amount of time and energy had been given to the acquisition of specimens of the famous Australian bunyip. There are no bunyips to be captured in the Australian bush nowadays, neither at the time and under the circumstances mentioned are there any newly hatched young of P. leuckartii, for the latter are then as intensely " cryptozoic" and as altogether non-existent as the former. Then what a beautiful instance of unerring skill in forecasting the future, and in being able, at the first time of asking and on such slender evidence, to fix so precisely, not on the beginning nor on the middle, but on the end of October as the time when the impossible happens, is presented in the passage quoted ; what an innocent- looking pitfall for the unwary — writer of a textbook it may be ; and what a splendid chance of supplementing the catalogue of topsy-turvy biological and other arrangements prevailing at the Antipodes, given by the late Mr. Barron Field who says, "But this is New Holland .... where the kangaroo, an animal between the squirrel and the deer, has five claws on its fore-paws, and three talons on its hind-legs, like a bird, and yet hops on its tail ; . . . . where the pears are made of wood, with the stalk at the broader end ; and where the cherry grows with the stone outside" (pp. 4G1-462) ! BY J. J. FLETCHER. 187 And therefore viewing the matter in a serious light, and leaving misleading analogies and groundless expectations out of sight, and having regard only to the simple truth, what can be said of the latter clause at least of the above-quoted passage than that it is simply an exploded fable, a delusion and a snare? For, taking the passage as a whole, and as it stands, to what known Australian species of Peripatus is Dr. Dendy prepared to maintain that it can be truthfully applied? In other words, is it intended to be sober truth embodying the latest contribution to a knowledge of the life-history of the viviparous N.S.W. Peripatus, which Dr. Dendy says is oviparous, which has never been known to lay eggs in July, or to that of the Victorian Peripatus, whose young have never been known to hatch at the end of October or thereabouts 1 For one of the most important results arrived at by Dr. Dendy, so far, and at a date subsequent to that on which each of his four papers was written, is that the eggs found by him on July 31st — the only known Australian Peripatus eggs so far known — the possession of which on that date enabled him to prove so much, among other things, that P. leiickartii as it occurs in N.S.W. was certainly oviparous, utterly failed to come up to expectations, and that the young did not hatch therefrom '• at the end of October" ; for it appears from the Presidential Address of Professor Baldwin Spencer delivered in Section D at the Tasmanian Meeting of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science, on January 9th, 1892, in which the Peripatus eggs in question are referred to, that at that time [or to allow for a small margin let us say up to December 31st] they were still only in course of development, and he adds " that the embryos will apparently soon be hatched out." Hence "at the end of October" is clearly an impostor, and may as well be thrown overboard once and for all. Hutton and Sedgwick met with New Zealand Peripatus eggs, and they found that young did not hatch therefrom. Dr. Dendy on July 31st found Australian Peripatus eggs, and though on that date he knew exactly what would happen on or about October 31st, still up to December 31st he seems to have found himself pretty much in the same position, or at least in a position of extraor- 188 A VIVIPAROUS AUSTRALIAN PERIPATUS, dinarily deferred expectation, viewed from the confident standpoint of July 31st. The expected young may subsequently have hatched, or they nirty not have hatched, or they may yet hatch, or they may never hatch at all ; I cannot find any reference to the subject of later date than Professor Spencer's Address, of which he has recently very kindly sent me a copy. But whatever has happened or may happen in this matter, is quite immaterial just now, for I am not directly concerned with the mode of reproduction of the Victorian Peripatus, nor is it a subject on which in the past I have ever said a word. What we are directly concerned with at present is that the beautiful myth that the young of P. leuckartii " are hatched at the end of October" from eggs laid in July previous, has now received a well-merited quietvis at Dr. Dendy's own hands ; and with it also the altogether fabulous Australian Peripatus — Avhich would have been such a treasure to Mr. Field — whose young complete their development after deposition of the eggs in which there is no sign of an embryo, in the astonishingly short period of from three to four months — or, say, from July 1st to October 31st. That on Mt. Kosciusko at such an elevation as 5700 feet, at which Peripatus leuckartii was found by Mr. R. Helms, Peripatus should lay its eggs in what we may call almost mid- winter, and that the eggs should hatch at the end of October, when some at least, if not the greater part, of this period would certainly be included in the months to which Mr. Helms refers when he says that " it must be remembered that this locality for at least from four to five months [in the year] is frequently covered with several feet of snow," and where even as early as 19th March Mr. Helms says he experienced frosty nights, would be on the face of it so extravagantly improbable — unless the develop- ment of the eggs of an oviparous Peripatus can steadily proceed at a temperature of about freezing point or lower — as never to have been worth serious consideration. And not less improbable, except with the same limitation, would it be of P. leuckartii at an elevation of over 3000 feet on the Blue Mountains, at which I myself have found it. BY J. J. FLETCHER. 189 And if it be asked why the month of October should have been imported into the matter at all, any one of Dr. Dendy's four papers will supply an answer. This is one of them : " It thus appears that P. leuckartii lays eggs in July or thereabouts ; and it appears also, from Mr. Fletcher's observations, with which it will be seen that my own fit in very well so far, that the young are hatched at the end of October" (Proc. R.S. Vict. iv. (n.s.) p. 33). This, it is hardly necessary to state, is entirely Dr. Dendy's own version of the matter, and in flat contradiction to my expe- rience and statements ; and I wholly repudiate any connection with it. I never irrationally supposed that the young specimens met with by me in October, 1888, were hatched from eggs laid by an oviparous animal some months before, I do not believe so now, and I have never made any statements which could possibly lead, or rather mislead. Dr. Dendy or any one else to suppose so. Quite the contrary ; what I said was that of two females once in my possession, one on dissection proved to be pregnant — a perfectly correct use of the term sanctioiaed by so good an authority as Moseley — and that the other died shortly after giving birth to four young ones, which I exhibited at a meeting of this Society in October, 1888. My statements I can fully and convincingly justify ; but Dr. Dendy has just as fully and convincingly shown the absurdity of his own conclusions respecting them liy himself proving, firstly, that my observations when they are not misre- presented so far from fitting in very well with his own are diametrically opposed to them ; and secondly, that when the Victorian Peripatus does lay eggs in July, young are not hatched therefrom " at the end of October " or anywhere near that date. Moseley was the first to announce that Peripatus was vivipa- rous ; and as he unhesitatingly stated this to be the case, it is important to consider for a moment the evidence on which he relied, because at the time his classical paper was written he clearly did not know the month in Avhich the young were born, he had not witnessed the birth of the young, and he had never even seen the newly born young ; and it is equally clear that it was not possible for him to have known the one or seen the others. What he says on these points is : " The breeding-period of 190 A VIVIPAROUS AUSTRALIAN PERIPATUS, F. capensis is thus probably the months of November, December and January, the three Cape summer months. Observations are required on the mode of congress of the sexes, and on the time and manner of the birth of the young " (p. 766). The subsequent investigations of Sedgwick established the fact that the young of P. capetisis are born in April and May (Monograph, p. 165) ; Moseley's stay at the Cape in H.M.S. " Challenger " lasted from October 28th to December 17th, 1873, and his paper (Phil. Trans. Vol, clxiv. p. 757) is marked "received April 9, read May 21, 1874." His own words on the subject of viviparity are: '^ Peri- patics was naturally the first animal sought after by the naturalists of the 'Challenger' expedition on their arrival at the Cape of Good Hope, and I was lucky enough to find a considerable number of specimens on the very first occasion of searching for them. My intention had been only to try to keep the animals alive, so as to obtain their eggs and watch their development, but on opening one large specimen I immediately recognised the presence of trachete, and found the animal to be viviparous and full of far-, advanced embryos" (I.e. p. 757). In this passage it is noticeable that Moseley speaks of his finding the animal to be viviparous before he mentions embryos. From " Notes of a Naturalist on the 'Challenger'" it further appears (p. 161) that the specimen referred to was the first specimen met with. Moseley thus furnishes a safe criterion for determining whether a species of Peripatus is viviparous ; and not only so, but he also gives authority for speaking of such a specimen as that to which he refers as a pregnant specimen. For he says that " of twenty female specimens dissected only one was found which did not contain embryos in some stage of development" (p. 766), and (on p. 767) "and in nearly all the pregnant specimens examined, &c.," and on p. 771 " the period of pregnancy " of two of them is spoken of, while the specimen not containing embryos is alluded to as " though, as before-mentioned, one still virgin female was found." Clearly, then, Moseley uses the term pregnant in the ordinary etymological sense of being "in the condition preparatory to bringing forth young," or, briefly, "with young." Additional authority for the use of the word in connection with Peripatus is. BY J. J. FLETCHER. 191 if necessary, furnished by Sclater, who after speaking of the embryos contained in the uterus of the S. American species which he proposed to call P. iinthurni, goes on to say of breeding females : " I am unable to say whether they are pregnant all the year round, but it seems probable that this is the case." * And as Moseley's knowledge of the viviparous nature of P. capensis was thus entirely derived from the study of pregnant specimens, as he himself terms them, and as his observations on this point, the correctness of which has never been questioned, are simply a record of pregnant specimens, it is quite clear that in dealing with other species of Peripatus about whose mode of reproduction nothing was previously known, any observer who meets with a female containing embryos knows ipso facto that he has to do with a viviparous species, he is entitled to speak of such a specimen as pregnant and is correct in so doing, and a record of a pregnant specimen is a record of a viviparous species. And if instead of taking the embryos out of the uterus oneself, they should be extruded during the process of drowning the mothers — by which means, as Sedgwick has recommended, one can obtain uncontracted specimens — owing, as I suppose to the continued struggles, this obviously is only another phase of the same thing, and is quite as satisfactory evidence of viviparity. I tirst met with living specimens of the N.S.W. Peripatus in June, 1888, and on the 27th of that month I exhibited three of them at a Meeting of this Society, a notice of the exhibit appearing in due course in the Proceedings [Vol. iii. (2), Part ii, p. 892 — published September 10th]. The subsequent history of two of these specimens — the third made good her escape, and I lost all trace of her — is soon told. Dr. Haswell was desirous of examining the muscles of Peripatus in the fresh condition [vide his Note on the subject in Report of Austral. Assoc. Adv. of Sc. Vol. ii. p. 487] and I promised him one of my specimens, and within a fort- night after the meeting I sent it to him. A few days afterwards when I next saw him, he told me that he had utilised the specimen, and that she was pregnant, or contained embryos — I am not sure now which of the expressions was used ; and he added farther * Studies from the Morphol. Lab., Cambridge, Vol. iv. p. 215. 192 A VIVIPAROUS AUSTRALIAN PERIPATUS, that he had saved one of the embryos for me and would let me have it at the first chance. For some time no opportunity offered, and as it was not a matter of vital importance I did not worry him about it ; but, as Dr. Haswell is known to be both a skilful and a veracious biologist, on the strength of his statement to me I was quite justified, even in the absence of an affidavit, in appending a footnote to the notice of my exhibit, as the proof finally left my hand, as follows : " One of these [three specimens exhibited] was subsequently dissected, and proved to be pregnant" (I.e. p. 892). This statement is brief, I admit, under the circum- stances necessarily so ; but no reasonable objection can be taken to it on other grounds. I have shown that the specimen was one that Moseley would without hesitation have called pregnant ; and the inferences that he would have drawn under the circumstances are evident from the quotations already given from his paper. Also, as I have already remarked, Professor Haswell is still in Sydney. The second specimen I kept, partly in the hope that she might live to produce young, and partly because I was much interested in her : as far as possible she was inspected daily, and from time to time the contents of the tin in which she was kept were care- fully lifted out for an airing, and as carefully replaced. On October 24th I found her dead, and with her corpse four living newly born young ones ; these I exhibited at a Meeting on the 31st, and I said of them that they were the progeny of one of the females exhibited in June preceding and that the mother had died a few days ago after giving birth to them [Proceedings I.e. p. 1508] ; and in so saying not only did I know that another female got on the same day, at the same place, probably under the same stone, had been found by Dr. Haswell to be pregnant three months before, but when I made that statement I believe myself to be perfectly correct in saying that I actually had in my possession the embryo promised me by Dr. Haswell ; that in fact he brought it to the Meeting, and handed it over to me there and then ; it is mounted in balsam, and labelled in his own handwriting ; and I have had it in my possession ever since. The part of the Pro- ceedings containing the notice of the exhibit was published on BY J. J. FLETCHER. 193 March 22ud, 1889, but a notice of it appeared in the Abstract two days after the Meeting. Confirmatory evidence was soon forthcoming. In November of the same year I got two specimens of Peripatus at Burra- wang ; they were exhibited at a Meeting of this Society on November •28th, and they were drowned on December 14th; in tlie process one of them extruded five embryos considerably older than Dr. Has well's specimen. On September 18th, 1890, a speci- men from the Blue Mountains under similar circumstances extruded three advanced embryos; and in December of the same year from a second lot of specimens from Burrawang some twenty or more embryos were obtained. These were carefully preserved ; and they were shown to Professor W, Baldwin Spencer, who happened to be passing through Sydney early in September last, a few days after I saw the first of Dr. Deudy's four papers ; they were also exhibited at a Meeting of this Society on September 30th, and their bearing on the subject at issue pointed out. The climax in my experience, however, was reached in quite an unexpected and rather overwhelming manner in January of this year, during a visit to the Blue Mountains, part of the time at Mt. Wilson, where, with the help of Mr. J. D. Cox and Mr. A. G. Hamilton, T got about forty specimens ; the following week elsewhere I was able to increase the number,, and I came back on the 16th with fully 100 living healthy specimens. When collect- ing, young ones were never once met with ; but in getting two females out of rotten wood T accidentally gashed them in the side ; in one case there immediately protruded a moniliform portion of one of the oviducts suggestive of the presence of embryos; the other one was evidently in distress and I kept her under observation, and finally a little later I saw her in the act of depositing four advanced embryos ; these with the two females were promptly preserved. On Jan. 18th I put all the specimens into fresh and more comfortable quarters, keeping them in four separate lots, but there were still no young ones. On Jan. 25th I first noticed young ones, the number steadily increasing day by day, and until young ones were present in each of the four tins ; frequently twenty or more could be seen at once when one of the tins was 194 A VIVIPAROUS AUSTRALIAN PERIPATUS, opened ; altogether there must have been at least 200 born, for after a number had died I counted 124 on Feb. 12th, and these just what I could see without routing out the cracks and crannies of the pieces of wood. A period of typical sweltering Sydney summer heat set in unfavourable alike to adults and young ; the mortality began to increase, and a number of the adults began to develop white bladdery swellings about the head ; and as I saw there was little use in trying to keep them much longer, I took steps to preserve the adults, and a sufficient number of the young, the others being liberated in the bush-house. Of a number of adults which were drowned, one extruded four embryos nearly at the full period, one extruded two, and three others extruded one each on February 11th; of the last lot five females were chosen at random and opened, and the oviducts and uteri displayed but not otherwise interfei-ed with ; in one case these contained neither ova nor embryos ; in the other four they were simply crammed with embryos, the pigmented tentacles of the oldest showing plainly through the membranes and the uterine wall after being a little while in spirit. A representative selection of the above was exhibited at the Meeting of this Society in February last. Such then are some very simple facts about the mode of repro- duction of the JSTew South Wales Peripatus which has never been called otherwise than P. leuckartii. As facts about a Peripatus which, like all extra- Australian species is viviparous, they are in no way remarkable except that they are entirely and irreconcilably out of harmony with Dr. Dendy's very widely circulated and positive statements about the oviparity, not of the Victorian Peripatus, but of the common 30-legged Australian Peripatus known hitherto as P. leuckartii, Sang. In view of these simple facts ; in view also of the simple fact that of the first two small batches of Peripatus which I had a share in finding, one specimen was found on dissection to be pregnant, another brought forth her young in due course, and a third in the process of being drowned extruded five advanced embryos — all before Dr. Dendy had ever seen an Australian Peripatus ; and also in view of the also equally simple fact that on July 31st, 1891 — as well as up to and includ- ing December 31st of the same year — Di\ Dendy had never seen BY J. J. FLETCHER. 195 a newly liatched specimen of an oviparous Australian Peripatus, nor did he know of a single instance in which young had ever hatched from eggs laid by such an animal — it certainly is very wonderful that on July 31st, 1891, Dr. Dendy should not only imagine him- self to be, but in four different Journals should po.se as, the sole repository of all human knowledge, the infallible source of all wisdom on the subject of the mode of reproduction of the common widely distributed Australian Peripatus with fifteen pairs of walking legs, known as P. leuckartii ; especially as that knowledge and wisdom included such items as that — leaving the local Vic- torian P. insignis out of consideration, nothing having as yet been ascertained about its mode of reproduction — there is no viviparous Australian Peripatus, that the young of the oviparous P. leuckartii are hatched at the end of October from eggs laid in the preceding July, thus completing their development in something like thrf^e or four months. And while no objections need at present be raised against Dr. Dendy's claim on the score of the excessive modesty and the imposing masterfulness implied thereby, very solid objection to it can be raised on the ground that it does not represent quite accurately the present state of anybody's knowledge about any known Australian species of Peripatus whether in New South Wales, Queensland, or Victoria. And as, on the subject of Peripatus, I followed so safe a guide as Moseley, and called a pregnant specimen one which on dissection proved to be pregnant ; or spoke of tlie young of a viviparous animal as having been born, it is not evident what there is about such a proceeding savouring of imposture, or perversion of the truth, that one's statements should, without inquiry or investiga- tion, be deemed unwoi^thy of credence. If such statements appeared to Dr. Dendy to be incompatible with truth, it would have been a simple and a courteous matter to have sent me a note of inquiry as to what I really did mean : such at least would not have been the first communication with which in the past he has favoured me on the subject of Peripatus ; it would have received due attention, and within twenty-four hours he would have learned that, however little might have been known about the mode of reproduction of the N.S.W. Peripatus before July 31st 196 A VIVIPAROUS AUSTRALIA.N PERIPATUS. 1891, certainly the events of that day were not likely to advance our knowledge at all. The field open to biologists in Australia is wide enough, and the number of workers is few enough, to allow of abundance of fruitful material still being available ; and it is quite possible even at the present day to go on a voyage of discovery in Eastern Australia, or even to aspire to fill the role of a Biological Captain Cook. But under such circumstances it would not seem at all necessary to allow zeal to run away with discretion, or to discover too much, or to suppose any one grossly incapable in not finding the hypothetical eggs supposed to have been laid by a viviparous specimen of Peripatus, even though the opportunity of doing so suppositiously lasted over four months and the deposited eggs of P. leuckarlii are "easily seen, being fairly large," or even "very large"; nor in exposing the crass ignorance of other people would it be advisable to forget that one's own statements should be free from grave errors ; nor as a prognosticator would it be worth while to be so painfully accurate in fixing the date almost to a day on which the young of the oviparous P. leuckartii do not by any chance hatch, or the exact number of months, after the ■deposition of the eggs, in which the young of P. leuckartii cannot possibly complete their development. And since Dr. Dendy has quite settled matters relating to the mode of reproduction of the Australian Peripatus on a firm basis, and has proved quite conclusively, to his own satisfaction at least, that P. leuckartii, the common Australian Peripatus with fifteen pairs of walking legs, is oviparous and diifers widely in its mode of reproduction from all other known species, it now only remains for him to push his conclusions to a logical end by showing in what a far-reaching and revolutionary manner prevalent notions on the subject of the mode of reproduction of extra-Australian species of Peripatus are affected thereby. For inasmuch as the N.S.W. Pei-ipatus is not P. insignis it must be P. leuckartii, which Dr. Dendy has shown to be oviparous ; and it entirely agrees as to its mode of reproduction with P. capensis, with P. halfouri, with P. novce-zealandice, with P. demeraranus, with P. edwardsii, and with P. torquatus, for instance, therefore, «fec. 197 JOTTINGS FROM THE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY OF SYDNEY UNIVERSITY. By Professor William A. Haswell, M.A., D.Sc. No. 16. Note on the Occurrence of a Flagellate Infu- soRiAN as an Intra-cellular Parasite. Ill an undescribed Rhabdoccele Turbellarian found in water obtained from a pond in the Victoria Park, Sydney, a remarkable phenomenon was observed. All the specimens examined had a dull yellowish-green colour, and, when they were examined under the compressorium, the colour was found to be due to the presence of innumerable, actively-moving, parasitic organisms. These were situated in the interior of the unicellular glands or other large cells in the parenchyma — a very large proportion of these cells being thus infested. When, by dint of crushing the Turbellarian, the parasites were set free from the interior of the cells, their form and movements could be more readily observed. In shape they were nearly always constantly varying with great rapidity between an extreme of elongation and an extreme of 198 JOTTINGS FROM SYDNEY UNIVERSITY BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY, contraction. When in a quiescent condition they had the form represented in figure 2 — approximately cylindrical, sharply pointed at one — the anterior — end, less sharply at the other ; in length they were "005 mm. and in greatest breadth -002 mm. In many cases a series of movements, successive phases in which are represented in figures 3 to 7, followed one another in rapid suc- cession. A glance at the figures will show that these movements are just the movements which are calculated to force a soft contractile body through such an obstacle as the protoplasmic network of a cell would present,- — a narrow process thrust forward to force a passage, a thickening formed at the end of this process, and the main mass of the body drawn forward into this ; then a fresh process thrust out in the same direction, and so on. At the same time, especially when the animal was still confined within a cell, there were frequent active twisting movements. In the interior of the mobile protoplasm of the parasite were a good many small rounded and rod-shaped particles of a greenish colour. These were most abundant about the middle, almost completely absent at the anterior extremity. A little behind the middle was a rounded space free from these green particles ; this proved, when staining agents were used, to be a rounded nucleus with a distinct nucleolus. At the anterior end was usually a very slight notch. In most cases there was no flagellum ; but in a considerable number a flagellum was present and exerted a con- siderable influence on the movements of the animal. The movements of the animals within the cells were very remai'kable. They seemed rarely to be at rest, almost incessantly creeping actively round and round the interior of the cell. Some- tii'^ies they could be distinctly seen to brush aside filaments in the cell-protoplasm, sometimes to thrust on one side the nucleus, restrained always apparently within the interior of the cell by a firm membrane which resisted perforation. Usually there was only one in a cell ; frequently there were two, occasionally even three. In several cases they were observed to be undergoing multiplication by fission — the division beginning, as represented in figure 1, at the clearer anterior end. BY WILLIAM A. HASWELL. \99 The Rhabdocffile hosts appeared to be in full vigour and activity, notwithstanding the hundreds of the parasites in incessant move- ment in the cells. But in one instance the cell containing the parasite contained also a number of actively-moving Vibriones, so that in some cases at least a destructive effect would appear to be produced. The relationship of the parasite to the Euglenoids is unmistak- able ; and it bears a considerable resemblance to Euglena deses, Ehr., the young of which is described as devoid of flagellum and moving by peristaltic contractions.* But no member of this family, or, so far as I can ascertain, any other group of Flagellata, has ever been observed living as an iutra-cellular parasite. Pfeiffer in a recent work, "Die Protozoan als Krankheitserreger,"! states : " Aus Klasse I., die Infusorien und Flagellaten umfassend, sind obligate Zellschmarotzer unter den parasitisch lebenden Species noch nicht bekannt." But as far as the Flagellata are concerned, the statement would still be correct were the word "obligate" omitted. Several cases of parasitic Flagellata are mentioned by BvitschliJ ; but these occur in the mucus of various organs, such as the alimentary canal, opening on the exterior, and, in the case of Trypanosoma and Herpetomonas, in the blood § ; none of them inhabit the interior of cells. I think the observation now recorded is of some importance as suggesting a different origin for some at least of the SjJorozoa than that suggested by Ray Lankester. || * Saville Kent, "Manual of the Infusoria," p. 383, pi. xx. figs. 52 and 53. t I am indebted to Professor J. T. Wilson for directing my attention to this work. X " Protozoa " of Bronn's ' Thier-Reich,' p. 868. § Lewis, 'Q. J. Micro. Sci.,' Vol. xxiv. (1884). 11 Zoological Articles from the ' Encyclopaedia Britannica,' "Protozoa," p. 26. 200 NOTES AND EXHIBITS. Mr. Hedley exhibited living specimens of Panda atomaia. Gray, drawing attention to the marked difference in sculpture between the embryonic and adult shells, a feature of much importance from a systematic standpoint. Also living specimens, lately procured from Scone by Dr. Cox, of an Helicarion presumed to be leucospira* Pfeifier, a long lost species which has not been heard of since it was originally described in 1856 as coming from " Australia ": a specimen of Cystopelta petterdi, collected by Mr. J. D. Cox, at Mt. Wilson, the most northerly locality from which this mollusc has yet been obtained : and examples of Helicarion thomsoni, Ancey, received from Dr. Thomson of New Bedford, U.S.A., and collected at Geographe Bay, West Australia, by an American whaler, this novelty being interesting as the first of the genus known from that colony. Mr. Brazier exhibited typical specimens, received from the author, of Dijylomorpha delatouri, Hartman, and he contrasted them with a new member of this genus, of which he showed specimens, from Siegond Island, Santo Espiritu, New Hebrides : also examples of Piiipa fallax from New Bedford, U.S.A., its distinctness from the Australian P. pacifica, Pfr., with which some writers have confounded it, being pointed out. Mr. Maiden showed a collection of interesting plants from the Richmond River, and kindly intimated that they might be added to the Society's herbarium. Mr. Trebeck exhibited a specimen of a flying fish, DactylopterxLS orientalis, from Port Jackson. * Mr. Smith, after kindly comparing these specimens with the types in the British Museum, confirms this identification. The Scone examples are, he says, but half the size of the types ; they are also half the size of specimens which I have seen from the Richmond River, collected by Messrs. Petterd and Helms. C, H., 20th July, 1892. NOTES AND EXHIBITS. 201 Mr. Froggatt exhibited specimens of a rare sawfly, Philomastix glaber, Froggatt, aud of its larvae, which were found feeding on one of the wild brambles, Rihhus moluccanus ; they were obtained by him recently at Mt. Vincent, Maitland, N.S.W., when on a collecting trip for the Technological Museum, Sydney ; the species was originally recorded from the Richmond River. Also a collection of Coleoptera, chiefly lamellicorns, among them some rare species of Bolhoceras, sent to Mr. J. H. Maiden by Mr. Chisholm of Torren's Creek, one of the head waters of the Flinders River, North Queensland. Also two male specimens of a rare fossorial wasp, Thynnus hrenchleyi, Smith, from the same locality, together with a specimen of the other sex, which may turn out to be the hitherto unknown female of this species ; previously recorded only from Champion Bay, W.A., and Narrabri, N.S.W. Mr. Rainbow showed a spider, in all probability a new species of the endemic and widely distributed genus Stephanopis, from Bungendore. 202 WEDNESDAY, MAY 25th, 1892. The President, Professor Haswell, M.A., D.Sc, in the Chair. Mr. T. Cooksey, B. Sc, Ph. D., was present as a visitor. Mr. Finkernagel, Barraba, N.S.W,, and the Rev. E. J. Crowe, Cooma, N.S.W., were elected members of the Society. The President announced that a number of subscriptions to the Macleay Memorial Volume had been received in answer to a circular issued a few weeks ago. It was necessary, however, that a considerably larger sum than had as yet been collected should be contributed by members of the Society and others desirous of giving expression to their sense of the late Sir William Macleay's liberality to science, before the Council would be in a position to proceed with the work, and all intending to contribute were urged to do so without delay. DONATIONS. " United States Geological Survey — Tenth Annual Report (1888-89)." Part 1— Geology; Part 2— Irrigation ; "Bulletins." Nos. 62, 65, 67-81. From the Director. " Academy of Sciences, California — Proceedings." Second Series. Vol. iii., Part 1 (September, 1891). From the Academy. " Records of the Australian Museum." Vol. ii.. No. 1 (April, 1892). From the Trustees. DONATIONS. 203 " Archiv fiir Naturgeschichte." Ivii. Jahrg. (1891), Bel. ii., Heft 2; Jahrg. Iviii. (1892), Bd. i., Heft 1. From the Editor. " Bulletin de la Societe Royale de Geographie d' An vers." T. xvi. (1892), 2^ Fasc. From the Society. " Mittheilungen aus der Zoologischen Station zu ISTeapel." Bd. X., Heft 2 (1891). From the Director. " Societe Nationale des Sciences Naturelles et Mathematiques de Cherbourg — Memoires." T. xxvii. (1891). From the Society. " Societe Zoologique de France — Bulletins." T. xvi., Nos. 9-10 ; T. xvii., No. 1 (1891-92). From the Society. " Perak Government Gazette." 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Vol. xxiii., No. 4, Part 2 ; Vol. xxiv., No. 1 (March, 1892). From the Society. " Johns Hopkins University Circulars." Vol. xi,, No. 97 (April, 1892). From the University. "United States Department of Agriculture — Division of Botany"; "Illustrations of N. American Grasses." By Dr. G. Vasey. Vol. i. (1891) ; " Division of Entomology — Insect Life." Vol. iv., Nos. 7-8 (April, 1892). From the Secretary of Agricul- ture. "American Naturalist." Vol. xxvi. (1892), Nos. 302-303 (February and March). From the Editor. " United States National Museum — Proceedings." Vol. xiv., Nos. 882-883 ; Vol. xv., Nos. 887-888 (1892). From the Museum. 205 PAPERS READ. CATALOGUE OF THE DESCRIBED HYMENOPTERA OF AUSTRALIA. Part II. By Walter W. Froggatt. Family S C 0 LI ID^.' This family has representatives in all parts of the world, and such are plentiful in most parts of Australia, many of them frequenting flowers. Several large species banded with yellow and brown are plentiful about Sydney ; another common Sydney species is S. coronata, Smith, a large black wasp marked with reddish-orange colour on the head and on either side of the third segment of the abdomen ; the markings, however, are very variable. Our largest species is aS^. fulva, the thorax and body of which are densely covered with stiff reddish hairs ; its habitat is the Northern parts of Australia. The females form burrows in sand-banks. West wood says that Scolia 2-cincta, Fab., of Europe, burrows to the distance of eighteen inches. Smith, in his British Museum Catalogue of Hymenoptera, Part iii. (1855), described a number of new species from this country. In the same year Saussure described several in the " M6moires de la Soci^te de Physique, &c., de Geneve " ; and later on some others in the " Annales de la Soci^te Entomologique de France" (1858). In 1864 Messrs. Sichel and Saussure wrote a Monograph on this group and added another to our list. Smith, in the Transactions of the Entomological Society of London, 206 CATALOGUE OP THE DESCRIBED HYMENOPTERA OF AUSTRALIA, described eight more. While Kirby in going through the British Museum collection revised the genera of this family and added another species in the Transactions of the Entomological Society for 1889. 128. DIMORPHOPTERA. Dimorphoptera, Smith, Trans. Ent. Soc. 1868. CLYPEATA, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1868, p. 240, $. Champion Bay, W.A. FASTUOSA, Sm. I.e. p. 240, 9. Champion Bay, W.A. MOROSA, Sm. I.e. p. 239, 5. Melbourne, Vic. 775 NiGRiPENNis, Sm. I.e. p. 2.39, (J. Australia. SABULOSA, Sm. ( Myzine), Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. Pt. iii. p. 76 (1855). Australia. SCOLIIFORMIS, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1868, p. 238, 5. Moreton Bay, Q. siGNATA, Sm. (Myzine), Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 75 (1855). Australia. UNICOLOR, Sm. {Myzine), I.e. p. 75. Swan River, W.A. 129. SCOLIA. Scolia, Fabricius, Syst. Ent. p. 355 (1775). 780 ANTHRACiNA, Bumi. Abh. Nat. Ges. Halle, I. 16, 3. King George's Sound, W.A. BIMACULATA, Sm. Brit. Mas. Cat. Hym. p. 114 (1855). Pt. Stephens, N.S.W. CORONATA, Sm. I.e. p. 112, Adelaide, S.A. ; Sydney, N.S.W. FERRUGINEA, Fabr. Syst. Ent. II. 231, 14; Syst. Piez. p. 241; Sm. l.c. p. 114; Sauss. k SicJi. Cat. Sp. Scolia, 159 (1864). Australia ; Ceram. FLAVIDULA, Sm. l.C. p. 115. Australia. BY WALTER W. FROGGATT. 207 785 FORMOSA, Guer. Icon. Regn. Anim. t. 69, fig. 10; Voy. Coq. Zool. II. pi. II. p. 252. Australia. FRONTALIS, Sauss. Mem. Soc. Phys. Geneve, XIV. pt. 1, p. 38 (1855). Australia. PULVA, Grey, Cuv. Anim. Kingd. (Griffiths), p. 516, pi. Lxxi. fig. 1, 9 ; Sm. Journ. Linn. Soc. VI. p. 54, No. 9, 9 ; Shuck. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1841-43, p. 222 ; Sauss. «fc Sich. Cat. Sp. Scolia, pp. 159-165 (1864). Cape York, Queensland. INTRUDENS, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1868, p. 241. Champion Bay, W.A. L^EVICEPS, Kirby, Trans. Ent. Soc. 1889, p. 447, $. Swan River, W.A. 790 PYGM^A, Sauss. Ann. Soc. Ent. France, VI. (3), p. 217 (1858). Swan River, W.A. RADULA, Fabr. Syst. II. p. 226, 11 ; Syst. Piez. p. 235, 15. Australia. 7-ciNCTA, Fabr. Syst. Ent. 249, 4, $. Pt. Essington, N.A. SOROR, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 96 (1855) ; Scolia cyani- pennis, St. Farg. Hym. Ill, p. 524 (1845). Australia. TUBERCULiVENTRis, Sauss. Mem. Soc. Phys. Geneve, XIV. pt. 1, p. 47 (1855). Australia. 795 vERTicoLLis, Fabr. Ent. Syst. II. p. 234, 25; Syst. Piez. p. 244, 33. Australia. viRiDiPENNis, St. Farg. Hym. III. p. 524, 7. Australia. ZONATA, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 116 (1855). Australia. 14 208 CATALOGUE OP THE DESCRIBED HYMENOPTERA OF AUSTRALIA, 130. ELIS. Elis, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 248 (1804). AUSTRALENSis, Sauss. & Sich. (THelis), Cat. Sp. Scolia, p. 144 0864). Australia. CONSANGUINEA, Sauss. Mem. See. Phys. Geneve, XIV. pt. 1, p. 50 (1855). A ustralia. 800 GRACILIS, Sauss. I.e. p. 62. Australia. SABULOSA, Sauss. Ann. See. Ent. France, VI. (3), p. 234 (1858). Australia. TASMANIENSIS, Sauss. Mem. See. Phys. Geneve, XIV. pt. 1, p. 61 (1855). Tasmania. Family SPHEGID^. The members of this group of fossorial wasps are numerous in Australia ; several species of the genus Sphex are black, of large size, and have the front of the thorax covered with silky shining pubescence, which makes them very noticeable when busy exca- vating their tunnels in the sand ; one, aS'. vestita, Sm., is a veiy plentiful species about Sydney towards the end of summer. Of the genus Pelopoeus, Latreille, handsome yellow-banded wasps with very slender bodies, we have two described species ; these wasps, unlike Sphex, form clay nests. Smith described a number in the British Museum Catalogue of Hymenoptera, Part iv. (1856), and added to them in the Transactions of the Entomo- logical Society of London (1868), and in Brenchley's "Cruise of the Curagoa" (1873). Saussure described several in the Hymenoptera of the " Reise Novara " ; while Westwood formed the genus Apheloioma for an insect from Tasmania. BY WALTER W. FROGGATT. 