MEMOIRS 


OF THE 


NATIONAL MUSEUM 
MELBOURNE 


No. 13 


D. J. MAHONY, M.Sc. 
DIRECTOR 


PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES 


MELBOURNE 
Brown, Prior, Anderson Pty. Ltd., 430 Little Bourke St., Melb., C.L. 


SEPTEMBER, 1943 


: PUBLIC LIBRARY, MUSEUMS AND NATIONAL GALLERY OF 
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i F Mey AES Gy AAAI O NT, ET: 
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| a wysian ee ae 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE 
The Problem of “cae ome of Man in Australia. weed D. a Manony. Plates 
ae ce. Se ois ig ; 7 


The Keilor Fossil Skull: Anatomical Ppegesen ef i Wunperty. Plates 
IV-IX Puweitner. 6 57 


The Keilor Fossil Skull: Palate and sia Dental Arch. 6d WILLIAM 
Apam. Plates X-XI ¥s 5 71 


The Keilor Fossil Skull: a ee Evidence of Antiquity. By D. J. 
MAHONY oa Te SS errr ia is ae 


A Revision of the Genus ec aaaed 7 es re zl and 
Crark. Plates XII-XVII na 83 


A New Species of Pauropus from Victoria. By O. W. Tiras ..  .. .. ‘151 
The Koraleigh Stony Meteorite. By A. B. Epwarps and G. Baker... .. 157 


Mem. Nat. Mus. Vicr., 13, 1943. 


THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN 
AUSTRALIA. 


By D. J. Mahony, M.Se., 
Director, National Museum of Victoria. 


Plates I-III. 


To appreciate what is meant by antiquity of man, the signifi- 
cance of the term antiquity in this connection should be considered. 
The word may be used in the historical or in the geological 
sense. In the historical sense it applies to events or to man’s 
handiwork during early Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations 
or even later; in the geological sense it involves much longer 
periods of time. The earliest historical traditions are generally 
supposed to date back 7,000 years; but the Pleistocene period is 
estimated to have ended some 15,000 or 20,000 years ago and all 
that has happened since then is geologically recent. In Europe 
the earliest fossil human bones are probably 130,000 years old, and 
the oldest stone implements 400,000 years. To grasp what these 
figures mean we may imagine ourselves walking down the avenue 
of time into the past and covering a thousand years at each pace. 
The first step takes us back to William the Conqueror, the second 
to the beginning of the Christian era, the third to Helen of Troy, 
the fourth to Abraham and the seventh to the earliest traditional 
history of Babylon and Egypt; but we have to continue more than 
twice as far before leaving geologically recent (Holocene) times 
and entering the Pleistocene period, 130 paces to Heidelberg man, 
and about a quarter of a mile to the oldest undoubted stone imple- 
ments of Europe. Should we decide to continue our journey until 
we meet the most ancient fossil organisms, we would probably 
require a time-car, for the journey on the same scale would exceed 
250 miles according to the latest estimates. 

There is convincing evidence of the historical antiquity of man 
in Australia, and good reason to believe that he migrated there 
before the end of Pleistocene times. The data are set out in the 
following pages. 

The problem is bound up with several others. Before Europeans 
arrived two types of mankind inhabited the Australian region, 
one being confined to the mainland, the other to Tasmania. 
Tasmanians, now extinct, differed from Australians in physical 
appearance and in cultural level. What are the affinities of these 

7 


8 THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 


two types with other races of mankind and with each other? Are 
they mixed or pure races? These are problems for physical 
anthropologists. The few fossil skulls found in Australia have 
Australoid or Tasmanoid characteristics, and there are no fossil 
remains that suggest that the Australian region was ever occupied 
by other types of mankind before the arrival of modern Euro- 
peans. The Australian wild dog, the dingo, was the only large 
terrestrial placental mammal, man excepted, living in the area 
and it is confined to the mainland. What are its affinities with 
other species of dog? Could it have evolved in Australia? If not, 
where did it come from? Did it find its way overland unassisted 
by man or did it come as the domestic dog of human immigrants 
who crossed stretches of sea by canoe? These are problems for 
zoological systematists and palaeogeographers, and the answers 
are of some importance since fossil dingo bones have been found 
associated with remains of extinct marsupials in deposits that 
suggest some geological antiquity. Did the Tasmanians once 
oceupy the mainland of Australia or did they go direct to Tasmania 
from some other locality such as New Caledonia? If they migrated 
from Australia, did they do so by a land-bridge which once 
joined island and mainland, or by canoe after the land-bridge 
disappeared? If they once occupied the mainland and were later 
partly exterminated, partly absorbed by an invasion of Australoid 
migrants, do Australian aborigines retain traces of the racial 
intermixture? Geologists and anatomists can furnish the answers. 
Finally, we must assess the value of evidence for antiquity of 
human bones and artefacts found embedded beneath the surface ; 
it must be based on knowledge of the relative ages of Pleistocene 
and Holocene horizons in Australia and their correlation with 
similar horizons in the northern hemisphere. This is the province 
of geologists. 

The literature on these subjects is widely scattered in books and 
scientific periodicals, and no comprehensive statement of the 
problem of antiquity of man in Australia as it now stands has 
been published. In view of the recent discovery in a river terrace 
at Keilor near Melbourne of the fossil human skull (Pl. 1) which 
is described elsewhere in this volume by Dr. J. Wunderly and 
Dr. Wm. Adam, as well as a second skull and limb bones, an 
attempt is made in the following pages to summarize current 
opinions on the subjects. These are widely divergent, and the 
problems offer an attractive field for further research. 

Many further references to Australian Post-Tertiary geology 
could be added to the bibliography, but those selected will suffice 
for a general survey of the subject. 


THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 9 


AUSTRALIANS AND T'ASMANIANS 


Wood Jones (1935 b) summarized the most generally accepted 
current opinions on racial affinities of Australian aborigines. He 
said that the Australian belongs to the Dravidian race; he is not 
a black man nor does he have fuzzy hair; he is a member of the 
straight- or wavy-haired, brown-skinned race that has no near 
kinship with the true negro. The physical characters, blood group- 
ings and culture of Australians all point to them as being the 
advance guard of the great pre-Dravidian migration that, starting 
probably in the Mediterranean region, spread across India into 
Ceylon and then to the Malayan region. With the Veddas of 
Ceylon and with other scattered remnants of this migration the 
Australian native has very real affinities." 

Wood Jones (1935 a) also gave a summary of what is known 
of the extinct Tasmanians. He said that in colour the Tasmanian 
was so dark a shade of brown that casual observers described him 
as black. The scalp hair was black and grew as crisp, frizzy little 
curls, but unlike the true peppercorn hair of the African negro, 
the hair of the Tasmanian grew to a considerable length. ‘The 
average height of the men was five feet five and a quarter inches, 
more than an inch less than that of the average male Australian. 
The Tasmanian, according to him, was a primitive Negroid.’ 

Meston (1936) pointed out that Tasmanians had the dark skin, 
flat nose and wide nostrils adapted to hot climates, but disadvan- 
tageous in cool-temperate regions such as Tasmania; David (1924) 
als» noted this point. The inference is that the race evolved under 
tropical conditions and migrated to Tasmania at a fairly late 
stare of its evolutionary history.’ 

Some investigators, however, have expressed other views con- 
cerning the racial affinities of Australians and Tasmanians. 

Turner (1908) held that Australians and Tasmanians belong 
to distinct races, but a proportion of natives in southern and 
western Australia have skulls that point to possible intermixture 
and racial affinity with Tasmanians; he inferred that the Tas- 
manians were direct descendants from a primitive Negrito stock 
and had become specialized in many ways as a result of long 
isolation. Klaatsch (1908) considered that Australian aborigines 
are a relic of the oldest type of mankind. Keith (1910) concluded 


1. For blood grouping see Cleland, Cleland and Johnston, Tebbutt, Tebbutt and McConnel, 
Lee, Birdsell and Boyd, Phillips, and F. J. Fenner (1939); for descriptions of skulls, Berry 
and Robertson, Biichner, Burkitt, Burkitt and Hunter, Fenner, Hrdlicka, Howells, Klaatsch, 
Morant, Robertson, Shellshear, Wagner, and Wood Jones; for teeth and palate, Campbell. 

2. For descriptions of Tasmanian skulls see Berry and Robertson, Buchner, Crowther and 
Lord, Hrdli¢ka, Morant, Ramsay Smith, Turner, Wagner, Wood Jones, and Wunderly; teeth 
anit palate, Campbell (in Wood Jones, 1924). 

3. See also Davies (1932). 


10 THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 


that the Tasmanian is the most primitive type of Negro and the 
Australian the most primitive type of Negroid. According to 
Berry and Robertson (1914 a), Mollison’s variation index shows 
that Tasmanians and Australians belong to a common stock, and 
that the Australian agrees much more closely with an admittedly 
mixed race such as modern Italians than with supposedly pure 
stocks such as Andamanese and ‘Tasmanians; and that the 
Australian, as regards skull type, is less highly evolved morpho- 
logically than the Tasmanian. Sollas (1924) suggested that the 
Tasmanians are survivors of a primitive race elsewhere extinct 
or merged into a predominant alien population, and that the 
Australian is a survival from Mousterian times, but not a direct 
descendant of the Mousterian races of Europe. Hrdlicka (1928) 
said that the Tasmanian is probably a mere local variant of the 
Australian. F. J. Fenner (1939), after examining in detail 1182 
adult Australian skulls, divided them into three sub-types; two 
of these, occurring respectively in the coastal Northern Territory 
and the Queensland areas, are differentiated from the common 
southern type, which occurs over the greater part of Australia. 
He considers that these types are probably due to two factors: 
(a) fusion of Australoids with Tasmanoids, and (b) a later wave 
of Papuan and possibly Malayan infiltration into the northern 
part of the continent. He also considers that blood grouping, if 
reliance can be placed on the data, suggests that Melanesian 
infiltration has penetrated a considerable distance southward. 
Wunderly (1938 a, b), from an examination of Tasmanian skulls 
and other evidence, concluded that the Tasmanians were Negritos, 
but that the natives of the west coast were a mixed race of 
Tasmanian-Australian origin due to migration of Australian 
aborigines to this part of Tasmania one or two generations before 
Kuropeans arrived. Howells (1937) discussed various theories ; 
that Australia represents the original home of mankind; that the 
Australians are descended from Neanderthal man; and that they 
are the product of a mixture between (a) a ‘*White’’ anda N egrito 
or Negro stock, (b) two differing Negroid strains, or (¢) Tas- 
manian and Polynesian. He considers that the Australian repre- 
sents an earlier stage in the development of Homo sapiens than 
does any other existing race. From a survey of several hundred 
skulls of Pacifie Ocean peoples, Wagner (1937) included the 
peoples of Tasmania, Australia, Melanesia and New Guinea in 
one large Australoid-Melanesian group. Craniological agreement 
which binds together this group includes many similarities, but 
not in all characters ; some well-defined types, such as Australians 
and Tasmanians, can be demonstrated within the group. He says 


THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 11 


that the Australian type extends throughout Australia, but there 
is some variation, probably due to migration of Melanesian people 
from the north, so that Australian skulls fall into six sub-types 
found respectively in Northern Australia, Queensland, West 
Australia, South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. The 
similarity of Tasmanian and Australian skulls is striking, the 
Tasmanians being closer to the West Australian sub-group than 
to any of the others. Possibly an original Tasmanoid population 
in Australia was driven west and south by later incomers. 

It is generally agreed that mankind and all other placental 
mammals originated outside the Australian region. 

The ancestors of both Australian and Tasmanian aborigines 
no doubt reached Australia by way of that avenue of migration 
along which many races of mankind have passed towards the 
Pacific—the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, and New Guinea. 
Some Australoid and Negrito tribes are found among the races 
inhabiting Malaya and New Guinea. The fact that an Australoid 
skull of some geological antiquity has been found in New Guinea 
(F. J. Fenner, 1941), and that ancient Australoid skulls (Wadjak 
man) have been described from Java by Dubois (1920), lends 
strong support to the theory that the forefathers of the Australian 
race migrated along this route in the distant past. Dubois’s claim 
that Wadjak man is of Pleistocene age has not been substantiated 
(von Koenigswald, 1937).* 

Huxley, Wood Jones, Pulleine and others hold that the 
Tasmanians voyaged from New Caledonia; Howitt, Haddon, 
Wunderly, Meston and others consider that they migrated from 
the mainland of Australia across a land-bridge or by eanoe. 
Howitt (1898) pictured both Tasmanians and Australians as 
arriving in Australia by way of a land-bridge formerly connecting 
Asia and Australia, which was broken at Wallace’s line by a 
narrow stretch of sea that might be crossed in vessels no better 
than modern Australian bark canoes, the Tasmanians arriving 
first and occupying Tasmania while it still formed part of the 
mainland. Tindale and Birdsell (1942) claim that small tribes 
with Tasmanian affinities survive in the Atherton rain jungle, 
North Queensland; possibly, however, these tribes may have 
originated by infiltration of people from New Guinea or adjacent 
islands. The Keilor skull, which combines Tasmanian with 
Australian characteristics, supports the theory that Tasmanians 
once occupied the Australian mainland. 

During Pleistocene glacial phases sea level fell, and Tasmania 
was connected or almost connected by land with Victoria; in 

4. See also Fromaget (1940 a, b) and Mijsberg (1940). 


12 THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 


interglacial periods it rose and the two were separated by water. 
There has probably been no land-bridge since mid-Pleistocene 
times ; the reasons for this opinion are given in a later page. Under 
present conditions, the chain of islands between Wilson’s Promon- 
tory and ‘Tasmania provides an easy route for migration by boat, 
with no stretch of open water exceeding 30 miles and land in sight 
across every gap. Tasmanian canoes were very primitive, but the 
natives used them for visiting 'asman, Maatsuyka and other 
islands separated from Tasmania by stormy seas. 


THE DINGO 


At one time it was considered that the dingo is a distinct species 
of dog peculiar to Australia (Etheridge, 1916), but Wood Jones 
,(1921) demonstrated that it is merely a variety of the domesticated 
dog, Canis familiaris, with no claim to separate specific rank, and 
this opinion is endorsed by other zoological systematists. He says 
that the restricted genus Canis differs in dentition from the wild 
dogs of south-eastern Asia, the most probable immigrants in a 
‘“‘walk overland”’ colonization. He holds that the supposition that 
the dingo is indigenous, that its phylogenetic story was unfolded 
within the confines of Australia, is untenable, and when we come 
to inquire into the possibility of the dingo arriving in Australia 
unassisted by, and unassociated with, man, we are forced to own 
that the difficulties of the problem have not always been appre- 
ciated by those who have advocated this solution, for no land- 
bridge that could have admitted either the dingo or man, separately 
or in company, could have failed to be the high road of entry of 
a host of other placental mammals. ‘“‘The progenitor of Talgai 
man came with his wife, he came with his dog, and with his dog’s 
wife, and he must have done the journey in a seaworthy boat 
capable of traversing this unquiet portion of the ocean with his 
considerable cargo. Besides this living freight, and the food and 
water necessary for the adventure, he carried other things—he 
carried a knowledge of the boomerang, of the basis of the totem 
system, and various other cultural features, all bearing a strange 
suggestion of very distinctly western origin.”’ 

No trace of the dingo, living or fossil, has been found in Tas- 
mania nor in the islands of Bass Strait, so it apparently did not 
reach south-east Australia until the land-bridge between Tasmania 
and the mainland had disappeared, and it did not accompany the 
Tasmanians as their domesticated dog. 

Few human relics have been found associated with Di protodon, 
Thylacoleo and other extinct marsupials, but fossil bones of the 
dingo occur with them in several places. 


THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 13 


THE PLEISTOCENE PERIOD 

The outstanding feature of the Pleistocene or Quaternary 
Period is the series of rhythmic alternations from cold to mild 
climates which gave rise to glacial and interglacial phases. During 
the maximum glaciation, ice-caps covered most of northern 
Europe, America and Asia, and also Tasmania. Most glaciologists 
consider that glacial and interglacial phases were contempo- 
raneous in both hemispheres. In Europe four glacial phases were 
separated by mild interglacial intervals and were succeeded by 
the present post-glacial phase. Some authorities, however, hold 
that there were more than four glacial epochs in North America; 
others consider that the two first glacial phases are Pliocene, not 
Pleistocene, in age (Boule, 1923), but this is merely a question of 
nomenclature. Interglacial phases probably lasted longer than 
glacial, and the second interglacial period greatly exceeds the 
others; to this period the oldest undoubted relics of mankind 
belong. 

Several theories have been advanced to explain these climatic 
alternations, but none is generally accepted. 

Changes in relative levels of land and sea are due to one of 
two causes or to a combination of both: increase or decrease in 
the volume of the oceans (eustatic changes), and local elevations 
or depressions of the earth’s crust (tectonic movements). In 
Pleistocene times tectonic movements have been negligible in con- 
siderable areas. 

During glacial phases, withdrawal of vast quantities of water 
from the oceans to form ice-caps and glaciers lowered sea level; 
in interglacial times ice melted and sea level rose. Interglacial 
climates must have been milder than the climate of to-day since 
strandlines then formed are now raised beaches owing to eustatic 
changes in sea level. 

Daly (1934) estimated that the melting of existing Antarctic 
and Greenland ice-caps and existing glaciers would cause sea 
level to rise about 130 ft., but he pointed out that change in level 
would not be equal throughout the oceans for three reasons: 
redistribution of load on the elastic terrestrial globe causing defor- 
mation; slow transfer of plastic deep-seated matter consequent on 
that deformation; and cessation of gravitational pull on adjacent 
ocean waters by ice-caps. For the same reasons, the estimated 
quantity of water withdrawn or set free during glacial and inter- 
glacial phases can give only a rough indication of corresponding 
changes of sea level in any particular locality. 

During glacial phases boulder-clay (tillite) accumulated beneath 
ice-caps, terminal moraines were formed at the margins of ice- 


14 THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 


sheets and glaciers, and fluvio-glacial sands and gravels (outwash- 
aprons) spread beyond the moraines. Lowering of sea level 
changed parts of the continental shelves into dry land and exposed 
large areas of sand which was then blown by the wind and gave 
rise to dunes. In cold dry areas thick beds of dust (loess) accumu- 
lated, as they are doing to-day on the steppes of Southern Russia 
and Siberia; other regions, now arid, had abundant rainfall. River 
erosion became active and river valleys were deepened in response 
to low sea level. 

During interglacial phases sea level rose, low-lying country was 
submerged, and new coast lines were established at higher levels. 
The flow of rivers was checked and alluvium was deposited in 
their valleys. 

In response to these climatic and geographic changes, plants 
and animals, including mankind, migrated to and fro. Some 
species died out; of the genus Homo only H. sapiens survived. 

Daly (1925) considered that in post-glacial times a world-wide 
strandline at about 10-20 ft. above present sea level was formed 
during a slight general fall in temperature about 4,000 years ago 
when water was abstracted from the oceans to thicken existing 
ice-caps; Milankovitch’s radiation curve indicates about 10,000 
years. Wright (1937), however, has brought forward evidence to 
show that the 15-foot raised shoreline of Western Europe is pre- 
glacial, not post-glacial nor interglacial. 

In many regions evidence of the early glacial and interglacial 
phases has been obliterated wholly or in part by erosion during 
succeeding phases, and correlation of raised beaches with river 
terraces, and of drowned valleys with glacial phases consequently 
presents many problems. The highest raised beaches due to eustatie 
changes are not necessarily the oldest, but they must rather be 
correlated with the mildest interglacial phase.® 

If climate is governed by periodic changes in the orbit of 
the earth, there are astronomic data for estimating Pleistocene 
chronology in years (Zeuner, 1935); the method is based on 
detailed stratigraphical investigations of glacial deposits, river 
terraces and loess in Central Europe, and on Milankovitch’s 
(1930) solar radiation curve (Fig. 1). This curve (Fig. 1) is the 
mathematical solution of a problem in astronomy concerning 
periodic changes in some elements of the earth’s orbit that cause 
corresponding fluctuations in the total radiation received by the 
earth from the sun. The period covered is the past 600,000 years. 
Changes in Pleistocene climates indicated by the full geological 


5. For general accounts of the Pleistocene, see Boule (1923), Soll 92 
and Wright (1937). ee er a ee) 


THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 15 


record correspond so closely to maxima and minima in the solar 
radiation curve that there seem to be sound reasons for correlating 
them. In Central Europe there were four Pleistocene glacial 
phases—the Wiirm, the Riss, the Mindel and the Giinz—each with 
60° 


WA oh ALATA WAM TAN 
SSAA WN 


R 
: Se ; OO 0 00 _ 250 \R, 200° 150 “00 0 


FIG. 1. 
Milankovitch’s Solar Radiation Curve. (From Zeuner, 1935.) 


more than one climax of cold; these are dated from the solar 
radiation curve as follows: 


Years Years 
Post-glacial . .. .. -- Interglacial M/R . —- 
MMPS ons pitas wee DOO Mindel 2... .. .. 430,000 
Wirm2........ 67,000 Mindell. .. .. .. 472,000 
PETES Ban 5 cena 2 AO AIOO Interglacial G/M .  — 
Interglacial R/W . 143,000 Giinz 2. yo eee ot 
| iat > ee £5201 0 Giinz1......... 586,000 
BRINE cabs ble n2s" we <4 xs, OOOO 


According to this chronology, Homo heidelbergensis flourished 
about 130,000 years ago, and H. sapiens migrated into Europe 
after the close of Wiirm 1 about 40,000 years later; palaeolithic 
culture in Central Europe dates back about 400,000 years; meso- 
lithic appeared after the close of Wiirm glaciation; and neolithic 
began 7,500 years ago. In the Near East neolithic culture began 
earlier. 