20& 131. AMMOPHILA. Ammophila, Kirby, Trans. Linn. Soc. IV. (1804). ARDENS, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1868, p. 247. Champion Bay, W.A. CLAVUS, Fabr. (Sphex), Ent. Syst. II. p. 205; Piez. Syst. p. 206. Australia, 805 IMPATIENS, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1868, p. 247. Champion Bay, W.A. iNSTABiLis, Sm. Brit, Mus, Cat, Hym. p. 214 (1856). Swan River, W.A.; Pt. Essington, N.A, suspiciosA, Sm. I.e. p. 214. Swan River, W.A, 132, PELOPCEUS. Pelopoeus, Latr. Hist. Nat. Ins. XIII. (1804), FORMOSUS, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 230 (1856). Australia. l.s;tus, Sm. l.c, p. 229, pi. vii. fig. 1. N. S. Wales; Pt. Essington, N.A.; Macintyre River, Q.; Swan River, W.A. ; Australia and Ceram. 133. SPHEX. Sphex, Fabr, Ent, Syst, II, (1793), 810 AMATOR, Sm, Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 246 (1856). Australia. ARCUATA, Christ, Hym. p. 312. Australia, ARGENTiPRONS, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc, 1868, p, 248. Champion Bay, W.A. CANESCENS, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat, Hym, p. 246 (1856). Australia. CARBONARIA, Sm. 1.0. p. 247. Sydney, N.S.W. 210 CATALOGUE OP THE DESCRIBED HYMENOPTERA OF AUSTRALIA, 815 CLAViGERA, Sm. I.e. p, 247. Australia. COGNATA, Sm. I.e. p. 248. Australia. DECORATA, Sm. Brencliley's Cruise of Cui'a^oa, p. 461, pi. XLiv. fig. 4. N. W. Australia. EPHiPPiUM, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 249, pi. vi. fig. 3 (1856). Pt. Essington, N.A. FUMiPENNis, Sm. I.e. p. 249. Adelaide, S.A. 820 GLOBOSA, Sm. I.e. p. 251. Tasmania. GODEFFROYi, Sauss. Ent. Zeit. Stettin, 1869, p, 57. Cape York, N.Q. LUCTUOSA, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 250 (1856). Swan River, W.A. MODESTA, Sm. I.e. p. 248. Australia. OBSCURELLA, Sm. I.e. p. 251. Tasmania. 825 OPULENTA, Sm. I.e. p. 250. Eichmond River, N.S.W. PR^aiTEXTA, Sm. Brenehley's Cruise of Curacoa, p. 461, pl. XLiv. fig. 5. •■ Moreton Bay, Q. VESTiTA, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 248 (1856). N. S. Wales. VIDUA, Sm. I.e. p. 249. Australia. 134. HARPACTOPUS. Harpactopus, Sm. Brit. Mus, Cat. Hym. (1856). AUSTRALis, Sauss. Reise Novara, Hym. p. 43, fig. 24. Australia, BY WALTER W. FROGGATT. 211 830 SiEVUS, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 265 (1856); Sauss. Reise Novara, Hym. p. 42. Swan River, W.A. 135. APHELOTOMA. Aphelotoma, Westwood, Trans. Ent. Soc. (1) III. (1841). TASMANICA, Westw. Trans. Ent. Soc. III. p. 226, pi. xii. fig. 4, 2 ; Arch. Ent. II. p. 65, pi. lxv. fig. 3, ^ ; Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p, 273, pi. vii. fig. 4 (1856). Tasmania. Family POMPILIID^. Some of the tropical species of this family are the largest and most ferocious of known wasps ; they belong to the genus Fepsis, and are black with beautiful metallic lustre on the wings. Saussure has described one species of this genus from Australia. Most of our species belong to the genus Fompihcs ; these have long legs armed with large spurs, and run very rapidly over the ground, constantly agitating their wings as they go ; several of our larger species have bright yellow wings ti[)ped with black. From their large size and handsome appearance they were among some of the first of our Hymenoptera described l)y Fabricius from specimens in the Banksian Museum. In the British Museum Catalogue of Hymenoptera, Part iii. (1855), Smith catalogued these, and others previously described; and lie described a number of others in the British Museum. Mr. Smith has since described many new species in the Transactions of the Entomo- logical Society of London, 1862, 1864, 1868, 1869 ; in the Annals and Magazine of Natural History for 1873 ; in Brenchley's " Cruise of the Curacoa," and in " New Species of Hymenoptera " (1879), a British Museum publication published after his death in the early part of the year. Saussure, in the " Reise Novara, Hymenoptera," also described a number of this group, and more recently, Kohl, in several papers on this family published in the Verhandlungen z.-b. Gesellschaft in Wien (1886) has greatly enriched our list. 212 CATALOGUE OF THE DESCRIBED HYMENOPTERA OF AUSTRALIA, 136. POMPILUS. Pompilus, Fabr. Ent. Syst. Suppl. (1798). AHASVERUS, Kohl, Yerh. z.-b. Gesell. Wien, XXXVI. pp. 317 and 333, $ (1886). W. Australia. ANTENNALis, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 161 (1855). Adelaide, S.A. APATELUS, Kohl, Verb, z.-b, Cxesell. Wien, XXXVI. pp. 315, 330, 9 (1886). Swan River, W.A. 835 AURiFRONS, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 161 (1855). Australia. AUSTRALis, Guer. Voy. Coq. Zool. II. p. 260. Sydney, N.S.W. CINEREUS, Fabr. Ent. Syst. Supp. p. 250, 22 ; Syst. Piez. p. 194, 31 ; Sj)hex cinerea, Fabr. Ent. Syst. II. p. 208, 40. Australia. CONSIMILIS, Sm. K Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 152 (1879). Queensland. DISTINCTUS, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1868, p. 242. Champion Bay, "W.A. 840 DivERSus, Sm. I.e. p. 243. Sydney, N.S.W., or Moreton Bay, Q. ERYTHROSTETHUS, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 162 (1855). Australia. FASCIATUS, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 194, 30; Sphex fasciata, Fabr. Syst. II. p. 213, 60. N. S. "Wales, Queensland and Tasmania. FLAVicoRNis, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 163 (1855). Pt. Stephens, N.S.W. FUGAX, Fabr. Ent. Syst. Supp. p. 250; Syst. Piez. p. 194; Sphex fug ax, Fabr. Ent. Syst. II. p. 213 ; Sjjhex nitida, Fabr. Ent. Syst. II. 214 ; Pompilus nitidus, Fabr. Syst. Supp. 250; Syst. Piez. 195; Sm. I.e. p. 163 (1855). Australia. BY WALTER W. FROGGATT. 213 845 PULViPENNis, Sm. N. Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 151 (1879). S. Australia. INFANDUS, Sm. Trans. Eat. Soc. 1868, p. 244. Australia. iRRiTABiLis, Sra. I.e. p. 243. Australia. LABiLis, Sm. N. Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 151 (1879). Queensland. LUGUBRis, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1868, p. 422. Champion Bay, W.A. 850 LUNATUs, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 164 (1855). S. Australia ; Sydney, N.S.W. MELANCHOLicus, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1868, p. 244. Champion Bay, W.A. MOLESTUs, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. I. (3), p. 54 (1862). Sydney, N.S.W. MORio, Fabr. (Sphex), Ent. Syst. II. p. 208 ; Syst. Piez. p. 187. N. S. Wales, S. Australia, Australia. NUBiLiPEXNis, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 164, 9 (1855); N. Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 152, ^ (1879). Adelaide, S.A. 855 OPiMUs, Kohl, Yer. z.-b. Gesell. Wien, XXXVL pp. 314, 331, 9 (1886). Swan River, W.A. ORNATiPENNis, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 165 (1855). Australia. PACHYCERUS, Kohl, Ver. z.-b. Gesell. Wien, XXXVI. p. 317, ^, p. 314, 5, p. 333 (1886). Australia. PICTIFRONS, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 165, (1855). Adelaide, S.A. PICTIPENNIS, Sm. I.e. p. 165. Australia. 214 CATALOGUE OF THE DESCRIBED HYMENOPTERA OF AUSTRALIA, 860 POLLENS, Kohl, I.e. pp. 314, 332. Tasmania. RAPTOR, Sm. Trans. Ent. See. I (3), p. 54 (1862). Sydney, N.S.W. SANGUiNOLENTUs, Sm. N". Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 152 (1879). Swan River, W.A. SEMiLUCTUOSUS, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 166 (1855). Australia. SPECTRUM, Kohl, Ver. z.-b. Gesell. Wien, XXXVI. pp. 314, 329 (1886). Sydney, N.S.W. 865 TRICOLOR, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1868, p. 242. Adelaide, S.A. TUBERCULATUS, Sm. Brit, Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 166 (1855). Houtman's Abrolhos, W.A. VELOX, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1868, p. 241. Australia. VESPOiDES, Sm. I.e. p. 244. Moreton Bay, Q. ; S. Australia. viDUATUS, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 167 (1855). Australia. 137. PRIOCNEMIS. Priocnemis, Schiodte, Kroyer, Nat. Tiddssk. I. (1837). 870 APFECTATA, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1868, p. 245 ; Brenehley's Cruise o£ Curagoa, p. 460, pi. XLiv. fig. 2. S. Australia ; Moreton Bay, Q. DEFENSOR, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc, 1868, p. 245. S. Australia. EPHIPPIATA, Sm. I.e. p. 246 ; Brenehley's Cruise of Curayoa, p. 460, pi XLiv. fig. 2. Adelaide, S.A. POLYDORUS, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1868, p. 246. Moreton Bay, Q. BY WALTER W. FROGGATT. 215 13S. FERREOLA. Ferreola, St. Fargeau, Hym. III. (1845). COLLARis, Fabr. (Sphex), Syst. Ent. II. p. 208 ; Pompilus collaris, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 188 ; Salius collaris, Dahlb. Hym. Europ. p. 441. Australia. 875 FRONTALIS, Fabr. (Sphex), Syst. Ent. II. p. 209 ; Pomp)ilus frontalis, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 188. Australia. ZEBRATA, Sauss. Reise Novara, Hym. p. 48, fig. 29. Sydney, N.S.W. 139. CENOCERUS. Cenocerus, Dahlbom, Hym. Europe, I. (1843). RAMOSUS, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. II. (3), p. 396, pi. xxL fig. 4 (1864). Australia. 140. AGENIA. Agenia, Schiodte, Kroy. Nat. Tidsskr. (1837). FUSiFORMis, Sauss. Reise Novara, Hym. p. 53, fig. 34. Sydney, N.S.W. NOVAR.E, Sauss. I.e. p. 54, fig. 36. Sydney, N.S.W. 141. POGONIUS. Pogonius, Dahlbom, Hym. Europe, I. (1843). 880 LUNULATUS, Sauss. Reise Novara, Hym. p. 58, fig. 38. Sydney, N.S.W. 142. MYGNIMIA. Mygnimia, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. (1855), AUSTRALASIA, Sm. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 1873, p. 259. N, W. Australia. 143. PEPSIS. Pepsis, Fabr. Syst. Piez. (1804). AUSTRALis, Sauss. Reise Novara, Hym. p. 65, fig. 42. Sydney, N.S.W. 216 CATALOGUE OF THE DESCRIBED HYMENOPTERA OF AUSTRALIA, 144. DOLICHURUS. Dolichurus, Latr. Gen. Crus. Ins. IV. (1809). CARBONARius, Sm. Trans. Ent. See. 1869, p. 303. Champion Bay, W.A. 145. MAURILLUS. Maurillus, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. (1855). AUSTBALis, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 170, J (1855). N.W. coast of Australia. Family LARRID^. Most of the members of this family described from Australia belong to the genus Pison, Jurine. They are medium-sized wasps, generally black, and often ornamented with golden pubes- cence forming bands or fascife on the segments of the abdomen. Very little is known of their habits, but Smith says " that these insects are nest-builders, and that they construct cells similar to those of Pemphredon, and store them with spiders for their young." In the Transactions of the Entomological Society of London, Vol. II. (1837-40), Shuckard gives a long account of the genus, and describes several new species Smith, in the Proceed- ings of the same Society for 1869, catalogued those previously described, and added a number of new ones from Australia, and also formed the genus Parapison, under which he described three species from India, Ceylon, and this country. The third genus, Tachytes, Panzer, the European species of which are captured in sand-banks according to Westwood, are represented in this country by four described species, all about half an inch in length, and of a shining black colour. 146. PISON. Pison, Jurine, Ins. Ligur. II. (1808). 885 AURATUS, Shuck. Trans. Ent. Soc. II. p. 78 (1837). Australia. BY WALTER W. FROGGATT. 217 AURiFEX, Sm. I.e. 1869, p. 293. Australia. BASALis, Sm. I.e. p. 292. Australia. COLLARE, Kohl, Yerh. z.-b. Gesell. Wien, XXXIII. p. 337. Duke of York Id, ; N. Australia. DECIPIENS, Sm. Trans. Enb, Soc. 1869, p. 294. Champion Bay, W.A. 890 DiMiDiATUs, Sm. I.e. p. 295. Champion Bay, W.A. PENESTRATUS, Sm. l.c. p. 291 ; Pison nitidus, Smi I.e. 1868, p. 248. Champion Bay, W.A. FESTivus, Sm. l.c. 1869, p. 296. Champion Bay, W.A. FUSCIPENNIS, Sm. l.c. p. 294. Champion Bay, W.A. MARGiNATUS, Sm. Brit. Mas. Cat. Hym. p. 314 (1856). Hunter River, KS.W. 895 OBLiQuus, Sm. l.c. p. 316. Tasmania. PERPLEXUS, Sm. l.c. p. 314. Australia. PUNCTULATUM, Kohl, Verh. z.-b. Gesell. Wien, XXXIII. p. 336. Peak Downs, Q. RUFIPES, Shuck. Trans. Ent. Soc. II. p. 79 (1837). Tasmania. SEPARATUS, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1869, p. 294. Champion Bay, W.A. 900 SIMILLIMUS, Sm. l.c. p. 292. Australia. 218 CATALOGUE OP THE DESCRIBED HYMENOPTRRA OP AUSTRALIA, SPiNOL^, Shuck. I.e. p. 76 (1837) ; Sauss. Reise Novara, Hym. p. 66 ; australis, Sauss. Mem. Soc. Phys. Geneve XIV. p. 11 (1855); tasmanicus, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 316(1856). Sydney, N.S.W. ; Tasmania. TIBIALIS, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1869, p. 292. W. Australia. VESTITU.S, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 315 (1856). Australia. WESTWOODii, Shuck. Trans. Ent. Soc. II. p. 77 (1837). Tasmania. 147. PISONITUS. Pisonitus, Shuck. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1837. 905 RUPICORNIS, Sm. (Pison), Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 315 (1856). Macintyre River, Q. 148. PARAPISON. Parapison, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1869. RUPICORNIS, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1869, p. 299. Australia. 149. TACHYTES. Tachytes Panzer, Krit. Revis. Ins. Deutschl. (1806). AUSTRALIS, Sauss. Reise Novara, Hym. p. 68. Sydney, N.S.W. HYPOLEius, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 302 (1856). Swan River, W.A. TACHYRRHOSTUS, Sauss. Mem. Soc. Phys. Geneve, XIV. p. 18, fig. 5 (1855) ; Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 301 (1856). Australia. 150. LARRADA. Larrada, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. (1856). 910 AUSTRALIS, Sauss. (Tachytes), Mem. Soc. Phys. Geneve, XIV. p. 20, pi. IX. fig. 6 (1855). Australia. BY WALTER W. FROGGATT. 219 CHRYSONOTA, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1869, p. 304. Champion Bay, W.A. CRASSIPES, Sm. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. XII. (4) p. 294 (1873). S. Australia. FEMORATUS, Sauss. (Tachytes), Mem. Soc. Phys. Geneve, XIV. 19, fc. 8, fig. VII. (1855); Reise Novara, Hym. p. 74; Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 285 (1856). Australia. NiGRiPES, Sauss. Reise Novara, Hym. p. 74. Tasmania. 151. ASTATA. Astata, Latr. Precis Caract. Ins. (1796). .5 AUSTRALASIA, Shuck. Trans. Ent. Soc. II. p. 72 (1837) Australia. Family NYSSONID^. This group comprises a number of genera, most of which contain only one or two described Australian species. Of the genus Slizus, Latreille, we have one species, *S'. pectoralis, Smith, from Queensland, a large ferruginous-coloured wasp somewhat like a Thynnus, but the shape of the body and the antennae enlarged at the tips plainly show that it does not belong to the latter. The genus Gorytes, Latreille, contains four described species, black insects of medium size, generally variegated with yellow. Most of the members of this family have been described by Smith in the British Museum Catalogue, Part iv. (1856), in the Transac- tions of the Entomological Society (1862-64, 1868, 1869), and in the Annals and Magazine of Natural History for 1873. 152. LARRA. Larra, Klug, Symb. Phys. V. (1829). HIRTULA, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 344 (1856). Adelaide, S.A. 220 CATALOGUE OF THE DESCRIBED HYMENOPTERA OP AUSTRALIA, PSILOCERA, Kohl, Verb. z.-b. Gesell. Wien, XXXIII. p. 355. Australia 153. ACANTHOSTETHUS. Acanthostethus, Sm. Trans. Ent. See. 1869. BASALis, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1869, p. 307, pi. vi. fig. 3. Australia. 154. STIZUS. Stizus, Latr. Gen. Crus. Ins. IV. (1804). PECTORALis, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 337 (1856). Rockhampton, Q. 155. MISCOTHYRIS. Miscothyris, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1869. 920 THORACicus, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1869, p. 308, pi. vi. fig. 5. Champion Bay, W.A. 156. GORYTES. Gorytes, Latr. Hist. Nat. XIII. (1805). BELLicosus, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. I. (3), p. 55 (1862-64). Adelaide, S.A. DECORATUS, Handlirsch, SB. Ak. Wien, CXVII. Abth. 1, p. 542 (1889). Australia. EXiMius, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. I. (3), p. 55. Adelaide, S.A. ORNATUS, Sm. I.e. 1868, p. 248. Champion Bay, W.A. 925 TARSATUS, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 336 (1856). Adelaide, S.A. 157. NYSSON. Nysson, Latr. Hist. Nat. XIII. (1804). MYSTicus, Gerstaeker, Abhandl. Nat. Gesell. in Halle, X. p. 112. Swan River, W.A. BY WALTER W. FROGGATT. 221 158. SERICOPHORUS. Sericophorus, Shuckard, MSS.; Smith, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 1851. BICOLOR, Sm. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. XII. (4), p. 405 (1873). Swan River, W.A. CHALYBEUS, SiB. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. VII. (2), p. 32 (1851); Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 356, pi. ix. fig. 1 (1856) ; Tachyrrhostus cyaneus, Sauss. Mem. Soc. Phys. Geneve, XIV. p. 26, 14 (1855). Australia. RELUCENS, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 357 (1856). Adelaide, S.A. 930 viRiDis, Sauss. Mem. Soc. Phys. Geneve, XIV. p. 25, No. 13 (1855). Australia. Family PHILANTHID^: These fossorial wasps can always be easily distinguished from any of the other groups of this divisiou by the deep constrictions round each segment of the abdomen. They are generally black, with dense punctures all over them, and some are marked with yellow bands and spots. All our species come under the genus Cerceris, Latreille ; and with the exception of one described by Saussure in the " Reise Novara," have been worked up by Smith in the British Museum Catalogue, Part iv. (1856), and in the Annals and Magazine of Natural History for 1873. 159. CERCERIS. Cerceris, Latr. Hist. Nat. Crus. et Ins. XIII. (1804). ANTIPODES, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 451 (1856). Australia. AURANTIACA, Sm. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. XII. (4), p. 414 (1873). S. Australia. 222 CATALOGUE OF THE DESCRIBED HYMENOPTERA OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALis, Sauss. Mem. See. Phys. Geneve, XIV. p. 6, No. 2 (1855) ; Reise Novara, Hym. p. 93 ; nigro-cincia, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 450 (1856). Sydney, N.S.W. ; Adelaide, S.A. FLUViALis, Sm, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. XII. (4), p. 412 (1873). Swan River, W.A. 535 OPPOSiTA, Sm. I.e. p. 413. Lower Plenty, Victoria. S^VA, Sm. I.e. p. 414. Lower Plenty, Victoria. VARiPES, Sm. I.e. p. 413. Adelaide, S.A. VENUSTA, Sm. I.e. p. 413. Queensland. Family CRABROlSriD^. All the Australian wasps belonging to this family are referable to the world-wide genus Grabro, Fabricius. They are medium- sized insects, black, and generally banded on the body with red or orange colour. Two from Tasmania were described by Smith in 1856, and three others by the same author from South Australia and Queensland in 1868. 160. CRABRO. Crabro, Fabr. Ent. Syst. IL (1793). NEGLECTUS, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1868, p. 249. S. Australia. 940 NIGRO-MACULATUS, Sm. I.e. p. 249. Moreton Bay, Q. TASMANicus, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat, Hym. p. 425 (1856), Tasmania. TRICOLOR, Sm. I.e. p. 394. Tasmania. TRIDENT ATUS, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1868, p. 250. Moreton Bay, Q. BY WALTER W. PROGGATT. 223 Family BEMBICIDJE. The genus Bembex is well represented in this country, and we have a number of large and handsome described species. The European species are said to make their nests in the sand, and to provision them with flies. Smith has described the greater number of our known species in the British Museum Catalogue, Hymenoptera, Part iv. (1856), and in the Annals and Magazine of Natural History, XII. (4) [1873]. 161. BEMBEX. Bemhex, Fabr. Mant. (1787). ATRIFRONS, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 327 (1856). Swan River, W.A. 945 CRABRONiPORMis, Sm. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. XII. (4), p. 296 (1873). Ft. Essington, N.A. FLAVIFRONS, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 324 (1856). Australia. FLAViPES, Sm. I.e. p. 325. Australia. PLAViLABRis, Sm. Ami. Mag. Nat. Hist, XII. (4), p. 299, (1873). W. Australia. FLAVIVENTRIS, Sm. l.c. p. 299. Swan River, W.A. 950 FURCATA, Erichs. Wiegm. Arch. 1842, p. 226; Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 328 (1856). Tasmania; Swan River, W.A. PALMATA, Sm. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. XII. (4), p. 298, (1873) ; Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 325 (1856). N. Australia. RAPTOR, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 326 (1856). Adelaide, S.A. SEVERA, Sm. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. XII. (4), p. 297 (1873). Swan River, W.A. 15 224 CATALOGUE OP THE DESCRIBED HYMENOPTERA OF AUSTRALIA, TRIDENTIFERA, Sill. l.C. p. 298. Moreton Bay, Q. 955 VARIABILIS, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 325 (1856). Victoria ; N. S. Wales ; Pt. Essington, N.A. ; Swan River, VV.A. VESPIFORMIS, Sm. l.C. p. 327. Adelaide, S.A. Family MASARID^. This is a family containing several genera, the members of which are handsome wasp-like insects, parasitic on other wasps, constructing no nests themselves. Shuckard, when he formed the Australian genus Faragia, named it " in allusion to its deceptive habit, which is precisely that of a Vespa." Saussure wrote a monograph on the tribe Masaridce, forming the third part of his work on the Vespidce (Paris, 1856). Previously to this he had written a paper on the family in the Annales de la Soc. Eat. de France (1853). Shuckard described the first known Australian species, Paragia decipiens, in the Transactions of the Entomological Society of London (1837). It is a handsome black w^asp with a green tint on head and thorax, and the abdomen of dirty ochre- yellow colour ; this is our commonest species in N. S. Wales. Smith, in the British Museum Catalogue of Hymenoptera, Part v. (1857), and in the Trans. Ent. Society of London (1864-66-68-69), described a number of others. 162. PARAGIA. Paragia, Shuck. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1837. AUSTRALis, Sauss. Ann. Soc. Ent. France, I. (3), Bull. p. xxi. (1853) ; Mon. Fam. Masar. p. 58, 6, t. 2, fig. 3, $ (1856). Tasmania. BicoLOR, Sauss. I.e. p. 21 ; Mon. Fam. Masar. p. 58, 6, t. 2, fig. 3, $ (1856). Australia. BIDENS, Sauss. Mon. Fam. Masar. p. 59, 7, $ (1856). Adelaide, S.A. BY WALTER W. FROGGATT. 225 960 CALIDA, Sm. Trans. Eat. Soc. II. (3), p. 392 (1864-6). Adelaide, S.A. CONCiNNA, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1869, p. 251. Champion Bay, W.A. DECIPIENS, Shuck. Trans. Ent. Soc. II. p. 82, pi. viii. fig. 3 (1837) ; Sauss. Mon. Earn. Masar. p. 54 (1856) ; Ann. Soc. Ent. France, I. p. 21 (1853); Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 11. (3), p. 391 (1864-6). K S. Wales ; Adelaide, S.A., etc. EXCELLENS, 8m. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1869, p. 309. Champion Bay, W.A. MOROSA, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1868, p. 251. Champion Bay, W.A. 965 NASUTA, Sm. I.e. p. 252. Champion Bay, W.A. ODYNEROiDES, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. I. (2), p. 42, pi. v. fig. 2, 9 ; Sauss, Mon. Earn. Masar. p. 56 (1856). Hunter River, KS.W. PICTIFRONS, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 2 (1857). Swan River, W.A. PRiEDATOR, Sauss. Mon. Fam. Masar. p. 59, 8, 9 (1856). Australia. SAUSSURii, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 2 (1857); tricolor, Sauss. Mon. Fam. Masar. p. 54, 9 (1856). Perth, W.A. 970 soBRiNA, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1869, p. 309. Champion Bay, W.A. TRICOLOR, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. I. (2), p. 41, t. 5, fig. 1, $ (1850j; smithii, Sauss. Mon. Fam. Masar. p. 55, 3, t. 2, tig. 1, 9 (18.56). Adelaide, S.A. VENUSTA, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. II. (3), p. 393 (1864-6), Swan River, W.A. VESPiPORMis, Sm. I.e. p. 393, 9 ; he. 1868, p. 251. Swan River, W.A. 226 CATALOGUE OF THE DESCRIBED HYMENOPTERA OP AUSTRALIA, Family EUMENID^. The solitary wasps belong to this family, and most of the foreign genera are represented in Australia. Many of them are handsome insects, black and yellow or orange in colour. They are large and aggressive-looking insects, armed with a large sting ; several are commonly known as " mason-wasps," from their building large clay nests in any convenient sheltered place, which they provision with the larvae of moths or spiders. Saussnre, who has made the Vespidce a special study, has described most of our wasps in his " Monograph des Guepes Solitaires," Vol. 1. 1851, and in other papers in the Annales Soc. Ent. France (1857), in the Reise No vara, Hymenoptera (1865), &c. Fabricius described several of our earliest known species in his Syst. Piez. (1804). Gu6rin described some in the "Voyage de la Coquille" (1830), and St. Fargeau dealt with others in his Natural History, Hymenoptera, Vol. IV. (1846). Smith, in his British Museum Catalogue of Hymenoptera, Part y. (1857), gave a list of these, and described several new species. 163. ELIMUS. Elimus, Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. p. 7 (1852), AUSTRALIS, I.e. p. 8. " S. Australia. 164. DISCOLLIUS. Discollius, Latreille, Gen. Crus. Ins. IV. (1809). 975 ELONGATUS, Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. Suppl. p. 124, 11, pi. vi fig. 7, $. Australia. EPHippiUM, Sauss. I.e. p. 125, 13, pi. vi. fig. 8, 5. Australia. iNsiGNis, Sauss. I.e. p. 126, 14, 5. Australia. SPINOSUS, Sauss. I.e. p. 125, 12, 9. N. S. Wales. VERREAUXii, Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. p. 26, Q. Tasmania. BY WALTER W. FROGGATT. 227 165. EUMENES. Eumenes, Latr. Hist. Nat. III. (1802). 980 ARCUATUS, Fabr. Sysfc. Piez. p. 287 ; Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. p. 63; Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 29 (1857) ; Journ. Linn. Soc. VII. p. 37 (1864) ; Vespa arcuata, Fabr. Syst. Ent. p. 371, 40 ; Sp. Ins. I. p. 467 ; Mant. Ins. I. p. 292, 66 ; Ent. Syst. II. p. 276, 83 ; Oliv. Ency. Meth. VI. p. 670; iiphex arcuata, Christ, Hym. p. 312 (1791). Australia, New Guinea, &c. BiciNCTA, Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. p. 44. Central Australia. ciRCiNALis, Fabr. Syst. Piez. 286 ; Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. p. 47, No. 27 ; Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 22 (1857). Australia, India, (fcc. ESURIENS, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 286, 7 ; Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. p. 56, No. 40 ; gracilis, Sauss. I.e. p. 57, No. 41 ; caminformis, Sauss. I.e. p. 55, No. 38. Australia, India, Africa, &c. FLUCTUANS, Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. p. 43. Australia. 985 LATREILLEI, SaUSS. l.C. p. 51, pi. X. fig. 5. Australia. PHILANTES, Sauss. l.C. p. 54, 37. Australia. 166. NORTONIA. Nortonia, Sauss. Ent. Zeit. Stettin, 1869. AMALi^, Sauss. Ent. Zeit. Stettin, 1869, p. 53. Rockhampton, Q. 167. ABTSPA. Ahispa, Mitchell, Exp. E. Aust. (1838). AUSTRALis, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. Pt. v. p. 42 (1857). Port Essington, N.A, EPHIPPIUM, Fabr. (VespaJ, Syst. Ent. p. 362, No. 2; Mant. Ins. I. p. 287, No. 3 ; Ent. Syst. II. p. 254, 3 ; Syst. Piez. p. 254, 3 ; Christ, Hym. p. 237 ; Oliv. Ency. Meth. VI. p. 677 ; Gmelin. Ed. Linn. Syst. Nat. I. p. 2748, 36 ; 228 CATALOGUE OF THE DESCRIBED HYMENOPTEKA OF AUSTRALIA, Abispa ephippium, Mitchell, Exped. East A.ust. I. 104 ; Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. I. (2), p. 180, t. 16, fig. 5 ; Alono- rebia epliippiu,m, Sauss. Men. Guepes Sol. p. 100, 2, t. 15, fig. 9. Australia. 990 SPLENDiDA, Guer. (Odynerus), Voy. Coq. Ins. p. 265 ; Monorebia splendida, Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. p. 99, No. 1 ; Abispa splendida, Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. Suppl. p. 169, t. 15, fig. 8. Australia and Tasmania, 168. RHYNCHIUM. Rygchium, Spin. Ins. Lig. I. (1806) ; Rhynchium, Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. Suppl. 170 (1854-56). ALECTO, St. Farg. ( Odynerus ), Hym. II. p. 647, No. 32; Rhynchium alecto, Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. I. p. 114, 20 (1852). Australia. DECORATUM, Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. Suppl. p. 180, No. 72, t. 9, fig. 6. Australia. MAGNIFICUM, Sm, Trans. Ent. Soc. 1869, p. 310 ; Brenchley's Cruise of the Cuvagoa, p. 463, fig. 4, pi. XLV. NicolBay, N.W.A. MiRABiLE, Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. p. 106, No. 6, t. 14, fig. 5 ; Sm. Journ. Linn. Soc. Vol. III. p. 163, ^ (1859). Tasmania and Australia. 995 ROTHi, Kirby, Journ. Linn. Soc. XVIII. p. 324 (1885). Queensland. SUPERBUM, Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. p. 113. Australia. 169. ALASTOR. Alastor, St. Farg. Hym. II. p. 668 (1841;. ALBOCiNCTUS, Sm. Brit, Mus. Cat. Hym. Pt. iv. p. 91 (1857). Tasmania. ARGENTIPRONS, Sm. l.C. p. 90. Australia, BY WALTER W. FROGGATT. 229 AUREOCiNCTUS, Guer. (Odynerus), Voy. Coq. Zool. p. 266, t. 9, fig. 4 ; Sauss. Mon, Guepes Sol. p. 252, No. 5. Australia. 1000 AUSTRALis, Sauss. l.c. p. 250, 2. Australia. CARiNATUS, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 90 (1857). Adelaide, S.A. CLOTHO, St. Farg. Hym. II. p, 668, 1 ; Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. p. 250, 1. Australia. CRUENTATUS, Sauss. Reise Novara, Hym. p. 18, fig. 12. Sydney, N.S.W. EJiARGiNATUS, Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. p. 254, 18. Tasmania. 1005 ERiURGUS, Sauss. l.c. p. 251, 4. Australia. LACHESis, Sauss. l.c. p. 251, 3. Tasmania. LATERITUS, Sauss. Reise Novara, Hym. p. 17. Australia. PARCA, Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. p. 254, 9. Australia. PiCTETi, Sauss. l.c. p. 256, 12. Tasmania. 1010 PUNCTULATUS, Sauss. l.c. p. 255, 10. Tasmania. siMiLis, Sauss. l.c. p. 256, 11. Australia. TASMANIENSIS, SausH. l.c. p. 253, 6. Tasmania, TUBERCULATUS, Sauss. l.c. p. 253, 7. Tasmania. 170. ODYNERUS. Odynerus, Latr. Nat. Hist. III. (1804). ALARiFORMis, Sauss. Mou. Gut'pes Sol. Suppl. p. 165, t, 14 fig. 6. Australia. 230 CATALOGUE OP THE DESCRIBED HYMENOPTERA OF AUSTRALIA, 1015 ALARis, Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. p. 203, 106, t. 18, fig. 5. Tasmania. ALASTORiPENNis, Sauss. l.c. p. 147, 34, t. 16, fig. 5. Tasmania. ANGCJLATUS, Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. Suppl. p. 284, 168, t. 14, fig. 7. Australia. BALYi, Sauss. l.c. p. 283, 167, t. 14, fig. 6. Australia. BiciNCTtJS, Fabr. fVespa), Ent. Syst. II. p. 271, 65 ; Syst. Piez. 265 ; St. Farg. Hym. II. p. 644 ; Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. Suppl. p. 224 ; Odyneriis bizonatus, Boisd. Voy de I'Astrol. Eutom. p. 459 ; Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. p. 156, 40. Australia. 1020 BICOLORATUS, Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. Suppl. p. 281, 164. Australia. BicoLOR, Sauss. l.c. p. 284, 169. Macintyre River, Q. CITREO-CINCTUS, Sauss. Reise No vara, Hym. p. 10, fig. 5. Sydney, N.S.W. OLYPEATUS, Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. p. 200, 101, t. 18, fig. 6. Tasmania. CONCOLOR, Sauss. l.c. p. 202, 104, t. 18, fig. 7. Tasmania. 1025 CRUENTATUS, Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. Suppl. p. 221, 115. Australia. DECiPiENS, Sauss. Reise Novara, Hym. p. 11, fig. 6. Sydney, N.S.W. DiEMENSis, Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. Suppl. p. 201, 103. Tasmania. DIETRICHIANUS, Sauss. Ent. Zeit. Stettin, 1869, p. 54. Rockhampton, Q. DREWSENi, Sauss. Ann. Soc. Ent. France, V. (3), p. 318 (1857). Australia. BY WALTER W. FROGGATT. 231 1030 EXTRAN^us, Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. Suppl. p. 224 ; Ody- nerus exilis, Sauss. I.e. p. 224. Tasmania. FLAMMIGER, Sauss. l.c. p. 282, 166. N. S. Wales. FLAVo-cixcTUS, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 64 (1857). Australia. FLUViALis, Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. Suppl. p. 215, 106. Australia. MACiLENTUS, Sauss. Reise Novara, Hym. p. 16, %. 10. Sydney, N.S.W. 1035 METATHORACicus, Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. Suppl. p. 286, 171. Australia. NiGROCiNCTUS, Sauss. l.c. p. 201, 102. Tasmania. PUSiLLUs, Sauss. l.c. p. 287, 172. Australia. SANGUINOLENTUS, Saiiss. l.c. p. 221, 116. Australia. SAUCius, Sauss. l.c. p. 280, 163. Australia. 1040 suBALARis, Sauss. l.c. p. 28U, 162, t. 14, fig. 5. Australia. succiNCTUS, Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. p. 204, 107. Australia and Tasmania. TAMARiNUS, Sauss. l.c. p. 203, 105. Tasmania. TASMANiENSis, Sauss. l.c. p. 119, t. 18, fig. 5, Tasmania. TRIANGULUM, Sauss. Moii. Guepes Sol. Suppl. p. 285, 170 t. 14, fig. 8. Australia. 1045 TUBERCULATUS, Sauss. Mon. Guepes Sol. p. 253. Tasmania and Australia. VERNALis, Sauss. l.c. p. 148, 35. Tasmania . 232 CATALOGUE OF THE DESCRIBED HYMENOPTERA OF AUSTRALIA, Family VESPID^. This family contains the two genera into which all our social paper-nest wasps are divided ; in habits both groups are alike, but they are easily and naturally divided into the genera Icaria, small wasps in which the apical segments of the abdomen telescope into each other, and Polistes, wasps usually much larger and having all the segments of the abdomen closely fitted together, and pointed at the apex. The nests of the first are usually irregular in shape, while those of the latter are mostly round, and sometimes they attain a considerable size. The young wasps when hatched hang head downwards, and are fed by the attendant adults with small spiders. Fabricius described several of our commonest species, but it is to Saussure that we are indebted for most of the information about this group (Monograph des Guepes Sociales [1853-58]). 171. ICARIA. Icaria, Sauss, Mon. Guepes Soc. p. 22 (1853). CABETi, Sauss. I.e. p. 26, 4, t. 5, fig. 2, Tasmania. GREGARIA, Sauss. Ent. Zeit. Stettin, XXIIT. p. 137 (1862). PLEBEJA, Sauss. Mem. Soc. Phys. Geneve, XVTI. pt. 1, p. 235 (1863). 1050 REVOLUTiONALis, Sauss. Mon. Guepes Soc. p. 29, 7, t. 5, fig. 7. Tasmania and Australia. ROMANDi, Le Guillou (Polistes), Ann. Soc. Ent. France, X. (1), p. 322 ; Sauss. Mon. Guepes Soc. p. 41. Australia. sociALiSTiCA, Sauss. Mon. Guepes Soc. p. 27, 5. Tasmania. 172. POLISTES. Polistes, Latr. Hist. Nat. Ins. XIII. (1804). BERNARDii, Le" Guil. Ann. Soc. Ent. France, X. (1), p. 23 ; Sauss. Mon. Guepes Soc. p. 70, 29. ERYTHRiNus, Holmgren, Eugenies Eesa, Hym. p. 440 (1858-68). 1055 FACiLis, Sauss. Mon. Guepes Soc. p. 53, 9. Australia. BY WALTER W. FROGGATT. 233 HUMiLis, Fabr. (VespaJ, Spec, Ins. I. p. 461, 20; Mant. Ins. I. p. 288, 23 ; Ent. Syst. II. p. 261, 28 ; Oliv. Ency. Meth. VI. p. 682, 62 ; Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 270, 5 ; Saiiss. Mon. Guepes Soc, p. 52, 8. N. S. Wales. NOVARiE, Sauss. Reise Novara, Hym. p. 19, figs. 13 & 14. Australia, piCTETi, Sauss. Mon. Guepes Soc. p. 69, 28, t. 6, fig. 8. Australia and Ceram. SCHACH, Fabr. (VespaJ, Spec. Ins. I. p. 461, 18 ; Mant. Ins, I. p. 288, 21 ; Ent. Syst. II. p. 260, 25 ; Oliv. Ency. Meth. VI. p. 682, 60 ; Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 270, 2 ; Sauss. Mon. Guepes Soc. p, 50, 3 ; Vespa orientalis, St. Farg. Hym, I. p. 519. Australia. 1060 SYNCECUS, Sauss. Mon. Guepes Soc. p. 65, 22, t. 6, fig. 5. Australia, TASMANIENSIS, Sauss. l.c. p. 66, 23, t. 6, fig. 5. Australia. TEPiDus, Fabr. (VftsjM), Syst. Ent, p. 366, 17; Spec. Ins. I. p. 462, 21 ; Ent. Syst. II. p, 262, 31 ; Mant. Ins. I, p. 287 ; Christ, Hym. p. 242 ; Oliv. Ency. Meth. VI. p. 682, 64; Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 271, 7 ; Sauss, Mon, Guepes Soc, p. 68, 27, t. 8, fig. 1. Australia, New Guinea, and Solomon Islands. TRICOLOR, Sauss. Mon. Guepes, p. 67, 25. Australia. VARIABILIS, Fabr. (Vespa), Syst. Ent. II. p. 274, 73 ; Oliv. Ency. M6th. VI. p. 690, 104 ; Fabr. Syst.. Piez. 273, 20 ; Sauss. Mon. Guepes. Soc. p. 66, 24. Sydney, S. Australia, &c. Family ANDRENID^. Nearly all the species of this family from Australia were described by the late F, Smith, Esq., of the British Museum, and 234 CATALOGUE OP THE DESCRIBED HYMENOPTEKA OF AUSTRALIA, the majority of the descriptions will be found in the British Museum Catalogue of Hymenoptera (1853), in the Transactions of the Entomological Society of London (1862-64, 1866, 1868), and in "New Species of Hymenoptera, British Museum" (1879). This family contains the bees with short tongues, solitary in their habits, while many of them are parasitic ; but hardly anything is known about the habits of any of our Australian Andrenidce. 173. PARACOLLETES. FaracoUetes, Sm. MSS. ; Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. Pt. i. p. 6 (1853). 1065 ABDOMiifALis, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 5 (1879). Champion Bay, W.A. CRASSIPES, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 6 (1853). Swan River, W.A. FERViDUS, Sm. New Sp. Hym, Brit. Mus. p. 4 (1879). N. Holland. MARGINATUS, Sm. l.C. p. 4. Queensland. NiTiDUS, Sm. I.e. p. 3. N.W. Coast, Australia. 174. LEIOPROCTUS. Leioproctus, Sm. MSS. ; Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. Pt. i. p. 8 (1853). 1070 ELEGANS, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 9 (1853). Adelaide, S.A. FiMBRiCATUS, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 6 (1879). Australia. FRONTALIS, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 9 (1853). N. Holland. VIGILANS, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit Mus. p. 7 (1879). Swan Biver, W.A. BY WALTER W. FROGGATT. 235 175. LAMPROCOLLETES. Lamprocolletes, Sm. MSS. ; Brit. Mus. Cat. Pt. i. p. 10 (185.3). AMABiLis, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 9 (1879). Australia. 1075 ANTENNATUS, Sm, l.c. p. 10. Swan River, W.A. ARGENTIFRONS, Sm. l.C. p. 11. Swan River, W.A. AURIFRONS, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 13 (1853). Adelaide, S.A. BicoLOR, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 10. Swan River, W.A. BIMACULATUS, Sm. l.C. p. 10. Swan River, W.A. 1080 CARiNATUS, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 11 (1853). New Holland. CHALYBEATA ( Andrena), Erichs. Wiegm. Arch. 1842, p. 268, 243. Tasmania. ciNEREUS, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 12 (1853). S. Australia. CLADOCERUS, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. I. (3), p. 57 (1862-64); l.C. II. (3), p. 397, 1)1. XXI. fig. 3 $ (1864-66). Sydney, N.S.W. CRISTATUS, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 11 (1853). Australia. 1085 CUPREUS, Sm. l.C. p. 13. Adelaide, S.A. PULVus, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 9 (1879). Queensland. IRRORATUS, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 12 (1853). Port Phillip, Vic. METALLicus, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 8 (1879). Australia. NANUS, Sm. l.C. p. 9. W. Australia. 236 CATALOGUE OP THE DESCRIBED HYMENOPTERA OF AUSTRALIA, 1090 OBSCURUS, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 11 (1853). Tasmania. PLUMOSUS, Sm. I.e. p. 12. Swan River, W.A. PROViDUS, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 8 (1879). Australia. PUNCTATUS, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 14 (1853). Adelaide, S.A. RUBELLUS, Sm. Trans. Eat. Sec. 1868, p. 253. W. Australia. 1095 RUFicoRNis, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 10 (1879). W. Australia. VENUSTUS, Sm. Trans. Ent. See. I. (3), p. 57 (1862-64). S. Australia ; Lower Plenty, Vic. VERSICOLOR, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 14 (1853). Adelaide, S.A. 176. DASYCOLLETES. DasycoUetes, Sm, MSS. ; Brit. Mus. Cat. p. 14. HUMEROSUS, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 1 1 (1879). Melbourne, Vic. RUBELLUS, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. I. (3), p. 58 (1862-64). S. Australia ; Lower Plenty, Vic. 1100 viTRiFRONS, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 11 (1879). Swan Eiver, W.A. 177. ANTHOGLOSSA. Antlioglossa, Sm. MSS. ; Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym, Pt. i. p. 16 (1853). PLUMATA, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 16 (1853). W. Australia. SERiCEA, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc I. (3), p. 59 (1862-64). Australia. 