RELATIVE DURATIONS 


2 

72 

g5 Se ee 
2 samme hes SR ISAAC, 


G.- M. MINDEL-RISS INTERGLACIAL R-W 
eC Ker INTERGL! 


400.000 YEARS AGO 300.000 YEARS AGO Catal 


FIG. 2. 
Penck and Briickner’s Pleistocene Time Dragon. 


16 THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 


Penck and Brickner (1909) from purely geological evidence 
worked out a time scale for Pleistocene stages in the Alps, and 
their estimates agree in a general way fairly well with the figures 
given above. Their quantitative graph (Fig. 2) is reproduced from 
Daly (1934). 


AUSTRALIAN Post-TERTIARY GEOLOGY 


Towards the end of the Tertiary period, Australia and Tasmania 
underwent a tectonic uplift which ushered in the present cycle 
of erosion. The old Murray Gulf, until then occupied by the 
sea, was drained; and the Darling, the Murrumbidgee and the 
Murray, which had previously entered the sea by separate mouths, 
were engrafted to form a single river system. At a later stage a 
flat-domed anticline arose across the lower course of the stream; 
through this the river has cut a gorge 200 ft. deep in places, 
and for 150 miles between Loxton and Murray Bridge, South 
Australia, it flows through this canyon (Howchin, 1929). In early 
Pleistocene times the climate became colder and culminated in 
successive glacial phases, evidence of which can be seen in Tas- 
mania, at Mount Kosciusko, New South Wales, and in the Owen 
Stanley Range, New Guinea. Below the snow line the country 
was well watered during the glacial and possibly the interglacial 
phases, but then desiccation began and the modern arid climatic 
cycle in Central Australia was inaugurated. Successive eustatice 
alternations of high and low sea level gave rise to raised beaches 
and drowned strandlines. Hodge Smith and Iredale (1924), from 
geological and biological evidence, concluded that an old shore-line 
extends along the 70 fathom (420 ft.) submarine contour from 
Broken Bay, New South Wales, to south-eastern Tasmania. Other 
strandlines at about 200 ft. and 70 ft. below sea level have been 
recorded (Cotton, 1926). Similar drowned valleys have been 
observed in Tasmania (Lewis, 1934, Edwards, 1941). The highest 
known raised beach, 380 ft. above present sea level, at Ooldea in 
South Australia, contains fossils which Chapman (1920) regarded 
as Lower Pleistocene. In the south-east of South Australia a 
series of dunes, generally consolidated and roughly parallel to 
the coast, and remains of successive elevated coast lines extend 
as far as Narracoorte, about 60 miles inland (Tenison Woods, 1862, 
Howchin, 1918, C. Fenner, 1931, Tindale, 1933, Crocker, 1941). 
The Narracoorte ‘‘Range”’ follows along a fault searp which has 
been revealed by marine denudation in some places and is masked 
by dunes in others. If the raised strandlines correspond with 
interglacial high sea levels, and the consolidated dunes were 
formed during glacial epochs, this district may furnish a key to 


THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 17 


Pleistocene history; Hills (1939 b), however, holds that tectonic 
movements caused the coast to retreat to its present position. 
In many parts of Australia are remains of a raised beach at about 
15-20 ft. above sea level containing mollusea and foraminifera 
which suggest a climate somewhat warmer than that of the present 
day (Howchin, 1923, Tindale, 1933). This beach does not appear 
to correspond with Wright’s pre-glacial 15-foot beach of Western 
Europe, but was probably formed during the slight general post- 
glacial refrigeration already mentioned; Daly (1934) estimated 
that the change happened about 4,000 and Cotton (1926) 3,000 
to 5,000 years ago, but Milankovitch’s curve indicates 10,000 years. 
River terraces exist at various heights up to 100 ft. above present 
stream level. Extensive dunes fringe the coast in many places; 
the older consolidated dunes contain remains of extinct marsupials 
and in places are covered with volcanic ash, and the youngest 
dunes are still accumulating. Hills (1939 a) considers that the 
consolidated dunes were formed during the low-water glacial 
phases, and that the comparatively minor dunes of loose sand are 
post-glacial. 

Some Australian raised beaches and submerged shore-lines may 
be due principally or entirely to eustatic changes in sea level; but 
tectonic movements in certain localities are indicated by such 
features as the anticline across the lower course of the Murray 
River (Howchin, 1929), and in north-western Victoria and adjoin- 
ing areas by elevation during Pleistocene and Holocene times 
accompanied by faulting and warping (Hills, 1939 b). If we accept 
as approximately correct Daly’s estimate that the melting of all 
ice-caps and glaciers would raise average sea level about 130 ft., 
the Ooldea raised beach at 380 ft. above present sea level and about 
80 miles from the coast must have been elevated, at least in part, 
by tectonic movement. The fact that voleanoes were active in 
south-eastern Australia during Pleistocene and post-Pleistocene 
times suggests that earth movements were in progress. 

The problem of correlating Pleistocene glacial deposits, river 
terraces, raised beaches, submerged strandlines, sand dunes and 
alluvial deposits in Australia has not yet been solved. We have 
no knowledge of the order in which extinct marsupials died out, 
and consequently their fossil remains do not date the deposits in 
which they are found; some species and genera possibly did not 
survive the early Pleistocene stages, but others such as Diprotodon 
appear to have lived until recent times; Thylacinus and Sarco- 
philus are extinct on the mainland but survive in 'Tasmania. 

Lewis in 1923 demonstrated three Pleistocene glacial phases in 
Tasmania and in 1933 he gave a more detailed account of them. 


18 THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 


He used local names for identified phases since he was not con- 
vinced that they are contemporaneous with Pleistocene glacial 
phases in the northern hemisphere. He could find no evidence of 
a fourth phase corresponding to the fourth phase of Europe. The 
three phases are: 


1. The Margaret; the latest, mountain tarn stage. 

2. The Yolande; the most obvious, cirque-cutting stage. _ 

3. The Malanna; an ice-cap stage, the oldest and most extensive, 
but preserved only as fragments. 


Lewis considered that his investigations do not preclude other 
glaciations. There may be (1) an obliterated pre-Malanna glacia- 
tion; (2) a glacial phase between the Malanna and the Yolande; 
or (3) a subdivision of the Malanna into more than one phase. 

He said that the Malanna ice-cap covered from a third to a half 
of Tasmania. It was followed by a lengthy interglacial phase 
during which he considers that the Pieman, the Derwent and other 
rivers cut gorges 1,000-2,000 ft. deep in hard rocks. Yolande 
glaciation moulded the topography of those parts of the island 
more than 2,000 ft. above sea level and is responsible for the most 
obvious cirques, moraines and glacial deposits, but it lasted a much 
shorter time than the Malanna and was less intense. An inter- 
glacial phase probably followed; Lewis could not prove this, but 
considered available evidence pointed to it. The third, least intense 
and most recent glacial phase is the Margaret, which gave rise 
to mountain tarns. 

Tentative proposals for correlating non-glacial Pleistocene 
features with glacial phases have been suggested by David (1924), 
Tindale (1933), Lewis (1934) and Edwards (1941). None of these 
authors indicates whether heights of raised beaches and terraces 
were measured by instruments estimated by eye. 

David assigned the maximum Tasmanian ice-sheets and the ice- 
eap of Mount Kosciusko at 5,000 ft. to the Mindel phase, and 
moraines of the Tasmanian National Park at 2,500-2,800 ft. to the 
Riss. He considered that erosion of V-shaped valleys superim- 
posed on older U-shaped valleys of the Pieman River, Tasmania, 
and of the Snowy River at Kosciusko began in the Riss-Wiirm 
interglacial phase, and that the extensive rock platform at 65-85 ft. 
above sea level in the Ringarooma Valley and the peat deposits 
of Mowbray Swamp, both in Tasmania, were formed at the same 
period. To Wiirm glaciation he assigns lake basins in the Tas- 
manian National Park at 3,200-3,500 ft.; glaciation at Blue Lake, 
Kosciusko, at 6,150 ft.; and the newest torrent gravels of Eastern 
Gippsland, Victoria. Minor post-Wirm glaciation followed at the 


THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 19 


Tasmanian National Park near the 4,000 ft. contour and also gave 
rise to high-level tarns at Kosciusko and moraines near ‘Towns- 
hend’s Pass in the same district at 6,400-6,700 ft. This was followed 
by deglaciation, rising sea level, voleanic eruptions at Mount 
Gambier, South Australia, and Tower Hill, Victoria, and then by 
a negative eustatic movement in sea level of about 10-15 ft. 

In Tasmania Lewis recognized raised beaches and river terraces 
at 50-100 ft., 40-50 ft. and 5-15 ft. above sea level, and drowned 
valleys at 150 ft., 30-60 ft. and 20 ft. below sea level. He tentatively 
correlates these and other features with the three glaciations. 
Conglomerates of quartzite pebbles at 50-100 ft. above sea level 
in southern Tasmania, claypan deposits underlying Mowbray 
Swamp,’ and the Helicidae sandstone (consolidated dunes) at 
100 ft. on the islands of Bass Strait he regards as pre-Malannan. 
The channel of the Derwent River is eroded to 150 ft. below sea 
level and the strandline must have dropped by this amount; he 
correlated this with eustatic lowering of sea level during Malanna 
glaciation, when Tasmania and Australia were united by a land- 
bridge. River terraces and raised beaches at 40-50 ft. he assigns 
to the Malanna-Yolande interglacial phase; the conglomerates of 
these terraces in southern Tasmania consist almost entirely of 
pebbles of dolerite and Permo-Carboniferous mudstone. Vast 
changes in physiography took place during the Malanna-Yolande 
interglacial phase. There is some evidence of river erosion 30-60 ft. 
below sea level which he considers to correspond with the Yolande 
phase. The formation of the 5-15 ft. raised beaches and the lowest 
river terraces he correlates with the Yolande-Margaret interglacial 
phase. The development of existing river courses and a channel 
20 ft. below the floor of the Derwent estuary he attributes to the 
Margaret glacial phase. Since the latest glaciation he considers 
that there has been a progressive rise in sea level and that the 
valley of the Derwent has been drowned as far upstream as New 
Norfolk. 

Edwards observed in north-west Tasmania at least two raised 
shorelines, one at 5-15 ft. and the other at 40-50 ft., with river 
terraces at corresponding heights and, in the Mersey and Forth 
valleys, suggestions of a third strandline at about 100 ft. above 
sea level in the form of doubtful remnants of river terraces; 
Johnston (1888) had noted a raised beach at this level on Chappell 
Island. The valley of the Tamar can be clearly followed on the 
Admiralty Chart to 15 fathoms and less clearly to 20 fathoms, and 
contours of submarine valleys in the neighbourhood of Hunter 
Island and Three Hummocks Island can be traced to 25 fathoms, 

6. For notes on Mowbray Swamp see Noetling (1911). 


20 THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 


indicating a submerged shoreline at 120-150 ft. Many basalt-filled 
valleys pass below sea level and there is some geological evidence 
that they are older than the 120-150 ft. submerged strandline, but 
no depth can be suggested for the corresponding submerged shore. 
He considered that in view of the magnitude of eustatic changes 
in sea level, there can be little doubt that successive glacial and 
interglacial stages are contemporaneous throughout the world, 
and that Tasmanian river terraces and strandlines must be corre- 
lated with those of the northern hemisphere. There is considerable 
evidence for a world-wide eustatic fall in sea level of about 15-20 ft. 
in post-glacial times and we should therefore expect four sets of 
terraces, but in Tasmania, where the record is not complete, only 
three have been demonstrated. In his opinion the 40-50 ft. raised 
strandline may correspond to the Riss-Wiirm interglacial stage, 
and the 100-150 ft. strandline to the Mindel-Riss stage; according 
to figures given by Daly (1934) for corresponding raised beaches 
in Europe and North Africa, their heights are of about the right 
magnitude. The 120-150 ft. submerged strandline is older than 
the 40-50 ft. raised beach and presumably younger than the 100- 
150 ft. raised beach, and on the suggested correlation it should 
correspond to the Riss glacial stage. The pre-basaltic strandline 
should be correlated with an earlier glacial stage, possibly the 
Giinz, but he points out that the basalt-filled valleys may have 
been brought to their present positions by faulting. 

David’s, Lewis’s, and Edward’s tentative correlations of Aus- 
tralian Pleistocene and Holocene phenomena are tabulated on the 
adjacent page. 

Tindale (1933) recorded six raised strandlines between Narra- 
coorte, South Australia, and the present coast. They are situated 
at heights ranging from about 15 ft. to 220 ft. above sea level on 
the seaward side of parallel lines of dunes. He correlated them 
with six raised beaches on the Atlantic coast of the United States 
investigated by Cooke (1930). Below are tabulated Tindale’s and 
Cooke’s names for the South Australian and American terraces, 
Cooke’s tentative correlation with glacial and interglacial phases 
(American nomenclature), and the equivalent European periods 
according to Daly (19384) : 


S.A. Strands U.S.A. Strands Glacial and Interglacial Phases 
Woakwine Pamlico Mid-Wisconsin Mid-Wiirm 
Reedy Creek Chowan Peorian Riss-Wiirm Intergl. 
West Avenue Wiscomico Sangamon Riss-Wiirm Intergl. 
Kast Avenue Sunderland Yarmouth Mindel-Riss Intergl. 
Cave Range Coharie Aftonian Giinz-Mindel Intergl. 


Narracoorte Brandywine Pre-glacial Pre-glacial 


THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 


Post-Glacial . 


Wiirm — Glaciation 
(Margaret) . 


Riss-Wiirm Inter- 
glacial ( Yolande- 
Margaret)... 


Riss Glaciation 
(Yolande)... 


Mindel-Riss Inter- 
glacial (Malanna- 
Yolande) . .. 


Mindel Glaciation 
(Malanna)... 


Giinz - Mindel In- 
terglacial. ... 


David, 1924 


Progressive fall in 
sea level. 10-15 
ft. raised beach. 
Eruptions at 
Tower Hill and 
Mt. Gambier. 
Deglaciation with 
rising sea level. 


Last severe glacia- 
tion. Lake basins, 
National Park, 
Tasmania, and 
Mt. Kosciusko. 


V-shaped superim- 
posed on U- 
shaped valleys of 
Pieman and 
Snowy _ Rivers. 
Ringarooma flats 
excavated. Mow- 
bray Swamp peat 
deposits. 


Moraines, National 
Park. 


Maximum ice- 
sheets, Tasmania. 
“Calotte” ice, 
Mt. Kosciusko. 
Kosciusko- 
Snowy River 
moraines. 


Lewis, 1933, 1934 


21 
Edwards, 1941 


Progressive rise in 5-15 ft. raised 


sea level. 


Margaret _ glacia- 
tion. River chan- 
nel 20 ft. below 
floor of Derwent 
estuary. 


5-15 ft. raised 
beaches. Lowest 
river terraces. 


Yolande glaciation. 
River erosion 
probably to 60 ft. 
below sea level. 


Raised beaches at 
40-50 ft. River 
terraces at corre- 
sponding heights. 
Gorges cut 1000- 
1200 ft. deep. 


Malanna glaciation. 
River erosion to 
150 ft. below sea 
level. 


beaches and ter- 
races. 


40-50 ft. raised 


beaches. 
120-150 ft. sub- 
merged _ strand- 
line. 


100-150 ft. raised 
beaches. 


22 THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 
David, 1924 Lewis, 1933, 1934 Edwards, 1941 


Giinz Glaciation . ? Malanna glacia~ ?>Submerged 
tion in part. basalt-filled val- 
leys. 
Pre-Glacial'. . . Gravels at 50-100 


ft. Helicidae 
sandstone at 100 
ft. Claypan de- 
posits underlying 
Mowbray 
Swamp. 


Contour maps prepared by Noetling (1909) from soundings 
recorded on Admiralty charts show that a lowering of sea level 
by 25 fathoms (150 ft.) Would almost connect Tasmania and 
Australia by land, and a fall of 30 fathoms (180 ft.) would com- 
plete the land-bridge.’ Lewis (1934) correlates the greatest fall 
in sea level that he found in Tasmania, about 150 ft., with the 
Malanna glacial phase, and Edwards (1941) with the Yolande. 
If either of these opinions is correct, and there have been no 
appreciable tectonic movements, island and mainland have been 
separated by sea since the second or third Pleistocene glacial 
epoch, a period antedating the migration of Homo sapiens into 
Hurope. 

The fauna of Tasmania and adjacent islands in Bass Strait 
differs from that of the Australian mainland in several respects, 
suggesting that the two regions have been isolated from each other 
long enough for evolutionary changes to have taken place. The 
Tasmanian region is small and its topography and climate 
resemble those of the adjacent mainland, particularly Gippsland. 
Differences in fauna may be illustrated by birds and mammals. 
Tasmania has about 200 species of birds, most of them in common 
with Australia, of which about one-fourth are passerine, a ratio 
of 1 to 3 in contrast to a ratio of 1 to 1 on the mainland. Of nine 
good species confined to the Tasmanian region, two are restricted 
to Tasmania proper and seven are also found on adjacent islands. 
In addition, many well-defined subspecies are peculiar to this 
region. Tasmania has 32 species of land mammals; two mono- 
tremes (Platypus and Echidna), 20 marsupials, and 10 placentals 
(rats and bats). The Echidna is a subspecies confined to Tasmania 
and adjacent islands. Twelve of the marsupials are found also 
in Australia, but eight good species and three subspecies are 
restricted to the Tasmanian region; of these, four species are 
found only in Tasmania, and four species and three subspecies 
also inhabit adjacent islands. Macropus billardieri, one of the 


7. For supplementary soundings see Dannevig (1910). 


THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 23 


species now confined to the Tasmanian region, became extinct on 
the Australian mainland only 70 years ago; and bones of two 
others, Thylacinus cyanocephalus and Sarcophilus ursinus, are 
found in Holocene deposits on the mainland (Mahony, 1912, Hale 
and Tindale, 1928). Among the placentals, two rats are confined 
to Tasmania, the others being also found in Australia. For the 
above details of birds and mammals I am indebted to George Mack 
and C. W. Brazenor respectively. The fact that the fauna of 
islands in Bass Strait is essentially Tasmanian indicates that these 
islands continued to be connected by land with Tasmania long 
after the Tasmanian region and the Australian mainland were 
separated by sea.® : 


GEOLOGICAL EvipENCE OF HuMAN ANTIQUITY IN AUSTRALIA 


Fossil or sub-fossil human bones have been found in a few 
Australian localities. Those from Talgai, Aitape, and Keilor are 
very probably of Pleistocene age: geological evidence of the age 
of the Keilor skulls and bones seems irrefutable. There are insuf- 
ficient data on which to base even a guess at the age of the Tartanga 
bones, except that they are much younger than the Pleistocene 
anticline through which the Murray in this locality has cut its 
canyon, but considerably older than those found in the adjacent 
Devon Downs rock shelter. Evidence concerning the identification 
and age of the alleged human tooth from the Wellington Caves 
bone-breccia is unsatisfactory. The Devon Downs bones and the 
mineralized skulls found at Cohuna and elsewhere in the Murray 
valley are geologically recent though probably ancient in the 
historical sense. 

Many claims for antiquity of man in Australia have been based 
on artefacts found, or alleged to have been found, in consolidated 
dunes, beneath lavas or tuffs of the Newer Volcanic period, in 
beds containing bones of extinct marsupials, associated with raised 
shorelines, or buried beneath alluvium. The Newer Volcanic 
eruptions probably began in Pliocene or early Pleistocene times 
and continued after the Pleistocene period came to an end, and 
we know nothing about the order in which various extinct mar- 


8. For further details of Australian Post-Tertiary geology see W. Anderson (1890 a), 
Andrews (1902), Aurousseau and Budge (1921), Bryan (1925), Cameron (1901), Campbell 
(1910), Chapman (1928), Chapman and Gabriel (1918), Chapman and Mawson (1925), 
David (1907, 1932), David and Etheridge (1890 b), Dennant (1887), Etheridge (1876, 1890), 
Etheridge and others (1896), Grant and Thiele (1902), Gregory (1861), Hall (1909), Hard- 
man (1883, 1884, 1885), Harper (1916), Hart (1893), Hills (1940 a, b), Howchin (1887, 1912, 
1918, 1923), Hunter (1909), Jack and Etheridge (1892), Jackson (1902), Johnston (1888), 
ate and Coulson (1936), Keble and Macpherson (1943), Kitson (1900, 1902), Lucas (1887), 

arshall and others (1925), Murray (1887), Pritchard (1910), Richards and Hedley (1925), 
Singleton (1941), Saint-Smith (1912), Selwyn (1854), Somerville (1920), von Sommer 
(1849), Siissmilch (1922), Whitehouse (1940), Woods (1862), Woodward (1894), and 
Woolnough (1912). 


24 THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 


supials died out or when they became extinct; unless there is 
corroborative evidence, mere association with volcanic rocks or 
with strata containing bones of extinct marsupials does not prove 
that artefacts are of Pleistocene age, but geological evidence 
strongly suggests that the Myrniong artefacts belong to this 
period. Some shell middens are associated with inland shorelines 
about 10 ft. or 20 ft. above present sea level, which are probably 
about 4,000 years old; if this estimate is correct, and the middens 
were formed not long before sea level fell, these middens are 
ancient in the historical, but not in the geological sense, and the 
men who made them lived at about the time that Abraham went 
into the land of Canaan; it is possible, however, that these shore- 
lines are more than 4,000 years old. In some localities deposition 
of alluvium is still in progress, in others it has long ceased; 
evidence for antiquity of bones and artefacts covered by alluvium 
therefore depends on local conditions. 


The Wellington Tooth Fragment 


Since some confusion exists concerning this specimen, its full 
history is given below. 

The first to observe bone-breccias in the Wellington caves 
appears to have been George Rankin, of Bathurst, New South 
Wales, in 1830; later in that year Major Thomas Mitchell visited 
the caves and collected fossil bones, which he sent to Sir Richard 
Owen. Mitchell (1838) published an account of the caves with 
plans and a list of fossil marsupials collected there and determined 
by Owen. 

Krefft (1867, p. 91) wrote: ‘‘Homo, Melanian variety. Bones 
of the extremities found in a cave at Wellington Valley, being— 
left and right femur, left and right tibia, left and right humerus, 
portion of fibula’; he makes no suggestion that the bones were 
ancient or fossilized. On p. 112 he says that in one of the Welling- 
ton caves ‘‘human remains were obtained, but though very old 
they are not fossil.’’ 

The history of the exploration of the caves between 1867 and 
1882 is set out in a New South Wales Parliamentary Paper 
(Anonymous, 1882). At the suggestion of Sir Richard Owen, the 
New South Wales Parliament in 1867 voted funds for the explora- 
tion of the caves by the Curator of the Australian Museum, at 
that time Gerard Krefft. In October, 1869, Krefft reported that 
he had sunk two shafts in the bone-breccia and had obtained many 
fossil bones, including those of Thylacoleo, Diprotodon, Noto- 
therium, and Canis dingo; he also gave a ‘‘List of photographs 
of Australian fossils for transmission to Professor Owen, F.R.S.,”’ 


THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 25 


in which, under Plate Il, he mentions ‘‘the 5th metatarsal bone 
of a man (recent).’? Owen, in a letter to Krefft, dated January 
8th, 1870, remarked: ‘‘... the only disappointment was the absence 
of human remains and works; but this is an instructive negative 
fact and accords well with former experience of research in the 
Wellington Caves.’’ Krefft’s more detailed list of fossils, dated 
May, 1870, makes no mention of human bones or teeth. In a 
geological report made in the same year, Professor A. M. Thomson, 
who visited the site with Krefft, said that ‘‘in the caves at Welling- 
ton no vestiges of man, whether in the shape of bones, weapons 
or works of art, have been discovered.”’ 

In another publication, not recorded in the Parliamentary 
Paper, Krefft (1870) referred to the fractured crown of a molar 
tooth, probably human, found in the Wellington caves, and four 
years later (Krefft, 1874) he wrote: ‘‘I have found the fractured 
crown of a human molar tooth in the same matrix as Diprotodon 
and Thylacoleo at Wellington in this colony. Man may there- 
fore have been the contemporary of these animals and also of 
Dromornis.”’ These are apparently Krefft’s only published refer- 
ences to the tooth. None is given in the Parliamentary Paper of 
1882. Krefft’s appointment at the Australian Museum was ter- 
minated in August, 1874. 

Etheridge (1891) re-examined the fragment, which consists of 
about two-thirds of the crown broken off from the remainder of 
the tooth, and wrote—‘that it is the crown of a human molar is, 
I think, beyond much doubt; but to guard against mistake I placed 
the specimen in the hands of Mr. P. R. Pedley,® who corroborates 
Mr. Krefft’s determination.’’ The tooth, though mineralized to 
the same extent as the marsupial teeth, was not in the matrix, and 
Etheridge was not convinced that it came from the bone-breccia. 
He mentioned a recent unmineralized skeleton of an aboriginal 
woman found in No. 2 cave; this is possibly the ‘‘human remains’’ 
recorded by Krefft in 1867. Later, Etheridge (1916) found among 
the Krefft MSS. in the Mitchell Library in Krefft’s own hand- 
writing an explanation of the plates that had been published in 
the Parliamentary Paper referred to above. In explanation of 
Plate 12, Krefft wrote: ‘‘Figs. 3 and 4. Side view, natural size, 
and view from above enlarged of a human molar tooth, taken 
from the solid breccia of Wellington Cave by the writer.’’ Attached 
to these documents is what appears to be a small plan of the work 
going on at the caves under Krefft’s supervision, but possibly 
prepared by the workman in charge, giving depths and details; 
in a footnote to this plan occurs the following remark: ‘‘In a 

9. Pedley was then a leading dentist in Sydney. 


26 THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 


well-hole where Krefft found human skeleton in red breccia.’ 
This skeleton, as far as I can ascertain, had never before been 
mentioned in any publication, and Dr. Walkom, Director of the 
Australian Museum, has informed me that no record of it can 
be found in the Australian Museum. 

C. Anderson (1926) considered that the fossil bones of the bone- 
breccia are those of animals which either fell through sink holes 
or were swept in by flood waters; that they probably differ con- 
siderably in age; and that the human tooth, therefore, may possibly 
belong to a later period than some of the other bones. 

Finally, Dr. T. D. Campbell has kindly allowed me to say that 
in 1935 he had an opportunity of briefly examining the specimen, 
and in notes made at that time he recorded that the attrition of the 
tooth fragment does not appear to accord with that usually found 
on aboriginal molars; and this appearance, together with other 
features, left in his mind a definite doubt that the tooth fragment 
is human. 

Both geological evidence of antiquity and specific determination 
of the tooth are unsatisfactory. 

The specimen is in the Australian Museum, Sydney. 


The Talgai Skull. 


The Talgai skull was found in 1884 by a man employed at Talgai 
Station, near Clifton, Darling Downs, Queensland, and was in 
private possession until 1914, when it was forwarded to Professor 
Edgeworth David. Shortly afterwards, David and Wilson (1914) 
published a preliminary note on the skull. Stewart Smith (1918), 
who described it in detail, says that late in 1914 Professor David 
visited 'Talgai and there found the original discoverer, then a very 
old man, who pointed out to within a few yards the spot in the 
bank of the gully where he had found the skull 30 years previously. 
He said that it protruded from the bank about 3 ft. above the 
bottom of the gully. Here black soil 6 or 7 ft. thick overlies red- 
brown clay, and according to the finder, the skull was embedded 
in the upper part of the clay. No bones of extinct marsupials 
have been found at this site, but they have been found in similar 
clay at various places in the Darling Downs, such as King’s 
Creek, 10 miles from Talgai. David supplied Stewart Smith with 
geological notes and the section reproduced in Fig. 3. 

The skull is that of a male youth with unerupted wisdom teeth. 
It is mineralized and has been considerably distorted by pressure 
of the clay in which it was embedded. 

Geological evidence cannot be regarded as satisfactory since it 
depends on the memory of an untrained observer who found the 


’ 


THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 27 


specimen 30 years before he pointed out the site to David; but 
colour, state of mineralization, and distortion of the skull are 
similar to those characteristic of skulls of extinct marsupials 
found in the red-brown clay of the Darling Downs. Whether this 
formation is Pleistocene or Holocene in age has not been deter- 
mined, but it is probably Pleistocene. 

According to Stewart Smith the skull is very primitive, 


aes 


SECTION 


° Skull found Sek 
2 TaN - airy ™P e Cr 
Q ‘TTEM 
3 
2 
° 
ub 
“4. 
if pYVARWICK 
12 Miles 
FIG 3. 


Talgai: Locality Plan and Geological Section. (Stewart Smith, 1918.) 


especially in respect to the large facetted canine teeth, but it is 
undoubtedly of the Australian type, and available evidence fails 
to reveal Tasmanian affinities. He said that the cranium is similar 
in all respects to the cranium of the modern Australian, and the 
facial skeleton is of Australian type; but in the palate and canine 


28 THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 


teeth there are, in conjunction with the most primitive characters 
found in modern skulls, others more ape-like than have been 
observed in any living or extinct race, except Eoanthropus. 
Burkitt (1928) concluded that the position and facetting of the 
canine tecth fall into line with those of modern aboriginals, but 
that the teeth anterior to the molars are more primitive, especially 
in size; and that Stewart Smith’s conclusions regarding the 
primitive character of the palate remain unaltered. He said that 
the palate of the Talgai skull with unerupted wisdom teeth is as 
large as the palate of the average modern adult male aboriginal 
with the full complement of molar teeth. 

Campbell (1925) remarked that measurements of the teeth of 
the Talgai youth are greater than average measurements of corre- 
sponding teeth of modern aboriginals, but, with few exceptions, 
all lie within the extreme range. 

Wood Jones (1934 a) published dioptrographic drawings of 
the palates of a large modern aboriginal skull from Wentworth, 
New South Wales, and of the Talgai skull. He says that the teeth 
of the Wentworth skull are worn and the canines are absent, but 
even with this disadvantage it clearly demonstrates the fact that 
the Talgai skull has no real claims to be considered outside the 
range of variation of the recent aboriginal. He adds that since 
Stewart Smith’s original publication, investigations by Campbell 
and Burkitt have rightly tended to diminish the importance of 
certain features taken by Stewart Smith to indicate a peculiarly 
ape-like dentition; and that it is fair to say that the Talgai skull 
should be regarded as that of a young aboriginal with large palate 
and large teeth, but still not wholly outlandish even in regard to 
these features. 

Dr. J. Wunderly has informed me that some canine teeth 
extracted in the Melbourne Dental Hospital from jaws of Euro- 
peans are larger than any recorded for Australian aboriginals. 

The skull is in the Anatomy School, University of Sydney. 


The Tartanga Skeletons 


Tartanga lies in the Murray River canyon near Nildottie, South 
Australia, where the valley is a mile wide and is bounded by cliffs 
of Tertiary limestone about 40 ft. high. The river is over 100 yards 
across and the narrow low-lying island where the bones were 
found separates the stream from Tartanga lagoon. 

Part of a human skeleton exposed by erosion at Tartanga was 
sent to the South Australian Museum in 1928 by W. R. Roy, of 
New Devon Downs. In consequence, Hale and Tindale (1928) 
excavated both this site and the adjacent Devon Downs rock 


THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 29 


shelter with great care. Palates and teeth of human skulls they 
discovered were examined by Dr. T. D. Campbell. 

Hale and Tindale cut a trench across the outcrops of five layers 
of consolidated sand and clay having a total thickness of about 
6 ft. 6 in.; these beds dip eastwards at a low angle, and they are 
overlain to the east by recent unconsolidated mud and silt. The 
first-found fossil skeleton was exposed by denudation in the upper- 
most consolidated layer. These and other human bones found at 
this site are heavily stained with iron oxide and considerably 
mineralized. 

In the top layer was the much fragmented skeleton of a child 
with a fairly complete skull, of which the authors give measure- 
ments and dioptrographic drawings. Dimensions of all teeth 
except the unerupted third molars are greater than the average 
recorded for Australian aborigines, the second incisor being equal 
to the maximum, but, as in the Talgai skull, the upper third molars 
are of less than average size. The estimated area of the palate is 
3,600 sq. mm., a size found only in exceptionally large Australian 
adult male skulls, but the teeth suggest a child 10-12 years old. The 
body had apparently been buried from the upper part of the bed 
in which it was found. In the next underlying bed were portions 
of a left maxilla, the right ramus of a lower jaw and three loose 
teeth. The teeth, which indicate a child about 12 years old, are 
large, and crenulation of the occlusal surface of the second and 
third molars is more marked than is usual in teeth of modern 
Australian aborigines. In the third bed from the surface were 
the greater part of the bones of the trunk and a skull fragment; 
this was a burial, apparently from the upper part of the upper- 
most bed. 

With the bones was evidence of occupation of the site—burnt 
stones, food debris, flakes of quartz and chert, and implements of 
chert and bone. Shells of a freshwater mussel are abundant; the 
shell is relatively thicker than that of Unio vittatus, which lives 
in the neighbouring lagoon, but otherwise resembles it, and Hale 
and Tindale gave this mussel specific rank with the name Unio 
(Hyridella) provittatus. 

The authors conclude that full discussion of the Tartanga 
remains must await detailed study ; that material at present avail- 
able suggests an early Australian race linking Talgai man with 
modern aborigines ; and that geological and physiographic features 
indicate at least some antiquity. 

Tindale (1941) suggested that the Tartangan may have 
resembled the Tasmanian aboriginal, but he brought forward no 
evidence to support this view; he adds that Tartangan man 


30 THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 


seemingly lived immediately prior to the formation of the post- 

glacial (12-20 ft.) marine terrace. ; 
The bones were in a deposit formed after the river had cut its 

canyon through the Pleistocene anticline previously mentioned. 
All specimens are in the South Australian Museum, Adelaide. 


Devon Downs Human Remains. 


At Devon Downs cliff shelter, occupational detritus, where 
excavated by Hale and Tindale (1928), was about 20 ft. thick and 
divided into twelve layers. The shelter had previously been 
described and figured, but not excavated, by H. L. Sheard ( 1927). 

Human remains were found in the second, third, fourth, sixth, 
and eleventh layers from the surface. None was mineralized. In 
layer 2 were the bones of a young baby; a burial. In layer 3 a 
child of 15 to 18 months old had been buried; the skull was almost 
complete, and most of the other bones were recovered; deciduous 
teeth are all present and are very large. From layer 4 a deep 
grave penetrated layer 5 and part of layer 6; it contained a child’s 
skeleton and an almost complete human lower jaw; the teeth are 
similar to those from layer 3. In layer 6 were the greater part 
of a lower jaw, some teeth, and a few fragments of the calvarium 
of a child about 5 years of age; the jaw and teeth resemble those 
of recent young aborigines of similar age. In layer 11 was a single, 
much-worn crown of a left deciduous incisor; it is large but con- 
siderably worn by attrition. 

Hundreds of artefacts and animal remains were distributed 
throughout the occupational detritus. Bones of Sarco philus, now 
confined to Tasmania, occur in the lower layers. 

The authors believe that the accumulations in Devon Downs 
shelter are younger than the Tartangan strata; that the artefacts 
in successive layers of the well-stratified occupational detritus 
indicate five successive cultural phases; and that faunal modifi- 
cations are possibly due to changes in climate, 

The thickness of stratified detritus and variation in artefacts 
and fauna in successive layers indicate that the shelter was used 
by aborigines for many centuries. 

All specimens are in the South Australian Museum, Adelaide. 


The Keilor Skulls and Bones. 


Two mineralized human skulls and some other bones were found 
in undisturbed ground at a depth of 19 ft. in a terrace adjoining 
the Maribyrnong River and 45 ft. above river level. The sandpit 
where they were found is a mile north of Keilor village, which lies 
10 miles north-west of Melbourne. The sandpit was worked by 


THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 31 


R. Hughes, sand contractor. Except for two small pieces of bone 
near the foramen magnum and a hole in the side made by the pick 
of the workman who unearthed it, one skull is complete, but its 
lower jaw is missing. It is large and it combines Australoid with 
Tasmanoid characteristics in about equal proportions. Anatomical 
descriptions of the specimen as a whole by Dr. J. Wunderly and 
of the palate and dental arch by Dr. William Adam will be found 
elsewhere in this volume of Memoirs, together with notes based on 
geological investigations by R. A. Keble and Miss Hope Macpher- 
son, which indicate that it dates back to the Riss-Wirm Inter- 


FIG. 4. 
Quartzite Flake, Keilor. 


glacial phase of Pleistocene times. The second skull and most of 
the other bones have not yet been received by the Museum. 

Mr. Hughes has supplied the following note on the circumstances 
of the discovery: 


“Early in October (about Oct. 10th), 1940, a fossil human skull was found 
by James White, who was employed by me, in a pit which I opened for moulding 
sand near the junction of Dry Creek and the Maribyrnong River about one mile 
north of Keilor. I was present at the time together with Thomas Murphy. White 
was working on the face of the pit when his pick went through the skull and broke 
it into three pieces. It was about 15 ft. below the surface of the ground and 18 in. 
above the floor of the pit. One fossilized limb bone and several other fragments 
of bone were found alongside the skull. The sand above the bones showed no signs 
of having been disturbed by a burial and the skull could not have fallen from 
above since it was embedded in undisturbed sand. We washed off the sand with 
which it was coated. I took the skull and pieces of broken bone to the National 
Museum on November 4th, 1940, and left them there. Some weeks later Mr. 
Mahony, Mr. Keble and Mr. Brazenor of the National Museum visited the sand 
pit with me and I pointed out to them the spot where the skull was found. Up 


c 


32 THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 


to this time the face of the pit at this point was in the same condition as when the 
skull was found. Since then five pieces of another skull were found at the same 
level and about six feet distant from the first skull.” 

(Signed) R. Hughes, Aug. 22nd, 1942 


Dr. E. 8. Hills found a quartzite flake protruding from undis- 
turbed sand in the wall of the pit close to the spot where the skull 
was unearthed. The flake (Fig. 4) is evidently an artefact. 

Owing to war-time conditions it has been impossible to carry out 
systematic excavation and sieving of sand to find other bones, teeth 
and artefacts. 

One skull, some fragments of bone and the quartzite flake are 
in the National Museum of Victoria, Melbourne. 


The Attape Skull 


This specimen is mentioned since New Guinea is close to 
Australia, the skull is Australian in type, and there is geological 
evidence of its antiquity. It was described by F. J. Penner (1941). 

Aitape District is situated in the western part of the Mandated 
Territory of New Guinea. In 1929, P. 8. Hossfeld, of the Northern 
Australian Geological Survey, found fragments of a fossil human 
skull in situ in a bed of littoral marine clay outcropping in the 
east bank of Paniri Creek near Barida Village, Aitape, 10 miles 
from the coast and about 300 ft. above sea level. The skull was 
overlain by 4 ft. of undisturbed littoral deposit containing marine 
mollusea, and above this by 6 ft. of gravel on which rested soil. 
The littoral marine deposit forms part of the Upper Wanimo 
Series which is considered by Survey authorities to be Pleistocene 
in age. There is no record of other mammalian bones at this site. 

The fragment was broken into four pieces while being unearthed. 
Three of these fitted together accurately. The reconstructed cal- 
varium comprises the greater part of the frontal bone, parts 
absent being the left external angular processes and both orbital 
plates. The nasal process is almost entire, and the sutural impres- 
sions of the nasal bones and the nasal processes of the maxilla 
are preserved. On the right side, the sutural impression of the 
frontal process of the zygomatic bone is undamaged. Portions of 
both parietal bones are present, their broken edges running 
roughly parallel to the coronal suture and about three centimetres 
behind it. The specimen shows no evidence of being waterworn. 
Fenner suggests that the fragment is portion of the skull of a 
female about 45 years of age. He discusses its racial affinities and 
considers that it belonged to an individual not differing greatly 
from the southern type of modern Australian aboriginal, but he 
adds that occasional rare Australoid types of New Guinea skull 


THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 33 


differ from the Aitape fragment little more than do average 
Australian skulls. There are no characters suggesting affinities 
with Tasmanians; the absence of the paramedian parietal groove, 
stressed by Wunderly as characteristic of Tasmanians, and the 
fairly obvious narrowness of the parietal region definitely exclud- 
ing this possibility. 

The skull is in the Australian Institute of Anatomy, Canberra. 


Other Fossil Human Remains 


Basedow (1925) mentioned the fossilized posterior half of 
the left parietal of a human skull found in ‘Pleistocene (or 
Pliocene?)’’ gravels SSE. of Tennant’s Creek district, Central 
Australia. He gives no exact locality, no indication of how the 
age of the deposit was determined, nor at what depth the specimen 
was found, nor who discovered it. I can find no record of where 
the specimen now is. H. M. Hale and N. B. Tindale, of the South 
Australian Museum, have informed me that they handled the 
specimen some years ago, and that Basedow then told them that 
it had been found on the surface; it was stained brown but not 
mineralized, and in their opinion it did not suggest geological 
antiquity. After Basedow’s death they prepared his collections 
for submission to the Institute of Anatomy, Canberra, which 
afterwards purchased them, but the specimen was not then recog- 
nized among his effects. 

The Melbourne Argus of December 6th, 1915, published the 
following note: 


“While digging out marl at Jimmy’s Point, Lakes Entrance, a labourer recently 
unearthed three human skulls, evidently of very primitive type. They were near 
the base of the escarpment, and about ten feet from the grassed surface. Each of 
them was in a remarkably good state of preservation. Professor Flynn from 
Tasmania, who was making an official tour of inquiry at the Lakes with the Chief 
Inspector of Fisheries, Victoria, examined the skulls, and said he would report 
to the Melbourne University, and that they were of great archaeological interest.” 


I have been unable to find what became of these skulls; they are 
not at the Melbourne University. 

Under favourable conditions, such as contact with water 
carrying carbonates in solution, organic matter may be rapidly 
mineralized. There are certain springs in which twigs, ete., become 
coated and impregnated with carbonate of lime in a few weeks. 
Mineralization of human bones cannot therefore be taken as proof 
of geological antiquity; the age of the deposit in which the bones 
are found and evidence that they are contemporaneous with it, 
not subsequent burials, are the only acceptable proofs of geological 
antiquity. 


34 THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 


However, since mineralization of bones predisposes some people 
to attribute geological antiquity to them, Australian examples 
with no claim to such antiquity are mentioned below. 

In the surface deposits of the vast alluvial plain through which 
the Murray, its anabranches and tributaries wander, mineralized 
human skulls and other bones have been found at or close to the 
surface at Renmark, Swan Hill, Cohuna, Moulamein, Nyang, 
Balranald, Euston, and Nacurrie. Alluvium has here accumulated 
to a depth of at least 150 ft. during Post-Tertiary times, and all 
surface deposits are Holocene. 