178. EURYGLOSSA. Euryglossa, Sm. MSS.; Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. Pt.i. p. 17 (1853). BICOLOR, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. I. (3), p. 58 (1862-64). Adelaide, S.A. BY WALTER W. FROGGATT. 237 BLANDA, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 13 (1879). W. Australia. 1105 CUPREO-CHALYBEA, Stii. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 17 (1853). Australia. DEPRESSA, Sm. I.e. p. 18. Australia. EPHiPPiATA, Sm. Trans. Eut. Soc. I. (3), p. 58 (1862-64). Adelaide, S.A. PLAVOPICTA, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 14 (1879). Champion Bay, W.A. HALICTIFORMIS, Sm. l.C. p. 15. Swan River, W.A. 1110 JUCUNDA, Sm. I.e. p. 13. f Champion Bay and Swan Eiver, W.A. MACULATA, Sm. l.C. p. 13. Swan River, W.A. NIGRA, Sm. I.e. p. 13. Australia. NITIDIFRONS, Sm. l.C. p. 14. Australia. QUADRIMACULATA, Sm. l.C. p. 13. Queensland. 1115 RUBRICATA, Sm. l.C. p. 14. Swan River, W.A. SIMILLIMA, Sm. l.C. p. 12. Swan River, W.A. TERMINATA, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 18 (1853). Australia. TRICOLOR, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 15 (1879) Swan River, W.A. VILLOSULA, Sm. l.C. p. 15. Swan River, W.A. 179. STILPNOSOMA. Stilpnosoma, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 16 (1879). 1120 LiEVIGATUM, Sm. l.C. p. 16. Queensland. 238 CATALOGUE OF THE DESCRIBED HYMENOPTERA OF AUSTRALIA, 180. PROSOPIS. Frosopis, Fabr. Piez. Syst. p. 293 (1804). ALBOMACULATA, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 24 (1879). Champion Bay, W.A. ALCYONEA, Erichs. Wiegm. Arch. 1842, p. 267, 241. Tasmania. AMICULA, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 19 (1879). Melbourne, Vic. BicoLORATA, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 27 (1853). Adelaide, S.A. 1125 BIDENTATA, Sm. l.c. p. 28. Australia. BiTUBERCULATA, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 18 (1879). Melbourne, Vic. COGNATA, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 18 (1879). Champion Bay and Swan River, W.A. CONFUSA, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 30 (1853); Frosopis perplexa, Sm. Appen. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 42 (1853), Australia. DESPONSA, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 31 (1853). Australia. 1130 ELEGANS, Sm. l.c. p. 28. Adelaide, S.A. ELONGATA, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 18 (1879). Adelaide, S.A. FULVicoRNis, Sm. Brit. Mus, Cat. Hym. p. 27 (1853). Adelaide, S.A. HONESTA, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit, Mus. p. 19 (1879). Tasmania. IMPRESSIFRONS, Sm, Brit. Mus. Cat, Hym. p. 31 (1853). Australia. 1135 LATERALIS, Sm. New Sp, Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 23 (1879). Champion Bay, W.A. METALLICA, Sm. Trans. Ent, Soc, I, (3), p, 59 (1862-64), Australia, BY WALTER W. FROGGATT. 239 iMOROSA, Sm, New Sp. Hyni. Brit. Mus. p. 26 (1879). Australia. NiGRiFRONS, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 30 (1853). Australia. NUBILOSA, Sm. I.e. p. 31. Port Phillip, Vic. 1140 OBTUSATA, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mas. p. 17 (1879). Swan River, W.A. PENKTRATA, Sm. l.C. p. 25. Australia. QUAD RATA, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 28 (1853). Australia. QUADRICEPS, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 17 (1879). Australia. RUBRiCATA, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 25 (1879). Swan Kiver, W.A. 1145 RUFicEPS, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 29 (1853). Adelaide, S.A. RUFiPES, Sm. I.e. p. 27. Australia. ROTUNDicEPS, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 19 (1879). Melbourne, Vic. SIMILLIMA, Sm. l.C. p. 26. Moreton Bay, Q. siMiLis, Sm. Brit Mus. Cat Hym. p. 26 (1853). Australia. 1150 suLciFRONs, Sm. I.e. p. 27. Australia. TORRiDA, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 25 (1879). Queensland. VARICOLOR, Sm. I.e. p. 24. Port Bowen, Q. viciNA, Sichel, Reise Novara, Hym. p. 143. Tasmania and New Zealand. VIDUA, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 29 (1853). Australia. 16 240 CATALOGUE OF THE DESCRIBED HYMEXOPTERA OF AUSTRALIA, 1155 viOLACEA, Sm. I.e. p. 26. Swan River, W.A. 181. HYLEOIDES. Hyleoides, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. Pf. i. p. 32 (1853). CONCINNA (Vespa), Fabr. Syst. Eiit. II. p. 263, 38; Cab. Banks. Mus. Linn. Soc. ; Syst. Piez. p. 259, 30. Port Philli}), Vic. zoNALis, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 32 (1853), Hunter River, N.S.W. 182. MEROGLOSSA. Meroglossa, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. Pt. i. p. 33 (1853). CANALicuLATA, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 33 (1853). Port Essington, N.A. 183. SPHECODES. Sphecodes, Latr. Hist. Nat. XIII. p. 368 (1805). ANTIPODES, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 37 (1853). Sydney, N.S.W. 184. PARASPHECODES. Parasphecodes, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. Pt.i. p. 39 (1853) 1160 ALTiCHUS, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 42 (1853). Tasmania. HILACTUS, Sm. I.e. p. 39. Swan River, W.A. HILTACUS, Sm. I.e. p. 39. Australia. LACTHius, Sm. I.e. p. 40. Australia. LICHATUS, Sm. I.e. p. 40. W. Australia. 1165 LICTHUSCA, Sm. I.e. p. 41. Tasmania. STUCHiLA, Sm. I.e. p. 42. Tasmania. BY WALTER W. FROGGATT. 241 SULTHICA, Sill. I.e. p. 40. Australia. TALCHIUS, Sui. I.e. p. 42. Tasmania. TALUCHis, Sm. I.e. p. 43. Tasmania. 1170 TILACHUS, Sm. I.e. p. 41. Tasmania. TUCHILAS, Sra. I.e. p. 41. Australia. 185. HALTICUS Halticus, Latr. Hist. Nat. XIII. p. 364 (1805). BiciNGULATus, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 57 (1853). Melbourne, Vic. CARBONARIUS, Sm. I.e. p. 58. Sydney, N.S.W. COGNATUS, Sm. I.e. p. 59. Tasmania. 1175 coNSPicuus, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 34 (1879). Australia. CONVEXUS, Sm. I.e. p. 35. Vietoria. FLORALis, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 57 (1853). Australia. GLOBOSUS, Sm. I.e. p. 59. Tasmania. HUMiLis, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 36 (1879). Champion Bay, W.A. 1180 INCLINANS, Sm. I.e. p. 36. Champion Bay, W.A. LANUGiNosus, Sm. I.e. p. 34. Australia. LANARius, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 57 (1853). Hunter River, N.S.W. LIMBATUS, Sm. I.e. p. 59. Tasmania. 242 CATALOGUE OP THE DESCRIBED HYMENOPTERA OF AUSTRALIA, OBLiTUS, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 35 (1879). Swan River, W.A. 1185 ORBATUS, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 58 (1853). Tasmania. PUNCTATUS, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 36 (1879). ' Champion Bay, W.A. REPR^SENTANs, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 60 (1853). Australia and Tasmania. RUFIPES, Sm. I.e. p. 56. Melbourne, Vic. SPHECODOIDES, Sm. l.c. p. 58. Australia. 1190 URBANUS, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 35 (1879). Champion Bay, W.A. VITRIPENNIS, Sm. l.c. p. 34. Champion Bay, W.A, viviDus, Sm. l.c. p. 35. Swan River, W.A. 186. CALLOMELITTA. Callomelitta, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. p. 85 (1853). PICTA, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 85 (1853). Tasmania. 187. NOMIA. Nomia, Latr. Hist. Nat. XIII. p. 369 (1805). ARGENTiFRONs, Sm. Tran.s. Ent. Soc. I. (3), p. 60 (1862-64). Australia. 188: ANDRENA. Andrena, Fabr. Syst. Ent. p. 376 (1793). 1195 ADVENA, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. I. (3), p. 60 (1862-64). Australia. 189. STENOTRITUS. Stenotritus, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. p. 119 (1853). ELEGANS, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 119 (1853). Sydney, N.S.W. BY WALTER W. FROGGATT. 243 SMARAGDiNUS, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. II. (3), p. 254 (1864-66). Champion Bay, W.A. 190. MELLITIDIA. Mellitidia, Guer. Voy. Coq. Zool. II. p. 269 (1830). AUSTRALis, Guer. Voy. Coq. Zool. II. p. 269. Australia. 191. SCRAPTER. Scrapter, St. Farg. Ency. Meth. X. p. 403. BICOLOR, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. I. (3) p. 61 (1862-64). Australia. 1200 CARINATA, Sm. I.e. p. 60. Australia. 192. ^STROPSIS. jEstropsis, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1864-66. PUBESCENS, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. (1868), p. 253. Champion Bay, W.A. ; S. Australia. Family APID^. This very interesting family is well represented in Australia, although there have been few workers at our Australian bees. Smith has described the majority of our known species in the British Museum Catalogue of Hymenoptera (1853), where he also catalogues those previously described by Fabricius, St. Fargeau, and others. Since then he has contributed further papers in the Transactions of the Entomological Society of London (1862-64, 1864-66, and 1868), in the Zoologist for 1859, and in "New Species of Hymenoptera in the British Museum " (1879). In the genus Megachile we have a great number of handsome bees that form nests in trees and walls, the cells of which they line with leaves ; while several species of the genus Xylocopa (the carpenter bees) are numerous in Australia, and one species forms its nest in blie flower-stem of the grass-tree (Xanthorrhcea). Only one species of native bee (Trigonla carbonaria) has been described, though there are certainly two, if not three sjjecies in 244 CATALOGUE OF THE DESCRIBED HYMENOPTERA OP AUSTRALIA, N. S. Wales ; they form flask-shaped cells to contain the honey, and coat the inner side of the cavity in which they construct their nest with gum. 193. MEGACHILE. Megachile, Latr. Hist. Nat. III. (1802). ABDOMiNALis, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. Pt. i. p. 169 (1853). Australia. ALBOBASALis, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 65 (1879). Torres Straits, N.A. APiCATA, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. Pt. i. p. 172 (1873). Adelaide, S.A. 1205 AURiFRONS, Sm. I.e. p. 168. Australia. CALiDA, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 64 (1879). Queensland. CANIFRONS, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 171 (1853). W. Australia. CHRYSOPYGA, Sm. l.c. p. 173. Tasmania. CLYPEATA, Sm. l.c. p. 170. W. Australia. 1210 ERYTHROPYGA, Sm. l.C. p. 167. W. Australia. FABRICATOR, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1868, p. "-56. Champion Bay, W.A. FEROX, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 64 (1879). Swan River, W.A. FUMIPENNIS, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1868, p. 257. Champion Bay, W.A. HERiADiFORMis, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 172 (1853). Adelaide, S.A. 1215 IGNITA, Sm. l.c. p. 169. Australia. IMITATA, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1868, p. 251. Cham]>ion Bay, W.A. LATiPES, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 169 (1853). Australia. BY WALTER W. FROGGATT. 245 LEUCOPYGA, Sm, I.e. p. 173. Tasmania. LUCIDIVBNTRIS, Sm. l.c. p. 168. Australia. 1220 MACULATA, Sm. l.c. p. 170. W. Australia. MODESTUS, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. II. (3), p. 62 (1862-64). Australia. MONSTROSA, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1868, p. 256 ; Brenchley's Cruise of Cura9oa, p. 463, pi. xlv. fig. 5, Q (1873). N.W. Australia ; Champion Bay, W.A. MYSTACEA (Apis), Fabr. Syst. Ent. p. 385, 41 ; Ent. Syst. II. p. 336, 97 ; Anthophora tnystacea, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 377, 24; Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 166 (1853). Port Essington, N.A. NASUTA, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1868, p. 258. Champion Bay, W.A. 1225 OBLONGA, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mas. p. 65 (1879). W. Australia. OBTUSA, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 170 (1853). W. Australia. ORDINARIA, Sm. l.c. p. 174. Tasni ania. piCTiVENTRis, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 65 (1879). Richmond River, N.S.W. PUNCTATA, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 168 (1853). Australia. 1230 RUGOSA, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 65 (1879). W. Australia. SEMi-LUCTUOSA, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 172 (1853). Adelaide, S.A. SENEX, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. II. (3), p. 61 (1862-64). Richmond River, N.S.W. SEXMACULATA, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1868, p. 257. Champion Bay, W.A. 246 CATALOGUE OF THK DESCRIBED HYMENOPTERA OF AUSTRALIA, SIMPLEX, Sm. Bvit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 169 (1853). Australia. 1235 usTULATA, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. II. (3), p. 61 (1862-64). Australia. 194. LITHURGUS. Lithurgus, Latr. Gen. Crust, et Ins. II. p. 350. COGNATUS, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1862, p. 255. Champion Bay, W.A. DENTiPEs, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 146 (1854). Australia. RUBRICATUS, Sm. l.c. p. 146. Australia. 195. ALLODAPE. AUodape, St. Farg. Hym. II. p. 531. PICTA, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. Pt. ii. p. 231 (1854). Australia. 1240 siMiLLiMA, Sm. l.c. p. 229. Macintyre River, Q. UNICOLOR, Sm. l.c. p. 230. Australia. 196. EXONEURA. Exoneura, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. Pt. ii. p. 232 (1854). BICOLOR, Sm. l.c. p. 232. Swan River, W.A. 197. CROCISA. Crocisa, Jurine, Hym. p. 239 (1807). ALBO-MACULATA, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1868, p. 258. Champion Bay, W.A. LAMPROSOMA, Boisd. Voy. de 1' Astrolabe, p. 653, t. 12, fig. 4; Crocisa novm-hollandice, St. Farg. Hym. II. p. 450. Hunter River, N.S.W. 1245 LUGUBRis, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 107 (1879). Australia. BY WALTER W. FROGGATT. 247 NITIDULA (Melecta), Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 386, 2 ; Latr. Gen. Crust. Ins. IV. p. 172; Crocisa pulchella, Guer. Icon. Reg. Anim. p. 454, 74. Hichmond River, N.S.W. 198. TETRALONIA. Tetralonia, Spinola, Ann. Soc. Ent. Fr. VII. (1838). BREVicoRNis, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 303 (1854). More ton Bay, Q. 199. SAROPODA. Saropoda, Latr. Gen. Crust, et Ins. IV. p. 179 (1809). BOMBiFORMis, Soi. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 318 (1854). Richmond River, N.S.W. 200. ANTHOPHORA. Antho^yhora, Latr. Hist. Nat. Cr. et Ins. XIV. p. 45 (1804). iERUGiNOSA, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 336 (1854). Hunter River, N.S.W. 1250 ciNGULATA (Aiidrena), Fabr. Ent. Syst. II. p. 314, 30 ; St. Farg. Hym. II. p. 46, 20 ; Megilla cingidata, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 332, 18 ; Megilla cincta, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 330. Australia. EMENDATA, Sm. New Sp. Hym. Brit. Mus. p. 123 (1879). Australia. PULCHRA, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 335 (1854). Moreton Bay, Q. ; Hunter River, N.S.W., &c. 201. XYLOCOPA. Xylocopa, Latr. Nat. Hist. Ins. III. p. 379 (1802). ^STUANS (Apis), Linn. Syst. Nat. I. p. 961, 53 ; Fabr. Syst. IL p. 323, 41; St. Farg. Hym. IL p. 193; Apis leucothorax, De Geer, Ins. III. p. 573, 4, t. 28, fig. 7 ; Bombus cestuans, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 351, 44. Australia and the islands. DiMiDiATA, St. Farg. Hym. III. p. 191, 44. N. Queensland ; Timor, &c. 248 CATALOGUE OF THE DESCRIBED HYMENOPTERA OF AUSTRALIA. 1255 MUSCARIA (Apis), Fabr. Ent. Syst. II. p. 339, 105; Oliv. Ency. Meth. IV. p. 77, 88 ; Centris muscaria, Fabr. Syst. Piez. p. 358, 20 ; Lestis 7)iuscaria, St. Farg. Hyni. 11. p. 211, 1. Australia. NiGRiTA, Sm. Zoologist, 1859, p. 64, 68. Australia. SLMiLLiMA, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 357 (1854). Australia. 202. LESTIS. Lestis, St. Farg. Hym. II. p. yERATUS, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. I. (2), p. 180 (1850-51). Hunter River, N.S.W. ; Tasmania. BOMBYLANS (Apis), Fabr. Ent. Syst. II. p. 338, 104 ; Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. I. (2), p. 180 (1850-51). Australia. 203. TRIGONA. Trigona, Jurine. Hym. (1807). 1260 CARBONARiA, Sm. Brit. Mus. Cat. Hym. p. 414 (1854). N. S. Wales. 204. THAUMATOSOMA. Thaumatosoma, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. 1864. DUBOULAii, Sm. Trans. Ent. Soc. II. (3), p. 395, pi. xXL fig. 1 (1864-66). Champion Bay, W.A. 249 ON TWENTY NEW SPECIES OF AUSTRALIAN LEPIDOPTERA. By Thomas P. Lucas, M.R.C.S.E., L.S.A. Lond., & L.R.C.P.Ed. I have been enabled by the assistance of Mr. E. Meyrick to contribute this further paper to the tabulation of the Australian Lepidoptera. In the greater number of cases the specimens have been examined by Mr. Meyrick, and I have to acknowledge the great trouble he has taken to examine the literature and collections at home, and for the valuable hints and knowledge communicated by him and placed at my service. In one instance he has estab- lished a new genus to receive a species. The species not examined by him have been carefully studied by his monographs and other available literature. Section HETEROCERA. Group BOMBYCES, Family ARCTIAD^. Hectobrocha, Meyr. A. Hind wings ochreous-yellow. a. Without hindmarginal grey border pentacyma. b. With hindmarginal grey border mxdtilinea. B. Hindwings not ochreous-yellow. Grey with cloudy border suhnigra. Hectobrocha pentacyma. Brisbane: March, 1892. 250 ON TWENTY NEW SPECIES OF AUSTRALIAN LEPIDOPTERA, Pelobrochis, Meyr., MS., gen.nov. Tongue weak ; antennae in ^ bipectinated throughout ; palpi moderate, loosely haired ; forewings with 7 and 8 out of 9, 11 anastomosing with 1 2 ; hind wings with 3 and 4 stalked, 6 and 7 stalked, 8 from f. Allied to Nudaria. Pelobrochis rava, Lucas. This species was provisionally described by me under the genus Scaeodora [P.L.S.N.S. W. Vol. iv. (ser. 2), 27th Nov. 1889]. Meyrick has confirmed my opinion there expressed and estab- lished for it a new genus. Family LIPARID.^. Artaxa lucifuga, Isp.nov., or a very wide variety of A. chrysophcea, Walk. (J. 17-20 mm. Head, palpi, thorax, and abdomen ferruginous- fulvous. Antennae fulvous, pectinations fuscous. Forewings oblong ohovate, costa gently rounded, hindmargin obliquely rounded, ferruginous-fulvous tending to orange-brown ; two faintly-marked ochreous wavy transverse lines at ^ and |, but in most specimens hidden by ground-colour diffusion : cilia ochreous-ferruginous. Hindwiiigs smoky black ; cilia as fore- wings. Brisbane ; at light. I sent this to Meyrick, who believed it to be a form of A. chrysophoba. I have taken eight or nine specimens at light ; they are constant and do not vary : the forewings are elongate-obovate, and not triangular, and the hindwings are black. I have not been able to refer any females to this species. It is very much smaller than A. chrysophma, and a more prim, less lax-looking insect. I found the tyj)ical form of A. chrysophcea abundant at Cooktown, and again at Eumundi, 70 miles N.N.W. of Brisbane, BY THOMAS P. LUCAS. 251 but did not meet with any A, lucifuga. But, remenabering the great variation of Forthesia fulviceps, I cannot pronounce with certainty without the $ ; for comparison I will briefly describe A. chrysophoea and A. iobrota, Meyr. (MS.), which last is certainly, I believe, a variety of the former, and would appear to be a connecting link between it and A. Artaxa chrysophcea, Walk. ^. 18-28 mm. Head, palpi, thorax, and abdomen light ochreous-fulvous, in some specimens the ochreous prevailing, in others the fnlvous becoming browner. Antennae ochreous, pectinations black. Forewings triangular-obovate, gently dilate, ochreous-fulvous, with two circular ti'ansverse ochreous lines at J- and 1^. Hindwings in most specimens same colour as forewings, in others darker. 2- 22-30 mm. Altogether an ochreous or creamy-ochreous. Pectinations of antennjB short, ochreous, or ochreous-fuscous. Cooktown to Brisbane. Artaxa iobrota, Meyr. (MS.), = A. chrysophcea, var. ^. 19-24 mm. Head, palpi, thorax, and abdomen ferruginous- ochreous. Antennae ferruginous-ochreous, pectinations black. Forewings ferruginous-ochreous, with circular wavy ochreous lines at ^ and |. Hindwings ferruginous-fuscous. 9. 24-28 mm. Like dark males of A. chrysophcea in forewings, darker brown in hindwings. Cooktown and Eumundi ; flying freely with former. As I have every variety between A. chrysophcea and^. iobrota, and as I took them indiscriminately flying together, J feel satisfied that they are one species. Whether or not A. Incifuga will prove yet a wider variety must remain a speculation until we can discover its natural haunts and habits. ZOl' ON TWENTY NEW SPECIES OF AUSTRALIAN LEPIDOPTERA, Group GEOMETRINA, Family GEOMETRID^. lODIS COMMODA, Sp.UOV. (J. 29 mm. Head purple-grey, face purple shading into car- mine, fillet ochreous, postorbital rims ochreous-white. Collar narrow, crimson. Palpi crimson-grey, terminal joint short. Antennae creamy grey, pectinations grey. Thorax greyish-blue- green, with a dorsal ochreous colour streak in posterior two- thirds, undersurface white. Abdomen greyish-blue-green, with an ochreous dorsal streak, sides and apex white. Anterior and middle legs reddish-carmine, pink-white beneath, posterior pair creamy-grey. Forewings with costa straight, gently arched before apex, hindraargin oblique, scarcely rounded, greyish-blue-green ; costa at base carmine, thence shaded into light ochreous, which colour forms a gradually-narrowing line to apex ; a light ochreous line from ^ inner margin obliquely for one-third the width of wing, and parallel to a second line of same colour, from ^ inner margin to costa just before apex, becoming fainter towards costa, line slightly waved, but scarcely dentate ; an indistinct blue-grey discal spot midway between termination of first line and costa at ^ : cilia light ochreous. Hindwings as forewings, very slightly angled at vein 4, a dentate circular line from opposite costa at |^ to opposite h inner margin ; first line indistinctly defined at f costa, rapidly shading into ground-colour ; cilia as forewings. Brisbane ; one specimen. Allied to /. assimilis, Luc, and /. dichloraria, Gn. lODIS NITIDA, Sp.nOV. Q. 29 mm. Head gi'een, becoming white on face. Palpi (1). Antennae annulated white and green. Thorax green, snow-white anteriorly, patagia green. Alxlomen green (^shaded with white). Forewings : costa gently rounded, hindmargin obliquely rounded, bright pea-green, or rather a delicate yellow-green with ochreous white lines ; costa broadly banded with snow-white, which narrows to a line at ^ costa, is there tinted with purple to | costa, and BY THOMAS P. LUCAS. 253 with green to apex ; an ochreous-white line from J inner margin is bent outwardly on itself at right angles to form a rhomboid pocket, thence broadly dentate to opposite costa at § ; a faint fuscous discoidal spot near median vein opposite 1 costa ; a 2nd rounded denticulate line from ^ costa to ^ inner margin ; hind- marginal line white : cilia white, tinted with purple-grey, but too irregularly to form bands. Hindwings coloured as forewings, a few faint ill-defined crenulate greenish-ochreous lines ; a con- spicuous black discal spot ; cilia white, with a median band of purple-grey. Undersurface of all wings with conspicuous fuscous discal spot, and a dentate band of blue-green, bordered by white, running from | costa of forewings to | inner margin of hind- wings ; inner border of forewings and of hindwings freely dusted with white ; an interrupted row of black hindmarginal dots ; cilia of all wings banded by a fuscous-purple line of detached arches. Eumundi, Queensland ; one specimen. Unfortunately the ants ate the dorsum of abdomen and the crown of head and face while on setting board. Family HYDRIOMENIAD.E. ASTHENA PELLUCIDA, Sp.nOV. 9. 27 mm. Head silver-white, face ochreous-fuscous. Palpi silvery-fuscous. Antennae ochreous-fuscous, basal portion silver- white. Thorax silver-white. Abdomen silver-white, with a pale fuscous-green spot on either side of anterior segments. Forewings triangular, costa gently rounded, hindmargin bowed, oblique, silver- or pearly-white, iridescent ; about thirteen transverse greyish-green lines ; 1st and 2nd near base wavy dentate, 3rd and 4th at equal distances beyond, straighter, once or twice denticulate, 5th wider, composed of two lines interlacing and diffused from I costa to J inner margin, 6th and 7th at equal distances with others, dentate, a discal spot at ^, one-third from costa, a band of three lines, 8th, 9th, and 10th parallel with hindmargin, dentate and more or less diflused into a fascia at | 254 ON TWENTY NEW SPECIES OF AUSTRALIAN LEPIDOPTERA, costa to I hindmargiii, 11th, 12th, and 13th lines before hind- margin, 11th and 13th more or less indistinct and interrupted: cilia white, base grey-green. Hindwings as forewings, angled in middle of hindmargin, with eight transverse lines ; a discal spot at f, beyond this 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grouped, the 3rd and 4th more or less diffused and more denticulate, 5th line interrupted and less distinct, 6th, 7th, and 8th lines at equal distaiices to hindmargin, very denticulate ; cilia as forewings. Brisbane; one specimen. Appears to come nearest to A. rirarcha, Meyr. Group NOCTURE, Family HELIOTHID^. Chariclea sanguinata, sp.nov. (J 5. 24-30 mm. Head fuscous, tinted with deep red. Palpi ochreous-fuscous. Antennse fuscous-red. Thorax ochreous-fus- cous, deeply tinted with carmine. Abdomen fuscous tinted with red. Forewings elongate, gently dilate, costa rounded, hind- margin obliquely rounded, light ochreous, wdth deep lines of carmine to blood-red; a carmine costal band, more diffused toward apex, and prolonged as a band round hindmargin to anal angle ; a broad band of carmine from base near inner margin through entire length of wing to i hindmargin : cilia carmine, tipped with lighter pink. Hindwings pale greyish-white ; cilia white. Brisbane ; very rare. Easily known by the carmine or blood-colour bands along costa and through middle of wing. Family ORTHOSIID^. LUPERINA DITATA, sp.nOV. (J9. 30-40 mm. Head light fuscous-grey. Palpi ashy-grey. Antennse ochreous-fuscous. Thorax fuscous, finely mottled with white and black, white posteriorly. Abdomen ochreous-fuscous, segments fringed with lighter fuscous and bordered laterally by BY THOMAS P. LUCAS. 255 smoky-fuscous. Forewings : costa gently rounded, hindmargin rounded, fuscous, irrorated with darker fuscous and ashy-grey and marked with black lines ; costa finely irrorated with ashy- grey, a black line, sometimes double, and black dot at base from costa to a basal suffusion of fuscous-ochreous on inner margin, a dotted interrupted irregular black line from ^ costa to J hind- margin, a well-defined sinuous black line from ^ costa to | inner margin, a black-lined kidney -shape discal ring immediately beyond ; a second rhomboidal black-lined ring immediately beyond and nearer costa, containing a fuscous-grey dot and a sufi"usion of ashy-grey posteriorly ; a sharply-defined rich black line from § costa twice dentate obliquely outwards, thence parallel to 2nd ring beyond and opposite, thence obliquely inwards as a wavy line to f inner margin, bordered posteriorly with ashy-grey, and again with a difiused line of fuscous-grey; another line just before apex of costa in a semilunar wave, then sinuous and twice sharply dentate to just before hindmargin ; a submarginal line of light grey-fuscous dots, followed by a hindmarginal fuscous-ochreous Hue ; posterior fourth of wing deeply irrorated with ashy-grey : cilia ochreous-f uscous, with median and terminal lines of fuscous- grey. Hindwings deep fuscous-ochreous, with veins fuscous, and a very broad hindmarginal band and suffusion of smoky-fuscous ; cilia as forewings. Duaringa and Brisbane. Family NOCTUID/E. Prionophoka torquesauria, sp.nov. ^2- 18-23 mm. Head, palpi, and thorax dark chocolate-fuscous. Antennae fuscous. Abdomen light ochreous-fuscous. Forewings elongate, costa gently rounded, hindmargin obliquely rounded, rich chocolate-fuscous, lined and trellised with fuscous and black, and with short lines or bars of light gold ; costa with a black spot near middle and several toward apex ; a gold bar from ^ to -? costa and almost touching costa, a 2nd gold bar from centre of 17 256 ON TWENTY NEW SPECIES OP AUSTRALIAN LEPIDOPTERA, base parallel to median vein as far as J, narrowed and in some specimens fuscous at base, a deep chocolate or blackish line from above second bar at base runs parallel to costa and near median vein, and has developed upon it two gold bars, extending with a uniting black dot along middle third of wing, a more or less interrupted zig-zag black and chocolate-fuscous line from | costa to 5 inner margin, a zig-zag diagonal black line edged with light chocolate from apex of hindmargin, has developed on it more or less completely from point of apex an undulating gold line or linear bar towards middle third of wing, thence the line forks into two branches from another gold bar, the posterior branch runs to near anal angle of inner margin, where it is rounded to run parallel and near to inner margin along its whole distance ; the anterior branch runs to § inner margin where it crosses the posterior branch ; three or four other dark fuscous bands run through entire length of wing parallel to inner margin, but are interrupted by transverse lines and give the appearance of a number of cones pointing to base, these bands are at points diffused with black and- are bordered by creamy-chocolate lines and marbled by shadings of darker chocolate ; golden bars lined with black on inner border : cilia chocolate with lighter median band and patches of ochreous-fuscous. Hindwings reddish- ochreous, with an undulating dentate fuscous line from costa at f to anal angle of inner margin ; Ijeyond this is a broad hindmarginal fuscous or fuscous-red border, attenuated before anal angle ; cilia ochreous-fuscous, in some specimens irrorated with darker fuscous. Brisbance ; rare. Family PLUSIAD^. HoLOCRYPTis, Meyr., MS., gen.nov. Face loosely scaled. Eyes naked. Ocelli absent. Tongue developed. Antennae in male ciliated. Labial palpi moderate, subascending, very slender, somewhat loosely scaled, terminal joint moderate. Thorax smooth. Abdomen not crested (?). Legs smooth, slender, without spines. Forewings with veins 7 BY THOMAS P. LUCAS. 257 and 8 rising out of 9, 10 free. Hindwings with veins 3 and 4 stalked, 5 well-developed, nearly parallel to 4, 6 and 7 stalked. The genus agrees with Rivula in the neuration of the forewings, but is separable by the slender palpi. HOLOCEYPTIS PHASIANURA, Sp.nOV. (J2. 15-22 mm. Head white. Palpi light fuscous. Antennae grey-white. Thorax creamy-white, snow-white on shoulders. Abdomen fuscous-white. Forewings somewl^at elongate, gently dilate, costa rounded, hindmargin rounded, white, freely mottled with fuscous markings ; two black dots, with a suffused interim at t costa, a black discal spot above median before middle of wing, a black outlined E suffused with grey-blue on inner margin at i, two black spots immediately between this and hindmargin, and a conspicuous rich black spot in middle of hindmargin, a light fuscous dash on costa near base, a broad fuscous fascia at ^ inner margin to just before costa at |^, a light fuscous waved line from \ costa to ^ inner margin, a fuscous fascia from J inner margin, suffused toward last line, to f costa, thence broadened and rounded to meet a like-coloured fascia from near costa just before apex, and in union with it gradually narrows to anal angle of inner margin ; hindmarginal line light fuscous : cilia creamy- white. Hindwings as forewings, a fuscous band at J diffused on costal half posteriorly to an elongated black discal spot, a waved dentate band of black from | costa to | inner margin, broadened posteriorly with grey-blue, a fascia of fuscous between this and hindmargin, hindmarginal line light fuscous ; cilia as forewings. Brisbane to Mackay ; in scrubs ; rare. The pattern is like a pheasant's wing. Family OPHIUSID.'E. Grammodes excellens, sp.nov. (J$. 36-40 mm. Head fuscous-giey, orbicular rims creamy- white. Palpi fuscous. Antennae grey. Thorax iron-grey. Abdomen fuscous-grey. Forewings : costa sti'aight, apical third 258 ON TWENTY NEW SPECIES OP AUSTRALIAN LEPIDOPTERA, gently rounded, hindmargin gently rounded, rich fuscous-black, with cream-colour bars ; a broad bar from ^ costa to f inner margin, 2nd bar from | costa to just before | hindmargin, where it is bent back on itself and is continued as a circular line round to inner margin to just before anal angle, forming a ring, within which is a sharply-defined black ring formed by the continuation of the hindmarginal line ; this ring contains a large black spot shot with blue and bounded by a black line and a cream-coloured line prolonged at either angle to hindmarginal line : cilia white, with median bar of brown. Hindwings as forewings, a broad white concavo-convex white bar from a base \ to \ costa to a point at | inner margin ; an interrupted submar- ginal white line, a hindmarginal black line ; cilia white, with a suffusion of brown in middle and gradually to anal angle. Brisbane to Mackay. Allied to G. oculicola, Walk., but altogether a more handsome insect, with broader bands and with a complete ring of rings or ocellus, which is replaced by a semilunar line in G. oculicola ; in the latter there is a creamy-fuscous line from a dot in anal angle to before apex of hindmargin, which cuts off a well-defined piece of groundcolour ; this is absent in G. excellens. Grammodes pulcherrima, sp.nov. (J9. 26-30 ram. Head fuscous-grey, orbicular rims white. Palpi and antennae fuscous-grey. Thorax iron-grey, with a black collar edged anteriorly with creamy-grey. Abdomen lighter fuscous-grey. Forewings : costa nearly straight, hindmargin gently rounded, fuscous-black, with creamy-white bars ; 1st bar ^ costa to I inner margin, attenuated to a point at costa and hindmargin ; 2nd bar | costa obliquely to opposite f hindmargin, thence sharply angled on itself as a semilunar ring to ^ inner margin, anterior border in costal half bowed toward base ; a white line on costa at ^ with au elongated dot subtended in wing ; a smoky-grey bar or line from near apex of hindmargin to angle of 2nd bar, thence diffused as ground colour or orbicular ring, and BY THOMAS P. LUCAS. 259 containing a black dot bordered by blue-grey ; a submarginal lunulated grey line, bordered by hindraarginal ii-on-grey line: cilia fuscous-grey, with median bar of darker fuscous. Hindwings as forewings, with a white bar from a base ^ to f costa, slightly concave, deeply convex, to a point opposite anal angle ; a light fuscous-grey line immediately beyond ; an irregular submarginal diffused broken line of creamy-grey, a black hindmarginal line ; cilia white, barred with fuscous in centre and diffused fuscous to anal angle. Brisbane ; rare. Allied to G.justa, Walk., and to G. oculicola, Walk., but with finer bars, apical line and dot, and in general appearance a more delicate and showy in.sect. Grammodes divaricata, sp.nov. (J^. 40-46 mm. Head olive-fuscous. Palpi deep fuscous, friuged by purplish-fuscous. Antennae olive-fuscous, laterally finely annulated with purplish-white. Thorax olive-fuscous, with purple-fuscous on dorsum. Abdomen light olive-fuscous, segments fringed with purplish fuscous. Forewings triangular, broadly dilate, costa nearly straight, hindmargin obliquely rounded, deep olive-fuscous, with a broad median fascia of white, tinted with purple and dusted excepting on borders freely with fuscous, anterior border \ costa to f inner margin slightly concave toward base, posterior border f costa to | inner margin deeply concave toward hindmargin ; a dark fuscous line from f costa parallel for ^ to hindmargin, thence obliquely rounded to posterior border of median band on inner margin, bordered posteriorly by a fine white-grey line, becoming fuscous-grey beyond angle ; beyond this a suffusion of light fuscous-drab, becoming ashy-grey tinted with purple toward hindmargin ; an apical spot of chocolate-fuscous boi'dered by a grey-white line ; veins darker fuscous, bordered on costal edge in hindmarginal eighth with purplish-white : cilia ashy-grey, with a basal and terminal band of fuscous-grey. Hind- wings deep olive-fuscous, with a white median band tinted with purple ; a short denticulate waved line from apex of inner margin 260 ox TWENTY NEW SPECIES OF AUSTRALIAN LEPIDOPTERA, to one-third distance of wing, and parallel to a hindmarginal diffusion of same colour, which is very narrowly continued to apex ; a fuscous black hindmarginal line ; cilia ashy-grey, with median band of fuscous-grey. Brisbane. Grammodes fallens, sp.nov. (^9. 42-50 mm. Head, palpi, antennae, thorax, and abdomen a reddish-drab or light ochreous-fuscous. Forewings triangular, broadly dilate, costa slightly sinuous, rounded, apex acute, hind- margin nearly straight, light ochreous-fuscous, sparingly dusted with black ; veins raised ; an irregular row of five black dots in middle two-fourths of wing opposite | costa to opposite | inner margin, in many specimens ill-defined ; in some specimens an indistinct darker ochreous-fuscous wavy line parallel to hind border at |^ ; a hindmarginal row of black dots : cilia light ochreous-fuscous. Hindwings as forewings, lighter toward costa and hindmargin ; a deep black fascia in middle two-fourths of wing at half its own width from hindmargin and diffused as a light smoky-fuscous shade toward costa and less so toward anal angle; a row of hindmarginal black dots, faint in some specimens; cilia as forewings. Brisbane. Family DELTOID.^. Herminia semicircularis, sp.nov. (J9. 24-28 mm. Head dark fuscous. Palpi fuscous. Antennae: $ pectinated, pectinations shorter on inner border and toward apex; 9 simple, light fuscous. Thorax dark fuscous, collar ochreous-fuscous. Abdomen grey-fuscous. Forewings : costa nearly straight, hindmargin rounded, deep fuscous ; costal border ochreous-fuscous, attenuated to a point at 4 costa, beyond this an ochreous dot and a black diffusion to apex ; veins deeper fuscous ; a small ochreous dot bordered by black at i above median vein, a dark fuscous line from | costa to f inner margin, not always well BY THOMAS P. LUCAS. 261 defined, this passes and becomes darker round an ochreous discal spot above median vein ; a very fine ochreous faint line beyond ^ costa obliquely to opposite f costa, thence as a well-defined ochreous line to ^ inner margin, denticulate in costal half and bordered anteriorly by an interrupted smoky-fuscous line ; a faint interrupted sinuous ochreous-fuscous line from just before apex of costa to | inner margin, more distinctly ochreous and forming an ochreous dot or indent opposite discal spot; hind- marginal wavy black line : cilia fuscous, barred and tinted with ochreous and darker fuscous. Hindvvings as forewings, with median ochreous line continuous with that of forewings from h costa to f inner margin, with a dark fuscous line on anterior border ; an ill-defined faint line waved and dentate from f costa to ^ inner margin ; a hindmarginal smoky-fuscous line ; cilia as forewings. Brisbane ; rare. Group PYRALIDINA, Family HYDROCAMPID.E. Nymphula sinuosa, sp.nov. ^Q. 8-12 mm. Head, palpi, antennae, thorax, and abdomen creamy-grey. Forewings elongate- triangular, gently dilate, costa gently rounded, hindmargin rounded, creamy-grey, with smoky- fuscous and ochreous lines ; costa irrorated with sraoky-fuscous dots, a smoky-fuscous line beyond base, interrupted in centre of wing, diffused on inner margin ; a faint wavy ochreous line at ^ ; a median fascia, anterior border -| costa to ^ inner margin, wavy, dentate on costa and before inner margin, posterior border f costa to f inner margin, twice dentate, and nearly straight to middle, thence obliquely toward inner margin, the space contained banded by an ochreous line more or less suffused ; a faint ochreous sinuate denticulate line from just Vjefore apex of costa to | inner margin, in some specimens suffused with fuscous ; a narrow hindmarginal fascia with fuscous linear borders and suffused with bars and lines of fuscous : cilia smoky-fuscous. Hind wings as 262 ON TWENTY NEW SPECIES OF AUSTRALIAN LEPIDOPTERA, forewings, a fascia at j anterior border suffused fuscous parrty wanting, posterior border a dark fuscous line, space contained more or less ochreous ; a median fascia formed of three fuscous black lines interlacing from costa at ^ to a point one-third from inner margin, thence as a single line to just before anal angle of inner margin ; an ochreous line beyond, diffused with fuscous in ^ ; a hindmarginal fuscous black line ; cilia as forewings. Brisbane ; in scrub. Family BOTYDID.E. NOTARCHA EXCULTA, sp.nOV. (Jj. 22-26 mm. Head creamy-grey, with crown and face fuscous-grey. Palpi fuscous-grey. Antennae light fuscous. Thorax fuscous-grey, mottled and bordered with creamy-white. Abdomen fuscous- black, segments fringed with creamy- white. Forewings elongate, costa gently rounded, hiudmargin rounded, creamy-grey, largely diffused with fuscous mottled wuth fuscous- grey, and dotted and lined with black ; a black dot more or less diffused at base, a semilunar black-grey line enclosing this or suffused with it; a black dot on costa at i subtending an irregular row of dots to a large diffused spot at ^ inner margin, centre dots faint ; a dot over median vein at |, another in a line below it, and a faint arch or diffusion of three dots to inner border at J ; a prominent discal spot opposite costa at ?, with a second dot between it and inner border at f, and surrounded with diffused spots of smoky-fuscous ; a denticulate line of dots between veins t costa for § distance of wing to opposite | inner margin, continued to hindmargin as suffused cones ; hindmarginal line smoky-black : cilia creamy-white, with median and terminal light fuscous bars. Hindwings white in centre, with a diffused smoky-fuscous costal border, continued as a broad hindmarginal band, which hindmar- ginal band is marbled by two cream-colour denticulate lines, the one submarginal, the other parallel and half distant to white centre ; four dots, 1st diffused at base, 2nd small and fainter near costa at I, 3rd a square discal spot in centre, and a 4th in BY THOMAS P. LUCAS. 