Except in the case of the Cohuna skull, no claim has been 
made that these skulls differ from those of modern Australian 
aborigines. Wood Jones, who examined some of them, is of the 
opinion that there are no morphological features by which they 
ean be differentiated from those of modern aborigines (Wood 
Jones, 1934; Mahony and others, 1936). F. J. Fenner (1938) 
described two of them (a child of 4 or 5 years old and an adult), 
both pathologic, together with three similarly pathologic skulls 
of recent aborigines, and he found that in features other than 
pathologie the adult skull is typical of the adult male Australian. 

The Cohuna skull, however, has had some fame to which, as 
shown below, it is not entitled. It was found during the excava- 
tion of an irrigation channel near Cohuna, Victoria, in November, 
1925, at a depth of two feet in red loam. No other human bones 
were discovered at this place, but normal aboriginal skeletons 
were unearthed close by at about the same depth. George Terry 
of Cohuna brought the skull under notice. A geological report on 
the site made by the writer of this paper in March, 1926, recorded 
that there is no evidence of geological antiquity; the report was 
published some years later (Mahony and others, 1936). Dr. W. R. 
Browne has informed me that he agrees with this opinion after 
examining the site in 1940 in company with Professors Priestly, 
Burkitt and Shellshear. The skull was acquired by Sir Colin 
Mackenzie, Director of the Australian Institute of Anatomy, who 
did not describe it but sent some data, with measurements and a 
tracing along the middle line of the skull, to Sir Arthur Keith. 
Keith (1931) published an account based on this information, 
and expressed the opinion that it is the most primitive known 
type of human skull. The error arose from the fact that Mackenzie 
mistook for bone the adhering mineral incrustation, which is up 
to a quarter of an inch thick in places; for this information I am 
indebted to Professor A. N. Burkitt. Professor J. L. Shellshear 
has kindly allowed me to say that, after Sir Colin Mackenzie’s 
death, he removed the incrustation, and that from his observations 


THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 35 


on the skull he finds that it falls within the range of modern 
aboriginal skulls, to which it is similar in all respects. Campbell 
(1943) says that the intact, major portion of the Cohuna dental 
arch is typical of a large aboriginal dental arch. 

Shellshear (1939) described a partly mineralized normal abori- 
ginal skull found on the beach of Stradbroke Island, Queensland. 

The flexed, desiccated body of an aboriginal partly encrusted 
with stalagmite was was found in one of the Mosquito Plain caves 
near Mount Gambier, South Australia (Woods, 1862). It was 
exhibited in a number of towns in Australia and Tasmania as 
a **Petrified Woman,’’ and is reported to be now in a Berlin 
museum. It was probably a recent burial similar to that described 
by Tindale and Mountford (1936). Other records of recent human 
remains found in caves are given by Etheridge (1893) and by 
Etheridge and Trickett (1905); as a rule aborigines fear dark 
caves and do not enter them. 


Artefacts 


At the Doone tin mine in north-eastern Tasmania, stanniferous 
sands and gravels were treated by sluicing the sides of an open 
cut with a powerful jet of water. A stone implement was found 
in material brought down by sluicing, and David (1923) claimed 
that it is contemporaneous with the stanniferous sands which he 
believed to be Pleistocene in age and of fluvio-glacial origin. The 
writer of this paper examined the implement soon afterwards and 
noticed that one side was more weathered than the other, which 
suggested that it had long lain on the surface of the ground and 
had then fallen into the open cut. Meston (1936) gave reasons 
for believing that it had fallen from the surface and that it is of 
recent origin. 

In the Derwent Valley, Tasmania, is a midden which Lewis 
(1934) correlated with the Yolande-Margaret (Riss-Wiirm) inter- 
glacial phase, but Meston has shown that it is almost certainly 
modern. 

Consolidated calcareous dunes in the Warrnambool district, 
Victoria, extend along the coast and are overlain in places by 
bedded tuff ejected from Tower Hill. These dunes may have been 
formed during one of the Pleistocene glacial phases (Hills, 
1938 a). The dune rock was formerly quarried for building pur- 
poses, and some of the slabs bore impressions of footprints of 
large struthious birds. In 1890 a slab quarried at a depth of 
50 ft. displayed impressions supposed to resemble human foot- 
prints and also marks such as would be made by two people sitting 
side by side on soft sand (Officer, 1892). The specimen is in the 


36 THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 


Warrnambool Museum, but the stone is friable and the impressions 
are almost obliterated ; photographs taken while they were distinct 
were published by Branco (1905) and by Klaatsch (1906). Gregory 
(1904) rejected as man-made both tracks and other impressions. 
The tracks are narrow and are identical in shape with those made 
in snow by kangaroos (Noetling, 1907). There can be little doubt 
that the tracks and other impressions were made by kangaroos, 
not by human beings. 

About 45 years ago OC. C. Brittlebank, Government Plant 
Pathologist, while making geological observations, found a stone 
implement in a bed of gravelly clay 1 ft. 6 in. thick resting on 
Permo-Carboniferous glacial strata and underlying Newer Vol- 
canic lava flows near the junction of Myrniong Creek and the 
Werribee River, about six miles north-west of Bacchus Marsh, 


¢ Sub-basaltia 
ot ~~ Gravel 
cm Termo Carb 
ra men 
- SA» eae 
i CC 
- ff 
FIG. 5, 


Site where the first sub-basaltic Artefact was found (X). 
Sketch from a photograph by C. C. Brittlebank. 


Victoria (Plate I). He presented the specimen to the National 
Museum, but did not publish any record of it. The implement is 
a wedge-shaped slab of hard slaty rock measuring about 7 inches 
by 6 inches, the narrowest part (4 inches) being at the thicker 
end. One face, somewhat roughened by weathering, is slightly 
concave, and near its centre are indentations made by pounding 
with another stone; the opposite face is slightly convex, rougher, 
and shows no signs of usage. Flakes have been struck off the edges 
of one side and of the thinner end, as if to make a crude chopper. 


THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 37 


The other side is straight and smooth, apparently a natural 
cleavage surface, and the smaller end is bounded by two fractures. 
Weathering has dulled sharp edges. A few years later Brittlebank 
found two more artefacts in the same sub-basaltic gravel; one of 
these is the axe illustrated in Plate III, figs. 3 and 4. One-third 
of this axe protruded from the outcrop and the rest was embedded 
in tough sandy red clay which had to be picked away to free it. 
The other specimen, though less deeply embedded, was also firmly 
fixed in the clay. Both were found within a few yards of where 
the first was discovered. His letters to the Museum record that 
Brittlebank found the first artefact in an excavation made for 
the purpose of observing the effect produced by heat from the 
lava on the underlying gravelly clay. At about 1 ft. 8 in. or 2 ft. 
from the outcrop of this bed he found the implement in tough 
gravelly clay and almost in contact with the base of the lava flow. 
Since it differed in shape and size from the surrounding quartz 
pebbles, he examined it closely and, observing the chipped edge, he 
took it to water and washed away the adhering red sandy clay 
and small pebbles. He then saw that it was an implement made 
of hard slate. He was convinced that it could not have fallen 
through a fracture in the basalt to the position where he found 
it, nor have been placed there in post-basaltic times. Brittlebank 
being an experienced and accurate scientific observer and a sound 
geologist, his evidence must carry great weight. It has been 
suggested that the first-found implement may have been buried 
in recent times by surface material sliding down the slope of the 
hill (Mahony and others, 1933), but these authors did not know 
that Brittlebank found two other artefacts in the same gravel. 
Since the basalt was extruded, valleys several hundred feet deep 
have been cut through it into the underlying rocks, and the basalt 
where the artefact was found forms a small isolated plateau, 
locally known as The Island, since it is almost surrounded by the 
deep valleys of the Werribee River and Myrniong Creek. The 
area is close to the eastern margin of the Ballarat Plateau. The 
Island is about 1,200 ft. above sea level, and the adjoining Bacchus 
Marsh basin, through which the Werribee River flows, is nearly 
900 ft. lower and is only 5 miles distant as the crow flies. Brittle- 
bank made a geological map and section of the locality and marked 
on it the site where he found the first sub-basaltic implement 
(Plate IT): his manuscript map is in the National Museum of 
Victoria. 

The Werribee River is a puny stream. At Bacchus Marsh its 
drainage area is 115 sq. miles and its average discharge 250 gallons 
of water per second; in summer it usually ceases to flow. Between 


38 THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 


Ballan and the Bacchus Marsh basin, a distance of eight miles as 
the crow flies or eleven along the course of the river, its bed falls 
95 ft. per mile’ and the river flows through a gorge ranging from 
400 ft. to 600 ft. in depth. Possibly in its early development, when 
the stream was cutting its valley into the Newer Volcanic lava, it 
flowed over a waterfall into the Bacchus Marsh basin, and owing to 
erosion the ledge over which it fell retreated upstream and finally 
disappeared, leaving a steeply inclined river bed. Rainfall may 
formerly have been greater than it is now. 

For a period of five years Brittlebank (1900) conducted experi- 
ments at numerous points to determine the rate of erosion of the 
bed of the gorge, and his results work out at 0°58 inch per century. 
The period of experiment was probably too short and his methods 
not sufficiently accurate to give a figure other than an approxi- 
mation to the right order of magnitude. No data are available 
for similar streams elsewhere. The average rate of degradation 
of the Mississippi basin is estimated at 0°34 inch per century, and 
Niagara Falls are retreating upstream at an average rate of 
4 ft. 6 in. per annum (Chamberlin and Salisbury, 1905), but the 
general fall per mile of the Mississippi is low and the rate of 
retreat of Niagara Falls is exceptionally rapid, so these figures 
are of little value in an enquiry into the rate of formation of the 
Werribee gorge, but they indicate that a waterfall causes rapid 
erosion. 

If we assume that the rate of erosion of Werribee gorge during 
its whole development was very high and averaged 20 times the 
amount that Brittlebank’s figure indicates for the present time, 
say 12 inches per century, the excavation of the gorge would take 
60,000 years. Though this figure is hypothetical and probably 
too small, it indicates that the sub-basaltie gravel bed at Myrniong 
in which the implements were found is Pleistocene in age. 

In the Great Buninyong Estate mine, near Ballarat, Victoria, 
fragments of bones of extinct marsupials were found 240 ft. from 
the surface in black pyritic clay underlying a basaltic lava flow; 
the bones were near the base of the lava. The clay is a swamp 
deposit and the basalt is a lava flow from Mount Buninyong, a 
scoria cone in the vicinity (Hart, 1899). The bones, which are 
mineralized and impregnated with pyrites, were identified by 
De Vis (1899) as those of Diprotodon and an extinct kangaroo, 
Macropus faunus. One fragment, probably part of a Diprotodon 
rib, is about 6 inches long, irregular at one end and terminated 
at the other by two cuts from opposite sides which do not meet 


10. Figures for drainage area, discharge and fall of river bed were supplied by the Victorian 
State Rivers and Water Supply Commission: river gaugings at Bacchus Marsh were taken 
over a period of 15 years. 


THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 39 


_ but are separated by an irregular broken surface (Plate ILI, figs. 
5and 6). The cuts were considered by De Vis to have been made 
_ byasharp implement, not by teeth of carnivores, and in his opinion 
the specimen is an artefact. Gregory (1904) rejected this sugges- 
tion, and held that the cuts were made accidentally by the shovel 
of the miner who unearthed the bone. The surface of each cut, 
however, is not flat as would be expected if made with a shovel; 
one, especially, looks like the result of several short strokes of a 
pocket knife used as in cutting plug tobacco. Possibly the miner 
who found it tested its hardness in this way. The shape of the 
fragment and the relative positions of the cuts do not suggest an 
artefact. A. 8. Kenyon, who examined the specimen at about the 
same time as Gregory, recorded that the cuts had crushed the 
ites in the bone, and were therefore made after the bone had 
| fossilized (Mahony and others, 1933). Many years ago the 
specimen was covered with size to prevent oxidation of the pyrites; 
no pyrites can now be seen and it is therefore difficult to determine 
the appearance of the cuts when the bone was found. A face cut 
for experimental purposes in 1934 on one of the other Buninyong 
bones has exactly the same appearance as those on the supposed 
artefact. De Vis identified one of the other fragments as probably 
the head of the same rib from which supposed artefact was made; 
if this is correct, it seems more reasonable to suppose that the bone 
was broken by the jaws of a carnivore than that a man would make 
an implement out of one part of the rib and then discard it close 
tothe rejected portion. The specimen was formerly in the Ballarat 
School of Mines but is now in the National Museum of Victoria, 
Melbourne. 

Cuts and scratches on bones of extinct marsupials from the 
Darling Downs, Queensland, and several localities in Victoria, 
considered by some observers to have been made by human agency, 
have been attributed to tooth marks of the marsupial lion, Thyla- 
coleo, by De Vis (1884) and by Spencer and Walcott (1912). 
J. E. Tenison Woods (1883, 1886) noticed sears on the bone of 
a large struthious bird associated with midden material near 
Penola, South Australia, and suggested that they were made by 
aborigines; he considered that the bird is the extinet Dromornis." 
_ Asmall quartzite upper mill stone (Plate ILI, figs. 1 and 2) was 
found in 1908 by A. J. Merry of Terang while making an excava- 
tion for the foundations of a concrete culvert over Pejark Swamp 
drainage channel where it crosses the road from Terang to Noorat, 
Victoria. One side has been rubbed flat, and a depression (‘‘husk- 
ing hole’’) has been made on the other (Plate ILI, figs. 5 and 6) ; 
IL. See also Etheridge (1890). 


40 THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 


similar implements are commonly found on the surface in Victoria. 
He gave the specimen to the National Museum and supplied the 
following information. The excavation, which is 10 ft. deep, passed 
through soil 3 ft., bedded voleanic tuff 2 ft., black clay 3 ft., and 
yellow clay 2 ft. The yellow clay and the base of the black clay 
contained numerous fragments of marsupial bones. ‘The millstone 
was embedded in the yellow clay 2 ft. below the level of the bed 
of the drainage channel and 3 ft. distant from it. Merry, while 
digging in the yellow clay, felt his shovel strike against a solid 
object and, thinking it might be a large fragment of bone, he dug 
it out carefully. Shortly afterwards he showed it to Dr. Beaton, 
a local medical practitioner, and after the adhering yellow clay 
had been washed off, both of them recognized it as a stone imple- 
ment. Merry found another stone implement in clay thrown out 
of the excavation, but could not be certain which part of the hole 
it came from. He added that R. Harvie, who had been employed 
in excavating the drainage channel in 1893, told him that he had 
dug up a grindstone from similar yellow clay 4 ft. below the bedded 
tuff layer at a site about one chain west of the culvert, and that 
a petrified human skull had also been found 5 ft. below the tuff 
about 100 yards west of the culvert, but the skull was broken up 
and thrown away by the workman who found it. Sir Baldwin 
Spencer and R. H. Walcott, in December, 1908, made excavations 
alongside the drainage channel near the culvert but found nothing 
except fragments of marsupial bones. Spencer and Walcott (1911) 
recorded the implement without giving full details since their 
paper concerned scars and scratches on fossil marsupial bones 
from this and other localities. Further excavations should be made 
at this site. 

Stone implements are said to have been found under tuff near 
Mount Schank, South Australia, but no particulars are available. 

In 1854 a basalt axe-head was found by A. C. Swinton at a depth 
of 4 ft. in alluvial wash in which he was sinking a shaft that 
bottomed on bedrock at 5 ft. (Howitt, 1898); the wash was 
cemented gravel with three false bottoms and was situated in a 
small tributary valley of the main lead near Maryborough, Vic- 
toria. About 40 years later, Swinton, at the request of Howitt, 
marked on a plan the position of this shaft, and Stanley Hunter, 
an officer of the Geological Survey, examined the locality. Hunter 
found that the tributary referred to by Swinton is one of the heads 
of the Bet Bet sub-basaltic lead (buried river valley) and he 
considered that the lower deposits of wash in the tributary may 
be of the same age as the sub-basaltie wash of the Bet Bet lead. 
At a later date Hunter told Gregory that he did not attach much 


THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 41 


importance to the discovery of the artefact since it might have 
fallen into a wombat hole or a natural hollow in the ground 
(Gregory, 1904) ; it seems unlikely, however, that wombats would 
burrow in consolidated gravel or that prospectors would sink a 
shaft where there was a natural hollow. 

In Dicker’s Mining Record, 1864, p. 120, a figure is given of 
a basalt axe-like implement with a hafting groove found in undis- 
turbed gravelly clay at 22 inches below the surface at Ballarat. 
It was 8 inches long, weighed 5 Ib., and was patinated. The imple- 
ment (fig. 6) is similar to a type commonly found on the surface 
in the Western District of Victoria. 

Voisey (1934) recorded kitchen middens of oyster and other 
shells along the base of low cliffs that mark an old coast line 
extending from Grassy Head to Collombatti, about 10 miles inland, 
in the Kempsey district, New South Wales. The old strandline 


tat t" 


\ 


: WN 


Y 

are 

ass 
SS 


<~ 
wy 


WE 


Wy 


Y} 
iA 


FIG. 6. 
The Ballarat Implement. 
(Reproduced from Dicker’s Mining Record, 1864.) 


is about 10 ft. above present high-tide level. McCarthy (1943), 
who described these middens and the contained implements, quotes 
Professor L. A. Cotton’s opinion that they were formed between 
5,000 and 11,000 years ago. Near the mouth of the Burdekin River, 
Queensland, is another locality where oyster-shell middens con- 
taining stone artefacts are associated with an old shoreline 4 miles 
inland and about 20 ft. above high-tide level (Jardine, 1928). Since 
primitive people do not carry large quantities of shellfish to camps 
several miles inland, the inference is that these middens were 
formed before the sea retreated to the present shoreline. W. Ander- 
son (1890 b) made a similar suggestion in regard to middens 30 ft. 
above sea level near Pambula and Noorooma, N.S.W. 

South of the Embley River on the western side of Cape York 
Peninsula and about three-quarters of a mile inland from the coast 


42 THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 


there are large shell middens forming a series of heaps and mounds 
from 20 to 30 ft. high which extend for several hundred yards 
(Jackson, 1902). 

Middens several acres in extent and up to 10 ft. thick composed 
of oyster and other shells have long been known in ‘Tasmania. 
Noetling (1910) caleulated that the time required for them to 
accumulate is 5,000 to 7,000 years. His calculations are based on 
assumptions, which may or may not be approximately correct, 
concerning the number of natives formerly inhabiting ‘Tasmania, 
and shellfish consumed per head per day. David (1923) thought 
that a considerably longer time is indicated. 

At the Reedbeds, Fulham, near Adelaide (White, 1919; 
Howchin, 1919), and at Shea’s Creek, near Sydney (Etheridge 
and others, 1896), artefacts have been found near the coast in 
swamp deposits or estuarine beds a few feet below sea level.” Both 
deposits are considered to be geologically recent. 

The only records of implements in river terraces are those of 
Ferguson (1894), who found some in terraces a little above the 
level of the present streams in the valleys of the Hopkins and 
Wannon Rivers, near Wickliff, Victoria, and the artefact found 
near the Keilor skulls. 

Large areas of Central Australia are covered with ‘‘gibber,’’ 
that is, with wind-worn fragments of hard rock derived from 
strata disintegrated by subaerial denudation. Among the gibber 
stones Howchin (1921) found flaked pieces of siliceous rock with 
patinated surfaces; he regarded them as ancient artefacts of an 
earlier cultural phase than that of modern aborigines. Wood Jones 
and Campbell (1925) and Tindale (1932) have furnished sound 
reasons for believing that the flaking was fortuitously caused by 
natural agencies. 

Bennett (1867) recorded that sandstone with grooves similar to 
those made on grindstones or outcrops of sandstone by aborigines 
when sharpening their stone axes was found in the Hunter River 
valley, New South Wales, under 30 ft. or more of alluvium. In 
this locality alluvium accumulates rapidly and instances are cited 
of some flats having been buried under 4 ft. of silt during a single 
flood (MacPherson, 1886). 

During the construction in 1913 of the Sugarloaf Dam near the 
junction of the Goulburn and Delatite Rivers, R. B. Comer, 
engineer, State Rivers and Water Supply Commission, collected 
hundreds of stone implements for the National Museum of Vic- 
toria. Among them was an axe fashioned from a pebble found 
more than 20 ft. below the surface, and four others from 28 ft. 

12. See also David (1923 a) and Tindale (1937 b). 


THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 43 


the latter came from an excavation at the head of a gully near 
Mount Tinnigar, Devil’s River. 

At Hasemer’s brick pit, Forbes, New South Wales, Andrews 
(1901) recorded middens and bones of Diprotodon in alluvium at 
a depth of 18 ft. from the surface. There is no available evidence 
as to whether alluvium is now accumulating at this site. Andrews 
has informed me that he saw the pit only after complete removal 
of these objects, but that he considers that Hasemer’s statement 
concerning them was an honest one; he cannot, however, vouch 
for the association of the midden with the bones. 

A stone tomahawk was unearthed at a depth of 2 ft. in 1870 by 
miners digging a water-race in shingly alluvium at the side of 
the valley of the Upper Dargo River, Victoria (Howitt, 1898). 
Howitt, who visited the locality soon afterwards, did not consider 
that there is evidence of geological antiquity. 

Wilkinson (1887) recorded a stone axe found at 14 ft. below the 
surface at Bodalla, near the coast of New South Wales, about 80 
miles north of the boundary of Victoria. 

At West Maitland, New South Wales, a primitive stone axe 
with a ground edge was found in ferruginous clay at 11 ft. below 
the surface during the sinking of a mine shaft (Enright, 1923). 
Immediately below the surface is a bed of reddish clay 8 ft. thick 
and below this is ferruginous clay 7 ft. 6 in. thick in which the 
specimen was found. Surface topography suggests that the clay 
beds were not recently deposited. 

Near Cape Otway, Victoria, artefacts were recorded in a mixture 
of beach material, pebbles, humus and broken shells resting on 
Permo-Carboniferous sandstone and apparently intermediate 
between it and dunes 200 ft. high (Etheridge, 1876). David and 
Etheridge (1890) considered that the deposit, since it underlies 
a dune of this size, must be ancient, but Gregory (1904) held that 
the implements were buried by the advancing dune, or that the 
shelly material was a surface layer resting on the dune and extend- 
ing beyond its edge. 

Certain rock carvings in the Flinders Range, South Australia, 
are patinated, and Basedow (1914) claimed that they are ancient. 
The evidence has been discussed by Mountford (1929 a), who 
thought that some of the carvings are of considerable age, and 
by Ward and others (1933), who do not believe that any claim to 
antiquity can be substantiated. 

Mountford (1926b) described a rock-carving from Panara- 
mitte, South Australia, which he believes depicts the head of a 
crocodile, a reptile long extinct in South Australia and now repre- 
sented there only by fossils. 


44 THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 


Typography of certain stone implements found in Australia 
may furnish evidence of antiquity. Crude flint implements deeply 
patinated are fairly abundant in the south-east corner of South 
Australia, and McCarthy (1940) holds that both typography and 
patination indicate their antiquity, and he compares them with 
products of the Hoabinhien cultural phase of the Far East. 
Tindale (1937a) considered that Tasmanian implements show 
typological evolution and that certain artefacts found on Kanga- 
roo Island and elsewhere in South Australia are primitive and 
ancient. Hale and Tindale (1928) recorded six successive cultural 
stages in implements found at Tartanga and Devon Downs, South 
Australia. Throughout Australia are found implements the uses 
of which are apparently unknown to modern aborigines; among 
them are microliths which recall those of Azilian age in Europe 
resembling small Gravette points and Chatelperron points (Casey, 
1934, 1936; Campbell and Noone, 1943). 

Australian aborigines use both highly specialized and very crude 
stone implements and even unflaked stones with natural sharp 
edges (Mountford, 1940). In basing inferences on typography, 
this fact must be borne in mind. Little is known about length of 
time required for patination to occur, but it evidently varies both 
with rock type and with atmospheric conditions; deep patination 
therefore cannot always be assumed to indicate antiquity. 


SUMMARY 


Evidence set out above indicates that mankind migrated into 
Australia at a period that is certainly ancient in the historical 
and almost certainly in the geological sense, as is shown by the 
geological investigations of R. A. Keble and Miss Hope Macpher- 
son and by the Myrniong implements. 

The evidence also strongly suggests that the earliest migrants 
belonged to a Tasmanoid (Negrito) race that had no domestic dog, 
and that this race occupied the mainland and found its way to 
Tasmania. Ata later date came a wave of Australoid (Dravidian) 
immigrants with their domestic dog, the dingo; on the mainland 
they dispossessed the Tasmanoids and absorbed some part of them, 
but they did not cross Bass Strait to Tasmania, except in small 
numbers during modern times. 

Tasmanian and Australian, especially West Australian, skulls 
have certain characteristics in common, Anatomical studies of 
the Keilor skull by Dr. J. Wunderly and Dr. Wm. Adam indicate 
that this arises from racial intermixture rather than from close 
kinship between the original Tasmanoid and Australoid races. 


THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 45 


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 


To Professors J. L. Shellshear and A. N. Burkitt, Drs. J. 
Wunderly, W. R. Browne, A. B. Edwards and T. D. Campbell 
and Messrs. H. M. Hale and the late A. S. Kenyon, I am indebted 
for reading the first rough draft of this paper and for offering 
suggestions that have been embodied in its final form; to W. 
Baragwanath, Director of Geological Survey, for having the map 
and section (Plate 1) redrawn by A. E. Kennedy; to C. W. 
Brazenor for photographs used in Plate Il; and to L. A. Baillét 
of the Melbourne Technical College for photographs used in 
Plate ILI. 

APPENDIX 


In a scrapbook purchased by the Melbourne Public Library in 1889 is an 
engraving (Fig. 7) of a human head carved in wood and accompanying manuscript 
notes which are quoted below. The carving is said to have been found 60 feet 
below the surface at Creswick in 1851. It is evidently the specimen mentioned by 
Smythe (1869, p. 150), who considered it a forgery; he said that an engraving of 
it, together with letters and documents testifying to its authenticity, had been 


The Creswick Carving. 


46 THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 


published. The artist S.T.G. is doubtless S. T. Gill, a number of whose sketches 
of scenes in Victoria, including three of Creswick, were published in 1855 by 
J. J. Blundell & Co., to whom F. J. Bury’s letter (see below) is addressed. 

The craftsmanship is unlike that of primitive man either ancient or modern, and 
the features are European in appearance. In my opinion no claim for its antiquity 
can be taken seriously. Perhaps, as a practical joke, the head was carved by one 
of the miners from a piece of semi-fossil wood and buried at a spot where Smith 
and his friends would find it. 

I have been unable to discover if the carving still exists or where the woodcut 
and documents relating to it were published. 

The manuscript notes are as follows: 


Copy or DECLARATION. 
True Copy (W.S.). 


We, James Smith, Robert Tapley, and John Mackie, do solemnly and sincerely 
declare, that the Carving of the Human Head, now produced, was found by us 
on Wednesday, the 21st day of February, 1855, in a Hole on the Black Lead, 
Creswick, at a depth of 60 feet 6 inches from the surface. The Head was found at 
the bottom of a drift, which drift formed a superstratum to the clay. The Head is 
at present in precisely the same state as when found by us. 

And we make this solemn Declaration conscientiously believing the same to be 
true, and by virtue of the provisions of an Act, made and passed in the 9th Year 
of the Reign of Her present Majesty, intituled, An Act for the more effectual 
abolition of Oaths and Affirmations taken and made in various departments of the 
Government of New South Wales, and to Substitute Declarations in lieu thereof, 
and for the suppression of voluntary and extra judicial Oaths and Affidavits. 

(Signed) James Smith, Robert Tapley, John Mackie. 

Made and signed before us at Creswick, this 24th day of March, 1855, 

(Signed) F. J. Bury, J.P., Bernard Smith, J.P., James Green Taylor, J.P. 


ExtTrActs FROM LETTERS FROM THOMAS Burr, Eso., District SURVEYOR. 


I was present at the time this affirmation was made, and have cogent reasons 
for believing that this is no imposition, from the circumstance of having, in con- 
nexion with mineralogy, for many years been accustomed to study the fracture 
of different substances, it has led me to examine minutely the surface of any 
matter put into my hands; and the entire surface of this Head presents a homo- 
geneous appearance, which indicates that, at whatever time it was carved, the 
whole was done at the same time, and that the mass had been exposed to the same 
circumstances subsequently, except one or two small abrasures, which were evidently 
recent, and were known to have been made since the time that this specimen was 
brought to the surface. The wood appears to be the root of one of the Eucalyptus 
tribe, but the substance has been so changed either by heat, or by pressure, or 
these combined, as to be converted into Graphite. 

It may be as well to observe, that, in connexion with the Carved Head here 
shown, there was a large quantity of Wood, similarly altered in appearance or 
substance. This Wood belongs to Genera and Species identical with that at 
present growing in this part of the Continent of New Holland, namely, Eucalyptus, 
Casuarinae and Banksia; the cones of the latter, more especially, being met with 
in profusion, and beautifully preserved. 

(Signed) Thomas Burr. 

Ballarat 29th Sepr. 1855. 


THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 47 


F. J. Bury to J. J. BLunpett & Co, 


Gentlemen.—In reply to your letter of the 20th instant, on the subject of the 
Carving in Wood found at Creswick on the 21st February last—I beg to state 
that the carving in question was brought to me by James Smith and party within 
a few hours after its discovery and remained for some time in my possession. The 
strata in which the carving was found was Black Clay, and the ground was first 
opened and worked by Smith’s party; in the same hole, and in several adjacent 
ones, large portions of Wood and honeysuckle cones were, at various times, found 
at depths varying from fifty to eighty feet. 

The Declaration, subsequently signed before me, was made in consequence of 
reports having been circulated that the carving had been executed by Smith’s 
party. 

I am, Gentlemen, 
Your most obedient servant, 
(Signed) F. J. Bury. 

To Messrs. J. J. Blundell & Co., Melbourne. 


EXPLANATION OF PLATES 


Priate I. 
The Keilor skull before removal of incrustation. 


Pirate II. 

C. C. Brittlebank’s geological map and section of the area near the junction of 
Myrniong Creek with the Werribee River where he found stone implements in 
sub-basaltic river gravel. Heights are shown relative to his house, “Dunbar,” 
which is about 1200 ft. above sea level. 


Pirate III. 


Figs. 1 and 2. The Pejark implement. Top and base. 

Figs. 3 and 4. One of the Myrniong implements: a crude axe or chopper made 
by flaking both sides of one end of a flat quartzite pebble. Aspect 
from each side. 

Figs. 5 and 6. The Buninyong bone. Aspect from each side. 


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48 THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 


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50 THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 


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THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 51 


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Education Dept. 


52 THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 


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Jardine, F., 1928. The Topography of the Townsville Littoral. Repts. Great 
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THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 53 
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7 

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54 THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 


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THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 55 


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The Keilor Skull before removal of incrustation 


56 THE PROBLEM OF ANTIQUITY OF MAN IN AUSTRALIA 


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(142), pp. 121-24, 1 pl. 

1938 b. The Origin of the Tasmanian Race. Ibid., 38 (217), pp. 198-203. 

1939. The Cranial and other Skeletal Remains of Tasmanians in the Com- 
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Wunderly, J., and F. Wood Jones, 1933. The Non-Metrical Morphological 
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Zeuner, F. E., 1935. The Pleistocene Chronology of Central Europe. Geol. Mag., 
72, pp. 350-76. 


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THE KEILOR FOSSIL SKULL: ANATOMICAL 
DESCRIPTION 


By J. Wunderly, D.Sc. 
Hon. Craniologist, National Museum, Melbourne 
Plates IV-LX 


The Keilor skull, when found, was almost completely covered 
with a mineral incrustation, the greater part of which has since 
been removed from the outer surface. The mandible and a part 
of each zygomatic arch, of the right temporal bone, and of the 
occipital bone, are missing. The skull was unearthed by a work- 
man whose pick penetrated the cranium and shattered a piece of 
the right parietal bone measuring about 35 x 27 mm. The bone 
of the skull is mineralized and is very firm. 

Photographs were taken after the removal of the incrustation 
(Pl. IV-VI). Contour drawings have been made (PI. VII-IX) 
and measurements are shown in Tables I and II in comparison 
with corresponding data for series of Australian, Tasmanian, 
Melanesian, and Polynesian male skulls. All figures in these tables, 
except those for the Keilor skull and Tasmanian skulls, are quoted 
from Wagner (10); figures for Tasmanians are from Wunderly 
(11) and Morant (6). In both tables two columns of figures are 
shown under each heading except that referring to the Keilor 
skull; the first are measurements and the second show the number 
of specimens measured. 

Orbitale, both poria, basion, and opisthion are all present. The 
difficulty in locating the prosthion, to which Wagner and others 
have alluded, is somewhat reduced in the Keilor skull, because 
some of the alveolar bone in this region has been lost through 
post-mortem damage, leaving a fairly sharp point of bone, which 
is the only one that can be used for measurements. Visual examina- 
tion suggests that about 2 mm. of the alveolar bone has been lost, 
but the measurements have been made from the existing point of 
bone. All measurements from the alveolar point and prosthion 
are therefore approximate. A suitable point for measuring the 
bizygomatie breadth is available on the right side; on the left 
side, however, a point was used on a line joining the lateral edges 
of the broken anterior and posterior ends of the arch; this measure- 
me is estimated to be between 1 and 2 mm. less than the correct 
value. 

The means in Table I were not all calculated from measurements 

57 


58 THE KEILOR FOSSIL SKULL: ANATOMICAL DESCRIPTION 


made according to the biometric technique of Buxton and Morant 
(3). Those used by Morant (6) were calculated from measure- 
ments made by other authors. The symbols in the table are 
those used by Morant and other authors of papers published in 
Biometrika, with two additional symbols, Z:, Zz. Wunderly’s (11) 
figures for the orbital breadth of the Tasmanians apply to the 
dacryal orbital breadth. 

The inferior border of each nasal bone is missing. The maximum 
width of the nasal bones, measured at their existing lower borders, 
is 165 mm. Their width at the fronto-nasal suture is 19 mm. As 
the lateral margins of the pyriform aperture exhibit the positions 
to which the nasal bones originally extended, their maximum width 
has been measured on these margins; it is 20 mm. 

All linear measurements are in millimetres. 


ANATOMICAL CHARACTERISTICS 


The skull is long, but it is not high or wide relative to its length. 
The surface of the bone is generally smooth. The areas of muscle 
attachment are not as rough as in many Australian skulls. 

The median curvature of the frontal bone is as broad as that 
found in the majority of the skulls of Australian and Tasmanian 
males. The superciliary and supra-orbital ridges are moderately 
prominent, but the nasion is not deeply depressed. 

The parietal eminences are not as prominent as they are in many 
Tasmanian skulls, but they are more noticeable than in the 
majority of Australian crania. The Keilor skull exhibits occipital 
protuberance to an extent that is unusual in the skulls of males 
of the Oceanic races, except the Tasmanian. 

The cranial sutures are not complicated. The metopic suture is 
patent throughout almost its whole length. Parts of the coronal 
and the metopic sutures are fused outwardly. The posterior one- 
third of the sagittal suture lies in a slight depression. 

The orbits are distinctly rectangular and their transverse axes 
are inclined upwards at their median ends more than in some 
Tasmanian, but less than in the majority of Australian skulls. In 
the upper margin of the right orbit there is a notch about 3 mm. 
is and in that of the left orbit a shallow groove about 5 mm. 
wide. 

The margins of the narial aperture are not so broadly rounded 
as in many Tasmanian and Australian skulls. On the right the 
inferior margin is single and well defined, while on the left it is 
double and it has fairly sharp edges. The nasal bones are typically 
Australian, and they lack the extreme restriction and convexity 
seen in many Tasmanian specimens. 


THE KEILOR FOSSIL SKULL: ANATOMICAL DESCRIPTION 59 


The canine fossae are deep. The facial part of the skull exhibits, 
in addition to the Tasmanoid characters that have been referred 
to, several others which are described elsewhere in this volume 
by Dr. Wm. Adam. 

The Keilor skull has none of the extreme features that are seen 
in many Australian male crania, such as the acute keeling of the 
vault, the very rough areas of muscle attachment, and the general 
ruggedness of bone construction. 

On account of the inerustation on the inner aspect of the 
cranium, it was not possible to measure the ¢ranial capacity in the 
usual way. Lee’s formula No. 10 was, therefore, used in caleu- 
lating it. This formula is as follows: 

‘000365 (Length X Breadth X Auricular Height) + 359°34. 

Anatomically, the skull exhibits a mixture of Australoid and 
Tasmanoid characteristics in about equal proportions. In general 
form it resembles the cranial type of the South Australian males, 
but the parietal eminences and the superciliary ridges are more 
prominent than is usual in them. 


CRANIAL Contour Drawtnas 


Contour drawings of the Keilor skull are shown in PI. VII, 
VIII and IX. 

Type contours were obtained from four male Tasmanian skulls 
in the Anatomy School, University of Melbourne; war-time con- 
ditions prevent access to a larger series. Since the number of 
specimens is small, mean measurements for Tasmanian type con- 
tours in Table IT are not as accurate as mean values for various 
racial groups quoted from Wagner (10, Table 27 ). 

The irregularity in the line and the asymmetry on the right 
side of the transverse, vertical and horizontal contours of the 
Keilor skull are due to damage caused at the time of discovery. 


Sagittal Contour (Pl. VII). 


The sagittal contour was drawn while the skull was orientated 
at right angles to the Frankfurt horizontal plane, and not as 
described by Bennington (1) and Wagner (10). 

The points marked on the drawings are those used by Wagner 
and are as follows: nasion, N; gamma, 7, in the same horizontal 
plane as nasion, when the skull is orientated in the Frankfurt 
plane; glabella, G; bregma, B; vertex, V; lambda, A; inion, I; 
basion, BA; opisthion, OP; porion, AUR; orbitale, SUB. ORB; 
and alveolar point, AP. 

Fifty-seven measurements of the sagittal contour of the Keilor 
skull are recorded in Table II together with Wagner’s mean 


60 THE KEILOR FOSSIL SKULL: ANATOMICAL DESCRIPTION 


measurements for skulls of males of a number of racial groups. 
The Keilor skull excels all groups in sixteen of these measure- 
ments; less than half the groups exceed the Keilor skull in twenty- 
one of the remaining measurements. 

The sagittal contour of the Keilor skull closely resembles the 
corresponding contour of South Australian male crania figured 
by Wagner (10, fig. 25, Pl. IIT), and by Fenner (4, fig. 5, p. 258). 

Approximately 50 per cent. of the measurements of the Keilor 
skull exceed those of all groups except three. 


Horizontal Contour (Pl. VIIT) 

The horizontal contour was drawn through the glabella while 
the skull was orientated in the Frankfurt plane. The points 
marked on the drawing are as follows: glabella, F ; occipital point, 
O, as far as possible in the median sagittal plane; and the points 
on each side where the contour cuts the temporal lines, TR and TL. 

Twenty-nine measurements are shown in Table II together with 
the measurements of Wagner’s contours for males of several 
racial groups. In seventeen measurements, those of the Keilor 
skull exceed those of all these racial groups. 


Transverse Contour (Pl. IX) 

The transverse contour was drawn through the poria while the 
skull was orientated at right angles to the Frankfurt plane. The 
points marked on the drawing are as follows: the points at which 
the contour cuts the sharp ridge on the crista zygomatica, ZR and 
ZL; the mid-point, M, of the base line; and the point A, where the 
vertical from M meets the contour. The ends of the contour line 
represent the poria on the skull. 

Twenty-nine measurements of this contour are included in 
Table II together with those of the corresponding contour of racial 
groups. In sixteen measurements the Keilor transverse contour 
exceeds those of the corresponding contours of all the groups. 
Only the Sandwich Island group exceeds the Keilor skull in the 
length of the vertical axis. 


CRANIAL MEASUREMENTS 

(a) Absolute Measurements 

Table I gives measurements of the Keilor skull and mean 
measurements of crania of various Oceanic groups; figures for the 
Oceanic groups are quoted from Wagner (10, Table 23), except 
those for Tasmanians, which are from Wunderly (11) and Morant 
(6). This table shows that the Keilor skull is comparatively large. 
In seventeen of the twenty-eight measurements it exceeds the 
mean measurements of all groups shown in the table. Over 60 per 


THE KEILOR FOSSIL SKULL: ANATOMICAL DESCRIPTION 61 


cent. of the measurements of the Keilor skull are greater than the 
mean measurements of all the racial groups recorded in Table I. 

Hrdlitka (5) measured nearly 1,000 Australian skulls. The 
following table shows that three of the more important measure- 
ments of the Keilor skull are comparable with the maxima 
recorded by Hrdlitka, for the corresponding measurements of 
skulls of males of six Australian regional groups: 


Max. Max. Basion- 

Group Glabella Parietal Bregmatic 

Length Breadth Height 
Northern Territory .. .. .. .. .. 206 139 147 
te tes ae ee A 6 142 150 
New South Wales... .. ........ 204 141 147 
ih a 194 140 138 
south Australia .............. 216 146 143 
bo dy Oe AO an, 143 147 
MMMM SADE aed ss ot ay 107 143 143 


(b) Cranial Indices. 


Six indices have been recorded for the Keilor skull. 

The following table compares these indices with corresponding 
indices for eight racial groups, data for which are quoted from 
Wagner (10), Wunderly (11), and Morant (6): 


Breadth- Height- Height- Foramen 
Length Length Breadth Magnum Orbital Nasal 


Or Aw MPG 72'1 100-0 82:1 75:9 54:0 
Total Australia . 70-1 71:8 102-4 84:6 76:2 54:0 
Tasmania—A* . 74:2 70°6 93:9 81:6 78:2 59:9 

B* . 742 71:3 96-3 82:1 — 59:1 
Melanesia .. .. 71:7 74:1 1042 84:2 79-4 53°4 
New Guinea .. 72:0 73°3 102°1 81:5 82:0 51:6 
cae: SD ES BREE Sr 74:1 100:7 888 82:1 47-9 
Marquesan .. .. 76-7 74:2 97-0 86°7 81-9 44-4 
Sandwich Islands 78-5 47:5 98°8 87:7 81:0 49-0 


*A from Wunderly (11) and B from Morant (6). 


In respect of four of the six indices, the values for the Keilor 
skull occupy the middle third of the total range of nine racial 
values, while, in the remaining two indices, they lie in the lowest 
third. 

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 


The foregoing notes reveal the following particulars about the 
Keilor skull: 


1. It combines Australoid and Tasmanoid characteristics in 
about equal proportions. 


62 THE KEILOR FOSSIL SKULL: ANATOMICAL DESCRIPTION 


Compared with the average male skulls of several Oceanic 
races, it is large. 

The form of its contour resembles closely that of the South 
Australian male skull. 

The anatomical characteristics, absolute measurements, and 
contour drawings indicate masculinity. 

The cranial sutures and other features indicate an individual 
of middle age. 

The Australoid and Tasmanoid anatomical characteristics 
are consistent with the theory that the Australians had a 
bi-racial origin, and also with the supplementary theory that 
Australia was originally peopled by Negritos. The presence 
of characteristics of the two racial types is more important 
than their proportional relationship. 