263 centre denticulate line, opposite -| hindmargin ; hindmarginal line black ; cilia creamy- white, with median band and bars of fuscous. Brisbane ; in scrub ; rare. Pyrausta straminea, sp.nov. (J 9. 20-24 mm. Head ochreous-fuscous, face darker fuscous. Palpi fuscous. Antennae creamy-fuscous. Collar dark fuscous. Thorax ochreous-fuscous. Abdomen ochreous-fuscous, whiter anteriorly. Forewings straight, rounded at apex, hindmargin obliquely rounded, ochreous-fuscous tinted with light ferruginous on borders, and marked with black dots and fuscous lines ; costal edge dark fuscous, a curved row of 4 black dots from opposite i costa to ^ inner margin, the third and fourth dots faint and indefinite ; a black dot on median vein with a second dot midway between it and costa at ^ ; -a, circular fuscous line with darker dots on veins, from § costa to a black spot opposite | inner margin ; a hindmarginal dark smoky-fuscous line : cilia grey, with a smoky-fuscous median line. Hindwings ochreous-fuscous, more or less suffused with smoky-grey, mostly toward hindmargin ; a conspicuous black discal spot ; a fuscous line of dots between veins nearly parallel with hindmargin from | costa to | inner margin ; hindmarginal line dark smoky-fuscous ; cilia as fore- wings. Queensland ; rare. Pyrausta violacea, sp.nov, (J9. 20 mm. Head fulvous-ochreous. Palpi long, fulvous- ochreous, inclining to fuscous laterally. Thorax sepia-fuscous. Abdomen fulvous-fuscous. Forewings : costa gently rounded, hindmargin, apical half straight, inner half rounded, dark fuscous shaded with purple and iridescent violet, dusted with sepia- fuscous and marked with deep fuscous lines ; a sepia-fuscous line from 1 costa to J inner margin, space between it and base difiused with sepia-fuscous ; a discoidal ring of dark sepia shaded with violet, in some specimens diffused with sepia-fuscous to form a 264 ON TWENTY NEW SPECIES OF AUSTRALIAN LEPIDOPTERA, conspicuous blotch extending to costa at § ; a second sepia-fuscous line on posterior border of this to | inner margin ; a hindmarginal sepia line : cilia fuscous, with a median band of dark sepia- fuscous. Hindwings as forewings, with inner border broadly diffused with grey, and edged with f ulvous-ochreous hairs ; a broad Y-shaped figure of sepia-fuscous from J and ^ costa stalked opposite ^ hindmargin, stalk curved toward anal angle ; hind- marginal line of sepia-fuscous ; cilia fuscous, with median and terminal lines of sepia-fuscous. Brisbane ; rare. CONOGETHES PUNCTIFERALIS, Gn., var. JOCATA. About f size of type. Spots and lines identical, but minimised. With a fuscous-red suffusion over centre of forewings. Hamilton Scrub, near Brisbane. CONOGETHES NUBIFERA, Sp.nov. (J$. 12-16 mm. Head and antennae chronie-yellow. Palpi purple-red. Thorax chrome-yellow, collar purple-red subtending a square dot on dorsum, and a spot laterally of same colour, epaulettes chrome-yellow, with base purple-red. Abdomen chrome- yellow, with base and sides of centre segments purple-red. Fore- wings : costa rounded, hindmargin gently rounded ; light chrome or ochreous-yellow, with purple-red dots, lines, and suffusions, a dot at base on costa, a line or broken into two or three dots near base across wing ; a second line from ^ costa to ^ inner margin, curved outward in middle third, in some specimens lines on folds connecting these two lines, a discal dot at § near costa ; 3rd line from near but not touching costa at | to ^ inner margin, parallel to 2nd line, dentate in inner half ; 4th line | costa to | inner margin, thicker at costa and inner margin, enclosed space more or less filled with a suffusion, except on costa, and forming an irregular fascia, a suffusion on centre of posterior border, and three clusters of 8 or 9 dots between 4th line and hindmargin : BY THOMAS P. LUCAS. 265 cilia chrome-yellow. Hindwings coloured as forewings, but lighter yellow, markings more sparse, a dot near costa at 5, two dots from inner margin at f toward centre of wing, a line from | costa to anal angle of hind margin broken up into dots in hind- marginal half, a blotch just before apex of costa, in a line with a series of three or four dots to centre of hindmargin ; cilia as fore- wings. Birpengarry, Brisbane ; six specimens taken by Dr. T. L. Bancroft. The difference in the markings, the purple suffusion, and the smaller size readily distinguish this from C. punctiferalis or var. jocata. Family PHYCITID.E. Myelois flaveotincta, sp.nov. ^5. 17-20 mm. Head grey, freely dusted with black, face fuscous. Palpi fuscous, grey at base. Antennae smoky-fuscous. Thorax grey, freely dusted with black. Abdomen fuscous, apex of each segment grey, in $ the abdomen dusted or tinted with fulvous, and with the apical segment fulvous. Forewings elongate, narrowly dilate, costa gently rounded, hindmargin obliquely rou tided, white-grey, freely dusted and mottled with fuscous-grey and black, and marbled with about 7 indefinite black wavy dentate transverse circular lines, at equal distances from base to hind- margin of wing ; in most specimens the lines are hidden by the diffusion of fuscous-grey and black ; a conspicuous black dot on inner border near base, a 2nd at ^ inner border, with another at I costa, a 4th at |^ inner margin, and a 5th just before apex of costa ; a hindmarginal smoke-colour line of spots : cilia grey, with a band of smoky-grey. Hindwings ftyaline, veins light fuscous ; cilia white, with a grey basal band. In the $ the bases of all wings when fresh are tinted with a shading of fulvous, more widely on hindwings. Brisbane ; at light. 266 ON TWENTY NEW SPECIES OF AUSTRALIAN LEPIDOPTERA. HOM^OSOMA DELINEATA, sp.nov. ^$. 14-24 mm. Head grey- white, in some specimens a fuscous spot on crown, in others minute scattered fuscous dots. Palpi fuscous. Antennae fuscous- drab. Thorax and abdomen grey- white. Forewings elongate, costa rounded, hindmargin rounded, grey-white, dusted or more or less diffused with grey, and spotted with fuscous dots, well marked or more or less obscure ; costal border fuscous, darker in apical third, the fuscous colour becoming more diffused at apex ; a first line of two dots, the one at ^ and near inner border, the second opposite to it on median vein ; a dot in middle of wing at ? ; a second line of seven dots with interposed dashes from ^ costa to opposite f inner border ; in some specimens there is a more or less distinct fuscous line between the inner marginal dots ; a submarginal line or diffusion of grey dashes ; a hindmarginal row of fuscous-grey dots : cilia grey. Hindwings grey, veins smoky -grey; submai-ginal and hind- marginal lines of fuscous-grey inclose a narrow band of light fuscous ; cilia as forewings. Brisbane ; rare. 267 FURTHER NOTES ON THE OVIPARITY OF THE LARGER VICTORIAN PERIPATUS, GENERALLY KNOWN AS P. LEUGKARTII. By Arthur Dendy, D.Sc. (Communicated by Professor W. A. Hasweli.) My observations* on the oviparous habit of the larger Victorian Peripatus (hitherto generally regarded as identical with the Peripatus leicckartii of Sang.) have excited a good deal of hostile criticism, chiefly emanating from the pen of Mr. J. J. Fletcher. On three different occasions since the publication of my notes Mr. Fletcher has brought the question before the Linnean Society of New South Wales, and his remarks have been published (I do not know whether in full or not) in the Abstracts of Proceedings of the Society.! I have already replied to the earlier criticisms in a short paper read at the Hobart Meeting of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science, which will, I am informed, be published shortly. Mr. Fletcher's latest observations, however, compel me to return to the question, and I am the more willing to do so as I have some further information to communicate in support of my views. The object of Mr. Fletcher's latest contribution to the literature of the subject is explained in the opening paragraph, which runs as follows : — "This paper is a reply to certaia views expressed by Dr. Dendy with regard to the repi'oduction of the New South * Proc. Roy. Soc. Victoria for 1891, p. 31 ; "Nature," September 17, 1891 ; and " Zoologischer Anzeiger," No. 380, 1891. t September 30, 1891 ; February 24, 1892 ; April 27, 1892. 268 ON THE OVIPARITY OP THE LARGER VICTORIAN PERIPATUS, Wales Peripatus, which on the ipse dixit of Dr. Dendy himself is P. leuckartii, Sang. ; the questions at issue being not whether or no the Victorian Peripatus is oviparous, but whether, firstly, Dr. Dendy was justified, on the evidence before him and in the absence of any personal knowledge of the reproduction of the N.S.W. Peripatus, in contradicting statements which were quite in order ; and secondly, as Dr. Dendy's views were published in September, 1891, and as certain information on the subject was subsequently brought under his notice, whether it is not now nearly time that Dr. Dendy took steps to explain that his views apply wholly and solely to the Victorian Peripatus, and to withdraw his insinuations respecting, and his erroneous interpretation of, ' Mr. Fletcher's observations,' because already Dr. Dendy's statements are finding their way into the records of zoological literature, and confusion and misapprehension may result therefrom." In reply to Mr. Fletcher's indictment I wish to make the following remarks ; — (1) I do not understand the meaning of the statement that the New South Wales Peripatus is, " on the ipse dixit of Dr. Dendy himself," P. leuckartii. I cex'tainly am not responsible for this identification, which was, I believe, first made by Mr. OllifF, who remarks,* on first recording the animal from New South Wales, that " The species is identical with that recently recorded by Mr. Fletcher from Gippsland, and is probably the Peripatus leuckartii of Sanger." I need scarcely point out that the name leuckarti has since been applied by Mr. Fletcher himself to the New South Wales species. Possibly Mr. Fletcher means to refer to the larger Victorian species, of which the first recorded specimen was identified by himself \ as "in all probability an example of P. leuckartii, Sanger." If Mr. Fletcher will refer to my earliest communication on the subject,! he will find that in recording the discovery of * P.L.S.N.S.W. Vol. ii. p. 981. t P.L.S.N.S.W. Vol. ii. p. 450. :J: " Victorian Naturalist," January, 1889. BY ARTHUR DENDY. 269 two specimens at Warburton (only one specimen having been previously recorded from this colony) I made the following statement: "After carefully studying Professor Sedgwick's full description of A leuckartii, I am fairly certain that they do not belong to that species, but to a new one, which I for the present refrain from naming " — basing my conclusion on the remarkable pattern of the skin. Professor Sedgwick, however, in reply to my observations, expressed the opinion* that the species probably was subject to a considerable range of variation in colour. Having studied more specimens, I myself came to the same conclusion,! and have since then followed Mr. Fletcher in calling the larger Victorian species P. leuckartii. This use of the name leiickartii on my part seems to be Mr. Fletcher's chief grievance against me, but I would ask him to remember that T have only followed his own lead in this respect. (2) I am not aware that I have contradicted any statements, for the simple reason that I cannot find that there were any definite statements as to the mode of reproduction of the New South Wales Peripatus for me to contradict. There was merely the assumption by Mr. Fletcher (which I quoted and characterised as very natural) that the young animals which he found in company with the parent had been born alive. (3) I consider that I was fully justified in assuming that the mode of reproduction of the N.S. W. Peripatus was the same as that of the Victorian one, as at the time when I wrote there were no definite observations published as to the mode of reproduction of the former, and it was almost inconceivable that diflferent individuals, which Mr. Fletcher himself, in common with all other writers on the subject, regarded as belonging to one and the same species, should be oviparous in the one colony and viviparous in the other. I have no doubt now that the New South Wales Peripatiis is viviparous, as maintained by Mr, * "Nature," February '2Sth, 1889. + "Observations on the Australian Species of Peripatus." Proc. Roy. Soc. Victoria, July Uth, 1889. 270 ON THE OVIPARITY OF THE LARGER VICTORIAN PERIPATUS, Fletcher and Professor Haswell, but I would ask Mr. Fletcher to remember that when I wrote the only published observations as to the mode of reproduction of the New South Wales species were (a) the finding of the young in company with the mother, though there was nothing, so far as the published account goes, to show that they had not been hatched from eggs laid for some time, and (b) a footnote* to one of Mr. Fletcher's observations, stating that a female had been dissected and found to be pregnant; the term pregnant is not defined, and might, in my opinion, be correctly applied to a female containing large but undeveloped eggs in the uterus ; nothing is said by Mr. Fletcher about the embryos. Mr. Fletcher may personally have had abundant evidence that the New South Wales Peripatus was viviparous, but that evidence was not published, and not known to me when I waote, and therefore I consider that I was quite justified in stating that the mode of reproduction of /■*. leuckartii was unknown, and in placing my own interpretation upon the only recorded facts as to the life-history of the New South Wales form. Naturally, I inter- preted them in the light of my own observations on the Victorian species. That interpretation I now fully admit to be incorrect, and I congratulate myself that if my observations have had no other good result they have at least elicited some definite infor- mation as to the mode of reproduction of the New South Wales Peripatus. (4) Mr. Fletcher seems to be very greatly troubled because my statements are already " finding their way into the records of zoological literature, and confusion and misajiprehension may result therefrom." There is not the slightest need for confusion now that we have at length a definite statement as to the repro- duction of the N.S.W. species. It must be perfectly obvious to every reader that my own observations were based entirely on Victorian specimens, as stated distinctly in the paper, and that my suggestion as to the New South Wales form was a perfectly * P.L.S.N.S.W. Vol. iii. p. 892. BY ARTHUR DENDV. 271 justifiable, though, as it turns out, incorrect, deduction from the only published facts. It is perhaps unfortunate that both the New South Wales and Victorian forms should have been included under the name leuckartii ; but for this Mr. Fletcher himself is at least as much responsible as any one. (5) Mr. Fletcher states that the question at issue is not whether or no the Victorian species is oviparous. Herein 1 must beg to differ from him, as this is the real question which I have been all along trying to solve, and compared with which the mere question of nomenclature is, in my opinion, insignificant. In concluding his observations he also indulges in certain offensive and unjustifi- able personalities, which I need not quote. It is greatly to be regretted that he should have considered such a proceeding advisable, and, for my own part, I entirely fail to see the advan- tage to be derived therefrom and must refuse to follow his example in this respect. Probably the solution of the whole difficulty will be found to lie in the fact that my original opinion was correct after all, and that our larger Victorian Peripatus is specifically distinct from P. leuckartii. For the present, however, I still refi-ain from giving it a distinctive name, as I have had very few specimens from other localities to compare it with, and do not wish, if it can be helped, to create a new species merely on account of the oviparous habit. This question, however, is discussed in my communication to the Australasian Association already referred to. As to the oviparous habit of our larger Victorian species (so called to distinguish it from the smaller P. insignis) I have some additional evidence to offer, and I would like at the same time to recapitulate the main arguments in favour of my view. My critics have entirely ignored all that is new in my observations, such as the remarkable sculptured egg-shell, and have suggested that what I have observed is simply a case of abnormal extrusion of eggs such as takes place sometimes in P. novce-zealandice. Professor Hutton, however, who made the observation on the New Zealand species, merely states that the eggs are often 18 272 ON THE OVIPARITY OF THE LARGER VICTORIAN PERIPATUS, extruded before development is complete and then always die. Professor Sedgwick quotes these statements in his Monograph of the genus, and yet in replying* to my letter in " Nature " he states that " no one knows whether the eggs so extruded undergo complete development " ! I suppose that most animals sometimes extrude eggs which never complete their development, but this has I'eally little to do with the question. What I have been endeavouring to prove is that the larger Victorian species of Peripatus is normally oviparous. The two principal arguments originally brought forward — both of which have been entirely overlooked by my critics — were (1) that female specimens dissected at various times of the year were never found with embryos in the uterus, as has been so frequently described for other species, but generally with large undeveloped eggs of definite oval shape and with a thick membrane ; (2) that the shell or membrane of the eggs after (but not before) being laid is very definitely and characteristically sculptured on the outer surface, in such a manner as to recall the eggs of many insects. This sculpturing alone appears to me to indicate a truly oviparous habit, and, inasmuch as it affords another character common to Peripatus and the Insecta, to deserve special attention. I am not aware that a sculptured egg-shell has hitherto been observed in Peripatus, and I should be glad to learn from Mr. Fletcher whether anything of the kind has ever been found around embryos of the New South Wales species which have, as he informs us,*^ been extruded in the process of drowning. The additional evidence on the subject which I now wish to bring forward consists in the subsequent history of the fourteen eggs which were laid in my vivarium between the 18th May and the 31st July last year, and of one which, though possibly laid about the same time, was not discovered until September 16. Before going any further, however, I may premise that the fact that the eggs are really those of Perijmtus has been absolutely * " Nature," September 24th, 1891. * P.L.S.N.S.W. September 30, 1891. BY ARTHUR DENDY. 273 proved by their development. It may also be as well to relate the fate of the parent animals by which the eggs were laid. It may be remembered that on the 31st July, 1891, when the eggs were first found, there were in the vivarium three females and one male, all apparently in good health. The male specimen died shortly afterwards, but on August 17th the females were still all alive and apparently healthy. On August 31st, as mentioned in a postscript to my first communication on the subject, one of the female specimens was found dead. On being dissected the reproductive organs appeared very well developed, but, although the ovary and oviducts were both large (the former containing a great many ovarian eggs), there was not a single egg in either of the oviducts, all having been doubtless laid. On September 16th the two remaining females were still alive. I killed and dissected one. The organs appeared healthy and well developed. In the lower part of each oviduct one large egg was found. The eggs presented the usual characters, having a very thick but unsculptured envelope filled with yolk. Both eggs were cut open and examined microscopically, but I did not succeed in recognising any trace of an embryo in either. On completely turning out the vivarium and examining its contents carefully I found one more Peripatus egg amongst the rotten wood (September 16th). It looked much healthier than those which had previously been transferred from the vivarium, many of the latter having already begun to shrivel up and acquire a dark colour. In the newly found egg, and also in the healthier looking of those previously obtained, there now appeared to be a dark spot in the interior, but this was only dimly visible through the thick sculptured shell. On September 2.5th the last remaining female was still appar- ently in good health, but on October 1st it was found dead — how long it had been so I do not know. On dissection I found the internal organs in a bad condition. Neither eggs nor embryos were visible in the oviducts. The ducts of the slime glands were 274 ON THE OVIPARITY OF THE LARGER VICTORIAX PERIPATUS, very much enlarged and swollen out, while the branched portions appeared feebly developed, in fact not distinctly recognisable. The alimentary canal was almost empty, and the animal seemed to have died of starvation. On October 3rd I dissected one of the eggs from the hatching- box. I could find no embryo in it, but only the same semi-liquid, yolk-like contents as when in utero, full of little oil or yolk globules. Inside the thick sculptured "shell" there was, as usual, a very thin and delicate transparent membrane. Probably a young embryo was really present but was broken up in opening the egg and overlooked; even at a much later period the embryonic tissues are extremely delicate. On November 30th I noted that several of the eggs were showing indications of an embryo appearing coiled up within them, but the shell was so thick and opaque that it was impossible to make out any details. I dissected the egg which was found on Septem- ber 16th, and which had since then been kept separate from the rest. I found in it a beautiful embryo Peripatus in an advanced stage of development. The embryo was surrounded by a delicate transparent membrane, which fitted closely on to it and was very difficult to I'emove ; outside this came the sculptured shell. The embryo possessed a distinct head, with clearly recognisable brain, eyes and ringed antennae, and there were at least seven pairs of appendages behind the antennae. It lay tightly coiled up, with the posterior extremity resting against the side of the neck, in such a position as to make it very difficult to count the appen- dages. The specimen was stained and mounted in Canada bal.sam. This embryo, then, developed for more than 10 weeks after the egg had been laid and did not show the least sign of " going to the bad." I need hardly say that during the heat of the summer months I found it \i very difficult matter to keep the eggs in a suitable condition of moisture, especially as I had no previous experience to guide me. Hence it is not to be wondered at that the majority of the eggs perished, shrivelling up and being attacked by a mould. BY ARTHUR DENDY, 275 As I was away from Melbourne for some weeks during the summer, I entrusted the eggs to the care of the Rev. W. Fielder, who most kindly looked after them for me in my absence. Frequent atten- tion was necessary in renewing the supply of moisture. On April 14th, 1892, only three eggs remained in the hatching box, the others having been removed as they showed signs of going bad. One of the remaining three had been showing dark pigment inside for some days past. This egg I lemoved and carefully dissected. I found the shell of a much darker (yellow) colour than when laid, a good deal crumpled on the surface, and very soft, as though beginning to decay away. The contained embryo was removed and found to be in excellent condition, although outside it there appeared under the microscope a great many very fine threads, which I take to be the hyphse of a fungus. Possibly this fungus might have ultimately killed the embiyo, but the latter was so far advanced that it seemed to be on the verge of hatching. It was enclosed within the usual transparent delicate membrane lying within the thick shell. I could not determine whether the fungal hyphse had penetrated witiiin this inner membrane, but I think it very doubtful. The embryo was tightly coiled up as in the previous case. When uncoiled it measured about 5 mm. in length (exclusive of the antennae) and 1 mm. in breadth. All the appendages were developed, viz., antennae, oral papillae, two pairs of jaws and fifteen pairs of claw-bearing legs. The eyes were conspicuous at the bases of the antennte, and the antennae themselves showed each about twenty deeply pigmented annuli. The remainder of the body was nearly white, but very distinct isolated pigment patches (chiefly indigo- blue, with a few specks of orange) appeared scattered pretty abundantly over the legs and back. The mouth was surrounded by the very characteristic, thick, transversely furrowed lip. The dermal papillae were very obvious and exhibited the characteristic spines, the cuticle being very strongly developed. The claws on the feet were very distinct. The alimentary canal was full of granular food yolk. The specimen was stained with borax carmine and mounted in Canada balsam. 276 ON THE OVI PARITY OF THE LARGER VICTORIAN PERIPATUS. This embryo, then, developed for at least eight months and a half after the egg was laid, and at the end of that time was a perfect young Peripatus, differing externally from the adult only in its smaller size and less deeply pigmented skin. There are still two eggs left in the hatching box, but they do not look to me at present as if they were going to hatch. Whether they do so or not, however, I think I may fairly claim to have now definitely proved that the larger Victorian Peripatus at any rate sometimes lays eggs, and that these eggs are capable of undergoing development outside the body until perfect young animals are produced. The great length of time required for the dev^elopment of the eggs is very remarkable, but is only what one might expect on considering the unusual length of time required for intra-uterine development in other species. 277 NOTES AND EXHIBITS. Mr. Palmer exhibited a broken aboriginal stone axe fonnd l)y liim in a cave shelter at Lawson, Blue Mts. Mr. Pedlej exhibited a very fine and perfect saw, about 5 ft. long, of the saw-fish Pristis zysron, Bleeker. The fish without the saw was about 19 ft. long, and was captured in a net at Evans River, N.S.W. The number of pairs of rostral teeth for this species is usually given as from 26-32 ; the specimen exhibited had only 25 pairs, all in place. Mr. Whitelegge exhibited the following interesting collection of mosses obtained by him at Lord Howe Island, and determined by Professor Brothei'us of Helsingfors. Twenty species are repre- sented, of which seven are new, some of the remainder also not having been previously recorded from Lord Howe Island. Euptychiuni mucronatiom, Hanipe. Euptychium robustum, Hampe. Macromitritvm j^eraristatum, Brotherus, n.sp. Macromitrium brevisetaceum, Hampe. Rhizogonitcm undulatum, Lindberg. Rhizogonium Parramattense, C. Miiller. Bryum Whiteleggei, Brotherus, n.sp. Bryum leticacanthum, Hampe. Distichophyllum leucolonia, Brotherus, n.sp. Cyatlwpliorum ^iennatum, Bridel. Thuidium protensuluin, C. Miiller. Trichosteleum (?) muscicola, Brotherus, n.sp. Dicranum dicarpum, Hornschuch. Campy lopus bartramioides, Bi-otherus, n.sp. Leucobryum pseudo-caiididuin, Brotherus, n.sp. Pterobryella praetdtens, Hampe. Pilotrichella trichophoroides, Hampe. Porotrichum vagiom, Hornschuch. Fissidens ( C onomitrium ) huweanus, Brotherus, n.sp. Spiridens MUlleri, Hampe. 278 NOTES AND EXHIBITS. Mr. Froggatt exhibited three feraale specimens of an undescribed species of Coelostoma (Fam. Coccidce) found on Acacia stricta; the only other known species, C. australe, was recently described by Mr. Maskell in the Proceedings of this Society. Also a robber-fly (Fam. Asilidoi) together with a bee {Ajns melUfica), its victim ; and he mentioned that one of these flies, Trupania apivora, Feitch, in North America was known to be a ruthless destroyer of honey bees. Mr. Hedley exhibited, on behalf of Mr. Eainbow, a spider of the family Epeiridce. This rare and remarkable insect furnishes an addition to our fauna, and a new genus maybe required for its reception. 279 WEDNESDAY, 29th JUNE, 1892. The President, Professor Haswell, jVI.A., D.Sc, in the Chair. Mr. Oswald Trebeck was introduced as a visitor. DONATIONS. " United States National Museum — Proceedings." Vol. xiv., Nos. 884-886 (1892). From the Museum. " American Museum of Natural History, New York — Bulletin." Vol. iv., pp. 33-64 (1892). From the Museum. " Bolletfcino dei Musei di Zoologia ed Anatomia comparata della R. Universita di Torino." Vol. vii., Nos. 112-119 (1892). From the Mthsetim. Two pamphlets entitled — " On the Oleo-Resin of Canariuvi muelleri, Bailey ; together with Notes on Manila elemi," and " Notes on the Exudations yielded by some Australian Species of Pittosjjorum." By J. H. Maiden, F.C.S., &c. From the Author. Pamphlet entitled — " On Thirty-Four new Species of Australian Lepidoptera, with additional Localities, &c." By T. P, Lucas, M.R.C.S., &c. From the Author. " Perak Government Gazette."- — Vol. v., Nos. 10-14 (April-May, 1892). From the Government Secretary. "Bulletin de la Societe d'Horticulture du Doubs." No. 16 (April, 1892). F^-om the Society, "Department of Agriculture, Brisbane — Annual Report, 1890- 91 "; "Bulletin." No. 17 (May, 1892). From the Under Secre- tary for Agriculture. 280 DONATIONS. " Zoologischer Anzeiger." xv. Jabrg., Nos. 389-391 (April- May, 1892). From the Editor. *' Wood ward ian Museum, Cambridge — Catalogue of the Type Fossils in the Museum" (1891). From the Museum. " Verhandlungen des Naturhistorischen Vereines der preussis- chen Rheinlande, Westfalens and des Reg.-Bezirks Osnabriick." Eiinfte Folge, viii. Jahrg., Zweite Halfte (1891). From the Society. " Videnskabelige Meddelelser fra den Naturhistoriske Forening i Kjobenhavn for Aaret 1891." From the Society. " Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society." Vol. xlviii., Part 2, No. 190 (May, 1892). From the Society. " Entomological Society of London — Transactions for the year 1892." Part 1 (March). From the Society. "Zoological Society of London — Transactions." Vol. xiii., Part 4 (April, 1892); "Proceedings, 1891." Part 4 (April, 1892); " Proceedings— Index 1881-90 (1892)"; "Abstract, 3rd May, 1892"; "Additions to Menagerie during March, 1892." From the Society. "Journal of the Royal Microscopical Society, 1892." Part 2 (April). From the Society. Two Conchological Pamphlets entitled — " Descriptions of new- Species of Shells from New South Wales, Nev.' Guinea, the Caro- line and Solomon Islands," and " Descriptions of new Species of Shells from Mauritius and California." By E. A. Smith, F.Z.S. From the Author. " Report of the Third Meeting of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science held at Christchurch, New Zealand, in January, 1891." From the Association. " University of Melbourne — Examination Papers (Matricula- tion)." May, 1892. From the University. " The Victorian Naturalist." Vol. ix., Nos. 2-3 (June-July, 1892). Froon the Field Naturalists'' Club of Victoria. " Societe Zoologique de France — Memoires." T. iv.. No. 5 (1891) ; T. v., No. 1 (1892) ; " Bulletin." T. xvii.. No. 2 (1892). From the Society. DONATIONS. 281 " Results of Meteorological Observations made in N.S.W. during 1889"'; "Results of Rain, River, and Evaporation Obser- vations made in N.S.W. during 1890 " ; and two pamphlets entitled — " Notes on the Growth of some Australian Trees," and " A Cyclonic Storm or Tornado in the Gwydir District." By H. C. Russell, B.A., C.M.G., F.R.S. From the Government Astrono- mer, Sydiiey. " Department of Mines, Victoria — Annual Report of the Secre- tary for Mines for the year 1891." From the Secretary for Mines. " Nouvelles Archives du Museum d'Histoire Naturelle." •3'"'* Serie, Tome iii""* (1891) ; " Zeitschrift fiir wissenschaftliche Zoo- logie." liii. Band, 4 Heft u. Supplement. The Gift of the late Hon. Sir William Macleay, F.L.S. (by the Executors). " Sydney Morning Herald." In monthly numbers for the years 1883, 1884, 1885, 1886 (except October), 1887 (except September and October), 1888 (except October and December), 1889, 1890, 1891 (January to July). From Dr. J. C. Cox, F.L.S. " Institute of Jamaica — A Provisional List of the Fishes of Jamaica ; Bulletin No. 1 " (1892). From the Institute. " Bulletin de la Societe Royale Linn^enne de Bruxelles." xvii""^ Annee, Nos. 1-6 (November, 1891, to April, 1892). From the Society. "Bulletin de la Societe Royale de Geographie d'Anvers." T. xvi., 3'^ Fasc. (1892). From the Society. " Journal of the College of Science, Imperial University, Japan." Vol. v.. Part 1 (1892). From the University. "Societe Botanique de Lyon —Bulletin Trimestriel." ix'"® Ann^e, Nos. 3 et 4 (Juillet-Decembre, 1891). From the Society. " Naturkundige Verhandelingen van de Hollandsche Maat- schappij der Wetenschappen." 3'^'' Verz., Deel v., 2"^^ Stuk (1892); "Programma, 1889-91"; "Naamlijst, 1889-91." From the Dutch Society of Sciences at Haarlem. "Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W." Vol. iii.. Part 5 (May, 1892); "Index to Vol. i." (1890). From the Director of Agri- culture. 282 DONATIONS. " Australian Museum, Sydney — Catalogue of the Marine Shells of Australia." No. xv., Part 2— Pteropoda (1892). From, the Trustees. " Royal Irish Academy — Transactions." Yol. xxix., Part 19 (1892). From the Academy. " Australasian Journal of Pharmacy." Vol. vii., No 78 (June, 1892). From the Editor. " Geological and Natural History Survey of Canada — Contri- butions to the Micro-Palseontology of the Cambro-Silurian Rocks of Canada." Part 1 (1883), Part 2 (1889). From the Director. " American Naturalist." Vol. xxvi., Nos. 304-305 (April-May, 1892). From the Editors. " Canadian Record of Science." Vol. v., No. 2 (1892). From the natural History Society, Montreal. " Zoological Society of Philadelphia — Twentieth Annual Report." April, 1892. Froo^i the Society. " Royal Society of Tasmania — Papers and Proceedings for 1891." From the Society. " Natuurkundig Tijdschrift voor Nederlandsch-Indie, uitge- geven door de Koninlijke Natuurkundige Vereeniging." Deel li. (1892). Fro7n the Society. "Archiv for Mathematik og Naturvidenskab." Femtende Bind, Nos. 1-3 (1891-92). From the Royal University of Norioay, Christiania. " Gesellschaf t fiir Erdkunde zu Berlin — Verhandlungen." Bd. xix. (1892), No. 4: "Zeitschrift." Bd. xxvii. (1892), No. 1. From the Society. " Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom — Journal." n.s. Vol. ii., No. 3 (May, 1892). From the Asso- ciation. " K. K. Naturhistorisches Hofmuseum, Wien — Annalen, ' Band vi., Nos. 1-2 (1891). From the Director. 283 PAPERS READ. NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES. By the Rev. T. Blackburn, B.A., Core. Mem. Part XII. HYDROPHILID.E. Volvulus punctatus, Blackb. When I described this species (P.L.S.N.S.W. 1888, p. 838) I was unable to ascertain its habitat. I have since received it from the Northern Territory of S. Australia. LAMELLICORNES. Onthophagus hostilis, Har. There is little doubt that this is identical with 0. Adelaidce, Hope. Hope's is the older name. Heteronyx nasutus, Blackb, I find that my description of this species (P.L.S.N.S.W. 1889, p. 147) was founded on an abraded example, and that in fresh specimens the upper surface is thinly clothed with shortish adpressed hairs in addition to the long erect ones. This discovery calls for an alteration in the tabulation, in which the following should be substituted for the last 13 lines of page 141 (loc. cit). 284 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, B. Size considerably exceeding 3 lines. C. Prothorax not closely punctulate. D. "Trilobed outline" of head very strongly defined, middle lobe (i.e., labium) very narrow and very prominent. E. Prothorax strongly narrowed in front H. fervidus, Blackb. EE. Prothorax but little narrowed in front ... H. nasutus, Blackb. DD. "Trilobed outline" of head much less strongly defined H. ffranulifer, Blackb. CC. Prothorax closely punctulate H. normalis, Blackb. JBB. Size less than 3 lines ff. hrevicornis, Blackb. Heteronyx rhinoceros, sp.nov. Sat elongatus ; postice vix dilatatus ; minus nitidus ; pallide fusco-testaceus; minus distincte pubescens; clypeo crassissime rugulosofere tuberculato, capite postice prothoraceque fortiter sparsim, elytris (his subtiliter coriaceis et longitudinaliter obsolete carinatis) leviter subtilius sat sparsim, pygidio (hoc pilis erectis sparsim vestito) fere ut elytra sed magis obsolete, punctulatis ; labro clypeum fortiter sat late superanti ; antennis 9-articulatis ; unguiculis bifidis ; coxis posticis quam metasternum vix brevioribus, quam segmentum ventrale secundum multo longioribus. [Long. 3 J, lat. 1| lines. The sculpture of the clypeus (so coarsely rugose as to resemble a system of closely placed tubercles) is in itself almost sufficient to distinguish this species from all its congeners. The outline of the head is also remarkable, the labrum being so prominent and the sides of the clypeus so sti'ongly reflexed that the trilobed outline appears most exceptionally distinct, all the three lobes very well defined, the uiiddle one slightly narrower than the lateral ones, but projecting more strongly. The prothorax is twice as wide as long, very little narrower in front than behind, the front margin moderately emarginate, the base not distinctly BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 285 lobed, the front angles almost right angles and scarcely at all produced, the hind angles rounded off, the sides strongly rounded. The lower two external teeth of the front tibiae are very strong and sharp, the uppermost is very minute. The apical piece of the hind claws is a little longer than the produced apex of the basal piece, which is truncate at the apex. In my tabulation of the group of Reteronyjc (Section iii., Group VI., P.L.S.N.S.W. 1889, p. 426-8) in which this species finds a place it falls on p. 427, BB. (line 7) beside hidentatus, from which its totally different puncturation and the strongly developed trilobed outline of its clypeus will at once distinguish it. W. Australia ; sent to me by C. French, Esq. Heteronyx marcidus, sp.nov. Sat elongatus ; postice leviter dilatatus; minus nitidus; piceus, pedibus obscure rufescentibus, palpis antennisque pallidiori- bus ; subtiliter sat sparsim pubescens ; capite confertim rugulose nee crasse, prothorace subtiliter sat confertim, elytris subtiliter confertim subsquamose, pygidio sparsim subfortiter, punctulatis ; labro clypeum vix superanti ; antennis 8-articu- latis ; unguiculis appendiculatis ; coxis posticis quam metas- ternum sat brevioribus quam segmentum ventrale secundum sat longioribus. [Long. 5, lat. 2| lines. This species is exceptional in its group through the very slight prominence of the labrura, owing to which the trilobed appearance of the outline of the head is very feeble, the even curve of the outline (from the most favourable point of view) being disturbed only to the extent of appearing to bulge forward into manifestly greater convexity in the middle. The fi'ont tibiae are strongly but not sharply tridentate externally. The prothorax is much wider than long (as 12 to 7), the base (which is bisinuate but scarcely lobed) much wider than the front (as 11 to 7), the sides gently arched, the front angles sharp but little prominent, the hind angles roundly obtuse (but, viewed from above, appearing right angles). The elytra bear scarcely a trace of striation. The apical piece of the hind claws is about equal in length to the basal piece. 286 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, This insect falls in my Section iii., Group V., of Heteronyx {vide P.L.S.N.S.W. 1889, p. 1219), which is tabulated in P.L.S.N.S.W. 1889, pp. 141-145. In that tabulation it falls beside nigricans on page 142, though the puncturation of its elytra is a little more close than in that species, though markedly less so than in mulwalensis and pu7ictipennis. From nigricans it may be at once distinguished by the imperfect trilobed outline of its head, its clypeus forming an even surface with the rest of the liead, &c. Its nearest ally is consanguineus, Blackb., (P.L.S.N.S.W. 1891, p. 490), from which it differs iiiter alia by the same characters mentioned above as distinguishing it from nigricans. Victoria ; Swan Hill. COEYNOPHYLLUS METALLICOLA, sp.nOV. {^) Castaneus, capite prothoraceque rufescentibus, hoc (exempli typici) nigro-cincto et utrinque macula picea ornato ; subtus dense longe fulvo-hirsutus ; capite sat crebre (postice sparsim) punctulato, ante oculos transversim carinato, carina media breviter acute tuberculiformi ; prothorace quam longiori (et postice quam antice) duplo latiori, sparsim subtiliter punctu- lato, obsolete canaliculato, antice nee concavo nee tuberculato sed pone marginem anticum fovea parva punctiformi im- presso ; elytris leviter geminatim punctulato striatis, inter- stitiis fere lisvibus ; antennarum flabello sat lato, intus in medio subangulatim dilatato. [Long. 8, lat 4? lines. The absolutely simple front margin of the prothorax, which is merely bisinuate without any trace of a tubercle will distinguish this species from all its previously described congeners. N. S. Wales ; Broken Hill. Aneurystypus collaris, sp.nov. [^) Ferrugineus, antennis pallidioribus ; subtus dense longe fulvo- hirsutus ; capite crebre rugulose (^clypeo vix rugulose) punc- tulato, ante oculos obsolete carinato ; prothorace quam longiori (et postice quam antice) paullo plus quam dimidio latiori, subfortiter minus sparsim punctulato, late obsolete BY THE REV, T. BLACKBURN. 287 canaliculate, antice nee concavo nee tuberculato ; elytris obscure in^qualiter rugulosis, leviter getninatim striatis ; antennarnm llabello elongato-ovali, quam stipes sat longiori. [Long. 6, lat. 31 lines. At once distinguished from its two previously described congeners by the front margin of the prothorax of the male not being raised into a tubercle in the middle, and the transverse carina of the head being extremely feeble. The flabellum of the antennae in the male is intermediate in length between that of A. calvus,'Bla,ckh., and A. Eichardsce, Blackb., being about once and a third as long as the stipes. The puncturation of the prothorax is similarly intermediate, being evidently stronger than in A. Eichardsce, but scarcely so strong as in ^. calvus. The elytra are vei-y evidently more rugulose than in either of the previously described species. The prothorax has a very massive appearance owing to its anterior narrowing not commencing until quite close to the front. W. Australia ; Eyre's Sandy Patch, I BUPRESTID.^. Melobasis vittigera, Thoms. I believe this to be merely a variety of M. cujoreo-vittata, Saund. I have intermediate forms in my collection. Melobasis subcyanea, sp.no v. Sat convexa ; minus nitida ; obscure cyanea, elytris basin lateraque versus indeterminate cupreo-purpurascentibus, capite (nonnullis exemplis) viridescenti ; hoc leviter convexo, crebre subrugulose punctulato ; prothorace quam longiori fere duplo (postice quam antice circiter tertia parte) latiori, crebre minus fortiter (latera versus magis crebre rugulose) punctulato, vix manifeste canaliculato, lateribus sat arcuatis ; scutello vix punctulato ; elytris ad apicem rotundatis, antice in disco utrinque gibbosis, obscure punctulato-striatis, interstitiis hie illic ineequaliter convexis, lateribus postice subtiliter denti- culatis ; coipore subtus crebre punctulato, prosterno antice declivi. [Long. 5, lat. 2 lines. 19 288 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, The uniform dark blue colour of the under side and legs (which seems constant) and the distinct gibbosity (like a round swelling) on each elytron a little behind the base render this species easy to distinguish. It is a very solid-looking convex insect. The apical ventral segment in all the examples T have seen is deeply emarginate and bispinose. S. Australia. ELATERID^. Lacon mansuetus, sp.nov. Opacus ; niger, epipleuris antice Isete testaceis, antennis pedi- busque (et nonnullis exempli s parte circa scutellum corporisque subtus parte mediana) rufis ; obscure squamosus ; capite prothoraceque crebresat fortiter punctulatis; illo subdepresso; hoc obscure inasquali baud distincte canaliculate, longitudine latitudini sequali, basi quam margo anticus duplo latiori, lateribus subtiliter crenulatis leviter arcuatis postice vix sinuatis, angulis posticis subacutis retrorsum directis ; elytris basi singulatim sat fortiter arcuatis, quam prothorax vix latioribus minus quam duplo longioribus, modice convexis, punctulato-striatis, sutura et interstitiis alternis elevatis, angulis humeralibus acute rectis ; sulcis tarsorum in prosterno sat distincte (fere ut L. hrightensis, Blackb.), in metasterno obsolete, impressis. [Long. 2|, lat. 1 line. A small ordinary-looking Lacon. In Dr. Candeze's tabulation of the genus [Mem. Liege (2) iv.] it would stand in company with carinulatus, Cand., and sculptus, Cand., from both of which its small size distinguishes it ; it differs from the former also inter alia by its 5th elytral interstice not more costiform than the 3rd, and by the non-carinate hind angles of its prothorax. It should be noted that strictly speaking this insect would not fit into Dr. Candeze's tabulation at all, as he makes no group in which the tarsal furrows of the metathorax are " feebly defined," but I have no doubt Dr. Cand^ze would place it in the group devoid of metathoracic farrows ; in this and several included in that group the furrows are just barely traceable. BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 289 This species falls into the small group of Lacon which T tabulated in P.L.S.N.S.W., 1891, pp. 508 and 509. In that tabulation it stands beside L. lacrymosus, Cand., from which it differs in its elytral costte not being tuberculate behind. It is perhaps near L. granulatus, Macl., but hite?- alia the prothorax of that species is said to be " much longer than its width." N. S. Wales ; taken by Mr. Musson near Xarrabri. Lacon squalescens, sp.nov. Minus opacus ; piceus, antennis pedibusque ferrugineis ; squamis pallide f ulvis sat dense vestitus ; capite prothoraceque fortiter minus confertim punctulatis ; illo depresso postice sulcato ; hoc fortiter convexo subgibbo, haud canaliculato, quam longiori paullo latiori, postice quam antice plus quam dimidio latiori, latitudine majori ante medium posita, lateribus antice sat rotundatis postice fere parallelis crenulatis, angulis anticis fortiter productis posticis oblique truncatis ; elytris basi fere rectis, quam prothorax vix latioribus plus quam duplo longi- oribus, modice convexis, punctulato-striatis, interstitiis trans- versim rugulosis inter se sequalibus, angulis humeralibus oblique truncatis ; sulcis tarsorum in prosterno sat distincte impressis, in metasterno fere nuUis. [Long. 5, lat. li lines. The very conspicuous pale fulvous scales clothing the upper surface, together with the shape of the prothorax, which is at its widest very little behind the front, render this a very distinct species. In Dr. Candeze's tabulation of the genus [Mem. Liege (2) iv.] it falls beside L. humilis, Er., a very different species. N. Queensland ; in the collection of C. French, Esq. Lacon yilgarnensis, sp.nov. Opacus ; f usco-niger, antennis pedibus coxis et abdominis lateri- bus ferrugineis ; obscure squamosus ; capite prothoraceque sat fortiter minus confertim punctulatis ; illo vix convexo ; hoc sat convexo, postice biimpresso, late leviter canaliculato, transverso, subparallelo, apicem summum versus angustato, basi quam margo anticus fere duplo latiori, lateribus subtiliter 290 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN OOLEOPTERA, crenulatis vix arcuatis postice baud sinuatis, angulis posticis rectis ; elytris basi subrectis, quain prothorax baud latioribus plus quara duplo longioribus, sat depressis, vix striatis, seriatim punctulatis, interstitiis alternis elevatis (3* antice piano), angulis humeralibus subrectis ; sulcis tarsovum in prosterno sat distincte, in metasterno obsolete, impressis. [Long. 3|, lat. 1| lines. The elytra in places incline to a reddish tone, which is probably variable. In Dr. Candeze's tabulation [Mem. Liege (2) iv.] this species stands beside L. variabilis, Cand., and parallelus, Cand., from the former of which it differs inte7' alia by the strong carina- tion of the 5th and 7th interstices of its elytra, and its more convex prothorax ; from L. parallelus, Cand., it differs inter alia by its prothorax being transverse. W. Australia ; Yilgarn ; sent to me by C. French, Esq. Glypheus alpinus, sp.nov. Elongatus ; parallelus ; nitidus ; sparsim villosus ; piceus vel rufescens ; prothorace convexo baud canaliculato, sparsim subtiliter punctulato, angulis posticis vix divaricatis acute carinatis ; elytris leviter punctulato striatis. [Long. 3^, lat. 1 line (vix). At once distinguished from the previously described species by its elongate, slender and parallel form with the tarsi longer, their joints 2-4 less dilated. The tarsal characters might perhaps justify its being regarded as the type of a new genus. Victoria ; on the higher mountains of the Alpine range. Glyphochilus montanus, sp.nov. Sat angustus ; sat parallelus ; nitidus ; pubescens ; obscure rufo-ferrugineus, elytris fuscis ; antennis palpis pedibusque testaceis ; fronte convexa punctulata ; prothorace latitudine (trans angulos posticos) longitudini sequali, hoc antice angus- tato, subtilius minus crebre (latera versus magis crebre) punctulato, angulis posticis breviter carinatis ; elytris minus parallelis, punctulato-striatis, interstitiis leviter rugulosis. [Long. 4-4 J, lat. 1^ lines. BY THE REV. T. BL4.CKBURN. 291 Like G. leptus, Cancl., but differently coloured and not quite so narrow and parallel, with the puncturation of the prothorax finer. Compared with G. occidentalism Oand., (which I have not seen), it appears to differ by its colour^ its prothorax more narrowed anteriorly, &c. 2^. S. Wales ; Blue Mountains. MONOCRRPIDIUS INGENS, Sp.nOV. Latus ; sat nitidus ; pube tenui vestitus ; obscure rufus, pro- thorace in medio et ad latera et prosterni medio nigris, corpore subtns plus minusve infuscato, elytrorum basi iitrinque cocciuea ; antennarum articulo 4° quam 3"* fere duplo longiori ; pi'othorace quam longiori (maris vix, feminse sat evidenter) trans angulos posticos latiori, vix in medio breviter canaliculate, angulis posticis bicarinatis vix divari- catis ; elytris quam prothorax vix latioribus, ad apicem emai'ginatis (baud oblique) et biacutis, seriatim punctulatis (puncturis apicem versus gradatim subtilioribus), interstitiis antice latis planatis postice angustis subconvexis ; prosterno in medio canaliculato minus fortiter minus crebre nee rugulose punctulato, suturis prosternalibus arcuatis. Maris antennis prothoracis basin leviter superantibus ; pro- thorace in medio subspai'sim latera versus crebre punctulato, Feminse antennis prothoracis basin haud attingentibus ; pro- thorace toto subsparsim punctulato. [Long. 11-13, lat. 3|-3| lines. Resembles M. aphiloides, Cand., in build, but distinguished inter alia by its colour and non-rugulose prosternum ; like M. eruhescens, Cand., in colour, but distinguished inter alia by it.s different shape, arched prosternal sutures and prothorax less closely punctured and canaliculate only very feebly and for a short distance in the middle of its length ; from M. Brucki, Cand., it differs by the flanks of its prothorax not folded to form a gutter ; from all the other large Australian Ilonocrepidii the well- defined channel on the middle of its prosternum in front of the front coxae will distinguish it. I cannot specify any good character 292 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, to distinguish this species from M. punctatostriatus, Cand., except the presence of very well defined bright red spots at the base of the elytra which seem to be constant ; M. Candeze particularises that M. punctatostriatus has " no red spots at the base of the elytra." Victoria ; Alpine district. MONOCREPIDIUS TERR^-REGIN^, sp.nOV. Minus angustus, postice angustatus ; subnitidus ; pube fulva vestitus ; ferrngineus, metasterno elytrisque infuscatis, scu- tello et elytrorum parte antica declivi rufescentibus, antennis (harum articulo S*^ quam 5"^ parum, quam 4"® manifesto, breviori) palpis pedibusque testaceis ; prothorace confer- tissime sUbaspere punctulato (puncturis certo adspectu strigas longitudinales formantibus), postice in medio canali- culato antice longitudinaliter obsolete carinato, angulis posticis bicarinatis, leviter divergentibus ; elytris quam prothorax vix latioribus, ad apicem vix emarginatis, punc- tulato-striatis, puncturis in striis antice sat magnis postice fere obsoletis, interstitiis convexis subtiliter punctulatis ; prosterno in medio sat fortiter vix crebre punctulato, latera versus sequali, suturis prosternalibus sat rectis; pronoti carina laterali haud in prosternum deflexa; tarsorum lamella sat lata. Mas (?) latet. Feminfe (?) antennis prothoracis basin nullomodo attingentibus ; prothorace quam trans angulos posticos latiori paullo longiori. [Long. 8, lat. 2^^^ lines. Not very near any described species, I think ; a robust, dark red insect with the external carina of the hind angles of the prothorax elongate and diverging (from the lateral margin) from the apex of the angle forward. The longitudinally strigose appearance of the pronotum is a strong character, as also is its appearance of being slightly carinate down the middle in the front half. N. Queensland ; presented to me by C. French, Esq. BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 293 MONOCREPIDIUS PICTICOLLIS, Sp.nOV. Sat angustus; postice minus angustatus; sat nitidus; pube f ulva vestitus ; brunneo-ferrugineus, elytris basi sanguineis, prothorace antice utrinque macula nigra Isevi subverruci- formi ornato, antennis (harum articulo 3"^ quam 2"^ duplo longiori, quam 5"^ manifeste quam 4"^ fere duplo breviori) palpis pedibusque testaceis ; prothorace insequaliter punctu- lato, canali mediano subtili integro sat fortiter impresso, ad basim utrinque ante scutellum tumido, angulis posticis unicarinatis sat fortiter divergentibus ;, elytris quam piothorax paullo latioribus, ad apicem oblique emarginato-truncatis, punctulato-striatis, puncturis in striis sat parvis postice sub- obsoletis, interstitiis convexis subtiliter granulatis; prosterno in medio sat fortiter vix crebre punctulato, latera versus latissime deplanatis, suturis prosternalibus sat rectis ; pronoti carina laterali antice sat fortiter (fere in presternum) deflexa; tarsorum lamella sat lata. [Long- §2' ^**- ^l ^i"®^- The large slightly elevated pustule-like shining black blotch on either side of the middle line of the prothorax, a little in front of the middle, renders this species incapable of confusion with any of its congeners. N. Queensland ; presented to me by C. French, Esq. MONOCREPIDIUS NARRABRENSIS, sp.nOV. Sat angustus, sat parallelus ; minus nitidus ; pube fulva vestitus ; obscure brunneus, scutello et elytrorum parte antica declivi fulvis, antennis (harum articulo 3° quam 5"^ fere duplo breviori) palpis pedibusque testaceis; pro- thorace confertim rugulose punctulato, postice canaliculato, angulis posticis bicarinatis (carina interna perbrevi) sat divergentibus ; elytris quam prothorax vix latioribus, ad apicem rotundatis, punctulato-striatis, interstitiis convexis subtiliter punctulatis; prosterno medio sat crebre vix fortiter punctulato ; pronoti carina laterali antice in prosternum deflexa sed hand sulcum formanti ; suturis prosternalibus sat rectis ; tarsorum lamella perangusta. 294 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, Maris (1) an tennis prothoracis basin articulo apicali superanti- bus ; )>rothorace quam trans angulos posticos latiori vix longiori. [Long. 7, lat. 2 lines. This species is isolated frorti most of its Australian congeners by the very narrow lamellae of its tarsi. The structure of the lateral margins of its prothorax is also unusual. These margins instead of being continuously lateral (as they are in M. Austra- lasice) are deflexed near the front and pass on to the prosternum, but without forming a prosternal gutter (as they do in M. carinatus, &c.) ; nor are the lateral portions of the prosternum f which are very closely punctulate-strigose) explanate, having only the very slight narrow flattening which is seen in AI. Australasice and numerous other species. These characters, together with the extreme brevity of the inner carina of the hind angles of the prothorax, the decidedly convex elytral interstices, and the distinct (though not very conspicuous) reddish spot on either side of the scutellum will render the species easy to identify. To a casual glance it looks much like M. Australasice, though not in reality closely allied to it. N. S. W. ; taken by Mr. Musson, near Narrabri. MONOCREPIDIUS MENTITOR, Sp.nOV, Minus latus ; subnitidus ; pube grisea sat dense vestitus ; obscure brunneus, antennis (havum articulo 3° quam 4"^ vix bieviori) palpis pedibusque testaceis, elytris juxta scutellum utriuque macula rufa plus minusve distincte ornatis ; prothorace confertissime aspere punctulato, longi- tudine latitudini (trans angulos posticos) sequali, canalicula mediana postice leviter impressa, angulis posticis bicarinatis (carinis antrorsum fortiter divergentibus) divaricatis ; elytris quam prothorax vix latioribus, ad apicem emarginatis (leviter oblique), punctulato-striatis, interstitiis sat convexis sub- aspere (prsesertim feminse) crebre punctu'.atis ; prosterno in medio sat fortiter sat crebre uec rugulose punctulato latera versus deplanato, suturis proster-nalibus sat rectis ; tarsorum lamella sat lata. BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 295 Maris antennis prothoracis basin articulis 2 superantibus. Feminse antennis prothoracis basin vix attingentibns. [Long. 6-8|, lat. 13-2i lines. This species may be at once distinguished from M. Australasice, Boisd., inter alia by the third joint of the antennae being very much longer, and the interstices of the elytral strise distinctly convex ; from M. tabidus, Er., (as described by its author), by the base of its elytra being red ; from 31. tabidus (as described by M. Candeze) by the front margin of its clypeus being quite strongly rounded and the mesosternum not showing the characters described ; from M. Eveillardi (at least in the male) by the 3rd joint of the antennae being scarcely shorter than the 4th and not at all shorter than the 5th, and by the excessively close asperate punctui'ation of the prothorax (this character also distinguishing it from M. Australasice) ; from erubescens, Cant)., by the absence of a well-defined prothoracic channel ; it is superfluous to point out the differences from the other species having the elytra red at the base. Victoria ; Alpine district. MoNOCREPiDius Olliffi, sp.nov. Sat .angustus ; sat parallelus ; minus nitidus ; pube fulva vestitus ; brunneo-piceus, scutello rufescenti, jiixta hoc linea brevi utrinque coccinea, antennis (harum articulo 3° quam 2"^ plus quam duplo longiori, quam 5"^ vix breviori) palpis pedibusque testaceis ; prothorace confertim minus for- titer punctulato postice canaliculato, angulis posticis bicari- natis vix divergentibus, carinis antrorsum subparallelis ; elytris quam prothorax vix latioribus, ad apicem oblique leviter truncatis vel emai-ginatis, punctulato-striatis, inter- stitiis vix convexis confertim punctulatis ; prosterno medio sat crebre vix fortiter punctulato, hoc ad latera deplauato suturis prosternalibns rectis ; tarsorum lamella sat lata. Maris antennis prothoracis basin leviter superanti ; prothorace quam trans angulos posticos latiori longiori. 296 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, Feminae antennis prothoracis basin haud attingenti ; prothorace quam longiori nonnihil latiori. [Long. Gg-T, lat. I5-2 lines. The well-defined bright red line on either side of the scutellum if constant (I have seen only two examples, so cannot feel confident on the point) renders this species easily recognisable. If it be liable to pass into a red spot like that of M. Australasim the species may be distinguished from the others having a red elytral basal spot by the wide flattened or slightly concave lateral margin of the flanks of the prothorax, which however is very difierent from the gutter formed in some species (e.g. M, carinatus, Cand.) by the folding under of the margins of the pronotum ; this structure which may perhaps be best described as the lateral margins of the prosternum being explanate is scarcely traceable in M. Australasice, Boisd., but in the present insect is very strongly defined. The lateral portions of the prosternum are much more finely and closely punctulate than the middle piece. If the red mark at the base of the elytra is liable to be altogether wanting this species may be distinguished by the above-mentioned prosternal structure in combination with the elongate 3rd joint of the antennae, the reddish scutellum, and the hind angles of the prothorax scarcely divergent, from all its congeners having unicolorous elytra and wide tarsal lamellae. N. S. Wales ; Blue Mountains. JEOLVS QUEENSLANDICUS, Sp.nOV. Minus nitidus ; pubescens ; piceus, prothoracis angulis posticis elytrorum vitta lata antennis coxis pedibusque ferrugineis ; capite convexo sat crebre punctulato; prothorace quam longiori parum latiori, confertim subtilius punctulato, haud canaliculato, angulis posticis brevibus apice penicillatis haud carinatis, carinis lateralibus autice in prosternum deflexis ; elytris punctulato-striatis, interstitiis crebre minus subtiliter punctulatis. [Long. 2, lat. f line. This little species must be referred to J^olus, I think, on account of the 4th joint of its tarsi being dilated and produced beneath the 5th joint, but without forming a distinct lamella, while the BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 297 front margin of its clypeus is distinctly carinate and very evidently (almost widely) reflexed ; the structure of the hind angles of its prothorax places it in Dr. Candeze's "third section" of the genus, of which no Australian species has hitherto been described. The flanks of the presternum are punctured much more strongly than the median part. N. Queensland ; sent to me by Mr. French. ELATER. The little species described below has not altogether the facies of this genus, but its structure seems to place it here. The front of the clypeus presents a clearly defined continuous raised border j the tai'si are quite simple and filiform ; the prosternal sutures are straight and in front excavated ; the mesosternum is declivous ; the hind coxse are those of a typical Elater except that the external hind angle of their dilated portion is very feeble. In the last of these characters this species resembles E. perplexus, Cand. • Elater wentworthensis, sp.nov. Pallide brunneo-testaceus, capite prothoraceque obscurioribus metasterno abdomineque rufescentibus latera versus plus minusve infuscatis, elytris mox pone medium macula obscura fusca ornatis ; pube pallide fulva vestitus ; capite sat fortiter subci-ebre, prothorace subtiliter minus crebre, punctulatis; hoc subparallelo antice parum angustato, haud canaliculato, angulis posticis vix divergentibus carina sat elongata mox intra marginem lateralem instructis ; elytris striatis, inter- stitiis subplanis leviter sat crebre vix subtiliter punctulatis. (J prothorace quam latiori paullo longiori. 9 prothorace quam longiori paullo latiori. [Long, lt-2 1,1a 1. 1 line. The minute size and general appearance of this insect — its pale brownish testaceous colour, with the head and prothorax reddish, and a distinct (but not very strongly defined) fuscous spot on each of the elytra immediately behind the middle — render it very distinct from any previously described Australian Elaterid. N. S. Wales ; near Wentworth Falls. 298 NOTES ox AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA, xMALACODERMID.E. Macrohelodes, gen.nov. Helodi affinis sed major, integumentis magis solidis, corpore supra glabro, elytrorum epipleuris sat latis integris, palporum labialium articulo apicali ad prsecedentis apicem adfixo. The type of this genus is an insect which I described as Helodes princeps (P.L.S.N. S.W. 1891, p. 517), remarking on its being only doubtfully referable to Helodes, but as I had only a single example I thought it better not to propose a new generic name. Since I described it I have had the good fortune to capture six specimens evidently congeneric with it, and representing four distinct species. These insects occur in very marshy places on the higher mountains and are found clinging to the stems of rushes, &c., generally implanted in water. The readiness of the specimens to drop and the necessity usually to go into the water after them render them difficult to secure. They are quite distinct from Helodes, though undoubtedly allied to it. I have failed to discoA^er sexual differences among the specimens before me. Macrohelodes lucidus, sp.nov. Late ovalis ; convexus ; nitidissi«ius ; supra glaber ; subtus sat dense breviter sericeo-pubescens ; supra niger, elytrorum sutura anguste rufescenti ; subtus rufo-piceis, antennarum basi pedibusque concoloribus ; capite subtiliter sat crebre, prothorace subtiliter sparsim, punctulatis ; elytris fere l?evi- bus ; antennarum articulis 2° 3°que conjunctis quam 4"* vix brevioribus ; cetera ut M. jyvinceps, Blackb. [Long. 4, lat. '2\ lines. N. S. Wales ; Blue Mountains. Macrohelodes crassus, sp.nov. Late ovalis ; convexus ; nitidus ; supra glaber ; subtus sat dense breviter sex'iceo-pubescens ; niger, prothorace (hoc indeter- minate nigro-plagiato) elytris (horum sutura, et maculis ternis discoidalibus longitudinalLter positis, nigris) tibiis tarsorum articulis 1° 5°que, antennarumque articulis 2° 3*^ BY THE REV. T. BLACKBURN. 299 que, rufis ; capite (hoc inter oculos biimpresso) confertim minus snbtiliter, prothorace sparsius subtiliter, elytris crasse sat crebre, punctulatis ; antenuaium articulis 2° 3°que con- junctis quam 4"^ vix brevioribus. [Long. 3?, lat. 2 lines. N. S. Wales ; Blue Mountains. Macrohelodes intricatus, sp.no v. Ov^alis, fere ab elytrorum basi retrorsum angustatus ; convexus ; nitidus, supra glaber ; subtus sat dense breviter sericeo- pubescens ; supra pallide iuteus, capite prothoraceque (hoc ad latera albo-luteo-marginato et, nonnullis exemplis, indetermi- nate fusco-maculato) rubris, elytris antice et (ante medium) ad latera fere albidis et ubique plus minus crebre nigro-irroratis ; scutello fusco ; subtus obscure luteo-brunneus, pedibus (tai'sorum articulis 3° 4°que nigris) antennisque (harum articulis 4-7 ad apicem, 8-11 totis, nigris) rufis; cetera ut M. crassus. [Long. 4, lat. 2 lines. In spite of very great differences in colour and markings and a considerable difference in shape (this species being more narrowed hindward), I think it possible that tliis may be a variety of the preceding, from which it scarcely differs in respect of the punc- turation of its several parts. N. S. Wales ; Blue Mountains. Macrohelodes gravis, sp.nov. Latissimus, fere ab elytrorum basi retrorsum angustatus; minus convexus ; nitidus ; supra glaber ; subtus sat dense breviter sericeo-pubescens ; totus rufus ; capite (hoc inter oculos pro- funde biimpresso) subtiliter vix crebre, prothorace sparsim subtiliter (fere obsolete), elytris (his obsolete 3-costatis) fortiter sat crebre, punctulatis ; antennarum articulis 2° 3'"' que conjunctis quam 4"^ manifesto brevioribus. [Long. 41, lat. 2? lines. The elytra in this species are evidently less coarsely punctured than those of the preceding two, and the head is considerably more finely punctured. N. S. Wales ; Blue Mountains. 300 NOTES ON AUSTRALIAN COLEOPTERA. Helodes (Cyphon) fenestratus, sp.nov. Ovalis ; sat convexus ; pubescens ; fusco-piceus, antennarum basi tibiis tarsisque rnfescentibus, elytris fascia communi arcuata ad latera abbreviata mox ante medium posita fulva ornatis ; capite prothoraceque crebre subtiliter punctulatis ; hoc perbrevi valde transverse, angulis posticis obtusis ; elytris subfortiter minus crebre punctulatis, puncturis apicem versus gradatim subtilioribus ; antennarum articulis 2° 3°que con- junctis (hoc quam ille multo minore) sat brevioribus. [Long. 1|, lat. I line. Resembles H. pictus, Blackb., in shape, but is evidently and uniformly smaller, with the elytra a little more tinely punctulate. The uniform fuscous colour of the upper surface interrupted only by a fulvous arched fascia crossing the elytra immediately in front of the middle and not nearly reaching the lateral margins renders this a very distinct species. The antennae also are exceptionally dark. I hesitate to refer to this species an example (also from N. S. Wales) in which the fulvous mark is wanting and the punc- turation seems a trifle coarser, but it is quite possible it may be a variety. The examination of more specimens would be necessary to determine it. N. S. Wales ; Blue Mountains. PTINID^. DiPLOcoTES NIGER, v. de PoU. (Notes, Leyd. Mus. 1886, p. 238). There seems to be little doubt that this is identical with Diphohia familiaris, OUiff, published in the P.L.S.N.S.W., same year (1886). I am uncertain which name takes the precedence. TENEBRIONID^. Licinoma pallipes, Blackb. In describing this species (P.L.S.N.S.W., 1891, p. 542) I accidentally omitted to mention its habitat, which is the Victorian Alps. 301 NOTE ON A NEW DECAPODOUS CRUSTACEAN, PROSOPON ETHERIDGEI, H. Woodw., FROM THE CRETACEOUS OF QUEENSLAND. By Henry Woodward, LL.D., F.R.S. (of the British Museum, London), Communicated, with a Note on the same, by R. Etheridge, Junr. (Plate iv.) Having been desired by my friend Mr, Robert Etheridge, Junr., of the Australian Museum, Sydney, to compare the drawing of the carapace of a new crustacean, from the Cretaceous beds of Queensland, I have much pleasure in stating the result of my examination of the figure of this interesting form. There is no recent crab with which I am acquainted sufficiently like the Queensland fossil to institute a satisfactory comparison, unless the recent genera Dorippe and Homola may serve the purpose ; but there are several fossil forms so closely resembling it as to leave no doubt in my mind in referring it to the Prosopoidea* of Reuss and to the genus Prosopo7ii of Von Meyer, The forms which most closely resemble the Australian crab are the Prosopon verrucosum, Reuss {Op. cit., p, 21, taf. iv. fig. 31), from the Neocomian of Boucherans in the Department of the Jura; Prosopon aculeatum, Meyer (Palaeontographica, 1860, taf. xxiii, fig. 24); P. ornatum, Meyer (Op. cit. figs. 25, 26); P. Heydeni, * Prof. Dr. August Reuss, Zur Kenntniss fossiler Krabben : Denkschrift, der Math. Naturwiss. Classe der k. k. Akademie der Wissenschaften, XVII. Band, 12 Nov. 1857. Wien 1859 (24 plates & pp. 90, 4to). t H. von Meyer, Jarhbuch flir Mineralogie, 1835, p. 329. Neue Gattungen fossiler Krebse, aus gebilden vom Biinter Sandstem bis in die Kreide, Taf. I-IV. pp. 28. Stuttgart 1840, 4to. Palaeontographica, Deer. 1860. Bd, VII. Th. 4, pp. 183-222, Taf. xxii 302 NOTE ON A DECAPODOUS CRUSTACEAN FROM QUEENSLAND, Meyer {Oj). cit., figs. 27 and 28) ; P. aeqmcm, Meyer (Op. cit., fig. 29) ; P. torosum, Meyer (0^?. cit., fig. 30) ; P. imradoxum, Meyer {Op. cit., fig. 31) ; and P. tuberosum, Meyer [O]). cit., fig. 33). With the exception of the last-named species, which is from Boucherans, these are all from the White Jura of the Oerlinger Thai, in WiirtemVjurg. I have also figured and described a species belonging to the genus Prosopon (P. mammillatum, H. Woodw.), from the Great Oolite of Stonesfield, near Oxford (see Geol. Mag., 1868, Vol. v. pi. I. fig. 2, pp. 3-5). In noticing this species I have endeavoured to analyse the series of twenty-nine species of Prosopon described by H. von Meyer in the Palaeontographica, 1860, and have pointed out that certain of these forms do not belong to the genus Prosopon, but should be relegated to the Pinnotheridce under the genus Plagioplithalmus of Bell* Into this genus should be removed all those forms at present included under the genus Pi'osopon, which have " an evenly egg-shaped carapace with the front slightly produced and bent downwards, the surface nearly smooth, and marked by two shallow transverse furrows, nearly parallel to each , other, the orbits very small, elongate-oval, aud placed obliquely within the margin, appearing as if pierced in the substance of the carapace." (Bell, Oj). cit. p. 9.) Plagiojjhthalmus, Bell, would thus probably include within it the following species of H. von Meyer's genus Prosopon, namely, Prosopon hebes, P. simplex, P. rostratutn, P. spinosum, P. elongatuvi, P. depressum, P. obtusum, P. stotzinyense, P. sublceve, P. Iceve, P. punctatum.f The following are doubtful : P. insigne, P. cequilatum, P. marginatum, P. grande, P. excisum, and P. liyigulatum. They all occur merely as small detached carapaces without appendages, and the underside of the fossil usually * See Pi-of. Bell's Monograph on the Fossil Malacostracous Crustacea from the Gault and Greensand (Palaeontographica! Society's Vol. xiv. for 1860), Part ii. p. 9, pi. ii. 1 1 now retain Prosopon tuherosum, fomierly excluded by me. BY HENRY WOODWARD. 303 adheres firmly to the matrix, and is therefore seldom to be seen or studied. The new form, from the Cretaceous beds of Queensland, may be thus described : — Carapace, or cephalothorax — general form oval, truncated behind; the cephalic, gastric, hepatic and cardiac regions covered with smooth wart-like excrescences ; the branchial regions " quadrant "-shaped and tuberculated ; the branchial furrow, separating the hepatic, cardiac, and branchial regions, strongly marked ; the nuchal furrow, separating the frontal and orbital regions from the hepatic, is less marked. Length along the median line of the carapace, 40 millimetres ; greatest breadth of carapace, 35 ram. ; breadth of posterior border, 28 mm. The frontal, or cephalic portion of the carapace is rounded, and but very slightly prominent, and is marked by two smooth, sub-central, elongated, wart-like prominences on the median line, their extremities forming the obtuse rostrum, and flanked by three or four smaller rounded tubercles irregularly disposed over the orbital region. The orbits are not distinctly marked. Immediately behind the frontal (rostral) swellings, are four smooth, elongated, rounded, sub-central prominences, upon the epigastric region, the two inner ones being narrow and ridge-like, with their longer axes parallel to the median line, and the two outer ones lying parallel to them, but larger and more oval in outline ; behind these again and marking the median line, and the centre of the gastric region, is a single, small, smooth, rounded tubercle, flanked by two sub-central, transversely-elongated, some- what elliptical prominences (like eyes), each having a small tubercle upon its summit ; these are followed by two other similar sub-median, transversely-elongated prominences, widest next the median line, each (like the preceding pair) bearing an eye-like tubercle on its centre. The gastric region is bounded behind by a narrow, transversely-elongated, crescent-shaped prominence, the horns of which are directed slightly forward and bearing a single tubercle upon its centre. The hepatic region is marked by one 20 304 NOTE ON A DECAPODOUS CRUSTACEAN FROM QUEENSLAND, large oval prominence projecting on either side upon the hepatic border, and three lesser wart-like elevations on the left side, and two rather larger ones on the right side, which skirt the branchial furrow. The cardiac region occupies the median line between the two large branchial lobes, and is marked by a lai*ge peg-top-shaped swelling, having the slender point directed towards the posterior border and separated by a deep clear-cut furrow from the branchial, hepatic, and gastric regions. The branchial regions are roughly quadrant-shaped, having the arc of the quadrant directed forward and inward towards the median line and the cardiac region ; the sides and surface are somewhat inflated, and the posterior border is straight and marked by the line of articulation with the abdomen, which by its great breadth indicates that the individual was a female. The branchial region of the carapace is covered with small rounded pustules or tubercles, evenly distributed over the surface. There is a trace on the matrix behind the carapace, which indicates the remains of the abdomen. Affinities and Differences. — This Queensland crustacean carapace offers points of close affinity with Prosopon verrucosum, Reuss, and P. tuberosum, Von Meyer, both Neocomian species from the Cretaceous of Boucherans, Dept. Jura. It differs from both these forms in its more rounded contour, its more prominent branchial regions, as well as in the general and well-marked distinctive arrangement of the lobes marking the several regions of the carapace. There can, however, be no doubt that there is a relationship between these forms and the genus Dromilites of the London Clay ; we must, however, wait for information as to the appendages before venturing to say more. Meantime, I dedicate tliis Queens- land fossil to my old friend and colleague, Robert Etheridge, Junr., naming it Prosopon Etherldgei in compliment to one who has contributed so much to our knowledge of the Palaeontology of Australia. BY HENRY WOODWARD. 305 APPENDIX. Note on Queensland Cretaceous Crustacea. By R. Etheridge, Junr. No Crustacean has been described from the Queensland Cretaceous rocks up to the present time, but I am in the tem- porary possession of another specimen from the Queensland Museum collection, in addition to the present species, through the kindness of the Curator, Mr. C. W. De Vis, M.A. This will be further referred to. Prosopon Etheridgei, H. Woodw., was presented to the Queens- land Museum by Mr. H. St. George, and although without precise locality, its general appearance and mode of preservation is so manifestly that of the large Inocerami from the Flinders River, that I think the specimen may be said, without much doubt, to come from somewhere in the Central Queensland Cretaceous area. It is on the weathered surface of a concretionary buff-coloured nodule of limestone. It will therefore appertain to the Lower Series of the Queensland Cretaceous, or the " Rolling Downs Series." The second specimen appears to be a portion of one of the large chelse of a Macrourus Decapod, and is preserved in a blue-grey concretionary limestone, much resembling that of the Walsh River District, and therefore from the same division of the Cretaceous as P. Etheridgei. I have not yet succeeded in determining this fossil, but it seems to accord better with the structure of the family Astacomorpha, or that of the Thalassinidse, than with that of any others. The first Cretaceous Crustacean found in Australia was by Mr, Norman Taylor, who acted as Geologist to W. Hann's North Queensland Exploring Expedition in 1872. The fossil comes from the Mitchell River, and is perhaps identical with one thus referred 306 NOTE ON A DECAPODODS CRUSTACEAN FROM QUEENSLAND. to by Mr. Taylor in a letter to Mr. R. L. Jack, Government Geologist for Queensland. He says : — " In a creek, a short distance to the north-east of camp 81 (return journey), there occur large quantities of ironstone nodules, in one of which I discovered a fine and very perfect Crustacean, which, however, appears to have been lost, as it was not noticed by Mr. Etheridge, Senr., when describing the collection."