S. St 1S teers 


The theory of remote bi-racial origin of the Australians is 
independent of recent admixture with races, which are known to 
have entered Australia in the north and the north-east in com- 
paratively recent times; this admixture is still going on. 

The characteristics of the Keilor skull are also consistent with 
the geological evidence, which is given elsewhere in this volume, 
that it is of some geological antiquity. 


TECHNIQUE OF EXAMINATION 


In the examination of the Keilor skull, the English biometric 
technique described in several papers published in Biometrika 
(1, 3, and 8) has been followed with a few modifications suggested 
by Wagner (10) and by Wunderly (11). 


Orientation. 


The skull was orientated in the Frankfurt horizontal plane. 
The apparatus used for supporting it is a modification of Martin’s 
Kubuskraniophor. Several years ago the adjustable clamp of the 
kubus was found to cause considerable damage to fragile skulls; 
the clamp was therefore removed and various parts were added, 
as shown in fig. 1. 

Two vertical bars, A and B, have been fixed to each side of the 
kubus frame, and each carries an attachment that is adjustable 
horizontally, one, C’, for insertion into the auditory meatus and the 
other, D’, into the orbit. Each adjustable attachment consists of 
a rod ©’, D’ fitted into a thick-walled tube, C, D, provided with a 
thumb-serew to lock the rod in position. The free end of each rod 
is shaped almost to a knife edge for a length of about 18 mm. The 
knife edge on C’ is on the upper surface, and that on D’ is on the 


THE KEILOR FOSSIL SKULL: ANATOMICAL DESCRIPTION 63 


lower surface. The knife edges, when adjusted to support a skull, 
are in the same horizontal plane. Attachment C’ is not adjustable 
vertically, while D’ is adjustable both vertically and horizontally 
and it can be clamped in either direction by thumb-screws. 

An adjustable part, E, attached to the front of the frame pro- 
vides support under the maxillae; this part resembles a tuning 
fork with the handle attached to the kubus, and the two arms bent 
so as to give support under the maxillae. The two arms are 
separated about 20 mm. so as not to interfere with measuring, or 
drawing in the median sagittal plane. 


FIG. 1. 


The two poria points can rest on the ends of the knife edges, or 
the ends can be inserted as far as necessary into the meati. In 
either case, the knife edge, resting against the inferior border of 
each orbit, must be adjusted vertically to correspond horizontally 
with the poria. If the inferior border of one orbit or one prorion 
is missing, a skull can still be orientated reasonably accurately. 
Fragile skulls can be given additional support in the kubus by 
means of thread, wire, or plasticine. 

By turning the kubus so that different aspects rest on the bench, 
the skull can be orientated in the Frankfurt plane or in any plane 
at right angles to it. 


64 THE KEILOR FOSSIL SKULL: ANATOMICAL DESCRIPTION 


Contour Drawings 


The cranial contour drawings shown in Pls. VII, VIII and IX 
are made in accordance with directions given by Bennington (1) 
and Wagner (10). The modified kubus enables the sagittal and 
the transverse contours to be drawn at right angles to the Frank- 
furt plane, and not with the orientation used by Wagner and 
others. A skull may be supported face downwards while the trans- 
verse vertical drawing is made, and thus both right and left sides 
are directly represented in the drawing. 


Craniometric Measurements 


The anatomical points, between which measurements were made, 
are those defined by Buxton and Morant (3), with certain reser- 
vations suggested by Wagner (10). Points not anatomically 
obvious have been treated as closely as possible in accordance with 
the directions given by these writers, 


ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 


My thanks are due to Dr. J. M. Baldwin, Government Astrono- 
mer of Victoria, for accurate adjustment of drawing apparatus; 
C. W. Brazenor for photographing the skull; D. J. Mahony, 
Director of the National Museum, Melbourne, for advice and 
revision of the manuscript; and Professor §. Sunderland, the 
University of Melbourne, for assistance in the location of various 
points on the Keilor skull. 


PLATES 


IV. Skull with incrustation partly removed. 
Fig. 1. Right profile. 
Fig. 2. Left profile. 
V. Skull with incrustation partly removed. 
Fig. 1. Front. 
Fig. 2. Back. 
VI. Skull with incrustation partly removed. 
Fig. 1. Top. 
Fig. 2. Base. 
VII. Sagittal contour. 
VIII. Horizontal contour. 
IX. Transverse contour. 


REFERENCES 
1. Bennington, R. Crewdson. Cranial Type Contours. Biometrika, 8, p. 123, 
1911-12. 


2 Berry, RB, J, Au, A. We Dy Robertson, and K. S. Cross. A Biometrical Study 
of the Relative Degree of Purity of Race of the Tasmanian, Australian, and 
Papuan. Proc. Roy. Soc. Edin., 31, pp. 17-40, 1910-11, 


THE KEILOR FOSSIL SKULL: ANATOMICAL DESCRIPTION 65 


Buxton, L. H. Dudley, and G. M. Morant. The Essential Craniological 
Technique. Journ. Roy. Anthrop. Inst., 63, pp. 19-47, 1933. 

Fenner, F. J. The Australian Aboriginal Skull: Its Non-Metrical Morpho- 
logical Characters. Trans. Roy. Soc. South Australia, 63 (2), 1939. 
Hrdlitka, A. A Catalogue of Human Crania in the United States National 
Museum Collections: Australians, Tasmanians, etc. Proc. U.S. Nat. Museum, 
71, Art. 24, pp. 1-140, 1928. 

Morant, G. M. A Study of the Australian and Tasmanian Skulls, based on 
Previously Published Measurements. Biometrika, 19, pp. 417-40, 1927. 
Robertson, A. W. D. Craniological Observations on the Lengths, Breadths, 
and Heights of a Hundred Australian Aboriginal Crania. Proc. Roy. Soc. 
Edin., 31, pp. 1-16, 1910-11. 


. Tildesley, M. L. A First Study of the Burmese Skull. Biometrika, 13, p. 176, 


1920-21. 


. Turner, W. Report of H.M.S. Challenger. Zoology, 10 (1), Crania, pp. 


1-130, 1887. 


. Wagner, K. The Craniology of the Oceanic Races. Videnskaps-Akademi | 


Oslo, 1, Mat.-Naturv. Klasse, 2, 1937. 


. Wunderly, J. The Cranial and Other Skeletal Remains of Tasmanians in 


Collections in the Commonwealth of Australia. Biometrika, 30, pts. 3-4, pp. 
305-40, 1939. 


. Wunderly, J. The Origin of the Tasmanian Race. Man, 38, pp. 198-203, 1938. 


THE KEILOR FOSSIL SKULL: ANATOMICAL DESCRIPTION 


68 


TABLE II 
MEASUREMENTS OF Type Contours: KremLor SKULL AND MEAN VALUES OF 


Racrat Groups (MALEs) 


3 
zs 
oy 
<3 
>" 
ES 
35 
Ky 
= 
2 
: 
S 
$ 
x 


Transverse Contours 


.& bY Se © © Oe B Bhd: Sire ee 
oo oe oe re ee oe ne eS ie ee pe ese “S78 Es. Ses 


ARRSSSSSSSSSSSSSSESARRROOGST* 


—_- £ oe te. 616 Sh Le Pf Ok SS ee. Soe. oe 


~~ he eS oe ee ee SB iees Fe Se Le See ene Se ee 


DARN ial WMWArD mr mH NN Loa) ~~ 
LAASSSS SSSSSSSSSSSERRARSO oo 


o-~ 2 © wy Oe Ses 28 
eee tele TSee & A Fee ae Sh A OS RAE Se Oe 


CRRVGSSSSESSSSSSSSAARSARLALSSO 


Ss a ee ee ee ee ee ee ee ae a ae a ee Sh le he 
oe 2 Se ie te ee es eee he be Be ee ee Se eee oe ore 


SOOAAADA—K—AMNAANANAAINSD wo w= ao 
LSRRAARAASSSSSSSSAARASLHARIASS 


ik oe S68 eee Ge Hk, & hee & bee ee oe ae Oe “ee 


ORRSASRSSSSSSSSSARARECRAROLSST*T 


NOORAABANVH_TAATANANY—Awn Sony—-—oneqeannm 
YOLSAAAFASSSSSSSSSARASSRALLSA 


ee ee a ce ee “en. 6 ee ee eee oe oe 


KRASSSSSSSSSSSSSSRSRR 


SMM NMNSCMOMMMMMNBOSCCOCOMMMNoOoOoonNnse 


es mW] 
< ote setety OS —) 
SM ISS HAR AS KASTEN SAKASSISANRH 


Horizontal Contours 


ie ee 6 O24 bi Od Sa Oe Wake. 16 a ie 
- Fie F Boe 2 ee bee Say tes 2 Ee 


+ oe 6. ee 2 ee a Skee We ee ea aie oe eee © oe eee oe 


SIVRASSSFARSSSSRBSSSSAPTARSSAS 


o bie @ hee be Be Se 1 cee 8 


tne Se oe ee eo Se 2 me UR Se 2 6S Re 6k OR he ee 


te bh the Oe be Le Meee eb Se (ORAS pentane cody rion ereerer pe: 


BSAARRISFSRAARSSSSRRESSSSFARSHSA 


cis, oe ele Be ee a ee eee 
Be nt 8 6 ee OR ee eee ee ee ee 


ete) yeh 4 EO el Mg A ae ie a 


SIARRSPLFRASSSSSSS 


RASFRRSSRA 


Se ee ee ee ie ie 


> & eee SE. = 2 ee. “Fe Se “es, Se Ee Se 8 Oe ee SS 


BARRRSSRLSRAARSSSSSSRRFSAAGRAA 


i - wis ech se SM Oe 8 Oo OW e Be FF eee See S 


& # 2-2 Oe ab 6 ie 2 2 Be FS FSS BAe Ae Se 8 eer eee 


WPS PSD MmAMDAAADAAIMNAN— rey MN A= TN 


TORR ADODRANDOSTANTAAUOHTONHAALHA 
SRARRSSSSFRARARSSSSSSRAFSRQARGRANA 


Se ae ee ee ee ee 
> eR we eee, ee le ae erie a eee Ae ee 


BIARRSSSSARASSSSSSSSRAGIRSHRRAA 


SCOMSMMNMMNMOCCOMOCOCMMMNONoCooooonoe 


mo Ee ey 
OPA RS de Ae eae ed eA KASSOSCERERER 


69 


THE KEILOR FOSSIL SKULL: ANATOMICAL DESCRIPTION 


Taste II—(Continued) 


MEASUREMENTS OF TyPE Conrours: KEILOR SKULL AND MEAN VALUES OF 


Ractat Groups (Mates) 


= 

3 
= 
ra 
35 
| 
= 
wid 
gs 
=¥ 
= 
2 
33 
ca 
x 
3 
w 

» 

2 

‘a 

se 


MA fos f= £5 fH Ss st 2 gs he tes = tin, toe ee SR eR ere ES Se ee 5 ee es cu ee te ee 


ee eee ee ee er ke ee et ee eee ee ee a, ee eet py a ee oe tee he 


WON = tON—— ON THAR ANMONnOTHATHN a = NAnR—nRnOtTH— TA 
Ee ee ae eee te Oe he eR a Vee oe b's ee ee ee ee ne a oe a aie 6 ie Ye oe eed a! ee Ce a ee 
5 Poe a Pk Se Se oe eS eS aes ooo eee eo Pee — « Fie oe Se SS RSS RY 88 88 eee eee 


a ee a a, Se ee a ee ee ee ee, ee ee ae er ar ire a a ee ee ee ot oe ee oe 


RSERKS HAAARSSBS RRARPARS AP SRAARRSSSRS LRM ARAARSRSSRCAESSSRA 


A PES TSPT SES Sree ss sess see sescr Messer e th et se MM seset sts wh sk ce fh 


° 
TANMS DN DAHDOSDMOM ONS AMS DDONDAAONNADNNADTODNDO TMoO—NHtFAORN—M—NnHAGCMONYO 


BSELS A“ AFARSSSSSRRRA FRAN AP RAAARASSSSRER OM RHAS SAS SHRLALGSRA 


a ei el ee ie ee, ed ie oe ee ee, ”~A 22 ££ 2 &-2 @ &f 2 = & & © % 8) eae Sue! See eo eee 
a 6-8 FS Se SS Wee. Oe See eee) os eee we a Te a i tt ee * 6.8 € Ss £°S 8. Fs © oa Se eee 


i? 


DBABLS*TSVAASRSSSRSISOS SRA KLHS AFRESSSSL"VRRIRSRSSALIOSRAR 
— SR RRS SRS SS CS EE Se Se OS Sek tt He ee eke See Be ee yee peg yes eee eee 
DOUNNONNDR OANA TH TON TANG —TAIMONMRNOMO-SNRO—eToOEMMOeHnRTOAAaRA 
aaa aint nti ee aan abe 9 SR at Set ede ae =n Wyraee oe calen eee PCRS ee et et eee ee cay ee 
RRBRS*OWNRASRBSSRSSAOARGAR AO SRARFISSSRSLAOMSHSRBNRSTREGL ERAT 
Soe 8 RS ee See ke Ree Se eee ee ECR os Selon o@ 2 TH tess t s 2 to s 8S :: 
TITIVEO ANIM DOOMMONNNNHD THCOENANMAMNQOON TA wOScSo—NOONNCONMOTTO 
SRABRSTOGRARARSSORSSAOS SANT ALSSRRAFSSSSSSOMMEH ABRSSRLSFSARARA 
ef 3 8-£.6 8 S23 878s 2 8 oP 2-88 Ee S. aries Ww ee 
FT oe RU ee Ree TPO LIT TULL VIL ii iiisece 
RRSSS°ZHAAZRSSSSSRARAARASI“AXIBARY AARS 


ZPSCS° MASSE SBRSSEBALFHRSAS-FSBARAASTSBX-Wgggssesssegrsaas 


x from 


Zs 


> ee 
QOZ—nuMmtnon@aan AaDR AA 


8 
» E 
a SO yy Aa aye 


iid dp 


GI base line 


Oa e? &S 


FIG. 2 
The Keilor Skull 


FIG. 2 
The Keilor Skull 


It; 


The Keilor Skull 


VII. 


PLATE 


Nat. Mus. Vicrt., 13. 


Mem. 


4noyuo’y [0441605 :4;NHg AOp1ay OY 


‘HdS 


Praty VIL. 


TL ——- TR 


The Keilor Skull: Horizontal Contour 


Mem. Nat. Mus. Vicr., 13. PLATE IX. 


2 


M4 | 
M 


The Keilor Skull: Vertical or Transverse Contour 


Mem. Nar. Mus. Vicr., 13, 1943. 


THE KEILOR FOSSIL SKULL: PALATE AND UPPER 
DENTAL ARCH. 


By William Adam, D.D.Se. 
Plates X-XI. 


Standard anatomical terms are used in describing the palate 
and teeth; the methods adopted for measurements are those of 
the Galton Laboratory, London University. The points between 
which measurements were made are those defined by Buxton and 
Morant (3) ; in addition, other measurements suggested by Camp- 
bell (4) are included. Standard anthropometric instruments and 
modifications of standard precision instruments were used. Data 
concerning recent Australian aborigines are quoted from Campbell 
(4) and those for recent Tasmanian aborigines are from an 
unpublished thesis submitted by the author of this paper for the 
Degree of D.D.Sc., in which his researches on jaws and teeth of 
56 ‘Tasmanian skulls are recorded; a typescript copy of this thesis 
has been deposited in the Melbourne University Library. 

Although measurements are recorded to one-tenth of a milli- 
metre, it is not claimed that this degree of accuracy is attained in 
every instance owing to the difficulty of precisely locating the 
position of certain points since the alveolar margins have been 
slightly abraded post-mortem. 

The mandible is missing. 

The upper jaw is large, well developed and somewhat projecting. 
The infra-orbital (canine) fossa is large and deep. The right 
maxilla is slightly larger than the left. 

The following measurements give figures for the Keilor skull, 
modern Tasmanians and modern Australians. G’TH is the Nasion- 
Alveolar Point chord; LB, the Nasion-Basion chord; and GL, the 
Basion-Alveolar chord. LB and GL for the Keilor skull were 
measured by Dr. J. Wunderly. The Tasmanian group includes 
both males and females; the figures in brackets are maximum and 
minimum measurements. 

The Australian group (males) is Morant’s pooled A group, first 
sample (Morant, 6, p. 487); the figures in brackets indicate the 
number of specimens measured : 


Keilor Tasmanian Australian 
eee, ae bes 74:2 63°2 (575-74) 66°8 (79) 
tn Nh ES te ell 96°2 (88°5-111) 102°1 (137) 
Pewee. she 337, JOS 96°3 (89-109) 103°2 (106) 


G 71 


72 THE KEILOR FOSSIL SKULL: PALATE AND UPPER DENTAL ARCH 


Flower’s method (5) of determining the degree of prognathism 
is used for estimating the Gnathic Index. The length of the Basion- 
Alveolar Point chord is multiplied by 100 and divided by the 
length of the Basion-Nasion chord. 


Gnathice Index oo 
Reilor-skwl ..c) wee Vs SPOR 
Tasmanian adults .. .. .. 101°4 (93°3-107 6) 
Australian adults .. .. .. 1045 (93:'1-115°3) 


The condition is thus expressed : 
Orthognathous—when the index is below 98. 
Mesognathous—when the index is between 98:1 and 103. 
Prognathous—when the index is above 103. 


The Keilor skull and average Tasmanians are therefore mesog- 
nathous and average Australians are prognathous. 

The palate is large and the upper dental arch is horseshoe- 
shaped, with the third molars and post-dental processes curving 
well inwards (Pl. X, fig. 1). It is not quite symmetrical, the right 
side being slightly larger than the left. The sagittal suture is 
plainly visible, but the transverse and pre+maxillary sutures are 
obscure, possibly on account of incomplete removal of the cal- 
careous incrustation which originally covered the whole palate. 
There is a narrow, low maxillary torus which is slightly higher on 
the left than on the right side ; it is continuous with a large palatine 
torus. The palate is very broad in relation to its length. 

An interesting feature is an unerupted tooth lying in the sagittal 
plane in the maxillary torus on the left side ; it is probably a super- 
numerary tooth, since all teeth of the permanent dentition or their 
sockets are present. Most of the tooth is covered with bone and its 
form cannot be determined. Professor A. Amies of the Melbourne 
University radiographed the palate from various angles, but the 
anaes incrustation in the nasal fossae prevented satisfactory 
results. 

The following are measurements of the palate: the first three 
are those used by the Galton Laboratory and the remainder are 
Campbell’s: 


G’1. Palate length; from orale to staphylion, 56°5 mm. 

Go. Palate breadth; distance between points on the alveolar border on 
the palatal side of the upper second molar teeth, 47-2 mm. 

EH. Palate depth from Gy, chord to the median palatal suture, 13-5 mm. 

p-p- Inner palatal width on the alveolar border opposite the second 


premolars, 41 mm. 
CC Inner palate width opposite the cuspids, 33-5 mm. 


THE KEILOR FOSSIL SKULL: PALATE AND UPPER DENTAL ARCH 73 


FIG. 1. 
Keilor. 


FIG. 2. FIG. 3. 
Tasmanian. Australian (from Campbell, 1925). 


74 THE KEILOR FOSSIL SKULL: PALATE AND UPPER DENTAL ARCH 


Al.Sta. Chord from alveolar point to staphylion, 59°5 mm. 

AL Sp. Chord from alveolar point to tip of posterior nasal spine, 64°5 mm. 

Su.Sta. Chord between point of intersection of transverse palatal and 
median palatal sutures and staphylion, 16:3 mm. 

Fo.Su. Chord between posterior edge of incisive canal and transverse 
suture, 27°2 mm. 

ial Length of post-dental process, 11 mm. 

eRe Maximum width of palate opposite second molar, 71°5 mm, 

Max.L. Maxillary length from alveolar point to alveolon, 61:3 mm. 


Fig. 1 is a type contour of the palate, drawn by the method 
adopted by Campbell; fig. 2, a Tasmanian palate; and fig. 3 illus- 
trates an Australian palate and the points used by Campbell (4, 
fig. 5, p. 37). 

The Palatal Index as defined by Flower indicates the proportion 
of the breadth of the palate to its length; it is based on measure- 
ments of the external dimensions of the alveolar arch. 


Palatal Index 


x.x. X 100 
Max.L. 


Turner (6) classified palates as dolichuranic, Palatal Index 
below 110; mesuranic, between 110 and 115; and brachyuranie, 


= 1166 


FIG. 4. 


above 115. The Keilor skull and Tasmanians (average 111°9) are 
therefore brachyuranic, and Australians (average 1077) doli- 
churanic. 

The maxillae are intact; three molars on each side and the 
right second premolar are present, together with some roots of 
teeth which have broken off post-mortem. The sockets of all 
missing teeth are present. The bone at the necks of the teeth is 
slightly abraded. The arch is symmetrical, and the teeth are large 
and well formed. Attrition is marked, class 3 of Broca (2), and 


THE KEILOR FOSSIL SKULL: PALATE AND UPPER DENTAL ARCH = 75 


there is a fair amount of inter-proximal wear. The teeth, though 
well worn, show no caries. There is some recession of the alveolar 
bony margins, but in life there was only slight if any pyorrhoea; 
post-mortem abrasion probably accounts for the slight loss of bone 
at the necks of the teeth. 

It is possible to record only the mesio-distal and bucco-lingual 
diameters of the crowns of the teeth. These measurements were 
carefully taken, but are only approximate, since the crowns are 
worn by attrition; those on the left side are too worn for measure- 
ment. 

With vernier callipers readings were taken to one-tenth of a 
millimetre. The crown measurements are the projective readings 
taken with callipers placed at right angles to the long axis of the 
teeth as shown in fig. 4. The terminology is that used by Black (1). 