* Had it not been the mention of the ironstone nodule, I should have concluded that this second specimen in the Queensland Museum was Mr. Taylor's long lost fossil, and it may even yet prove to be so. In a letter recently received from that gentleman he remarks that it was an " imperfect body and claw, like a lobster, but small and very little bigger than a large prawn," which is certainly rather the appear- ance of the specimen. At any rate, there now remains the obvious fact that representatives of both the Brachyura and Macrura existed in the Queensland Cretaceous seas. * i.e., the Daintree collection. See Geol. and Pal. Queensland and New Guinea, by R. L. Jack and E. Etheridge, junr., in lit. p. 391. 307 ON LEAIA MITCHELLI, Etheridge, fil., FROM THE UPPER COAL MEASURES OF THE NEWCASTLE DISTRICT. By R. Etheridge, Junr. (palieontologist to the australian museum, and geological Survey op N. S. Wales.) At the present time but one fossil genus of Phyllopocla is known from the whole of Australia, viz., Estheria, comprising two species. The first discovered was Estheria Goghlani, Cox, from the Estheria Shales, above the productive Upper Coal Measures, obtained from several bores in the Sydney District. The second species was collected by Mr. J. H. Simmonds, of Brisbane, in the Ipswich Coal Measures, and communicated by him to the writer. It does not appear to differ from Estheria mangaliensis, Jones,* of the Damuda beds of Central India. It has often been a matter of conjecture to the writer and several geological friends how to account for the absence, under such favourable conditions, of Estherice, from the vast accumula- tions of estuarjne and swamp deposits represented by our Upper * Mod. Foss. Estheriaj (Pal. Soc), 1862, p. 78, pi. ii. f. 16-23. 308 ON LEAIA MITCHELLI, Coal Measures. This hiatus has now been filled by Mr. Mitchell's discovery at Charlestown, between Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, of a Leaia, one of the most interesting genera of extinct Phyllopoda. As a slight mark of appreciation of my friend's persevering efforts in assisting to unravel the Paljeontology of N. S. Wales, I beg to name the fossil Leaia Mitchelli. There are at present known eight forms of Leaia, species or varieties,* as the case may be, extending from the Old Red Sand- stone to the Permian in Geological time, with which the new form will be compared. Leaia Mitchelli possesses transversely oblong carapace valves, and as usual a more or less straight dorsal margin, angular at the posterior end, but the anterior and ventral margins rounded. The lateral carinse, two in number on each valve, increase in thickness as the umbones are receded from, the anterior being slightly curved, the posterior straight and diagonal, and sepa- rating the valves into two unequal moieties. The concentric laminae resemble those of other species. The type species, L. Leidyi, Lea, sp.,t is easily distinguished from our form by its remarkably oblong-i'ectangular outline and very scanty coarse concentric laminse, the direct anterior carinse, and the sweep of the posterior ridges. The same remarks practi- cally apply to the var. Williamsoniana, Jones, | from the Upper Coal Measures of Manchester (Eng.). The second variety of the type species, var. Salteriana, Jones,§ is more akin to L. Mitchelli, but the much shorter, wider and more robust appearance of the former, and the emarginate posterior end of the latter separate the two. Var. Salter iana occurs in the Calciferous Sandstone Series of Fifeshire (Scot.). The Coal Measures of Saarbrilck, North Germany, have yielded a Leaia, known as L. klieveriana, Goldenberg, in which there is a *See Etheridge, junr., Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 1879, iii. (5), p. 262; Etheridge, Woodward, and Jones, Brit. Assoc. Report for 1887 [1888], Pt. 1, p. 66. t Jones, Mon. Foss. Estheria3 (Pal. See), 1862, t. 5, f. 11 and 12. t Loc. cit., t. 1, f. 19 and 20. § Jones, loc. cit., t. 1, f. 20. BY R. ETHERIDGE, JUNE. 309 third carina on each valve, iutermediate between the anterior and posterior. It is much shorter than these, reaching across only about one-third of the valves' width. It is obvious that the Newcastle species could not be referred to L. klieveriana. Leaia Jonesi, mihi,* is another species from the Scotch Calcif erous Sandstone Series, but here the diagonal carina is entirely absent from both valves ; and it is thus equally obvious that no specific relation can exist between it and L. Mitchelli. The valves of L. Jonesi are thus divided into two very unequal portions. In the Coal Measures of Illinois, a peculiar species is met with, named by Messrs. Meek and Worthen, L. tricarinata.j In general outline it is not dissimilar to the Australian form, but like L. klieveriana it possesses a third carina. This, however, is obliquely placed immediately under the dorsal margin, and when the united valves are viewed in apposition from above, the dorsal margin of each valve is seen to be inflected " at right angles to the plane of the valves, so as to form a distinct lanceolate corselet." Now, in all the examples of L. Mitchelli I have seen, there is no trace of this third keel. The remaining species of Leaia, L. loettinensis, Lespeyres, from the Coal Measures of Wettin, and L. hcentschiana, Geinitz, from the German Lower Permian, I am not able to refer to, from the absence of the necessary literature, but full references will be found to them in my previously quoted paper, J and the " Fifth Report of the British Association Committee on the Fossil Phyllopoda of the Palaeozoic Rocks. "§ It follows from this that we have in our Upper Coal Measures a Leo.ia possessing all the general features of the genus, and most nearly allied to L. Leidyi var. Salteriana, Jones. For the figures I am indebted to Mr. Charles Hedley, F.L.S. The following is the abbreviated diagnosis : — * Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 1879, iii. (-5), p. 257. t Illinois Geol. Survey Report, 1868, iii. p. 541, f. B 1-3, and ? C. t Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 1879, iii. (5), p. 262. § Brit. Assoc. Report for 1887 [1888], p. 66. 310 ON LEAIA MITCHELLI. Leaia Mitchelli, sp.nov. aS^. char. — Carapace valves transversely oblong ; dorsal margin straight, and without any trace of inflection ; anterior outline rather produced and rounded; posterior margin obliquely truncate, slightly em arginate at its junction with the dorsal margin, rounded below and graduating invisibly into the ventral margin; umbones sharp, anterior, but not terminal ; lateral carinse prominent and well marked, increasing in thickness as the umbones are receded from, the anterior slightly curved, but reaching the ventral margins at a point almost vertically beneath the umbones, the posterior straight and diagonal, separating the valves into unequal halves, the anterior being the larger; surface bearing fine, regular, concentric laminae, angulated at the carinse to correspond with the outline of the valves, but frill-like on crossing the former. Loc. and Horizon. — Charlestown, between Newcastle and Lake Macquarie : — Upper Coal Measures — Coll. Mitchell. 311 ON THE GENUS PERRIERIA. By C. Hedley, F.L.S. Having occasion to study the shell known to Australian naturalists as Coeliaxis australis, Forbes, sp., I am surprised to find that the species has no claim to that generic title. On turning to Fischer's "Manuel de Conchyliologie," p. 482, the type of Coeliaxis, Adams and Angas, is found misquoted as C. exigua ; further search, however, shows that the authors of that genus instituted not exigita, but layardi as their type. The preface (P.Z.S. 1867, p. 907) to the description of C. exigua, clearly indicating that "the species upon which Coeliaxis was founded " was the African C. layardi, Adams and Angas, runs as follows : — " In a paper read at the meeting of the Society on the 10th January, 1865, we gave a description of a new species of land- shell from the Cape of Good Hope, for which the sub-generic name Coeliaxis was proposed. Adult specimens of a second species, possessing a continuous peritreme and distinct parietal plate, have since been received by us from the Solomon Archi- pelago, from which it would appear that Coeliaxis must be con- sidered a distinct genus, having more affinity with Gihhulina and Ennea than with Suhidina, to which we at the time referred it. Of the species on which Coeliaxis was founded, only two examples in the British Museum Collection have their aperture at all complete," &c., &c. I cannot read in the foregoing quotation the meaning placed upon it by Fischer, who remarks (Jour, de Conch. Vol. xxxi. 1883, p. 99)— "Par le fait, le sous-genre Coeliaxis de 1865 est supprime; le genre Coeliaxis date de 1867 et a pour type le Coeliaxis exigua, Adams and Angas, des isles Salamon." Messrs. 21 312 ON THE GENUS PERRIERIA, Adams and Angas show no intention of suppressing their genus, but merely offer a modification of it. If they had deliberately made the alteration imputed to them by Fischer, such an illegal procedure could not be tolerated. An examination of the figures and description (P.Z.S. 1867, p. 907, pi. XLiii. figs. 16, 17) of G. exigua has satisfied me that the authors of that species had before them no Solomon Island shell, but the Queensland (P.) australis, Forbes. My colleague Mr. Brazier, who at my request compared the Australian shell with the figures and description in question, quite supports this identi- fication. C. exigua may therefore be considered an absolute synonym of C. australis, and the habitat assigned to the former to be erroneous. So manifold are the difierences between layardi and australis that no zoologist will be hardy enough to confine the two within the limits of a single genus. Coeliaxis being appropriated to layardi, another genus must be found for the reception of aicstralis. It will not, however, be necessary to invent one. In the "Comptes-rendus de I'Acad. des Sciences," Vol. Ixxxvi. 1878, p. 1150, Tapparone-Ganefri thus defined the genus Perrieria: — • " Testa sinistrorsa, f usiformis, multispira, apice truncata ; aper- tura elliptica ; peristoma continuum expansum ; axis sinuosus, basi contortus et columellam truncatam atque subdentatam simu- lans." A single species, clausiliaeforynis, Tapparone-Canefri, from Port Dorey and Mount Arfak, Dutch New Guinea, furnished the above generalisation, which with the exception of " sinistrorsa " perfectly agrees with the Australian representative. So many genera, Partula, Pujja, Clausilia, for example, are indifferently dextral or sinistral, the indifference even extending to species, that slight importance can be attached to this feature. With the admission of the second species, australis, the definition of Perrieria will therefore require motlification in this particular. As Nevill points out in the "Hand List of Mollusca in the Indian Museum," p. QS, Crosse and Fischer have been most lax in the matter of types ; Fischer's " Manuel de Conchyliologie," in the main a very useful work, contains many errors of this BY C. HEDLEY. 313 description. Thus, not inaequalis, but greenwoodi, is the type of Rhytida ; perlucidus should have been named as the type of Hyalimax, not maillardi ; and as shown above exigua is misquoted as the type of Goeliaxis, which was, is, and must remain, layardi. The bibliography of Ferrieria artstraUs, Forbes, 1852, may be thus summarised : — Synonym. — exigua, Adams and Angas, 1867. Illustration s. — (Shell) Voyage of the Rattlesnake, pi. ii. figs. 9a, 9b; P.Z.S. 1867, pi. xliii. tigs. 16, 17 ; Journ. de Conch. Vol. XXXI. fig. 4; Monogr. Aust. L. Shells, pi. xii. figs. 16, 16a; P.L.S.N.S.W. (2), Vol. VI. pi. XXI. figs. 4, 7 ; (Animal) loc. cit. fig. 9 ; (Dentition), Journ. de Conch, xxxi. pi. in. figs. 5 & 6. Descriptions. — Voy. Rattlesnake, ii. p. 380 ; Mon. Hel. Viv. III. p. 584 ; op cit. vi. p. 395 ; P.Z.S. 1867, p. 907 ; Monog. Aust. L. Shells, p. 81 ; (Anatomy) Journ. de Conch, p. 101 ; (Habits) P.L.S.N.S.W. (2) vi. pp. 559 and 570. Type in the British Museum. Habitats. — Not Solomon Islands (Adams and Angas) : but Port Mackay (Turner), Port Molle (MacGillivray), Warro Station, Port Curtis (Musson, Blackman), Cania (Musson), North Pine River (Musson), and Caboolture (Wilde) ; all on the Queensland coast. NOTES AND EXHIBITS. Professor Haswell showed an inexpensive adaptation of the simple microscope for the efiective exhibition in museum cases of small objects requiring moderate magnification. Mr. Etheridge exhibited the fossils described in the papers by Dr. Woodward and himself. 314 NOTES AND EXHIBITS. Mr. C. W. Darley exhibited pliotographs of, and communicated particulars respecting, some extensive aboriginal kitchen middens on the banks of North Creek, a tributary of the Richmond River. Two of the largest have the following dimensions : 590 yards long, 55 feet wide, 10 feet high ; and 500 feet long, 30-40 feet wide, and 5-15 feet high. They are composed almost entirely of oyster shells, with occasional traces of ashes and cinders ; now and then a few stones or a stone implement — a specimen of the latter was exhibited — are met with. The shells are in course of removal, chiefly for road-metalling, and before very long the mounds, which antedate the occupation of the locality by the white man, will have disappeared. It must have been a favourite haunt of the blacks ; oysters, fish and wild fowl were plentiful, while the spot was well sheltered and not liable to danger from floods. Mr. Maiden exhibited, for Baron von Mueller, flowering and fruiting specimens of a new species of Acacia allied to A. glaucescens, Wild. Up to the present it has been found on the Richmond River and about Port Stephens. It will be described at the next meeting. Mr. Froggatt exhibited a living specimen of a small Geckt) {Gymnodactylus miliusii, Gray) from Bendigo, Victoria ; this lizard is found from Sydney southwards round to Champion Bay, W.A. Mr. Whitelegge exhibited well-preserved specimens of a Physalid {Alophota sp.) from Coogee Bay, an addition to our marine fauna ; also, from Sydney Cove a specimen of Rhegmatodes ihalassina,T^ron, one of the Leptornedusm, only previously recorded from off the coast of Arnheim's Land. N. Australia. Mr. Trebeck showed photographs of the coccus and galls of one of the Brachyscelidoi ; also specimens of the common sow-thistle infested with the leaf-mining larvse of the fly {Phytomyza sp.), so abundant during the spring of last year. P.L.SNI S.W. (2"'^Ser)V0L.Vll PI IV PRO SOP ON ETHERIDGEI, Woodward 315 WEDNESDAY, JULY 27th, li The President, Pi'ofessor Haswell, M.A., D.Sc, in the Chair. Mr. J. A. Schofield, Dr. C. J. Martin, and Mr. H. Richards were introduced as visitors. Mr. T. Cooksey, B.Sc. Ph.D., Australian Museum, was elected a Member of the Society. The President announced that the Rev. R. Collie, F.L.S., a Member of the Society lately deceased, had bequeathed to the Society all his books on Natural History, together with an extensive series of botanical specimens. The President also called attention to the Programme of the proposed Botanical Congress at Genoa in September next, to which the Society had been invited to send delegates. " Department of Mines and Agriculture, New South Wales — Annual Report for the year 1891." From the Hon. the Minister for Mines. " Societe d' Horticulture du Doubs, Besan^on — Bulletin." Nouvelle Serie, No. 17 (May, 1892). From the Society. " Zoologischer Anzeiger." xv. Jahrg. Nos. 392 and 393 (May and June, 1892). From the Editor. •22 316 DONATIONS. " Societe Imperiale des Natural istes de Moscou — Bulletin," Annee 1891. No. 4. From the Society. " Pharmaceutical Journal of Australasia." Vol. v. No. 6 (June, 1892). From the Editor. " Royal Physical Society of Edinburgh — Proceedings." Vol. xi. Part 1 (Session 1890-91). From the Society. " Societe Royale Malacologique de Belgique — Annales." Tome XXV, (1890) ; " Proces-Verbaux des Seances." T. xix. Nos. 9-12 (September-December, 1890) ; T. xx. Nos. 1-6 (January-June, 1891). From the Society. " Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales." Vol. iii. Part 6 (June, 1892). From the Director of Agriculture. " Verhandlungen der Russisch-Kaiserlichen Mineralogischen Gesellschaft zu St. Petersburg." Zweite Serie, xxviii. Band (1891). From the Society. " University of Sydney — Calendar for the year 1892." From the Senate. "Perak Government Gazette." Vol. v. Nos. 15 and 16 (June, 1892). From the Government Secretary. " An Introduction to the Study of Botany" ( 1 892). By Arthur Dendy, D.Sc, F.L.S., and A. H. S. Lucas, M.A., B.Sc. From the Publishers. " Abhandlungen herausgegeben vom naturwissenschaftlichen Vereine zu Bremen." xii. Bd. 2 Heft (1892). From the Society. " Report on the Proposed National Aquarium in Sydney, New- South Wales" (1892). From the Trustees of the Australian MusetLm. " Smithsonian Institution — United States National Museum, Washington — Annual Report, 1891." pp. 1-50. From the Museum. "American Naturalist." Vol. xxvi. No. 306 (June, 1892). From the Editors. DONATIONS. 317 " Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College — Bulle- tin." Vol. xxiii. No. 2 (April, 1892). From the Curator. " Gessellschaft fiir Erdkunde zu Berlin — Verhandlungen." Bd. xix. No. 5 (1892). Fro^yi the Society. " Societe Royale Linne'enne de Bruxelles — Bulletin." xvii™* Annee, No. 8 (May, 1892). From the Society. " Bombay Natural History Society — Journal"; Index to Vol. vi. (1891) ; Vol. vii. No. 1 (1892). From the Society. " Royal Irish Academy — Proceedings." Third Series, Vol. ii. No. 2 (1892). Fro7n the Academy. " Catalogue of Books added to the RadclifFe Library, Oxford UniversityyMuseum, during the year 1891." From the Trustees. "Johns Hopkins University Circulars." Vol. xi. No. 99 (June, 1892). From the University. " Australasian Journal of Pharmacy." Vol. vii. No. 79 (July, 1892). From the Editor. " Geological Survey of Queensland — Twenty-six Geological Reports by Members of the Survey" (1886-92). From the Govern- ment Geologist. Pamphlet entitled — "The Moas of New Zealand." By Captain F. W. Hutton, F.G.S. From the Author. " Catalogue of the Marine Shells of Australia and Tasmania." Part i. — Cephalopoda ; Part ii. — Pteropoda. By John Brazier, C.M.Z.S., F.L.S. From the Author. " Journal of Conchology." Vol. vii. Nos. 1-2 (January-April, 1892). From the C onchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. "Zoological Society of London — Absti-acts." May 17th and June 14th, 1892, From the Society. "Archives Neerlandaises des Sciences Exactes et Naturelles." T. xxvi. !'■« liiv. (1892). From the Dutch Society of Sciences^ Haarlem. 318 DONATIONS. " Royal Microscopical Society — Journal, 1892." Part 3 (June); " Charter and By-laws, &c." (1892). From the Society. "Department of Agriculture, Brisbane — Bulletin No. 18" (1892): "Lithograms of the Ferns of Queensland." By F. M. Bailey, F.L.S. (1892). From the Colonial Botanist, Brisbane. " Societe Geologique de Belgique — Annales." T. xix. 2""® Liv. (1891-92). From the Society. Pamphlet entitled — " Le Role de I'eau dans les Cylindres a Vapeur." Par L. Anspach (1892). From the Author. " Bollettino dei Musei di Zoologia ed Anatomia Comparata della R. Universita di Torino." Vol. vii. Nos. 120-126 (1892). From the Museum. 319 PAPERS READ. OBSERVATIONS ON THE POISONOUS CONSTITUENTS OF THE VENOM OF THE AUSTRALIAN BLACK SNAKE (PSEUD EC HIS PORPHYRIACUS). By C. J. Martin, M.B., B.Sc, Lond. Demonstrator of Physiology Univ. of Sydney, late Demonstr. OF Physiology King's Coll., London. With the exception of a few observations, I can find no record of investigations into the chemistry of the venom of the Australian snakes such as have been undertaken with the poison obtained from Indian and American species. The first investigation into the chemistry of snake poisons of any importance was by Prince Lucien Bonaparte with the venom of an adder ( Pelias herns) in 184-3. An interesting account of this is given by Sir Joseph Fayrer in a paper in the Proceedings of the Medical Society, London, 1884. Bonaparte found that the activity of the poison was associated with the portion coagulable by alcohol, and gave the name of viperine to this coagulated material. In the first volume of the Analyst (1876), Winter Blyth states that he found in cobra poison a crystalline highly poisonous body, to which he gives the name " cobric acid," and that this is the sole poisonous constituent. Blyth's conclusions are criticised by Wolfenden (Journal of Physiology, Vol. vii.) who at the same time shows that the toxic qualities of cobra venom are resident in its proteid constituents. In 1878 Professor Pedler,* of Calcutta, published an account of his investigations. He made an ultimate analysis of the dried poison, and showed that in percentage composition it closely corre- sponded with that of albuminous bodies generally. He also claimed to have separated a ".semi-crystalline" body of an " alkaloidal nature," to which he ascribed the potency of cobra venom. * Proc. Roy. Soc. 1878. 320 THE VENOM OF THE AUSTRALIAN BLACK SNAKE, Armstrong,* and still earlier Dumas, had made ultimate analyses with similar results. In 1883 Wall published a very interesting book, " Indian Snake Poisons, their Nature and Effect," in which are two facts of special importance, viz.: — (i) That the whole of the poisonous properties reside in the coagulum by absolute alcohol, and that if the alcohol be absolute, the filtrate is innocuous, (ii) That the poisonous principle is taken up by distilled water from this pre- cipitate by alcohol, and that the solution so obtained possesses all the properties of cobra poison. Since then three papers by Norris Wolfendenf have appeared in the Journal of Physiology. In these papers Dr. Wolfenden establishes the proteid nature of the poison, and excludes the possibility of alkaloids, ptomaines, germs and any body of the nature of cobric acid. He claims to have separated an albumen, an albuminate, and a globulin from cobra venom, to all of which he ascribes poisonous properties. Investigations into the nature of the poisons of the American rattle-snakes, the mocassin and copper-heads have been carried on by Drs. Weir Mitchell and Reichert, whose results appeared as a preliminary report in the Medical News, Philadelphia, 1883. A complete account was published by the same authors in the Smithsonian Contribution to Knowledge for 1890. They prove the proteid character of snake poison in American snakes, and ascribe poisonous properties to three varieties of globulin, which they separated by "appropriate processes," and a peptone. The reactions given by their so-called peptone are characteristic of that class of bodies which we now know as albumoses. With the idea of determining the presence of albumoses, in the venom of our Australian snakes, I proceeded in the following manner. I placed the poison from the ducts, and the squeezings from the glands, of two black snakes under a laige volume of absolute alcohol for three months. By this treatment the whole of the * Snake Comm. Rep. 1874. + Journ. Physiol. Vol. vii. BY C. J. MARTIN. 321 proteid was precipitated, and all proteids except albumoses and peptones rendered insoluble. The alcohol was filtered off and allowed to evaporate very slowly under a bell jar, at the ordinary temperature of the laboratory. This alcoholic extract I shall refer to as solution A. The precipitate, after the adherent alcohol had been driven off by evaporation at 40° C, was treated with 1% NaCl solution for some hours and filtered. This solution of pi-ecipitated proteids I shall refer to as solution B. By these procedures any body| of the nature of an alkaloid, ptomaine, or Blyth's hypothetical cobric acid, would be in solution A, and those proteids not rendered insoluble by the prolonged sojourn under alcohol in solution B. All germs, if such were present, would be destroyed. Examination of Solution A. The solution is yellow in colour, with a disagreeable pungent smell, and of a marked acid reaction. During the slow evaporation of the solution no crystals appeared. The lower portion of the fluid was repeatedly drawn off and examined under the microscope with negative result. The i-esidue after evaporating off" the alcohol was dark brown in colour, greasy, and of an acid reaction. The acid present in it was freely soluble in alcohol and ether. Litmus paper reddened by either of these solutions returned to the neutral tint on drying. This alcoholic extract contained no proteid and the whole of it was mixed with a little salt solution 7% and injected into the peritoneal cavity of a guinea pig without result. Examination of Sohttion B. This solution was clear, colourless and neutral, and although it was a very weak one, 1 cc. injected into the jugular vein of a guinea pig caused its death in 23 minutes with the usual symptoms of snake poison. The remainder was then submitted to the following chemical tests : — (1.) Boiling. No coagulation. (2.) Nitric acid. Slight turbidity, on the addition of salt a precipitate, which disappeared on warming and I'e-ap- peared on cooling. 322 THE VENOM OP THE AUSTRALIAN BLACK SNAKE. (3.) Copper sulphate and potash. Rose buiret. (4.) Saturation with magnesium sulphate. Causes a pre- cipitate. (5.) Saturation with ammonium sulphate. Causes a pre- cipitate. Of a small test tube |- inch was filled with the crystals of MgS04 ^^ -^^2 ^^4 and then the solution poured on to them so as to cover the crystals by i inch. The tubes were then allowed to stand 24 hours in a warm place. At the end of this time the crystals in both tubes were found to be covei'ed with a layer of flocculi. (6.) Of the solution 2 cc. were shaken for 24 hours with A mo SO. 2 crystals, to which one drop of 5% H^ SO 4 had been added* and then filtered. The filtrate was proteid free. On account of the minute quantity at my disposal I have not been able to accomplish more than this at present, but these few experiments enable me to answer in the aflirmative the question whether our snake poison contains poisonous albumoses. The question whether any other proteid constituents of snake venom, not separated by these means, possess toxic powers {e.g., albumins or globulins), is so far unanswered. I am at the present time, in conjunction with Mr. T. McGarvie Smith, conducting a systematic investigation into the chemistry of snake poison. The great difficulty we have to contend with is the scarcity of material. For though we have reason to believe that the virulence of the poison of the black snake is as great as that of the cobra, the amount of poison voided at one time by the latter snake is 10 or 20 times as great as that procured from the largest snakes we have had in our possession, some of which have been remarkably fine specimens. In conclusion, I take this opportunity of acknowledging 'my indebtedness to Mr, Smith, whose kindness enabled me to compare the effects of the injection of ray isolated albumoses with those produced by the fresh poison. * Vide Neumeister, Zeitscrift f, Biologie, Bd. xxvi. 323 GALL-MAKING BUPEESTIDS. ;/ By Walter VV. Froggatt. in the following short paper I give an account of three species of the genus Ethon, whose larvee have the rather uncommon habit, for Coleoptera, of producing galls or fleshy excrescences on their food-plants. Through my connection with the Technological Museum as one of its collectors 1 have had many opportunities of hunting out the immature insects in all stages of their develop- ment, and of working at their life-histories during the winter months. In this work I have been greatly assisted by my chief, INIr. J. H. Maiden, who has given me every facility both for collecting entomological specimens, and in the identification of their food-plants. I consider the latter one of the most important points in the life-history of an insect, and though many of our entomologists have worked at introduced pests attacking cultivated trees and plants, they are often completely in the dark when called upon to say what has killed an indigenous plant ; while the habits of very few of even our commonest beetles have been recorded. Ethon afpine, Laporte and Gory, Monograph of the Buprestidse ii., Ethon, p. 4 pi. i. fig. 5 (1851). This pretty little beetle is well described and faithfully figured in the above fine monograph oh the Family Buprestidse ; since then it has been described under the synonyms of E. aurijiua, Hope, and E. proximum, Boheman. While collecting botanical specimens at Middle Harbour in the early part of last May I noticed a number of rounded excrescences or galls on the stems of several large specimens of PuUencea stipularis ; stems not much thicker than one's finger had some 324 GALL-MAKING BUPRESTIDS. four 01* five galls placed two or three inches apart. The galls were longer than broad, 1 inch 2 lines long, 10 lines in width, 7 lines deep, round at both ends ; many of the largest ones, and all of them on several bushes that had evidently died from their attacks, were marked with a little circular hole in the centre from which the insect had emerged, but from several living bushes I obtained about forty specimens of the gall in all stages of growth. The larva is a white grub, 7 lines in length, and of uniform thickness, slightly rounded on the segment carrying the mouth parts, and rather pointed at the anal segments ; the segments are twelve in number and very distinct, the mouth parts small, situated in the centre of the thoracic segment, the jaws small. The larva is surrounded with the dust or debris of the wood it has eaten, and it moves about freely in the chamber at the base of the excrescence close to the tree stem of the bush, so that one has to slice off nearly the whole of the gall before coming to the grub. The galls containing the perfect insect, which were in the majority, were more soft and spongy than those containing the larvae ; as the beetles do not emerge until the early summer months they must stay a considerable time in these galls after having undergone their metamorphoses. The beetle is a brilliant metallic copper-coloured insect, the elytra covered with finely punctured striae, and curious scroll-like markings, formed by patches of fine golden scales, which in old specimens are liable to be rubbed ; it is from 4 to 4^ lines in length. Ethon corpulentum, Boheman, Res. Eugen. Entomol. Bid. p. 62 (1858). This beetle is also described and figured in Laporte and Gory's monograph, but under the synonym E. Jissiceps, Boisduval ; not only had Boheman priority of name, but the specific name ^ssicejos had been given to a very distinct species (also Australian) by BY W. W. FROGGATT. 325 Kirby in his "Century of Insects" [Trans. Linnean Society, xii. p. 458 (1817)]. When insect-hunting over some sandy ground at Botany about the first week of last June I noticed the boring of lepidopterous larvfe in the stem of ^ Dillwynia ericlfolia, and when pulling it up to get this specimen I saw a large oval gall on the roots close to the stem. Upon opening it I found it to consist of a thinnish shell containing a perfect specimen of this beetle. Since then I have carefully hunted the same locality and have found that nearly every bush of Dillwynia had its roots more or less attacked by these beetles, some having as many as twenty of the curious excrescences upon their roots. The galls are about 9 lines in length, 6 lines broad, 5 in depth, rounded on the apex. The larva is a whitish semi-transf)arent grub, consisting of twelve segments, which are very distinct and almost globose in shape, except the thoracic and anal ones ; mouth parts small. The perfect beetle is about the same length as E. affine, but is much broader, the head and thorax bright bronzy colour, the elytra much darker, marked with punctured striae, the minute scales forming the scroll-like patterns of a silvery tint showing out very distinctly on the apex of the wing covers. As far as I know this is a more common species than the last, but it is evident that if one looks for the galls they are all plentiful. Ethon marmoreum, Laporte and Gory, Monograph of the Buprestidse ii., Ethon, p. 3, pi. 1, fig. 3. There seems to be some misapprehension about this species. Saunders in his paper in Trans. Ent. Soc. 1868, p. 60, gives Cisseis marmorata, L. and G., as a synonym of C. acuducta ; but in his Catalogue of Buprestidse (1871) C. marmorata appears as a recognised species, and E. marmoreum is given as a synonym of C. acuducta. In Masters' Catalogue C. marmorata is omitted altogether, and E. marmoreum appears among the synonyms of C. acuducta. On the roots of several bushes of Dillwynia ericifolia pulled up by me in the search for the galls of E. corpulentum, I found longer 326 GALL-MAKING BUPRESTIDS. cylindrical swellings away from the base of the stem on the smaller roots which were found to contain beetle larvse, and after opening several I was rewarded with a specimen of the perfect insect. The galls are regular swellings of the rootlet, the young larva apparently eating round between the wood and the bark ; about an inch long, often tapering at the ends, and 6 lines wide at the centre. The larva is a flat, slender, white grub, about 9 lines in length ; jaws small, head segment much larger and rounder than the follow- ing— 2nd and 3rd small, 4-llth flat, anal segment small and bearing two sharply-pointed spines like a pair of calipers ; mouth parts and anal appendages ferruginous ; all the segments flat, the outer margins very thin and rounded, the divisions between the segments very truncate. The perfect beetle is 4 lines in length, 2 lines in breadth, of a much more brilliant reddish copper colour, and not striated or punctured on the elytra like E. affine ; but the elytra are very closely and minutely punctured, the greater portion being covered with tiny little golden fish-like scales, forming regular scroll-like markings of a very different pattern from the others. 327 ON THE PLIOCENE MOLLUSCA OF NEW ZEALAND.* By Professor F. W. Hutton, F.G.S., Hon. Mem. L.S.N.S.W. CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR KNOWLEDGE OF CERATODUS* Part. I. — The Blood Vessels. By W. Baldwin Spencer, M.A., Professor op Biology in the University op Melbourne. (Communicated by Professor Haswell.) NOTES ON AN UNDESCRIBED ACACIA FROM NEW SOUTH WALES.* By Baron von Mueller, K.C.M.G., M. & Ph.D., LL.D., F.R.S. These papers will be published in the Macleay Memorial Volume. 328 NOTES AND EXHIBITS. Mr. Baker, on behalf of Mr, H. Smith, showed a specimen of Barytes in Hawkesbury sandstone from Gosford, and he stated that in a paper read before this Society on 29th April, 1891, Mr. Smith had called attention to the presence of Barytes at Marrickville, the first record of the occurrence of this mineral in the Hawkes- bury Sandstone. In a subsequent paper communicated to the Royal Society of N.S.W., attention was again called to its presence in a second locality some considerable distance from the first, and the opinion was expressed that it was laid down contemporaneously with the shale beds, and that its pi'esence would be found over a large area. The specimen exhibited was from the Ballast Quarry not far from Broadwater, 100 or 200 yards from Gosford Railway Station, and from the same formation as the Marrickville speci- mens and from about the same level. It was obtained and pre- sented to the Museum by Mr. Wall. Though the specimen exhibited was from the conglomerate, a specimen of shale with Barytes was also obtained at the same place. The occurrence of the mineral at Gosford suggests the probability that the area from Sydney to Gosford, at any rate, is a portion of a lacusti'ine formation. Dr. Norton exhibited a portion of a root of Stenocarpus cunning- hamii, R.Br., showing an extraordinary development of fibrous rootlets. Dr. Norton also related a remarkable instance of antipathy to the smell of fish on the part of a horse in his possession. Mr. Rainbow exhibited the two sexes of an undescribed Sydney spider (IfepJiila sp.) the webs of which were said to be strong enoueh to catch small birds. 329 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31st, 1892. Mr. Henry Deane, M.A., Vice-President, in the Chair. Dr. James Graham, Liverpool Street, and Dr. C. J. Martin, Sydney University, were elected members of the Society. The Chairman with deep regret reminded the members of the Society that since the last meeting there had passed away another of our scientific worthies, Mr, R. D. Fitzgerald, so well and so widely known for his knowledge, and for his artistic and beautiful delineation, of Australian Orchids. He felt sure therefore that the Council in having taken steps to make known to the members of the deceased gentleman's family the feelings which have been evoked by this sad event — the sense of loss sustained by Botanical Science in Australia, the appreciation of his work, the respect for his memory, and the sympathy with those who had been bereaved, the Council had but voiced the sentiments of every member of the Society. DONATIONS. " Asiatic Society of Bengal — Journal." Vol. Ix. (1891), Part i. Nos. 2 and 3 ; Part ii. N"os. 2-4 and Index : Vol. Ixi. (1892), Part i. No. 1 ; Part ii. No. 1 : " Proceedings for 1891." Nos. 7-10 ; " Proceedings for 1892." Nos. 1-3. From the Society. "Zoological Society, London — Proceedings for the year 1892." Part 1 (June). From the Society. 330 DONATIONS. " Societe Imperiale des Naturalistes de Moscou — Bulletin." Annee 1892, No. 1. From the Society. '' Entomological Society of London — Transactions for the year 1892." Part 2. Fro7n the Society. "Perak Government Gazette." Vol. v. Nos. 17-22 (June and July, 1892). From the Government Secretary. " Pharmaceutical Journal of Australasia." Vol. v. No. 7 (July, 1892). From the Editor. " Agricultural Gazette of New South Wales." Vol. iii. Part 7 (July, 1892). From the Director of Agriculture. " New Zealand Institute — Transactions and Proceedings." Vol. xxiv. (1891). From the Institute. " Societe d'Horticulture du Doubs, BesanQon — Bulletin." Nouvelle Serie, No. 18 (June, 1892). From the Society. " Zoologischer Anzeiger." xv. Jahrg. Nos. 394-396 (June and July, 1892). From the Editor. " Geological Survey of India — Records." Vol. xxv. Part 2 (1892). From the Director. Pamphlet entitled — "Echinologica." By Professor Sven Loven (1892). From the Author. South Australia — "Further Geological Examination of Leigh" Creek and Hergott Districts ; also, Report upon a Shale Deposit in the Encounter Bay District." By the Government Geologist. Also, papers on " South Australian Lower Silurian and Mesozoic Fossils." By R. Etheridge, Junr., F.G.S., &c. (1892). From the Government Geologist. " Naturwissenschaftlicher Verein fiir Steiermark, Graz — Mit- theilungen." Jahrgang 1891, From the Society. "Technological Museum, Sydney — Illustrations of Types of Wool." By A. Hawkesworth. [Technical Education Series, No. 9 (1892).] From the Curator. "Johns Hopkins University Circulars." Vol. xi. No. 100 (July, 1892). From the University. DONATIONS. 331 " Geological Survey of Queensland — Six Geological Reports," Nos. 3, 43, 75 (with map), 81, 83, and 84 ("Styx River Coal Field"); Geological Map of Queensland (1886). From the Government Geologist. " United States Department of Agriculture — Division of Ento- mology— Insect Life." Vol. iv. Nos. 9 and 10 (June, 1892) ; "Bulletin." Nos. 26 and 27 (1892). From the Secretary of Agriculture. " American Naturalist." Vol. xxvi. No. 307 (July, 1892). From the Editors. "Canadian Institute — Transactions." Vol. ii. Part 2 (1892); "Annual Ai'clipeological Report" (Session 1891); "An Appeal to the Institute on the Rectification of Parliament." By S. Fleming, C.M.G., LL.D., &c. (1892). From the Institute. " Victorian Naturalist." Vol. ix. No. 4 (August, 1892). From the Field Hatwalists' Club of Victoria. " Royal Society of South Australia — Transactions." Vol. xv. Part 1 (July, 1892). Fro7n t/ie Society. "Royal Society of London — Proceedings." Vol. li. No. 311 (July, 1892). From the Society. "Societe Beige de Microscopie — Bulletin." Tome xviii. Nos. 6 and 7 (1891-92). From the Society. " Verein fiir Erdkunde zu Leipzig — Mittheilungen, 1891; Wissenschaftliche Veroffentlichungen." Erster Band (1891). Fro7n the Society. " Societe Zoologique de France — Bulletin." Tcfme xviii. No. 4 (April, 1892). From the Society. " Zoologische Station zu Neapel — Mittheilungen." x. Band 3 Heft (1892). From the Society. " Smithsonian Institution — Bui'eau of Ethnology — Contribu- tions to North American Ethnology." Vol. vi. (1890); "Cata- logue of Prehistoric Works." By C. Thomas (1891); "Omaha and Ponka Letters." By J. 0. Dorsey (1891). From the Director. 23 332 DONATIONS. " Societe de Physique et d'Histoire Natnrelle de Geneve — Memoives. Volume Supplementau'e ; Centenaire de la Fondation de la Societe " (1890). From the Society. " Smithsonian Institution — United States National Museum — Annual Report for the year ending June 30th, 1889." From the Museum. "American Philosophical Society — Proceedings." Vol. xxix. No. 136 (July-December, 1891) ; "List of Surviving Members" (January, 1892). From the Society. " Scientific Laboratories of the Denisou TJnive-sity — Bulletin." Vol. vi. Parts 1 and 2 (January, 1892). From the University. " American Museum of Natural History — Bulletin." Vol. iii. No. 2 (December, 1891). From the Ahiseum. •' Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia— Procet-dings for 1891." Part 3 (September-December). From the Academy. " Rochester Academy of Science— Proceedings." Vol. i. Bro- chure 2 (1891). From the Academy. " Cincinnati Society of Natural History — Journal." Vol. xiv. Nos. 3 and 4 (1891-92). From the Society. " Naturwissenschaftlicher Verein fiir Schleswig-Holstein — Schriften." Band viii. Zweites Heft ; Band ix, Erstes Heft (1891). From the Society. " Zoologisch-Botanische Gesellschaf t in Wien — Verhandlun- gen." xli. Band, 3 u. 4 Quartal (1891). From the Society. " L'Academig Imperiale des Sciences de St. Petersbourg — Memoires." T. xxxviii. Nos. 4-6 (1891); "Melanges Biolo- giques," T. xiii. Liv. 1 (1891). From the Academy. 333 PAPERS READ. SOME NEW SOUTH WALES PLANTS ILLUSTRATED. By R. T. Baker, Assistant Curator, Technological Museum, Sydney. No. ii. Tarrietia argyrodendron, Benth. ; with a Note on the Oi'gans of Reproduction. (Plate V.) This plant, under the name Argyrodendron trifoliatum, g. et sp.n., was tirst described by Baron von Mueller in the " Frag- uienta" (Vol. i., 2; vide also Vol. ii., 177). A few years later, in tlie "Flora Australiensis " (Vol. i., 230), Mr. Bentham referred it to the genus Tarrietia^ with the specific name which it still bears. At this time, and even as late as the date of the issue of Vol. i. of the "Genera Plantarutn " (1862-67), Mr. Bentham had apparently only seen unisexual flowers, for he gives this as one of the generic characters. In his original description Baron von Mueller says: "Flores hermaphroditi vel polyganii." Subsequently the Baron subdivided the original species, and described ("Frag- meuta," Vol. ix., 42-43) a second species under the name T. trifolialata ; the two species being distinguished more particularly by the characters of the leaves and the relative breadth of the anthers. In the description of T. foliolata the Baron says : " Flores polygami." I have recently had the opportunity of examining a good series of specimens of T. argyrod eiidron from the Richmond River district ; and as, I believe, no figure of this species has hitherto been published, it seems to me a good opportunity of remedying the deficiency. The .specimens examined by me, like those described by the Baron, are polygamous ; but trees with male and hermaph- i odite flowers would seem to be more common than those with male flowers exclusively. 334 SOME NEW SOUTH WALES PLANTS ILLUSTRATED. An examination of the hermaphrodite flowers sliowed that some of the stamens at the base of the ovary were sterile, although in external appearance they resemble the fertile anthers of the staminal column of male flowers on the same tree. The anthers of flowers from trees with exclusively male flowers are somewhat smaller. I wish to acknowledge my indebtedness to Mr. J. H. Maiden, F.L.S., for his kindness in allowing me the use of his herbarium. EXPLANATION OF PLATE. Fig. L — Part of plant showing inflorescence (nat. size). Fig. 2. — Male flower (enlarged). Fig. 3." Hermaphrodite flower (enlarged). Fig. 4. — Anthers and pollen (enlarged). Fig. 5. — Fruit-carpels at an early stage. Fig. 6. — Samara (nat. size). Figs. 7-8. — Parts of sepals magnified. 335 THE RANGE OF FLACOSTYLUS ; A STUDY IN ANCIENT GEOGRA'PHY. By C. Hedley, F.L.S. The genus Placostt/his appears a more fruitful subject of study than any other molluscan genus inhabiting the same area. Their large and handsome shells have attracted the attention of the most superficial and unscientific collectors; as a I'esult an extensive series of them have been brought to our knowledge from remote localities. Close and attentive scrutiny would scarcely justify an observer in declaring that a particular minute shell did not inhabit any given island, whereas a casual survey would decide whether a conspicuous shell like Placostylus did or did not compose a portion of that island's fauna. A larger mass of evidence, both negative and positive, is therefore at our disposal in dealing with Placostylus than awaits us in studying smaller species. The genus ranges from Faro Island, )Solomons {P. founaki), in the north, to Whangarei, New Zealand (P. bovinus), in the south, and from Lanthala, Fijis (P. morosus), in the east, to Lord Howe Island {P. hivaricosus) in the west ; and, so far as is yet known, is distributed as follows : — New Caledonia, 34 ; Solomons, 16 ; New Hebrides, 3 ; Fiji, 16; New Zealand, 1; Lord Howe, 1. The area of distribution of Placostylus corresponds generally to that great arc of volcanic activity which stretches across the South-west Pacific from the Solomons through the New Hebrides to New Zealand. On either side of this earth wave extend banks to New Caledonia, Fiji and Lord Howe, indented by abyssal gulfs. This plateau, which for want of a better name I will call the Melanesian Plateau, is probably circumscribed by the 1300 fathom zone and probably the various archipelagoes upon it are connected by comparatively shallow banks, but the fragmentary knowledge we 336 THE RANGE OF PLACOSTYLUS, yet possess of the contour of the floor of the South Pacific does not enable us to trace its margin. Eastwards of Fiji, the molluscan fauna indicates the abrupt termination of the Melanesian Plateau. Between the Samoas and Pijis a sounding of 2600 fathoms has been obtained. Significant of this is the absence of Placostylus from Savaii, Upolu or Tutuila. The Samoan Islands appear as well fitted as the Fijian to nourish an extensive series of Placostylus. They are large, densely wooded, with a warm, moist and equable climate. The distance from their western neighbours is no greater than from the latter to tlie groups to the westward, and not to be compared to the spaces between New Caledonia and Lord Howe or New Zealand, which have proved no obstacle to the spread of the genus. Yet the Samoas possess a distinctly oceanic mollusc fauna comparable to that of Tahiti, while the mollusc fauna of the Fijis is as distinctly continental. On the westward we learn from the " Challenger " soundings that about the 20th parallel a bank of a maximum depth of 1300 fathoms connects the Melanesian Plateau with the Great Barrier Reef. This bank was not actually plumbed, but its existence is inferred from the fact that soundings in the Coral Sea diminished in temperature down to 1300 fathoms, and below that level to 2450 fathoms the thermometer readings were stationary. The inrush of cold water from the Antarctic abyss is therefore stopped by banks, whose lowest depth is 1300 fathoms, hemming in the abyss of the Coral Sea. But the canal whose floor is the 1300 fathom level may lie, not between the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia, but at the head of the gulf between the Loyalties and the New Hebrides. Wallace,in his "Island Life," advances the theory '^•' that Australia and New Zealand were formerly connected by a bridge of dry land *" Confining ourselves strictly to the direct relations between the plants of New Zealand and of Australia, .... I think I may claim to have shown that the union between the two countries in the latter {jart of the Secondary epoch .... does sufficiently account for all the main features of the New Zealand Flora" ; ^nd Ed. p. 506. BY C. HEDLEY, 337 occupying somewhat the position of the Caledonian-Barrier bank. This theory is totally opposed to the distribution of t\\e Placostylus in particular and of the Melanesian mollusc-fauna in general. "Were it true, then Lord Howe, the furthest western outpost of the Melanesian Plateau, would be tenanted by forms bearing some resemblance to Queensland mollusca. Had the stream of life reached Lord Howe from the north-west instead of from the north- east, then Placostylus would have been replaced by Hadra ami Chloritis, while Pupina and Relicina would have been substituted for Realia and Omphalotropis. The various islands inhabited by Placostylus would seem to have been joined, if not into one continuous and contemporaneous whole, yet into larger fragments, which, temporarily united, allowed the passage of snails from one tract to another. Should it be proved that the islands occupied by Placostylus are now sundered by deeper channels than that between Australia and the Melanesian plateau, even that would not defeat the argument of their former union and of their eternal separation from Australia. Not the depth but the permanence of the ocean is the real limit to the distribution of forms of life. The geology of the Solomon-New Zealand arc, imperfectly as it is yet read, shows a most tempestuous record of lands now sunk in the stillest ocean deeps and anon flung into lofty mountain ranges. The history of the North-East Australian coast exhibits no such vicissitudes, but it appears to have retained its present outline for long ages past. The channel joining the abysses of the Coral and of the Tasman Seas would therefore be more permanent than channels, possibly deeper, intersecting the Melanesian plateau. The genus Placostylus divides itself naturally into halves. The southern portion are inhabitants of New Caledonia, Lord Howe and New Zealand. Almost all are heavy massive shells, dark in colour, confined to the ground by the mere weight of the shell and singularly unfitted to cross distant seas by any means that I can imagine. The northern portion are usually tree dwellers, the shell of a light sti'ucture and sometimes brilliantly coloured. Between New Zealand and Fiji a line of soundings has been 338 THE RANGE OF PLACOSTYLUS, I'ecorded of over 2000 fathoms, while between New Caledonia and the New Hebrides two soundings of 2650 and of 2525 fathoms would indicate that a gulf running south-east from the Coral Sea here intervenes. The differences between the northern and southern types of Placostylus are supplemented by other features of their respective mollusc faunas. The northern type is everywhere accompanied by Trochomorflm^ which is never associated with the southern. Species of the so-called Melanopsis occur in New Zealand and in New Caledonia, but are unknown in the northern archipelagoes. These scanty data appear to show that early in the history of the existing fauna the Melanesian plateau was rent in twain and has never since been united. The forms of Placostylus inhabiting the Fijis resemble in shape and colour sundry of the Solomon Island species. Thus elobatus from Levuka and christovalensis from San Christoval are much alike, both in shape and colour-pattern, and seemanni from Kandavu finds a close parallel in macfarlandi from the Solomons. The remainder of the land mollusca of each archipelago contribute further evidence of affinity, thus Nanina nitidissima from the Solomons resembles N. casca from Fiji ; both areas also possess a Pwpina. Such affinity would wari'ant the deduction that the Solomons were the source of the Fijian moUuscan fauna ; theugh the former group had probably not then received from Papua the newer genera of Chloritis and Pajmina. Eastwards from the Melanesian plateau Placostylus was unable to extend its range ; but its derivative and representative Partula, together with other Melanesian emigrants, ^wc/oc/o^i to, Tornatellina, Helicina, and similar minute forms, drifting eastwards from island to island, colonised the oceanic groups of the south-east Pacific. Summary. — I would remark, firstly, on the essential unity of the Placostylus area as a zoological province, embracing the archipelagoes of Solomon, Fiji, New Hebrides, Loyalty, New Caledonia, Norfolk I. (1), Lord Howe and New Zealand ; a unity explicable only on the theory that they form portions of a BY C. HEDLEV. 339 shattered continent and are connected by shallow banks formerly dry land. This continental area I ])ropose to call the Melanesian plateau. Secondly, that this Melanesian plateau was never connected with, nor populated from Australia ; probably its fauna was derived from Papua via New Britain. The pi-esence of genera common to Australia and New Zealand is explicable on the ground that they migrated, not from the one territory to the other, but each from a common source, New Guinea. Thirdly, that New Zealand and New Caledonia were early separated fi'om the northern archipelagoes and ceased to receive overland immi- grants therefrom. Fourthly, that the Fijis remained to a later date in communication with the Solomons, but were severed from that group before the latter had acquired from Papua much of its present fauna. 3-40 JOTTINGS FROM SYDNEY UNIVERSITY BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY, JOTTINGS FROM THE BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY OF SYDNEY UNIVERSITY. By Professor William A. Haswell, M.A., D.Sc. No. 17. Three Zoological Novelties. I. The occurrence of a .second species of Phoronis in Port Jackson. Phoronis australis, shortly characterised by me some years ago* and more recently described in detail by Benhara,t differs widely from all the known European species, not only in its relatively gigantic size (two and a half to five inches), but also in the form of the lophophore and the arrangement of the tentacles. In these respects it approaches a species obtained by the " Challenger" Expe- dition to the south of the Philippines, and described by Mcintosh; in the " Reports " under the name of Phoronis Buskii. Phoronis australis has only been found in one part of Port Jackson — far up opposite the promontory of Ball's Head, in a depth of about 12 fathoms. Its mode of occurrence is extremely remarkable, and, as both Benham and Cori§ have misunderstood my statements!] on the subject, it may be well to repeat them here. Phoronis australis occurs in communities of twenty or thirty in spaces in the substance of the wall of the tube inhabited and formed by a species of Cerianthus. Each worm has a tube of its '' ' P.L.S.N.S.W.' Vol. vii. (1S82). + ' Quart. Jouni. Micro. Set.' Vol. xxx. (1889). + " Zoology," Vol. xxvii. (ISSS). § ' Zeitschr. f. wiss. Zool.' li. Bd. (1891). II ' P.L.S.N.S.W.' Vol. ix. p. 1019 (1884). BY AVILLIAM A. HASWELL. 341 own, very delicate and ti-ansparent, made up of several layers — the mouth opening on the outer surface of the tube of the Cerianthus. The Cerianthus tubes sometimes come up empty, as we should naturally expect — the anemone having dropped out ; but a suffi- cient number of occupied tubes are found to show that under ordinary circumstances a living Cerianthus occupies the interior of the tube, and a community of Phorones live in its wall. This species of Phoronis is never found anywhere else ; and the species of Cerianthus is very rarely found without the Phorones. 1 had long since observed two kinds of Actinotrocha on the surface of Port Jackson, differing considerably not only in size but in other respects ; but the second adult form was only found recently. It was dredged some weeks ago in considerable abundance in the same locality as that inhabited by the large species, growing thickly over empty mussel shells. This second species is no larger than the European kinds, being only about a half to three- quarters of an inch in length. The tubes are membranaceous, tough and flexible, almost hyaline, closely twisted together. On a comparison with the descriptions of the European species I can find hardly any point of any importance to distinguish the Port Jackson form from P. psammophila of Cori from Messina ; the number of tentacles is greater (about 100), and there are no sand- grains affixed to the tubes ; but these are perhaps not constant diffiirences. II. An Alloioccele Turbellarian inhabiting the underground waters of Canterbury, New Zealand. The Alloioccele Turbellaria hitherto known are all, with only two exceptions, inhabitants of the sea. The exceptions are Plagiostoma Lemani, Forel et Duplessis, and Monotus meso- pharynx, Diesing — the former found at depths of 2 to 300 metres in various of the Swiss lakes, the latter — the position of which is, however, very doubtful — at the Cape of Good Hope.* I'he occur- rence, therefore, of a fresh- water representative of this group in New Zealand is of considerable interest. (1) Von Graff, " Monographie der Turbellarien," I. Rhabdoccelida,. 342 JOTTINGS FROM SYDNEY UNIVERSITY BIOLOGICAL LABORATORY. I am indebted to Mr. Chas. Chilton, B.A., of Port Chalmers, New Zealand, for specimens of this very interesting Turbellarian, obtained from deep wells in two localities about a hundred miles apart in the province of Canterbury. All are devoid of eyes and completely destitute of pigment. They are of comparatively large size, the largest being nearly an inch and a half in length. A detailed account of them will be published shortly. III. A new genus of the Temnocejihalece. Temnocephala is such an aberrant member of the Platyhelminthes that the discovery of a related form is of considerable interest. In Temnocephala there are at the anterior end of the body a number (four to six) of long slender tentacles ; at the opposite end a large ventral sucker. In the new genus, which I propose to call Actinodactylus, twelve tentacles are present distributed along the lateral margins of the body and radiating outwards from it. A ventral sucker occupies the same position as in Temnocephala. Eyes are completely absent ; but in most other respects the resemblance to Temnocephala is fairly close. The new form occurs in the branchial cavities of Engceiis fossor, the burrowing land-crayfish of Gippsland. Postscript. — Since the above was written I have had the oppor- tunity of examining living specimens of Actinodactylus, and certain features not recognised in the alcohol specimens separate the new form so widely from Temnocephala that I do not think that it can be included in the same family. An account of this remarkable new form will be published in the Macleay Memorial Volume. 343 OBSERVATIONS UPON THE ANATOMY OF THE MUZZLE OF ORNITHORHYNCHUS* By J. T. Wilson, M.B., Professor op Anatomy in the University of Sydney, and C. J. Martin, M.B., B.Sc, Demonstrator of Physiology in the University of Sydney. ON THE PECULIAR ROD-LIKE TACTILE ORGANS IN THE INTEGUMENT AND MUCOUS MEMBRANE OF THE MUZZLE OF ORNITHORHYNCHUS* By J. T. Wilson, M.B., Professor of Anatomy in the University of Sydney, and C. J. Martin, M.B. B.Sc, Demonstrator of Physiology in the University of Sydney. * These papers will be published in the Macleay Memorial Volume. 344 NOTES AND EXHIBITS. Mr. Brazier exhibited, in a good state of* preservation, a copy of a very old work, Index Testarum Conchylio7'um, by Gualtier, printed and published in Florence, Italy, in 1742. Also a specimen of Cassis nana, Tenison-Woods, from Ballina, Richmond River, the first record of this species from the N.S.W. coast, the type having been found at Moreton Bay by the late Mr. C. Coxen. Also examples of Murex octogonus, Quoy, from Auckland, received from Professor Hutton, and of M. umbilicatus, Tenison-Woods, from South Australia ; the latter was named M. scalaris by A. Adams in 1853, but the name being preoccupied, that of umbilicatus, T. -Woods, must be reverted to. Mr. J. H. Maiden exhibited fruits and seeds of the following from Bellenden Ker Range, N. Queensland : — Garcinia mestoni, Bail. ; " Coohoy," Cryptocarya pafmerstoni, Bail. ; C. insignis, Bail. ; Eloiocarpus bancrofti, F.v.M. et Bail. Also from the Herbert River, fruits of the " Herbert River Cherry," Antidesma dallacliyanumi, Bail., ( Euj)horbiacece ). Mr. A. G. Hamilton sent for exhibition photographs of the trunk of a fossil tree in situ in the l»ank of American Creek, Mt. Kembla, Illawarra, 355 feet below the 4-foot seam of coal. The tree is embedded in soft coarse sandstone underlying a bed of clayey shale of considerable thickness. Six to ten feet below is a larger trunk under water in the bed of the creek. The trunks lie horizontally, or nearly so, in the matrix. All the creeks in the neighbourhood contain many loose blocks of fossil wood among the stones in their beds. Mr. W. W. Froggatt exhibited leaves of Eucalyptus obtusifolia attacked by an undetermined coccid, which forms little pits in the leaves and twigs in which it buries itself, the pits after- wards turning into large blisters. Mr. Harry Stockdale exhibited, and made some remarks upon, three oil-paintings — portion of a series intended for the Chicago NOTES AND EXHIBITS. 345 Exhibition — illustrative of the mode of the disposal of the dead in vogue among the aborigines in the neighbourhood of Alligator River, Port Essington. Mr. Baker showed drawings and specimens of the Tarrielia referred to in his paper, together with microscopic preparations. Professor Wilson and Dr. Martin showed series of micro-photo- graphs, sections, and dissections illustrative of the anatomical characters of the muzzle of the Ornithorhynchns, described in their papers. Mr. A. Sidney Olliff exhibited photographs of some remarkable native gods at Banks Island in the New Hebrides. Mr. John Mitchell communicated the following " Note on the occurrence of certain fossils in previously unrecorded localities in N.8. VV., with remarks on the correlation of certain beds in the Newcastle and lUawarra districts." Thimifehlia odontopter aides, Feistni. — Some months back I oljtained a good specimen of this fossil from a cutting on the main Southern Road at Razorback. Long ago the Rev. W. B. Clarke 1 ecorded it from Clark's Hill near Cobbity, associated with several other fossil fei-ns that have not since been met with by any other collector ; and doubts are entertained in some quarters whether in the case of Odontopteris micropkylln, McCoy, there was not a mistake in quoting it from this locality. Specimens which I have lately collected at Glenlee will tend to confirm Clarke's quotation. Razorback is about eight miles southerly from Clark's Hill and on the same horizon of the Wianamatta series. I have obtained what appear to be fragments of the same fossil from a railway cutting near Glenlee. MacroUenurpterls. — I have collected several specimens of this fossil from the railway cutting opposite Glenlee homestead, con- tained in a very dark friable carbonaceous shale. Tcenio]Aeri^. — From a railway cutting near Glenlee. 346 NOTES AND EXHIBITS Sphenopteris, Pecopteris, and Alethopteris. — From Glenlee I have collected specimens of each of these genera embracing of the first two several species. This discovery of Pecopteris is of considerable interest. The only Pecopteris, as far as I am aware, described from the Wianamatta Beds up to the present time is the very doubtful P. tenuifoUa, McCoy, from Clark's Hill. Neuropteris. — From Glenlee. Several specimens by their neuration appear to belong to this genus. Odontopteris. — Among the specimens from Glenlee are some that I must rank in this genus, for the present, notwithstanding that it is such a pronounced carboniferous one. One of my specimens bears some resemblance in the form of the pinnules to a Rhacopteris ; but the venation is too indistinct to admit of determination ; and as the genus has not been met with above the Lower Carboniferous Beds, up to the present, to do more than note the resemblance would not be prudent. From the same locality are a number of pinnules I am unable to identify ; but I have little doubt that some of them are referable to the genus Podozamites. All are from the Wianamatta Beds. The specimens will be described later on. On the sea-shore near the Bellambi Jetty (Illawarra) in July last, from a fragment of rock appai-ently washed from the reef stretching out from Bellambi Point, I obtained Glossoj)teris linearis, G. densinervis (?), and other species which appear to be G. tencmp- teroides and G. gangamopteroides, and one other which in the character of its venation difters so much from all the Australian species figured by Feistmantel* that I am inclined to believe it will turn out to be a new species. Associated with the above is Nogger- athiopsis, and some impressions bear a strong resemblance to Gangamopteris. The occurrence of these fossils (some of which are characteristic of the Newcastle Beds), and the outcrop of the Upper Marine Beds at Wollongong, leave little room to doubt that the Newcastle and Illawarra Coal Beds are identical. * Coal and Plant-bearing Beds of PaUvozoic and Mesozoic Age in Eastern Australia, &c. Published by Department of Mines, N.S.W. NOTES AND EXHIBITS. 347 In June, 1890, in company with Mr. Englehardt, I examined the Upper Marine Beds at Jamberoo, and found the common fossils identical with those most common in the same beds at Campbell's Hill, West Maitland. On Stockyard Mountain, and about 700 feet above the Marine Beds, and immediately beneath what is there known, in descending order, as the second coal-seam, we found a Glossopteris Bed, in which I recognised a number of the Newcastle species, together with Vertebraria australis, and Pliyllotheca australis. These fossils are incontestible proofs of the identity of the Southern Coal-bearing Beds with the Newcastle Beds. Mr. Geological Surveyor David (now Prof. David) in the annual report of the Department of Mines, N.S.W., for 1890, declares the Newcastle and Illawarra Beds to be identical ; but if I mistake not, his opinion was arrived at from other evidence than the occurrence in the Illawarra district of the typical Newcastle fossil flora. 24 348 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26th, 1892. Mr. Henry Deane, M.A., Vice-President, in the Chair. Mr. Henry Richards, Leichhardt, and Mr. A. Lea, Dept. of Agriculture, Sydney, were elected Members of the Society. DONATIONS. "Journal of the Linnean Society of London— Botany." Vol. xxvi. No. 176; Vol. xxviii. Nos. 194-196; Vol. xxix. Nos. 197- 201 : " Zoology." Vol. xxiii. No. 148 ; Vol. xxiv. Nos. 149-151 : "Proceedings." November, 1888,-June, 1890 : "List of Fellows." 1891-92. From the Society. " Royal Society of London— Proceedings." Vol. 1. Nos. 306-307 (1892) ; Vol. li. Nos. 308-310 and 312 (1892). From the Society. " Australian Museum, Sydney — Records." Vol. ii. Nos. 2 and 3 (August, 1892). From the Trustees. " Royal Geographical Society of Australasia, Queensland Branch — Proceedings and Transactions." Vol. vii. Part 2 (1891-92). From the Society. DONATIONS. 349 " The Pharmaceutical Journal of Australasia." Vol. v. No. 8 (August, 1892). From the Editor. " Geological Society of London — Quarterly Journal. Vol. xlviii. No. 191 (August, 1892). From the Society. " Societe d'Horticulture du Doubs, Besan9on — Bulletin." Nou- velle Serie, Nos. 19-20 (July and August, 1892). From the Society. " Naturwissenschaftlicher Verein des Regierungs-Bezirks, Frankfurt a/0 " : " Monatliche Mittheilungen." vii. Jahrgang, Nr. 3-12 (June, 1889,-March, 1890); viii. Jahrgang, Nr. 1-3 und 12 (April-June, 1890, and March, 1891): "Helios." ix. Jahrgang, Nr. 1-6 (April-September, 1891): " Societatum Lit- terje." iii. Jahrgang, Nr. 4-12 (April-December, 1889); iv. Jahrgang, Nr. 1-6 (January- June, 1890); v. Jahrgang, Nr. 2-8 (February -August, 1891). From the Society. "College of Science, Imperial University, Japan — Journal" Vol. V. Part 2 (1892). From the University. " Royal Society of Tasmania — Abstracts for April-August, 1892." From the Society. " Societe Beige de Microscopic — Annales." T. vii.-x. (1880-84) ; T. xvi. (1892): "Bulletin." T. xi.-xiii. (1884-87). From the Society. " Hooker's Icones Plantarum." Fourth Series, Vol. ii. Part 1 (July, 1892). From the Bentham Trustees. " Royal Irish Academy— Transactions." Vol. xxix. Part 18 (1892); "Proceedings." Third Series, Vol. ii. No. 1 (1892). Froin the Society. "Geological and Natural History Survey of Canada — Catalogue of Canadian Plants." Part vi. — Musci. By J. Macoun, M.A., F.L.S., F.R.C.S. (1892). From the Director. 350 DONATIONS. "Victorian Naturalist." Vol. ix. No. 5 (September, 1892). From the Field Natu7'alists' Cluh of Victoria. " Zoologischer Anzeiger." xv. Jahrg., Nos. 397-398 (August, 1892). From the Editor. "The Perak Government Gazette." Vol. v. Nos. 23-27 (July August, 1892). From the Govermnent Secretary. "American Naturalist." Vol. xxv., No. 300 (December, 1891) ; Vol. xxvi., No. 308 (August, 1892). From the Editors. " American Geographical Society — Bulletin." Vol. xxiv. No. 2 (June, 1892). From the Society. "Smithsonian Institution — United States National Museum — Report for 1890." pp. 253-383, 395-680 : "Proceedings." Vol. XV. Nos. 889-904 (1892) : "Bulletin." No. 39, Parts F. and G. (1892). From the Museum. "Kansas University Quarterly." Vol. i. No. 1 (July, 1892). From the University. " Soci6t^ Entomologique de France — Annales." G'' Serie, Tome x"^« (1890-91). From the Society. "Journal de Conchyliologie." 3® Serie, Tome xxxi. Nos. 1-4 (1891). From the Director. " Societe Zoologique de France — Bulletin." Tome xvi., No. 3 (March, 1891): " Memoires." Tome iii. No. 5 (1890). From the Society. "Societe des Sciences Naturelles de I'Ouest de la France — Bulletin." T. i.-ii., Nos. 1-2 (1891-92). From the Society. " Societe Linneenne de Normandie — Bulletin." 4^ Serie, Vols, iv.-v. (1891-92). From the Society. " Societe d'Etudes Scientifiques d' Angers — Bulletin." Nouvelle Serie, xx"^ Annee (1890). From the Society. DONATIONS. 351 " Viclenskabs-Selskabet i Christiania — Forhandlinger." Aar 1886, 1888, and 1890. From the Society. " Academie Royale des Sciences et des Lettres de Daneniark, Copenhague — Bulletin pour 1891." No. 3 (October-December); " Bulletin pour 1892." No. 1 (January-February). From the Academy. "American Museum of Natural History — Bulletin." Vol. iv. No. 1 (July, 1892). From the Museum. " Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard College — Bulle- tin." Vol. xxiii. No. 3 (June, 1892). Fro7n the Ctirator. "Zoological Society of London — Proceedings for 1892." Part ii. (August 1st). From the Society. "Agricultural Gazette of N.S.VV." Vol. iii. Part 8 (August, 1892). From the Director of Agricultiore. " Physical Geography and Climate of N.S.W." 2nd Edition (1892). By H. C. Russell, B.A., C.M.G., F.R.S. : "President's Address delivered at the Royal Society of N.S.W." (May, 1892 j. By H. C. Russell, B.A., C.M.G., F.R.S. From the Author. Two pamphlets entitled — " Note on the Nidification of Manu- codia comrii, Sclater," and " Additions to the Avifaunas of Tasmania and Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands." By A. J. North, F.L.S. From the Author. "University of Melbourne — Calendar for 1893." From the Council. " Free Public Library, Melbourne — Report of the Trustees for 1891"; "Catalogue of Newspapers, Magazines, &c." From the Librarian, Public Library, Melbourne. " Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science, Hobart, Tasmania (January, 1892) — Proceedings of Section D" Two Sheets. From the Secretary. DONATIONS. 352 " Australasian Journal of Pharmacy." "Vol. vii. No. 81 (Sep- tember, 1892). From the Editor. "Department of Agriculture, Brisbane — Bulletin." No. 19 (September, 1892). From the Under Secretary for Agriculture. Two conchological pamphlets entitled — "On the Land-Shells of St. Helena ; and On the Shells of the Victoria Nyanza or Lake Oukerewe." By E. A. Smith. From the Author. " Queensland Museum — Annual Report of the Trustees for 1891." From the Tr\ "Royal Microscopical Society — Journal for 1892." Part ii. (August). From the Society. PAPERS READ. DESCRIPTION OF A NEW UAKEA FROM EASTERN NEW SOUTH WALES.* By Baron von Mueller, K.C.M.G., M. & Ph.D., F.R.S., and J. H. Maiden, F.L.S., F.C.S. * This Paper will appear in the Macleay Memorial Volume. 353 NOTES ON THE FAMILY BRAGHYSGELIDyE, WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF THEIR PARASITES, AND DESCRIPTIONS OF NEW SPECIES. Part I. By Walter W. Froggatt, Technological Museum, Sydney. (Plates vi.-vn.) These curious woody-gall-forming coccids, one of the most well- defined and interesting groups of the Coccididce, were until lately said to be peculiar to Australia ; but in a recent paper Mr. W. M. Maskell* places in this family the genus Carteria, several species of which have been described from America, and he forms several new genera for the reception of allied forms found chiefly on the Casuarinas and Melaleucas of this country. The members of the genus Brachyscelis are distinctly Australian, confining their attacks to the Eucalypts, and at one time I believed that each species of coccid had a partiality for a particular species of Eucalyptus, but observations extending over several years have proved that, though some of the rarer species may keep to one tree, most of them thrive on various Eucalypts ; Brachyscelis ovicola, Schrader, one of our commonest species, has a very wide range over the southern parts of Australia, and is found on at least a dozen very different sorts of Eucalypts. Mr. H. L. Schrader, a resident of Sydney, was the first to record observations on this group in two interesting communica- tions to the Entomological Society of New South Wales in 1862.t * Trans, and Proc. of the New Zealand Institute, 1891, Vol. xxiv. t Trans. Ent. Soc. N.S.W. 1862, Vol. i. pp. 1 and 6. 354 NOTES ON THE FAMILY BRACHYSCELIDvE, In these papers he described a number of the common species, illustrated with numerous drawings. These, or almost identical, papers were afterwards published in Germany.* Finding that these Brachyscelid galls were much subject to the attacks of parasitic Hymenoptei'a, I tirst collected them while studying the habits of the Chalcididce for the inquilines they might contain, but becoming interested in their curious homes, I have obtained a large amount of material from various parts of Australia, and have made so many observations both on the coccids and on their parasites that I think it desirable that both should be published together. The field is large, and I still have the promise of much new material from additional sources, hence in the present communica- tion I propose to deal only with the genus Brachyscelis, leaving the allied genera Opisthocelis and Ascelis for future treatment. Accordingly, for completeness, I have re-described all Schrader's species, and have added eight new species from material obtained from various parts of Australia. To the following gentlemen, and others mentioned in the paper, I am greatly indebted for specimens, for the identification of the Eucalypts or general information, namely, Mr. J. J. Fletcher, Mr. J. H. Maiden, Curator of the Technological Museum, his assistant Mr. R. T. Baker, and Mr. R. Thornton, of Newcastle, while to the kindness of Mr. A. Sidney Ollifi", Government Entomologist, I am indebted the use of a series of drawings of Brachyscelid galls prepared by his assistant, Mr. C. Fuller, of the Department of Agriculture. The male galls are small tube-like excrescences with the apex dilated into a bell or cup-like rim, generally bright red or yellow, and are always found upon the leaves or very slender twigs, except when they spring direct from the female galls, as in Brachyscelis jyharetrata, Schrader, and several allied species, in which the male galls are attached to the side of the female gall, forming a cockscomb- * Verhandlungen der K. K. Zoologisch-botauischen Gesellschaft in Wein, Jahrg. 1863, p. 189, Tat. iii. BY W. \\. FROGGATT. 355 like growth consisting of a number of cylindrical tubes massed together, enveloped by a protective overlapping sheath, often many times the size of the female gall. The female galls are variable in shape, green or brown coloured, smooth outwardly, generally oval or oblong, often surmounted with horns or other appendages, and always, with the exception of the cockscomb-like galls which form on the leaf, growing out from the branches or branchlets. Both male and female galls have an opening always at the apex. The female coccid is a top-shaped, cylindrical, fleshy, white or yellow grvib, enveloped in a floury substance secreted by the coccid ; the head and thoracic segments are round, much crenulated on the face ; it is difficult to say which is the head, as the segment one would take for the head has two rudimentary, three-jointed antenna3, as well as the simple three-jointed fore-legs, which are placed just under them, while the eyes or eye spots are situated close on either side of this overlapping segment. The second and third thoracic segments each bear a pair of short legs, while the abdominal segments are regular, well defined, and taper to a point, the tip being surmounted with a pair of pointed anal appendages, which Schrader says are used to keep the orifice of the gall clear of obstructions ; but I consider it more likely that they are of use to the coccid in drawing herself towards the opening. The coccid lies in the fleshy gall, which is sometimes a quarter of an inch thick, head downwards, the tail pointing outwards; she is generally smaller than the gall chamber, and has plenty of room to move backwards and forwards. When full grown the males emerge from the neighbouring galls, and by means of their slender, pointed abdomen impi^egnate the imprisoned female through the apical orifice, through which the latter can exsert her anal appendages. After impregnation the males die, and the females become a mass of eggs, from which the young larvae soon emerge, crawling through the opening in the gall and leaving the empty shell of their mother behind in the ripe gall. The larvse [e.g. of Brachy- scelis munita] are microscopic, yellow, active creatures, having a circular, shield-like body margined with a fringe of cilia, distinct eyes, antennse, and legs. They move about quickly, and those 356 NOTES ON THE FAMILY BRACHYSCELID^, that survive after escaping from the gall immediately bury them- selves in the bark or leaves, and commence a fresh crop of young galls. I believe that the virgin female is cai)able of bringing forth larvae, as I have frequently found clusters of active larvje in the chamber with the perfect and evidently unimpregnated female coccid. The male of Brachyscelis [e.g. of B. mu7iita] is a very beautiful little two-winged creature, not much more than half a line in length, having many jointed antennse as long as the whole length of the head, thorax, and abdomen combined, terminating in three hairs or filaments ; the joints of the antennae are short and the divisions indistinct. The eyes are black, globular, and very prominent, divided from each other, as looked at from above, by a wedge-shaped bar between, widest in front. The prothorax is rounded, broadest in front, bright yellow, and shining ; the wings are large, round at the tips, constricted at their junction with the shoulder, and bear a strong costal (transverse of Ashmead) nervure with a fainter one (discoidal of Ashmead) across to the apex of the under side of wing, forming an elongated V, The legs are long, the femora robust, the tibiae slender, the tarsi short. The abdomen consists of eight constricted segments, and a small pointed anal one bearing the genitalia ; from either side of the eighth segment shoots out a long white filament, twice the length of the whole insect ; the whole covered with scattered white hairs. The perfect males are very delicate, and their galls are so small that it is very difficult to breed them out ; but of three very distinct species of galls from which I have obtained specimens of the insects, I can find no difference in any particular in the perfect males. The characters of the males, therefore, seem to me unim- portant in discriminating species. To a casual observer the female coccids would appear very much alike, but though there is a very strong general resemblance in most cases, there are, besides the difference in form, several very good specific peculiarities: firstly, in the form, shape, and situation of the anal appendages; secondly, in the hairy coating on the abdominal segments ; and thirdly, in the number, shape, and regularity of the distribution of the BY W. W. FHOGGATT. 