MEsI0-DISTAL DIAMETERS. 
2nd Premolar Ist Molar 2nd Molar 3rd Molar 
Keilor Skull 7:1 11:2 9-9 9-7 
Recent Aust. 7°23(6°5-8°25) 11-43(10-13) 10°93(10-12°5) 10°3(8-13 
Tasmanian 7°6(6°2-8°8) = 11°3(10°2-12-2) 11(10-12°5) 10°3(8°9-12:5) 


BUCCO-LINGUAL DIAMETERS. 
2nd Premolar Ist Molar 2nd Molar 3rd Molar 


Keilor Skull 10-6 13:2 13 12 
Recent Aust. 10°4(8°5-12) —-:12-84(11-5-14-75) 13-1(11-16) — 12:33(10-15) 
Tasmanian . 10°5(9-5-12°3) 12:7(11°4-14) —-13(11-8-14°8)  12-5(11-13-7) 


SuMMARY AND DISCUSSION. 


Typical Tasmanian and Australian palates and dental arches 
are shown in Plate XI for comparison with those of the Keilor 
specimen. , 

In the table below, measurements of the Keilor Skull and corre- 
sponding measurements of recent Australian and ‘Tasmanian 
skulls are set out. 


Keilor Australian Tasmanian 
Gy 56:5 51-5(46°5-59°5) 49(40°5-59) 
G, (YY) 47-2 39 (32-44°5) 38°6(31-45°5) 
EH 1375 10°95(7-17°5) 9-1(3:2-13) 
(Pr) Al.Sta. 59-5 57°8(51-°5-67°5) 52:9(48:7-57:4) 
(Pr) ALSp. 64°5 62°7(51-73) 56°8(52:3-66) 
Su.Sta. 16°3 12:7(8-17:5) 9:9(6:2-14:7) 
Fo.Su. DISe 29:°4( 20-35) 30°5(27:2-35°8) 
p-p. 41 * 34:2(30-41) 35°5( 32-41) 
oe 3e°5 26°4(22°5-31) 26°8(23:°7-33) 
Pd. 11 * §8°85(4-15) 7°5(3°5-10°8) 
Max.L. 61:3 60°5 (54-67 ) 56°4(51°5-61°5) 


25, 71:5 62°1(56-75°5) 63°8(57°5-71) 


76 THE KEILOR FOSSIL SKULL: PALATE AND UPPER DENTAL ARCH 


From these measurements it will be seen that the Keilor is larger 
than average Australian and Tasmanian skulls, but with the two 
exceptions of Gz (the inner width of the palate between the 2nd 
molar teeth) and ¢.c., all measurements of the Keilor skull lie 
within those of the largest recorded Australian skulls. Seven of 
its measurements exceed the maxima of those recorded by the 
writer for Tasmanian skulls. 

The Keilor skull with a Gnathic Index of 99:1 and the average 
Tasmanian skull with a Gnathic Index of 101°4 are mesognathic; 
the average Australian skull has a Gnathic Index of 104°5 and is 
prognathous. 

The palate of the Keilor skull is very large and well developed. 
Though larger measurements are recorded by Campbell for some 
Australian skulls, the upper jaw of the Keilor skull is larger than 
most modern Australian jaws and is larger in a number of its 
measurements than any of the Tasmanian jaws examined by the 
writer. 

The teeth of the Keilor skull, though slightly smaller in their 
mesio-distal diameters than the average corresponding Australian 
and ‘Tasmanian teeth, are about the same size in bueco-lingual 
diameter ; all measurements fall within the range of measurements 
for corresponding Australian and Tasmanian teeth. 

The teeth are too much worn to admit a comparison of cusp 
form, but the type of wear is similar to that found in Australian 
and Tasmanian cusps. The food of Keilor man was evidently 
coarse and required vigorous mastication. 

Any supernumerary tooth such as the one situated in the hori- 
zontal part of the left maxilla of the Keilor skull is rare in primi- 
tive skulls. No similar occurrence is recorded by Campbell in the 
series of 630 Australian skulls examined by him nor by the writer 
in Tasmanian skulls. Since radiographs were unsuccessful, it is 
impossible to determine its form without dissecting out the tooth. 

A comparison of the Keilor palate with those of Tasmanians 
and Australians (Pl. VII and VIII) discloses that it is more 
Tasmanoid than Australoid in the following respects: 


1. The palatal contour is horseshoe-shaped, with the third 
molars turning well inwards. 

2. It is relatively broad like the Tasmanian palate (brachy- 
uranic) ; the Australian palate is relatively narrower (doli- 
churanic). 

3. Well-developed maxillary and palatine tori are present. 

4, The infra-orbital fossa is deep. 


To Mr. L. A. Baillét of the Melbourne Technical College I am 


THE KEILOR FOSSIL SKULL: PALATE AND UPPER DENTAL ARCH 77 


indebted for the photographs reproduced in Plate X, fig. 1, and 
Plate XI, fig. 2. 


a oe 


r 4 8 


LITERATURE 


Black, G. V., 1902. Descriptive Anatomy of the Human Teeth. S. S. White 
Dent. Manuf. Co., Philadelphia. 

Broca, P., 1879. Instructions relatives a l'étude anthropologique du systéme 
dentaire. Bull. de la Soc. d’Anthropologie de Paris, p. 149. 

Buxton, L. H. D., and G. M. Morant, 1933. The Essential Craniological 
Technique, pt. 1; Definitions of Points and Planes. Journ. Roy. Anthrop. 
Inst., 63, pp. 19-47. 

Campbell, T. D., 1925. Dentition and Palate of the Australian Aboriginal. 
Univ. of Adelaide, Keith Sheridan Publication, no. 1. Hassell Press: Adelaide. 
Flower, W., 1881. On the Cranial Characters of the Natives of the Fiji 
Islands. Journ. Roy. Anthrop. Inst., 10, p. 161. 

Morant, G. M., 1927. A Study of the Australian and Tasmanian Skulls based 
on Previously Published Measurements. Biometrika, XIX, p. 437. 

Turner, W., 1884. Report on the Human Crania and Other Bones of the 
Skeletons collected during the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger in the Years 
1873-1876. Challenger Reports, Zoology, 10, pt. 1, p. 6. 


PLATES 


The Keilor Palate and Dental Arch. 
Fig. 1. Tasmanian Palate and Dental Arch. 
2. Australian Palate and Dental Arch. 


0 98 approx.) 


] 


Fig. 


The Keilor Palate and Dental Arch 


Fig. 1. Tasmanian | 1 1 approx.) 


Fig. 2. Australian |» 1 02 approx.) 


Typical Tasmanian and Australian Palates and Dental Arches 


Mem. Nat. Mus. Vict., 13, 1943. 


THE KEILOR FOSSIL SKULL: GEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE 
OF ANTIQUITY. 


By D. J. Mahony, M.Sce., Director. 


The following is a brief epitome of evidence concerning the age 
of the river terrace in which a human fassil skull was found near 
the junction of Dry Creek and the Maribyrnong River, a mile 
north of Keilor. The skull was unearthed beneath undisturbed 
strata at 18 ft. below the surface of the terrace, and skull and 
terrace are evidently contemporaneous. 

These notes are based on field work carried out by R. A. Keble 
and Miss Hope Macpherson, but the inferences are my own. Mr. 
Keble is preparing a detailed paper on the subject, and he may 
interpret the evidence differently. 

The area at the junction of Dry Creek and the Maribyrnong 
River was geologically mapped. In this locality there are frag- 
ments of three terraces which will be referred to as the Keilor, 
the Braybrook and the Maribyrnong Park Terraces. The surface 
of the Keilor Terrace, in which the skull was found, is on the 103 ft. 
contour and is 45 ft. above the adjacent river bed. The Braybrook 
and the Maribyrnong Terraces are respectively 36 ft. and 27 ft. 
above the river bed. The river is very shallow. 

These terraces were traced downstream in the valley of the 
Maribyrnong River and their surface levels were determined at 
intervals with a dumpy level and between these points with an 
Abney level. The datum to which heights were referred is low 
water mark at Williamstown (L.W.M.), an official datum used 
in Victoria. The mean diurnal rise and fall of tide at Williams- 
town is 2 ft. 

All the terraces are paired in some localities; in others erosion 
has reduced their area and in many places only fragments remain. 

Keilor and Braybrook Terraces extend as far as Ascot Vale 
Gap, where the tidal portion of the river flows between two isolated 
basalt-topped hills about a mile apart. Maribyrnong Park Terrace 
extends about half a mile further and follows the o!d course of the 
river east of Quarry Hill, the eastern hill of Ascot Vale Gap. 

Keilor Terrace between Dry Creek and Keilor is about a mile 
in length and a quarter of a mile wide, but its surface is disturbed 
by cultivation. Downstream, near the point where the electric 
transmission line crosses the river, it is about 150 yds. wide and 
it retains its natural surface. Its most southern portion is about 
60 ft. above L.W.M. 

Braybrook Terrace at Dry Creek is 7 ft. lower than Keilor 
Terrace, and at Chinaman’s Ford, where the river becomes tidal, 

79 


80 THE KEILOR FOSSIL SKULL: GEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE OF ANTIQUITY 


the difference in level is 14 ft. The largest surviving fragment is 
about a mile long and a third of a mile wide and is situated at 
Braybrook near the western hill of Ascot Vale Gap. Its surface 
level is here 52 ft. above L.W.M. 

Maribyrnong Park Terrace at Dry Creek is 18 ft. lower than 
Keilor Terrace and at Chinaman’s Ford the difference is 35 ft. 
The largest remaining portion extends from a little above Ascot 
Vale Gap east and south of Quarry Hill and is about one mile by 
half a mile in area. Maribyrnong Park is situated on it. The 
surface level in this locality is 32 ft. above L.W.M. 

Below Ascot Vale Gap, the river has formed an extensive 
alluvial estuarine flat, the surface of which is about 10 ft. above 
L.W.M. and the adjacent tidal portion of the river. Flemington 
Racecourse is situated on it, and it may be named the Flemington 
Terrace. It merges into the Yarra Delta, the surface of which is 
about 8 ft. above L.W.M. 

The delta deposits are up to 50 ft. thick (Selwyn, 1854) and 
occupy a drowned valley (Hall, 1909). At. Coode Canal, Arca 
trapezium, a species now rare in Port Phillip Bay, is very abun- 
dant at 23 ft. below the surface (Lucas, 1887) and remains of 
Diprotodon were found at 35 ft. in estuarine sand in the Moonee 
Ponds Creek valley a mile north of the Footscray railway (Prit- 
chard, 1899). These organisms suggest some antiquity but do 
not prove the delta deposits to be Pleistocene in age. 


AGE OF THE TERRACES 


An outstanding feature of Pleistocene times is a series of 
eustatic changes in sea level. Relative to present sea level, the 
level fell during glacial phases and rose during interglacial phases. 
In Holocene times it fell 10-20 ft. owing to a slight fall in tempera- 
ture some thousands of years ago (Daly, 1934). 

Bearing these facts in mind, the following tentative correlations 
are made. 

The surfaces of the Flemington Terrace and the Yarra Delta 
were slightly below sea level immediately before the Holocene 
eustatic fall. 

The drowned valley occupied by Flemington Terrace and the 
Delta represents the eustatic fall in sea level during the most recent 
glacial phase, the Wiirm. 

Keilor, Braybrook and Maribyrnong Park Terraces represent 
the eustatic rise of sea level during the Riss-Wiirm interglacial 
phase. Their heights above sea level correspond to the 40-50 ft. 
raised beaches of northern Tasmania which Edwards (1941) corre- 
lated with the Riss-Wiirm interglacial phase. Their differences in 


THE KEILOR FOSSIL SKULL: GEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE OF ANTIQUITY 81 


elevation may represent eustatic fall in sea level caused by decreas- 
ing temperatures towards the end of the Riss-Wirm interglacial 
phase. 


REFERENCES 


Edwards, A. B., 1941. The North-West Coast of Tasmania. Pr. R. Soc. Vict., 
53 (n.s.), pt. 2, pp. 233-67, 6 figs., 3 pl. 

Hall, T. S., 1909. Victorian Hill and Dale. Pp. 160, 39 illustrations. Melbourne: 
Thomas C. Lothian. 

Lucas, A. H. S., 1887. On the Sections of the Delta of the Yarra displayed at 
Fisherman’s Bend Cutting. Pr. R. Soc. Vict., 23, pp. 165-73, 1 fig. 

Pritchard, G. B., 1899. On the Occurrence of Diprotodon australis Owen near 
Melbourne. Jbid., 12 (n.s.), pp. 112-14, 1 pl. 

Selwyn, A. R. C., 1854. Report on the Geology, Palaeontology and Mineralogy 
of the country situated between Melbourne, Westernport Bay, Cape Schanck, 
and Point Nepean; accompanied by a Geological Map and Sections. Parl. 
Pap. Vict., 1854, A-no. 2la, pp. 10, map, 4 sheets of sections. 


ae 


ioe Re 


eet fidy 


‘els a fon tek ti " : 


et 


Mem. Nar. Mus. Vicr., 13, 1943. 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY 
(FORMICIDAE). 


By John Clark, 
Entomologist, National Museum. 


Plates XII-XVII. 


Following a study of the large Australian genus Myrmecia it 
has been considered necessary to divide the species still further. 
At present two subgenera are recognized ; they are Myrmecia s. str. 
and Promyrmecia Emery. In the following pages it is proposed 
to raise Promyrmecia to full generic rank as their stature and 
jumping habits render them quite distinct from the large non- 
jumpers of the genus Myrmecia. The status and species of the 
genus Myrmecia will be dealt with in a subsequent paper. 

In the genus Promyrmecia 55 forms are recorded herein; of 
these 24 are described as new. Most of the species are very local 
and rare, few being at all common. Only one species, P. pilosula 
Smith, the ‘‘black jumper,’’ is found in all the States. With our 
present knowledge little can be said on the distribution of the 
genus. The species appear to be found mainly in Southern 
Australia, ranging round the coastal area from Geraldton, West- 
ern Australia, to Cairns, North Queensland. Few are known from 
more than one hundred miles inland and none from North-Western 
Australia and Northern Territory. 

Many of the species construct a mound over the nest and a few 
make their nest under large stones or logs. The majority nest deep 
in the ground, generally the nest is about 18 inches deep without 
traces of a mound; such nests are difficult to find unless the ants 
are seen to enter or leave. These nests have several small entrances 
scattered over about two square feet. When disturbed the ants 
swarm out from all entrances and advance in a series of jumps, 
the jump averaging one and one-half inches along the ground and 
about half that in height. The longest jump so far measured is 
three and one-fourth inches. Most of the species are very savage, 
while a few are quite timid, but all sting severely. 

The males and females fly during the summer months, mostly 
during January and February. 

Unless otherwise stated the Types are in the National Museum, 


Melbourne. 
83 


84 A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


Family FORMICIDAE Latreille, 1810 
Subfamily Ponerinae Lepeletier, 1836 
Genus PROMYRMECIA Emery 


Myrmecia Fabricius Subgenus Promyrmecia Emery. Genera Insectorum, 
fasc., 118, pp. 18-19, 1911. 

Myrmecia Fabr. Subgenus Pristomyrmecia Emery. Genera Insectorum, 
fasc., 118, pp. 18, 21, 1911. 

Myrmecia Fabr. Subgenus Halmamyrmecia Wheeler. Biol. Bull., xlii, 4, 
p. 194, 1922. 

Myrmecia Fabr. Subgenus Pristomyrmecia Viehmeyer. Ent. Mitteil. Berl., 
Xxill, pp. 220-21, 1924. 

Myrmecia Fabr. Subgenus Promyrmecia Clark. Vict. Naturalist, xlii, pp. 
139-40, 1925; Wheeler, Colony-founding among Ants, pp. 54-55, 1933; 
Clark, Mem. Nat. Mus. Vict., viii, p. 9, 1934. 


Worker. Moderately large ants (4-16 mm.) with well-developed hind legs 
enabling them to make leaps of from one to four inches along the ground. Mandibles 
linear, calliper-like, usually shorter than head, furnished with both large and small 
teeth of various forms, Antennae slender, twelve segments, scapes short, rarely 
extending beyond occipital border; second segment of funiculus longer than first. 
Eyes large and globular, occupying the anterior fourth of the sides of head; ocelli 
large and prominent. Thorax usually twice as long as broad, mesonotum separated 
from the epinotum, by a deep and wide suture. Node large, usually as long as 
broad, stalk in front very short; ventral surface with a more or less developed 
spine in front. Postpetiole bell-shaped, strongly constricted behind, much narrower 
than the abdomen, Legs robust, femur of the posterior pair more or less incrassated 
toward the base. Claws large, bifurcated near middle. 


Female, Similar to the worker but larger, more robust and winged. In general 
the head broader; mandibles shorter, broader and with stronger teeth; node and 
postpetiole broader. Wings with two discoidal cells. 

Ergatoid females are common in the nests of most species. The development of 
the mesonotum and scutellum varies considerably in these females. 


Male. Smaller than the female, colour and sculpture similar. Head small, 
convex; mandibles short, triangular, with few, if any, teeth. Clypeus large and 
convex. Antennae with thirteen segments; scapes short, rarely more than twice 
as long as first segment of funiculus, second segment longest. Eyes large, occupying 
fully half the sides of head. Ocelli large. Mesonotum with distinct mayrian and 
parapsidal furrows. Nodes similar but smaller and more slender. Legs long and 
slender, claws bifurcate. Anterior wings with two discoidal cells. Cerci long. 
Genital armature; stipes arched, volsella and lacina laminate. 


Genotype Promyrmecia aberrans Forel 


The genus is divided into seven groups based on the size and 
shape of the mandibles and scapes of the workers. In many species 
the head of the female differs greatly from that of the worker. 
Text fig. 1 illustrates the differences in the chief species of each 
group. 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


nobilis Clark picta Smith cephalotes Clark chaset Forel pilosula Smith 


° g 


naa 


FIG. 1. 


Kery To Groups 


1. External borders of mandibles concave .. . 37 
2. Head and thorax with wae more or less obsolete 
EE as 12 


1. Mandibles broad, one- fourth shorter than 
head, furnished with short, broad teeth. 
Scapes extend to posterior sixth of head, 
as long as mandibles .. .. .. .. .. .. .. aberrans Forel 
13. Head and thorax striate-rugose .. .. .. .. .. 21 
2. Mandibles one-sixth shorter than head, 
broadest at basal third, teeth longer and 
sharper. Scapes extend to posterior sixth 
of head, one-fifth shorter than mandibles .. picta Smith 


85 


86 


38. 


43. 


49. 


56. 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


22. Head and thorax finely striate .. , 
3. Mandibles linear, almost as long as “head, as 
long as scapes, furnished with four large 
teeth interspersed with smaller teeth. Scapes 
extend to, or very mae’ Pee eal 
border . cd. pceeec ee 
External borders of mandibles convex .. 
39. Head and thorax striate .. .. 

4. Mandibles slightly longer than head, teeth z as 
in pilosula group. Scapes extend slightly 
beyond occipital border .. . 7 

External borders of mandibles concave. “Head and 
thorax finely striate-rugose .. 

5. Mandibles slender, slightly longer ‘than head, 
teeth small, hook-shaped and directed back- 
wards, Scapes extend to 4% ime border . 

Head and thorax finely striate .. .. . 

6. Mandibles slender, straight or very feebly 
concave, as long as, or slightly longer than 
head, five apical teeth erect, behind these the 
teeth, shorter, broader and directed back- 
ward, sawtooth-shaped. Scapes extend to 
occipital border .. 

External borders of mandibles straight or r feebly 
convex. Head and thorax strongly striate .. . 

7. Mandibles slightly longer than head, slender, 
almost parallel, five apical teeth large and 
erect, behind these the teeth obsolete, very 
short, directed backward, sawtooth-shaped. 
Scapes extend to occipital border . 


Key to SPECIES. 


. External borders of mandibles concave .. 


2. Head and thorax with large more or less obsolete 
striae: .. hs 

3. Black; dorsum. of. pronotum and epinotum 
and whole of node bright red; mandibles, 
clypeus and antennae reddish-yellow. Meso- 
notum smooth in middle, with some large 
shallow punctures, a few obsolete striae at 
sides. Node irregularly rugose. ese 12 
mm. 

*4. Head, thorax and petiole. blood. red, man- 
dibles and antennae reddish-yellow.  Pos- 
terior corners of head very smooth and 
shining. | Mesonotum Susan or 
obliquely rugose. 10-13 mm. : 

*5. Black; a large spot behind each eye, one 
on disc of pronotum and upper surface of 
node blood-red. Mandibles and antennae 
reddish. Mesonotum with feeble and oblique 
rugose. Node smooth. 10-13 mm... .. .. 


*From description only. 


37 


pilosula Smith 
42 
41 


cephalotes Clark 
48 


varians Mayr 


tepperi Emery 
66 


mandibularis Smith 


37 
12 


aberrans Forel 


formosa Wheeler 


haematosticta Wheeler 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 
*6. 


13. 


*7; 


10. 


11. 


Colour as in froggatti; body more opaque, 
rugae on mesonotum arcuate and transverse, 
epinotum and node reticulate. 15 mm... .. 
Colour as in taylori. Mesonotum coarsely 
punctate, with indistinct traces of transverse 
rugules, anterior of epinotum indistinctly 
rugose, node more coarsely and distinctly 
rugose. 14mm. . 