357 tubercles and fine-toothed spines covering the upper side of the abdominal segments. The female galls of the different species are usually very distinct in form from each other ; and though with single specimens of some it might be difficult to determine the species from the gall alone, yet in a large series they are unmistakable. The female galls are all very much liable to attacks by parasites, and many of the minute micro-hymenoptera belonging to the Chal cididce and Proctrotrupidcc. will be found to emerge from the outer skin of the gall, possibly being parasitic upon smaller plant-eating larvae which they have destroyed. Other parasites lay their eggs upon or in the coccid, the larviB which hatch therefrom feeding upon her fleshy body, and undergoing their metamorphoses in her skin. I have obtained 100 specimens of a small black Chalcid from a single dead Brachyscelid. The larvse also of several different moths likewise manage to obtain a footing inside the galls, true iuquilines, for they soon smother the rightful owner. I once opened a gall of B. ovicola in which I found an exceedingly active moth larva together with a live coccid ; but the former was having much the best of it, for the coccid was not more than half the size of a number of its companions taken from the same bunch of galls. I have never been able to breed out the perfect moths from these larvse, for as the galls become dry the food supply fails them and they die. A large number of plant-eating beetles are also obtainable from the galls, most of them belonging to the Cicrculionidce, chief among which are members of the genera Haplonyx, of which I have bred five different species, and Rhadinosomus, a remarkable, goat-like little Curculio. Several others belonging to the genus Omadius (Family Cleridce) were hatched out of the galls of B. minor. Great numbers of young Eucalypts are annually attacked by these insects, which if they do not in consequence actually die become stunted in their growth from the foliage and young growth being robbed of so much sap, and tissue diverted from the proper channel, to form these peculiar excrescences ; it is therefore of 358 NOTES ON THE FAMILY BRACHYSCELID^, some economic interest for us to be acquainted with the habits and mode of growth of the Brachyscelids together with the parasites by which they are kept in check, for as they come forth in such countless numbers and in their earlier stages mine out of sight, they might under favourable circumstances become a serious pest in plantations of young Eucalypts. Brachyscelis duplex, Schrader, Trans. Ent. Soc. N.S.W. 1862, Vol. i. p. 5, pi. IL fig. A, h, 1, o, s. 2- Gall springing from the branch on a square four-sided stalk varying from a quarter to half an inch in length, swelling out from this into a four-sided gall with ridged edges ; 1^ inches in diameter ; 2;^ inches in length from top of stalk to apical oi'ifice ; the latter a broad and very narrow slit, on either side of which the gall is prolonged into a flattened broad horn, which is often 5-6 inches long ; as many as four of these large galls may be on a small twig a few inches long. Chamber containing coccid long, cylindrical, and pointed at both ends ; the walls 4 lines in thick- ness and very solid. 2. Coccid golden yellow ; apical segments broad, slightly depressed in centre ; legs very short, the joints of the middle and hind legs almost globose, tarsal claws small and blunt; abdominal broad and well defined, of a uniform breadth until about the third above the anal segment, thence forming a blunt rounded base from which the anal segment, which has a v-like mark on either side, projects, bearing two long slender anal appendages widely apart, l^ lines long, the pointed tips turned outwards and sur- mounted with three long filaments or hairs ; long scattered hairs all over the abdominal segment, forming distinct tufts on the lower part of the outer edges of the last four apical segments ; the upper side of the apical four marked with fine tubercles ; the first with very small and scattered tubercles, the following and anal segments with the tubercles in regular rows, conical, spinose, all the segments fringed along the outer edges with tufts of long white hairs. Length 12 lines, at widest point of thorax, 5i lines broad. BY W. W. FROGGATT. 359 ^. Gall growing from the leaves and also from the horns of the young female galls; not cylindrical, but four-sided, but instead of the circular rim at apex, divided into two flat sides opening out into a v-form. Height 3 lines, diameter f of a line. Hab. — Newcastle, on Eucalyj)tits sp. (R. Thornton) ;. Lawson, Blue Mts., on E. sp. (E. Palmer). In Schrader's paper this species is very briefly described, and the gall of the specimen figured has very short horns, whereas in most well-shaped galls the latter are often six inches in length. I had received several dried specimens of this fine gall on various occasions, but without any information as to where they were obtained, and had never ol)tained any fresh green ones until a short time ago, when among a collection of galls and botanical specimens received by the Curator of the Technological Museum from Mr. R. Thornton of Newcastle, were abovit a dozen very good fresh specimens of the gall of this Brachyscelid. Brachyscelis munita, Schrader, I.e. p. 6, pi. ii. fig. x. 9. Gall sessile on twigs, round at base, but with four distinct angles above, from the corners of which arise a long horn broad at base, slender at the tip, and generally curling backwards ; height 10 lines, width 7 lines, horns 2 inches in length; walls of chamber solid but thin ; chamber broad, oval, and conical at apex, apical orifice circular, small and situated in the centre of apex, where the four ridges running back from the horns conjoin. 9. Gall of slender variety stalked, the stalk broad, angular ; the surmounting gall four-sided, swelling out from and about twice the length of the stalk, and broadest at apex ; from each angle springs out a straight cylindrical horn, broadest at base and attenuated towards the tip ; length of gall l-^ inches, including the stalk, width at apex of stalk 3 lines, width at base of horns 6 lines, horns often attaining a length of 6 or 7 inches ; apex of gall flat or slightly rounded between the horns. The measurements are very variable, as the galls can be found of all shapes and sizes growing in great clusters, sometimes one sfrowins: out from another. I should consider this an aborted 360 NOTES ON THE FAMILY BRACHYSCELIDiE, variety of the more regularly formed one, for when a tree is attacked by this one its sap becomes so impoverished by the quantity of galls it has to support that they in turn become slender and attenuated from want of building material. This variety grows upon Eucalyptus rohusta, the large, succulent leaves of which seem to be attacked by many insect larvje. 9. Coccid dull yellow to semi-transparent; 8 lines long, 5 lines broad ; head and thoracic segments much wrinkled ; legs small and short ; abdominal segments short and broad, thickly clothed towards the apex and sides with long yellow hairs ; anal appendages short, blunt, narrowly divided at base, turned slightly outwards at the tip, upper side rather flat ; anal segments densely clothed with long yellow hairs ; two lower thoracic and first abdominal segment covered with very fine ferruginous tubercles, the remaining abdominal segments margined above the apex with a row of fine pointed tubercles, largest and stoutest towards the tip. ^. Galls growing in a cluster on a small twig, the cluster com- posed of several hundred short twisted or straight male cells sticking out at all angles ; many of them ai'e doubtless sterile; slightly dilated at the apex and of a bright red colour, the whole forming an irregular rounded or oval mass, often over an inch in diameter. In the straight-horned variety the male galls ai-e clustered together in irregular masses, but never in such large numbers or so closely together, each gall standing out and more independent of the others. This is a well-defined species, and does not vary much from two forms which are evidently variations caused by the stems being attached by only a few coccids or else by a large number ; the large typical form is not common about Sydney, and is more an inland species, while the small variety seems to be much the commonest in the neighbourhood of Sydney. In the Ent. Mo. Mag. (1880, Vol, xvii. p. U5), there is an article on " Eucalyptus galls," by Mr. R. McLachlan, in which he describes and figures two galls handed over to him by Dr. M. F. BY W. W. PROGGATT. 361 Masters, Editor of the Gardener's Chronicle, who received them from Baron von Mueller, Government Botanist of Victoria. With the first, which is a slender, finger-like gall and is the production of a Cynips or Cecidoniyia, we have nothing to do ; but the second is a bunch of the female galls of Brachyscelis munita, though it is described as the gall of a moth, and Mr. McLacblan says of it : "Fortunately in this instance it is possible to fix with certainty tlie order to which the gall-maker belongs. Baron von Mueller extracted larv£e from some similar galls and forwarded them in fluid. They are Lepidopterous." He minutely describes the gall, and considers the apical orifice as a breathing pore for the larvje, left open on accouut of the walls of the galls being so solid. ^a6. — Botany, on E. robusta (W. W. Froggatt) ; near Parra- matta, on U. sp. (J. J. Fletcher) ; Wellington, on E. sp. (W. W. Froggatt); Newcastle (R. Thornton); Melbourne, on E. sp. (C. French). From some specimens obtained from near Parramatta by Mr. Fletcher I bred one specimen of liaplonyx ustipennis, Pascoe (Journ. Linn. Soc. 1870, x. p. 488); the larva was an obese white grub ; though I opened the gall before I noticed the grub, it throve and came out a perfect insect three months later. Brachyscelis tricornis, n.sp. <^. Gall triangular, the angles rounded, smallest at base where attached to the twig, sessile, swelling out and widest at apex ; the horns standing out at right angles, sword-shaped, very thick and swollen at base, terminating in a broad tip; gall 10 lines high, 9 broad at base of horns ; length of horns, 2^ to 3 inches ; apical orifice very small, circular, situated in centre between the horns ; chamber containing coccid rounded at base, of a uniform width for two-thirds of height, coming to an obtuse point at the apex ; walls of chamber of a medium thickness. ^. Coccid yellow to dull brown, rounded at apex ; thoracic segments well defined ; basal joint of middle and hind legs short and globose, second joint short, cylindrical ; tai'sal claw sharp and hooked ; abdominal segments narrow and tapering to a sharp tip 362 NOTES ON THE FAMILY BRACHYSCELIDiE, with a few scattered hairs on apical margins ; anal appendages ferruginous, stout, close together at base, but cleft in a wedge- sliaped opening outwards at the apex, truncate at tips ; upper side of abdominal segments with a few long hairs on apical portion, outer edges thickly fringed with long hairs, last four with a short irregular row of tubercles along their apical margin ; length 7^ lines, 4| broad. (J. Gall unknown. Hah. — Rookwood, on the broad-leaved iron-bark, E. siderophloia (J. J. Fletcher). This is a distinct species closely allied to B. munila, but the difference in shape and in the number of the horns renders it very easily recognisable. Brachyscelis pileata, Schrader, I.e. p. 3, PI. i. tig. 1, a, h, and I. J. Gall nari'owest at base of attachment to the twig, generally growing with the apex inclined downwards towards the branch, elongate-oval in form, but truncate at apex, which forms two broad lips separated by the narrow slit^like apical orifice ; length, 14 to 16 lines; diameter, 7 lines; chamber containing coccid narrow at base, jug-shaped at apex, wall thin. When immature the gall is enveloped in a reddish cap covering the gall and produced into a slender horn often several inches in length, which appears to be an abnormal growth of the bark of the twig above the burrowing coccid ; as the gall increases in size this envelope becomes a dry papery substance, splits off at the base, and drops off when the gall is about three-parts grown. 9. Coccid dull brown to almost transparent; head and thoracic segments rounded at base ; legs rather short ; tarsal claws black ; abdominal segments narrow, not tapering, but broadly rounded towards the apex, each segment ornamented at the apical sides with a tuft of white silky hairs ; anal appendages situated on either side of the broad anal segment, separated from each other at base, long, slender, black, and each surmounted with three long stout hairs ; upper side of head and thoracic segments much depressed, often almost flat, covered with fine white hairs ; BY W. W. PROGGATT. 363 abdominal segments clotherl with long white hairs, which overlap the junction of the segments and form large tufts at the apex of each ; the 2nd and 3rd thoracic segments with numerous small scattered spines; 1st and 2nd abdominal segments with an irregular double row of spines ; 3rd with a regular row of close short spines in clusters of twos and threes, with three longer stout spines at either margin ; 4th and 5th with the spines stouter, disposed either in twos or threes, with two longer curved spines at either margin ; 6th and last above the anal segment carrying four large stout spines and a single longer one on either side ; length 6h lines, 4 lines broad. f^. Gall reddish-brown, short and bi'oad, growing on the leaves, pear-shaped and often ribbed, the apex broadest, this in the mature gall opening out into a bell-mouthed rim ; 3^ to 4 lines high. flab. — Rose Bay, on E. jnperita ( W. W. Froggatt) ; Mossman's Bay, on E. sipheriana and on E. capitellata (W. W. Froggatt) ; Newcastle, on E. sp. (R. Thornton). This, the common Sydney species, is confined to the coast country, generally attacking small trees, which, when once infested, produce galls year after year. I have noted a tree at Double Bay for the last four years which has had a large crop every season. The galls obtained from E. capitellata are very much broader and more squat than the typical ones, with the walls very stout and thick ; and when immature have very small spined caps unlike those on E. pipiertta. Brachyscelis minor, n.sp. PI. vi. fig. 1. 9. Gall round at base, constricted about two-thirds up from base, and truncate at apex, the small and circular apical orifice placed in the centre of a shallow depression ; walls of chamber moderately thick, solid, the chamber oval, coming to a sharp point at the apical orifice ; length 7 lines, diameter 4| lines. 9. Coccid dull yellow, rouud at ajjex and coming down to a sharp tip ; plump and top-shaped ; legs slender ; abdominal seg- ments very regular and distinct, clothed with fine long hairs, thickest on the sides ; anal ap[)endages short, close together, 364 NOTES ON THE FAMILY BRACHYSCELID^, opening out slightly at the apex ; upper side all clothed with fine white hairs lightly scattered over the head and thoracic segments, very close and dense on the abdominal segments, the latter with a row of small acuminate tubercles along their lower margins ; anal appendages surmounted on the tip with several fine hairs ; 5 lines long, 3 lines wide. (J. Gall 3 lines high, width ^ line ; bright red ; tubular, with a disc-like rim at the apex. I have bred the male coccid from these galls, but under the microscope I could not find any diflference between them and those of B. pharetrata. Hah. — Botany and Berowera on E. hcemastoma ; Wollongong on a stunted Eucalyptus (W. W. Froggatt). This is a rather small gall that might be taken for a small variety of B. ovicola, but is very constant in its form; while the female coccid is very distinct from that of the latter species. I obtained a great number of the galls of both sexes on the leaves and twigs of a number of small stunted Eucalypts growing on the hillside opposite the railway station at Wollongong ; the twigs were covered with the little seed-capsule-like galls, sometimes clustered together in bunches of a dozen or more, while the leaves were completely aborted by the immense number of male galls growing out of them. In other localities I have only found them scattered in twos or threes on the branches. Brachyscelis variabilis, n.sp. PI. VII. fig. 2. ^. Gall oval, sessile, growing directly from the stem, about two- thirds from base constricted to a third, the apex curved inwards; 2^ inches high, 1| inches wide ; dome | inch high, 1 inch wide ; walls of chamber above the base 7 lines in thickness ; top of true gall almost flat at the apex, with a small circular orifice ; above this the dome-shaped covering springs up, with thin walls enclosing an irregularly-shaped cavity with a large opening on top above the orifice of the lower chamber. The above measurements are taken from an exceptionally fine specimen ; many ai'e much smaller, more rounded than pear-i BY W. W. FROGGATT. 365 and much aborted on the outside cuticle by the mining of parasitic Hymenopteia. 9. Coccid dark yellow ; 8 lines long, 5 broad, rounded at head and thoracic segments, swelling out on the sides in a line with the middle pair of legs ; fore-legs more prominent than usual ; all the legs small, ferruginous, and projecting oat from the body ; abdo- minal segments covered with fine silky hairs, which are very dense on the last three segments ; anal appendages very short and stout, close together at the base, straight, but slightly open at the apex, the tip of each concave, armed with a fine tooth on loth sides ; on the upper side the abdominal segments clothed with fine white hairs; the last three segments only margined across the lower edge with a row of very small regular acuminate tubercles. ^. Galls small, reddish, tubular; 2 lines long, with a bell-shaped swelling at the apex. Hab. — Thornleigh, near Sydney, on U. piperita (W. W. Frog- gatt) ; Newcastle, on B. sp. (R. Thornton) ; Cambewarra, on B. sp. (W. Bauerlen) ; Lismore, on F. sp. (R. Helms). This is a very variable species, but is very constant in having the chamber walls veiy thick at the base, the apex surmounted by a dome-like cup rising above the true ajjical orifice and forming another cavity with a large irregular opening at its apex. They are usually found singly, often on stout stems, but sometimes in clusters, and appear to have a wide range over the coastal districts of New South Wales. Some immature specimens obtained lately at Ilornsby give some idea as to how this curious double-celled gall is constructed ; they are generally formed in a stout stem of a young sapling ; the true gall is formed of the woody substance of the stem, while the bai k growing rapidly covers the outer sides and rises above the wooden portion of the gall, a cavity forming on the apex between the bark and the growing gall. Brachyscelis coniga, n.sp. PI. VI. fig. 3. 5. Gall cylindrical, rounded at the base, generally widest in the miildle and tapering towards the apex, which is truncate, some- 366 NOTES ON THE FAMILY BRACK YSCELIDiE, times ovate ; variable in forir, fresh galls always of a bright green colour with a granulated surface ; a growth of brown- coloured wood forms several distinct rings at the apex surrounding the apical orifice ; the latter small, circular, situated at bottom of a shallow depression ; walls of chamber containing female solid, chamber long, narrow, cylindrical; length 14 lines, diameter 8 lines. Q. Coccid dull yellow, head and thoracic segments rounded on top, large and not much wrinkled ; legs short and thick, posterior ones prominent ; abdominal segments attenuated towards the anal segment, lightly clothed with hairs on the sides ; anal appendages short and blunt, deflexed outwards, forming a triangle at tip ; the head and thoracic segments on upper side rather flat; a few scattered tubercles on the first abdominal segments, the rest of segments each armed with a regular row of fine sharp spines; length 9 lines, breadth 4 lines. ^. Gall lai'ge and tubular, swelling out into a legular bell-shaped apex ; generally growing out from the small twigs, but sometimes upon the leaves; length 5 lines, diameter 1 line. ffab. — Yass, Goulburn, and Cooma, N.S.W., on E. viminalis (W. W. Froggatt); Gippsland, Victoria, on E. sp. (F. 0. Hill), This gall is very plentiful in the Goulburn and Yass districts, growing upon several of the White Boxes, and also has a much wider range, as I have had a number sent me from Gippsland, collected by my friend Mr. F. 0. Hill, of Melbourne. This species is much attacked by a small hymenopterous para- site, the larvae of which, after destroying the female coccid, form little oval wooden cocoons, often quite filling up the chamber ; the lepidopterous larvae so common in B. munita are also common in this gall. Of parasitic Coleoptera I have bred out several specimens of that curious goat-like little Curculio Jlhadiiiosomus Lacordairei, Pascoe, which I have also obtained from the female galls of B. BY W. W. FROGGATT. 367 Brachyscelis pomiformis, n.sp. (PI. vii. fig. 7.) • 9. Gall apple-shaped, slightly depressed at the base where attached to the branch, swelling out on the sides and slightly narrowing towards the top ; at the apex is a circular depression or little pit about 3 lines in depth, in the centre of which is the very small orifice; colour greyish-brown; diameter 3 inches, height 2 inches ; thickness of walls ^ to ^ inch; size of chamber doubtful. The smaller ones almost spherical in shape, but the large ones more squat at the base. Only one gall contained the remains of a female ; the anal segments a})pear to be robust and dark coloured. (J. Gall unknown. Ilab. — Torrens' Creek, N.Q., on E. sp. ( — Chisholm); Barrier Range, King's Sound, N.W.A., on E. sp. (W. W. Froggatt). This remarkable gall is a northern species, not found in the vicinity of Sydney ; my specimens were obtained at King's Sound, N. W. Australia, where they grew on a stunted Eucalypt under the Barrier Range, about a hundred miles inland. The natives there eat the large gall, which when fresh is soft and acid, not unlike a sour apple, and they look upon the fat white Brachyscelid as a very dainty morsel. Through the kindness of Mr. J. H. Maiden, I have received aveiy large specimen of the gall obtained by Mr. Chisholm, of Torrens' Creek, near Charters Towers, N- Queensland, together with an interesting letter from the latter gentleman, in which he says " it is known as the ' blood-wood apple,' and the blacks are very fond of eating it." Brachyscelis ovicola, Schrader, I.e. p. 5, pi. ii. fig. 3, a, e, f. 5. Gall pale green, smooth, narrowest at base of attachment to twig, forming an oval with a slight depression at the apex, in the centre of which is situate the apical orifice, which is minute and circular; length 14 lines, diameter 9 lines; thickness of chamber walls 2 lines ; chamber round at the base, coming to a sharp point just below the apical orifice. 9. Coccid pale canary-yellow, shining when the white floury excretion is brushed off ; centre of the first segment rounded at 368 NOTES ON THE FAMILY BRACHYSCELID^, top, widest in the middle ; central pair of legs, thoracic segments, and head very distinct ; legs, eyes, and antennae ferruginous ; abdominal segments narrow, rapidly tapering to a point, the last four apical segments ferruginous; anal segment long and slender; anal appendages black, deeply divided but cohering, long, slender and pointed ; on the upper side all the abdominal segments covered with tine hairs, the thoracic segments and first abdominal segments covered with tine tubercles ; on the rest of the abdominal segment these tubercles produced into small ferruginous coloured spines, which form regular rows along the lower margins of these segments, but half hidden by the tine hairs clothing the body ; length 8 lines, diameter 4 J lines. (J. Gall formed on the leaves ; reddish-brown ; short and broad ; 2^ lines in height, slightly I'idged and of a uniform thickness ; the apical opening large but not much dilated or bell-mouthed. Hab. — Wellington, N.S.W., on K sp. ; Bendigo, Victoria, on B. gracilis, and on jE. leucoxylon (W. W. Froggatt). Of parasitic Coleoptera (Family Curculonidce) I bred a single specimen of the beetle Haplonyx myrrhatus, Pascoe, from a gall of this species obtained in the Whipstick scrub, near Bendigo, and I noticed a large number of galls obtained in tliis locality bearing circular openings through which the perfect beetles had already escaped. This species has a wide range over the southern portion of Australia, and forms its galls upon a number of very distinct species of Eucalypts. Though not very common in the neigh- bourhood of Sydney, it is often met with on the white gums in the western country ; like most species it grows on the young twigs, but I have several fine specimens growing out of young flower buds. In consequence of the thick fleshy walls of the gall being much mined by the attacks of parasitic Chalcids, they often swell out into great puffy masses, losing all their fine oval contour, while the helpless female is also subject to inquilines that either eat or crowd- her out. BY W. W. FROGGATT. 369 Brachyscelis Baeuerleni, n.sp. (PL vii. fig. L.) 9. Galls round, clustered together in bunches of three or four at intervals along the branch, broadly attached to the twig, depressed at the apex ; 9 lines high, 7 lines wide ; the walls consisting of a double shell, the inner one hard and thin, the outer one thick and spongy ; sometimes a very slight cavity on either side of the apical orifice, the point of the inner shell carrying the orifice level with the top of the gall ; chamber broad, rounded, conical at apex ; orifice very small and situated in centre of a hollow. 5. Coccid dark yellow, round at apex, the first three thoracic segments very large ; abdominal segments very small ; head and thoracic segments very much wrinkled ; legs short and globose ; abdominal segments regular, narrow, lightly fringed with fine hairs, the apical ones ferruginous ; anal appendages black, close together, short, thick, pointed, and slightly parted at the tips, rather rugose on their outer edge ; on the upper side the last thoracic and all the abdominal segments armed with a regular row of fine acuminate tubercles ; length 7 lines, width 4 lines. (J. Gall unknown. Hab. — Ballina, on E. sp. (W. Baueilen). I have seen only one lot of these galls, which were obtained by the botanical collector of the Technological Museum in the Rich- mond River district ; they are quite unique, and I have great pleasure in dedicating the species to the fi^nder, my old comrade in arms Mr. William Bauerlen. Brachyscelis rugosa, n.sp. (PI. vii. fig. 5.) $. Gall sessile, dull brown, hemispherical in shape, externally very rugose, warty and irregularly ridged ; depressed at apex ; double-shelled, the inner sheath very thin and hard, the enveloping husk spongy, containing numerous small cavities between it and the inner shell ; opening at the apex above orifice in first shell rough and irregular; apical orifice small, circular; length 8 lines, diameter 8 lines. . 9. Coccid dull yellow, broad and squat ; the head and thoracic segments wrinkled, rather fiat 3 the second thoracic segment 370 NOTES ON THE FAMILY BRACHYSCELIDiE, rounded and rising up on either side to a level with the top of first segment, which is depressed at top ; legs small ; abdominal segments very small, lightly fringed on the margins with fine hairs, and coming to a point above the anal appendages, which are ferruginous, black at tips, short and thick, lying close together, and rugose on their outer margins ; upper side of abdominal segments covered lightly with fine hairs and each armed with a row of fine tubercles ; length 6 lines, 4^ wide. ^. Gall unknown. Hab.—AlMong, N.S.W., on E. sp. (W. W. Froggatt). These galls were obtained by me in considerable numbers upon the twigs and stems of a stunted Eu(ialypt at Allalong, in the Maitland district. I have never seen any other specimens. Brachyscelis pharetrata, Schrader, I.e. p. 4, pi. i. fig. 2, o-s ; pi. ii. fig. 3, g. 2. Gall springing from the leaf, generally on the midrib, narrow at base of attachment, swelling out in the middle and coming to a more or less conical point at apex; the apical orifice small; length 5 lines, 2^ diameter. 9. Coccid yellow, obese, top-shaped ; the head and thoracic segments spherical ; legs small ; abdominal segments very narrow and regular, thinly clothed with fine hairs on the underside, but much thicker on the upper side; no spines or tubercles on the upper side of the abdominal segments ; the anal appendages black, short, deeply divided ; tips thick and stout ; length 3^ lines, diameter 2J lines. (J. Galls in large irregular mass appearing upon the side of the female gall after it is nearly mature ; it is generally smooth on the outside, which consists of an overlapping sheath, often when full grown brilliantly tinted with red and yellow colours ; in this sheath are a mass of small tabular cells opening outwards, each containing a male larva, the whole being five or six times the bulk of the small female gall ; length of tubes 3 lines. (^. Coccid pale yellow with large grey wings and black eyes ; BY W. W. FROGGATT. 6 1 1 The description given of the specimens bred from B. munita woukl not differ in any particular from that of this species. Hah. — Botany, on E. sieberiana ; Berowera, on E. corymhosa ; Mossman's Bay, on E. capitellata (W. W. Froggatt) ; Newcastle, E. sp. (R. Thornton) ; Cambewarra, on E. sp. (W. Bauerlen). This is known as the "cockscomb gall," from the cock's-comb-like appearance of the male gall mass. It is not an uncommon gall about Sydney, and I have watched a patch of trees at Botany attacked by this coccid, from which I obtained galls for several years, but they have been all destroyed by the larvae of Haplonyx Hopei, which get inside and feed upon the female galls. Of parasitic Coleoptera (Family Curculionidcs) I have bred Haplo7iyx Hojyei, Bolim., from the galls of this Brachyscelid. Schrader in his paper gives a drawing of the male galls of this species on the twigs, but there must be some mistake, as I am certain that the male galls ai-e always produced upon the females. Brachyscelis Thorntoni, n.sp. (PI. VI. fig. 6.) 9. Gall small, slightly rounded at base, cylindrical, faintly ribbed on the sides, narrowing towards the apex, which is trun- cate, the apical orifice small, encircled by a slight ridge ; length 8 lines, diameter If lines ; chamber containing coccid conical, walls solid but thin. 9. Coccid pale yellow, cylindrical, rounded at top of head and thoracic segments, which are much wrinkled ; legs small ; abdo- minal segments narrow, divisions sharply defined, lightly fringed with hairs on the outer margins • coming to a sharp point at anal segment ; anal appendages long, slender, distinctly separated at the base, but close together until close to the tips, where they open outwards, tips truncate ; upper side shining, head and thoracic segments with a few scattered hairs ; abdominal segments fringed on the outer edges with short hairs; 1st segment spineless; 2nd and 3rd with a few scattered spines along the centre ; 4th and 5th with a regular line of spines along the ajdcal edges ; 6th with row of stout spines along the apex ; anal segment ferruginous, slender ; length 4 lines. •s/ 372 NOTES ON THE FAMILY BBACHYSCELIDiE. (J. Galls growing out from the side of the 9 gall just below the apical orifice into a large mushroom-like mass, the outer side covered with a wrinkled epidermis ; on the under side the tubular male galls are all separated from each other, short, straight, reddish-brown in colour, most of them toothed at the apex ; a very fine specimen obtained from Newcastle district is 17 lines at its greatest width and contains over three hundred male galls in the one mass. Hah. — Newcastle, on E. sp. (R. Thornton). This remarkable gall was found in the Newcastle district by Mr. R. Thornton, the well-known bush naturalist, to whom I am indebted for a very fine collection of several species of Brachyscelid galls. It is closely allied to B. pharetrata and B. nux, OllifF, but differs considerably from both. The female galls often spring out in clusters of five or six at the base of the leaves, and when immature look like a bunch of finger-shaped excrescences. EXPLANATION OF PLATES. Fig. ]. — Brachyscelis miiior : a and h two stages of female galls ; r female galls ; d adult female coccus. Fig. 2. — B. variabilis : female gall whole {e) and in section (/). Fig. 0. — B. conica : g female galls ; h male galls. Fig. 4. — B. Bciuerkni : female galls. Fig. 5. — B. rugosa: female galls i, and adult female coccus./. Fig. 6.— S. Thorntoni : female galls. Fig. 7. —B. poniiformis : Jc female gall seen from above ; I under view showing attachment to twig. (All figures of the natural size.) 373 NOTES AND EXHIBITS. Mr. R. Etheridge, jun., exhibited the seeds of a j)alm, 66 feet high, from Giles' Glen of Palms, near the Mission Station, Finck River, Central Australia. Also the seeds of the " Bean-tree," possibly an Erythrina, from Macdonald Ranges, Central Australia ; the seeds are strung and used as necklaces by the aborigines, who use the w^ood of the same tree for producing fire by friction, and also for shields, on account of its lightness. Mr. Maiden exhibited flowering and fruiting specimens of the new Uakea from Wallsend. Mr. Hedley wished it to be noted that he now regards the shell, jointly figured and described (P.L.S.N.S.W. (2), vi. p. 558) by Mr. Musson and himself uuder the name of Pujm anodonta, as a second species of the genus Heterocyclus, instituted by Crosse (Journ. de Conch. Vol. xx. 1872, p. 156) for the reception of H. peo'roquini, Crosse, from New Caledonia. This genus is considered by Fischer (Manuel de Conchyliologie, p. 735) equivalent to Lyogyrus, a member of the Valvatidce. ]\[r. Froggatt exhibited a large series of mounted specimens of the Brachyscelid coccids and galls mentioned in his paper, together with a number of the parasites. Mr. OUitt' also showed a fine collection of Brachyscelid galls, with which he proposed to deal at a future meeting. 374 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26th, 1892. The President, Professor Haswell, M.A., D.Sc, in the Chair. Mr. A. Henn was present as a visitor. DONATIONS. " Colonial Museum and Geological Survey of New Zealand — Twenty -fourth and Twenty-sixth Annual Reports (1889-90 and 1890-91) : Reports of Geological Explorations during 1888-89." From R. Etheridge, Junr., Esq. " Imperial University of Japan — Calendar for the years 1890-91 and 1891-92." From the Utiiversity. Four pamphlets entitled — "TheTugeri Head-hunters of New Guinea." By Professor A. C. Haddon (1891) : "The newly- hatched Larva of Euphyllia." By Professor A. C. Haddon (1891): "A Revision of the British Actinese." Part ii.— Zoanthese. By Professor A. C. Haddon and Miss A. M. Shackelton, B.A. (1891) : " Reports on the Zoological Collections made in Torres Straits." Actinese. Part i. — Zoanthese. By Professor A. C. Haddon and Miss A. M. Shackelton, B.A. (18&1). From Professor Haddon. " Royal Irish Academy — Cunningham Memoirs." No. vii. (July, 1892). From the Academy. " Zoologischer Anzeiger." xv. Jahrg. Nos. 399-400 (August- September, 1892). From the Editor. DONATIONS. 375 "Perak Government Gazette." Vol. v. Nos. 28-29 (August- September, 1892). From the Government Secretary. " Pharmaceutical Journal of Australasia." Vol. v. No. 9 (September, 1892). From the Editor. "Societe Royale de Geographie d'Anvers — Bulletin." Tome xvi., 4^ Fasc. (1892). From the Society. " Societe Zoologique de France — Memoires." Tome v. Nos. 2-3 (1892). From the Society. "Victorian Naturalist." Vol. ix. No. 6 (October, 1892). From the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria. " Hamilton Association — Journal and Proceedings." No. viii. (1891-92). From the Association. " Geological and Natural History Survey of Canada — Contri- butions to Canadian Micro- Palaeontology." Part iv. By Dr. D. Riist (1892). From the Director. "Smithsonian Institution — United States National Museum — Annual Report for 1890." pp. 384-394 (1892). From the Museum. " American Naturalist." Vol. xxvi. No. 309 (September, 1892). From the Editors. " Canadian Record of Science." Vol. v. Nos. 1 and 3 (1892). From the Natural History Society, Montreal. " United States Department of Agriculture — Division of Ento- mology— Insect Life." Vol. iv. Nos. 11-12 (August, 1892). Fro7n the Secretary of Agriculture. " Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science — Proceedings of Section D." (one sheet), 1892. From the Secretary. " Geological Survey of India — Records." Vol. xxv. Part 3 (1892). From the Survey. " Naturhistorisches Museum in Hamburg — Mitteilungen." ix. Jahrgang, Zweite Halfte (1891). From, the Museum. 376 DONATIONS. "Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W." Index to Vol. ii ; Vol. iii. Part 9 (September, 1892). From the Director of Agriculture. ■'Societe Royale Linneeniie de Bruxelles — Bulletin." xvii"'" Annee, No. 9 (September, 1892). From the Society. "Horse Societatis Entomologicje Rossicje." T. xxvi. (1891). From the Society. " Archiv fiir Naturgeschichte." Iviii. Jahrgang (1892), i. Band, 2 Heft. From the Editor. " Department of Mines and Geological Survey of N.S.W. — Records." Vol. iii. Part 1 (1892). From the Hon. the Ifinister for Mines. " Australasian Journal of Pharmacy." Vol. vii. No. 82 (Octo ber, 1892). From the Editor. " Australian Museum, Sydney — Report of the Trustees for the year 1891." From the Trustees. " Nederlandsche Entomologische Vereeniging — Tijdschrift voor Entomologie." xxxiv. Deel, 3-4 Aflevering. (1891). From the Society. " Gesellschaft fiir Erdkunde zu Berlin — Zeitschrift." Bd. xxvii. (1892), No. 2. From the Society. Two pamphlets entitled — " The Great Austral Plain, its Past, Present, and Future." By E. Favenc (1881) ; "Aboriginal Songs : A few words of their language and misspelt names of places." By S. M. Mowle (1891). From C. Hedley, Esq., F.L.S. 377 PAPERS READ. NOTE ON THE FRUCTIFICATION OF GLOSSOPTERIS. By John Mitchell, Public School, Narellan. The detection of fructification on Glossojjteris is so I'are that the record of even suspected cases of its detection must be of interest to palaeontologists. It is for that reason that I briefly note what appears to me to be an instance of fructification on a fragment of Glossopteris broivniana (?). Feistmantel* states that in the Indian vai'iety of G. broivniana he has observed rounded sori placed in longitudinal rows between the margin and midrib. Mr. Carruthers thought that in a Queensland speci- men of the same species, he observed linear sori running along the veins between the margin and midrib, and nearer the former than the latter.t Tliis reference of Mr. Carruthers is all, I believe, that has been written on the fructification of Australian Glossopte7'is, and amounts to nothing affii-mative. My specimen consists of the distal portion of a frond two and one-fifth (■J!) inches in length, and of this the right side is missing from near the midrib. On the left side are tliree suboval, convex impressions, place