Posterior half of head, ‘all the thorax ‘and 
node blood-red, front of head and the legs 
brownish-black; mandibles, antennae and 
tarsi yellow. Mesonotum striate trans- 
versely. Node coarsely reticulate. 11-12 mm. 
Black; mandibles, antennae and tarsi red- 
dish-yellow, teeth of mandibles blackish- 
brown. Mesonotum striate longitudinally. 
Node irregularly <iitcinallibatn sete 11-13 
reel ts 

Black ; dorsum ‘of ‘pronotum, mesonotum, 
epinotum and node bright red; mandibles 
yellowish-red, antennae and tarsi brownish. 
Mesonotum smooth and shining with a few 
scattered shallow punctures. Node circu- 
larly striate. 10-14 mm. 

Head yellowish-red with a broad brown ‘line 
across forehead, pronotum and node bright 
red, mesonotum and epinotum reddish- 
brown, tarsi reddish. Mesonotum striate- 
rugose longitudinally. Node coarsely and 
irregularly rugose. 14°5 mm. , 

Head, thorax and node red, mandibles and 
antennae testaceous, legs brown. Mesonotum 
coarsely and irregularly punctate-rugose. 
Node irregularly rugose, with a central 
longitudinal carina. 15°55 mm... .. .. .. 


Head and thorax striate-rugose . 


14. 


45. 


16. 


Black; mandibles, clypeus, front of sfsce™ to 
about ‘the posterior margin of eyes yellow; 
antennae and anterior legs reddish-yellow, 
intermediate and posterior legs brownish. 
Mesonotum finely and transversely rugose. 
Node irregularly rugose. 9-12 mm. 

Red; posterior half of head and two apical 
segments of gaster black. Mesonotum finely 
and transversely striate. Node coarsely and 
irregularly rugose. 10-11°5 mm. ‘ 
Black; basal half of mandibles and the 
labrum yellow, apical half of mandibles, 
anterior tibiae and apical half of femora and 
all tarsi reddish-yellow; dorsum of pro- 
notum, epinotum and node red. Mesonotum 


*From description only. 


taylori Wheeler 


sericata Wheeler 


froggatti Forel 


maura Wheeler 


nobilis sp. nov. 


eupoecila sp. nov. 


greavesi sp. nov. 


21 


picta Smith 


fucosa Clark 


87 


88 A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


22. 


17. 


18. 


19, 


20. 


ai, 


with faint traces of 2 i Node irregularly 
rugose. 6-8 mm. 

Black; mandibles yellow; clypeus, antennae 
and legs reddish-yellow ; epinotum and node 
red. Mesonotum coarsely reticulate. Node 
irregularly rugose. 6-8 mm... .. 

Black; apical half of mandibles brown, basal 
half reddish- yellow; antennae and legs 
brown; apical half of funiculus and the tarsi 
reddish; pronotum, epinotum and node more 
or less marked with red. Mesonotum finely 
and longitudinally striate-rugose. Node 
irregularly rugose. 7-9°5 mm. ; 
Black; mandibles and labrum yellow; “funi- 
culus, epinotum, node, postpetiole and all 
legs reddish, scapes brown. Mesonotum and 
node densely reticulate. 5°5-6°5 mm... . 
Blackish-brown, mandibles yellow; anten- 
nae, pronotum, mesonotum and legs brown 
or reddish-brown, epinotum and node red. 
Mesonotum with obsolete coarse rugae. 
Node reticulate-rugose. 4-4-5 mm. . 

Black; dorsum of node and a large spot on 
epinotum red; apex of mandibles, labrum 
and funiculus reddish-yellow, scapes brown. 
Mesonotum longitudinally striate - rugose. 
Node oe and Sina went ania 7-9 
mm. eo eee 


Head and ied nae striate .. 


23. 


24. 


25. 


26. 


be. 


Black; mandibles, antennae, tibiae and | tarsi 
yellow. Mesonotum longitudinally striate. 
Node circularly rugose. 12-14 mm. .. 
Black ; mandibles, antennae and legs Babs, 
tarsi reddish, dorsum of gaster covered with 
golden-red pubescence. Mesonotum finely 
striate longitudinally. Node japiaesr apd 
rugose. 10-12 mm. .. 


Colour as in michaelseni but spuibedence on 
gaster more wip Ay ae coarser. 
11-13 mm. 


Black ; mandibles, antennae ee fee! recneht 
brown. Pubescence on gaster yellow, very 
fine, hiding sculpture on first segment. 
Mesonotum finely striate longitudinally. 
Node and postpetiole striate- egg longi- 
tudinally. 12-14 mm. 


Black; mandibles and anterior coxae Brogttt 
legs, including middle and posterior coxae 
yellow. Gaster densely covered with golden 
yellow pubescence. Mesonotum and node 
longitudinally striate. 9 mm. . 


urens Lowne 


infima Forel 


nigra Forel 


rubicunda sp. nov. 


exigua sp. nov. 


dichospila Clark 
37 


pilosula Smith 


michaelseni Forel 


queenslandica Forel 


ruginodis sp. nov. 


chrysogaster sp. nov. 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


28. 


31. 


32. 


33. 


35. 


Black; mandibles yellow, darker at apex, 
antennae and legs brown, tarsi reddish- 
brown. Pubescence on postpetiole and gaster 
forming a dense yellow covering. Meso- 
notum striate-rugose longitudinally. Node 
coarsely and “ae maps reese 4h 
9-12 mm. .. ‘ 


Head, Comesesiales: res ae herd Siete 
and node bright red; mandibles, apical seg- 
ments of funiculus and tarsi yellow, antennae 
and legs brown. Pubescence on_ gaster 
yellowish, long and abundant but not hiding 
the sculpture. Mesonotum striate longi- 
vere Node striate ge 12-15°5 
mm. . 


Siondine to Shab but the niterlod Boftic f 
pronotum, disc of mesonotum, lower half of 
mesosternum and metasternum black. 12-15 
Head and gaster black; thorax, node and 
centre of postpetiole yellowish-red; man- 
dibles yellow, antennae and tarsi reddish- 
yellow ; legs, coxae and base of metasternum 
brown. Mesonotum and node feebly and 
irregularly rugose. Postpetiole en Se: 
striate-rugose. 10°5 mm. . ; 

Black; top half of pronotum, rn of 
epinotum and node red; basal half of man- 
dibles yellow, apical half darker, antennae 
and tibiae brown, tarsi reddish. Mesonotum 
longitudinally striate-rugose. Node coarsely 
and irregularly rugose. Postpetiole finely 
rugose, the rugae more or less obsolete and 
longitudinal. 11-11°5 mm. 

Head, pronotum, mesonotum ata patter 
black, epinotum, node and postpetiole light 
red, mandibles yellow; antennae and legs 
reddish yellow. Mesonotum longitudinally 
striate-rugose. Node eo Sire eo ine 11- 
12mm... . 

Black ; thiandibles altoid antennae aiid tegh 
brown, tarsi reddish-brown. Mesonotum 
longitudinally striate-rugose. Node gabe 
rugose. 10-11 mm. . 

Black; dorsum and sides 1ae renner 
epinotum and node red; mandibles yellow, 
funiculus and tibiae brown, tarsi lighter. 
Mesonotum longitudinally striate - rugose. 
Node coarsely punctate. Postpetiole super- 
ficially punctate-rugose, the ah cspitny large 
and shallow. 10-11 mm. ; bales 


cydista sp. nov. 


chasei Forel 


ludlowi Crawley 


harderi Forel 


scabra sp. nov. 


occidentalis sp. nov. 


celaena sp. nov. 


maloni sp. nov. 


89 


% A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


36. 


37. 


Head, postpetiole and gaster black, a large 
reddish patch at each side of postpetiole, 
thorax and node bright red, mandibles and 
antennae yellow, legs reddish-yellow. Meso- 
notum longitudinally striate. Node circu- 
larly rugose. 13-14°5 mm. .. : 
Black; dorsum of epinotum, node sal ie 
parts the postpetiole blood-red; mandibles 
yellow; antennae and legs reddish-brown. 
Mesonotum longitudinally — striate - rugose. 
11-11-:5 mm. . : + ey 


38. External borders of mandibles convex .. .. 
39. Head and thorax striate .. . 


40. 


41. 


42. 


Head and gaster black; antennae, " tices. 
node, postpetiole, a small patch on each side 
of first segment of gaster and all the legs 
yellowish-red, mandibles yellow. Mesonotum 
finely striate longitudinally, diverging out- 
ward in front. Node striate- bho ani circu- 
larly. 13-14°5 mm. 

Reddish-yellow, head and dase two sataeate 
of gaster black. Mesonotum finely striate 
longitudinally, striae obsolete behind. Node 
circularly striate. 14-5 mm... ..-. .. > 

Head black; antennae, thorax, ae and 
gaster yellowish-red; mandibles and legs 
yellow; base of scapes, anterior edge of pro- 
notum and a spot on each side of mesonotum 
brown. Mesonotum very finely and densely 
punctate-reticulate. Node circularly striate- 
rugose. 12°5-14 mm. . ; 


43. External borders of mandibles concave, teeth hook- 


shaped . 


44. Stead A Gases eer striate rugose. 


45, 


46. 


47. 


Black; node and postpetiole red, mandibles 
and basal half of scapes yellowish-brown, 
apical half of scapes, funiculus and legs 
yellowish-red. Mesonotum finely _ striate- 
rugose longitudinally. Node piano 
rugose. 11-12°5 mm. 

Yellowish-red, head and cakes lak: man- 
dibles, labrum and apex of clypeus yellow. 
Mesonotum finely striate-rugose longitudi- 
nally. Node irregularly rugose. 12°5-14 mm. 
Head and gaster blackish-brown; thorax, 
node, postpetiole and all legs reddish-yellow ; 
mandibles, anterior edge of clypeus, labrum 
and antennae yellow. Mesonotum _longi- 
tudinally striate. Node circularly rugose. 
10-11 mm. .. . yh. Seite hee 


elegans sp. nov. 


opaca sp. nov. 


42 
41 


. cephalotes sp. nov. 


hilli sp. nov. 


callima sp. nov. 


48 


varians Mayr 


wilsoni sp. nov. 


shepherdi sp. nov. 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAL) 


48. 


Black; node red, epinotum reddish on some 
examples; mandibles, antennae and _ legs 
brown; tarsi reddish. Mesonotum finely 
striate-rugose longitudinally. Node irregu- 
larly rugose. 105-14 mm. .. .. .. .. 


49. Teeth sawtooth-shaped . 


50. 


51. 


52. 


53. 


55. 


Blackish-brown ; mandibles, “antennae and 
legs brown. Three apical segments of gaster 
with long and abundant golden yellow pubes- 
cence. Mesonotum finely and closely striate 
longitudinally. Node irregularly, almost 
circularly rugose. 10°5-12 mm. .. 

Black, mandibles yellow, funiculi and legs 
blackish-brown, tarsi lighter. Mesonotum 
strongly striate longitudinally. Node striate- 
rugose. 11-13 mm. . 

Head, postpetiole and gaster black ; ‘thorax 
and node bright red, basal half of mandibles 
yellow, apical half reddish-yellow, antennae 
and legs brown, scapes darker. Mesonotum 
irregularly rugose, somewhat longitudinally. 
Node circularly rugose. 11-12°5 mm... .. 
Head and gaster black; thorax and node 
reddish-yellow; postpetiole generally with 
a large reddish spot on each side in front; 
mandibles, antennae and legs yellow, apex 
of mandibles and base of scapes brown. 
Mesonotum longitudinally striate. Node 
coarsely punctate-rugose. 10-11 mm. .. . 
Head and gaster black; mandibles yellow; 
antennae, thorax, nodes and legs brownish- 
red, base of scapes darker. Mesonotum 
longitudinally striate-rugose. Node coarsely 
punctate-rugose. 9°5-10°5 mm. .. . 

Black; mandibles, antennae and legs brown, 
tarsi lighter. Mesonotum longitudinally 
striate-rugose. Node irregularly and eee 4 
punctate-rugose. 9°5-15 mm... .. 


56. External border of mandibles straight or ’ feebly 
convex, teeth on basal half obsolete and sawtooth- 


shaped . 


Fi 


58. 


Black; mandibles, antennae and legs ‘brown, 
tarsi reddish ; on some examples the man- 
dibles and legs quite reddish. Pubescence on 
gaster bright golden-red, long and abundant. 
Mesonotum and node longitudinally striate- 
rugose. Postpetiole finely striate-rugose in 
front, punctate-rugose behind, appearing as 
elongate punctures. 12-15 mm... . 

Black ; mandibles, antennae and legs reddish- 
brown. Mesonotum coarsely striate longi- 
tudinally. Node coarsely and irregularly 
rugose. Postpetiole and gaster microscopi- 


goudiei sp. nov. 


tepperi Emery 


clarki Crawley 


swalei Crawley 


testaceipes sp. nov. 


dixoni sp. nov. 


gilberti Forel 


66 


mandibularis Smith 


91 


92 A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


59. 


60. 


61. 


*63. 


*64. 


65. 


cally punctate. Pubescence reddish in middle, 
golden on sides of first segment. 11-14 mm. 
Black, mandibles, antennae and legs dark 
brown, tarsi reddish. Mesonotum and node 
longitudinally striate-rugose. Pubescence on 
postpetiole and aoe brass yellow. 10- 
15°35 am. cwops 

Black ; mandibles, ‘antennae, tibiae and tarsi 
reddish- brown; coxae and femora yellowish- 
red. Mesonotum longitudinally and coarsely 
striate. Node coarsely and _ irregularly 
rugose. Pubescence on postpetiole and gaster 
brass yellow. 12-16 mm... .. .. «... +. 
Head, thorax and node _ brownish-black, 
postpetiole and gaster brown; mandibles, 
antennae and legs reddish-brown. Meso- 
notum coarsely striate longitudinally. Node 
coarsely and irregularly rugose. Pubescence 
on postpetiole and gaster golden, dense, 
hiding the sculpture. 9°5 mm. P 
Black ; mandibles and antennae brown, coxae 
and legs reddish-yellow, tarsi slightly darker. 
Mesonotum and node coarsely striate-rugose, 
more or less longitudinal. Pubescence on 
posterior third of postpetiole greyish-yellow, 
long and abundant, pubescence on gaster 
brass yellow, forming a dense eevee 
10-12 mm. . a 
Black; mandibles ‘and antennae red, legs 
reddish- -yellow. Mesonotum and node rugose. 
Pubescence on postpetiole and gaster men 
greenish-golden. 12-14°5 mm. 

Head, thorax and petiole blackish-red ; man- 
dibles, antennae, legs and gaster red. Meso- 
notum and node coarsely rugose. Post- 
petiole sharply rugose longitudinally. Pubes- 
cence on gaster coarse and long, bright 
golden. 13 mm. ; 

Black; mandibles yellow, antennae and legs 
brown, tarsi reddish. Mesonotum coarsely 
striate-rugose. Node irregularly punctate- 
rugose. Pubescence on gaster yellow, form- 
ing a dense covering. 12 mm. 

Head, thorax and node black; mandibles 
and antennae reddish-brown, postpetiole and 
anterior two-thirds of first segment of gaster 
brown, apical third of first segment and 
whole of following segments, legs and coxae 
reddish-yellow. Mesonotum coarsely rugose 
longitudinally. Node irregularly rugose. 
13-14°5 mm. .. a ye, Ba or aE Rs 


*From description only. 


laevinodis sp. nov. 


piliventris Smith 


femorata Santschi 


rectidens Forel 


fulvipes Roger 


barbata Wheeler 


coelatinoda Wheeler 


luteiforceps Forel 


fulviculis Forel 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 93 


Promyrmecia aberrans Forel 


Plate XII, fig. 1 


Myrmecia aberrans Forel, Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg., xliv, p. 54, 1900, ¥. Rev. 
Suisse Zool., xviii, p. 9, 1910, 3. 

Myrmecia (Promyrmecia) aberrans Emery, Genera Insectorum, fasc. 118, 
p. 19, pl. 1, fig. 10, 1911, ¥. 


Worker. Length 12 mm. 

Mandibles, clypeus and antennae reddish-yellow; head, mesonotum, sides of 
thorax, postpetiole and gaster black, dorsum of pronotum and epinotum and whole 
of node bright red; legs, including coxae brown, tarsi reddish-brown. 

Shining. Mandibles coarsely and obliquely striate. Head longitudinally striate 
in front, the striae diverging outward behind and almost contouring the eyes, more 
punctate-rugose behind at occipital border, clypeus longitudinally rugose. Pro- 
notum with some obsolete longitudinal striae in middle, transverse in front, almost 
smooth at sides, numerous large shallow punctures. Mesonotum smooth in middle, 
some obsolete longitudinal striae at sides, punctate as on pronotum. Epinotum 
coarsely striate-rugose transversely. Node irregularly rugose, the rugae obsolete 
in middle. Postpetiole, gaster and all the body densely and very finely punctate. 

Hair yellow, short, erect, abundant throughout, shorter and suberect on antennae 
and legs. Pubescence white, very fine, and adpressed, forming a distinct covering 
on postpetiole and gaster but not hiding the sculpture. 

Head as long as broad, sides straight, occipital border concave at middle, angles 
broadly rounded. Mandibles about one-third shorter than head, apical two-thirds 
convex ; inner border almost straight to basal fourth, then abruptly reduced to base, 
furnished with nine short, broad teeth, the ninth forming the basal angle. Scapes 
as long as mandibles, not reaching the occipital border by twice their width at 
apex ; second segment of funiculus one-twelfth longer than first, third equal to first. 
Thorax twice as broad as long; pronotum twice as broad as long, sides and front 
strongly convex, dorsum flat or feebly convex; mesonotum as long as pronotum, 
one-sixth broader than long, convex in all directions, excision deep and narrow; 
epinotum one-fifth longer than broad, feebly convex transversely; in profile 
mesonotum higher than pronotum and epinotum, epinotal excision deep and narrow; 
pronotum evenly convex from apex to base, mesonotum convex, highest in front of 
middle, dropping behind; dorsum of epinotum feebly convex broadly rounded into 
declivity. Node one-sixth broader than long, slightly broader behind than in front, 
convex in all directions; in profile higher than long, anterior and posterior faces 
straight and vertical, dorsum feebly convex, borders rounded; ventral spine trans- 
lucent, broader than long, bluntly pointed. Postpetiole twice as broad as long, 
almost hemispherical, constriction wide. First segment of gaster broader than 
long, broader behind than in front. Legs robust. 

Male and female unknown. 


Habitat.—South Australia: Gawlertown (type locality) ; Wilpena Pound (H. M. 
Hale). 


Distinguished by the black mesonotum on the bright red thorax. 
Wheeler has described several subspecies of aberrans. It is, 
however, evident that the species he regarded as aberrans is the 
Victorian species which I had confused with that species pre- 
viously. As the various forms are not represented in our collec- 
tions the descriptions of these are given entirely from his work. 


94 A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


The subspecies mawra Wheeler is regarded as a valid species. 
Workers and females are not uncommon. 

The following forms described by Wheeler are not represented 
in our collections, but for the sake of completeness his descriptions 
are included. 


Promyrmecia aberrans Forel s.sp. formosa Wheeler. 


Myrmecia (Promyrmecia) aberrans Forel s.sp. formosa Wheeler, Colony- 
founding among Ants, 1933, p. 52, fig. 19. 


Length 10-13 mm. : 

Head, thorax and petiole blood-red, with the following black markings: a large 
chevron, extending across the front between the inner orbits, with its point extend- 
ing backward and covering the ocellar triangle, but leaving the clypeus and the 
space between the frontal carinae red, posterior portion of gula, neck, pleurae, 
posterior borders of pronotum and epinotum, peduncle of petiole and in some 
specimens a median spot on the mesonotum, Mandibles and antennae reddish- 
yellow; gaster and legs black, sting and four apical joints of tarsi reddish-brown. 
Posterior corners and sides of head very smooth and shining, sparsely and coarsely 
punctate. Mesonotum coarsely punctate, longitudinally or obliquely, in some 
specimens more feebly or more concentrically, rugose. Epinotum and petiole sculp- 
tured as in the typical aberrans. Postpetiole and gaster very smooth and shining, 
with fine greyish pubescence only on the sides and posterior borders of the segments. 
Legs less shining and very finely pubescent. 

Described from thirteen specimens taken at Uralla, New South Wales (Wheeler). 


Promyrmecia aberrans Forel s.sp. haematosticta Wheeler. 


Myrmecia (Promyrmecia) aberrans Forel s.sp. haematosticta Wheeler, 
Colony-founding among Ants, 1933, p. 51. 


Length 10-13 mm. 

Coloured like maura, but with a large spot behind each eye, one on the disk of 
the pronotum and the upper surface of the petiolar node, except for a median 
longitudinal black streak, blood-red. Femora black; mandibles and antennae 
distinctly darker than in maura and more reddish. Mesonotal rugae less pro- 
nounced and in two specimens oblique, or asymmetrical. Petiole smoother, varying 
from coarsely punctate, without distinct rugae, to loosely rugose-punctate. Post- 
petiole fully one and two-thirds times as broad as long. 

Described from three specimens taken at Uralla, New South Wales (Wheeler). 


Promyrmecia aberrans Forel s.sp. sericata Wheeler. 


Myrmecia (Promyrmecia) aberrans Forel s.sp. sericata Wheeler, Colony- 
founding among Ants, 1933, p. 53. 


Length 14 mm. 

Like taylori in coloration. Sculpture less pronounced, the rugae on the head 
and pronotum coarse but rounded and interspersed with large, elongate punctures. 
Mesonotum coarsely punctate, with only indistinct traces of fine transverse rugules. 
Epinotum anteriorly indistinctly rugose, petiole more coarsely and distinctly, the 
node of the latter broader than long, the postpetiole nearly as broad as in taylori, 
and the pilosity, which is whitish, as long and abundant. Appressed pubescence 
on the gaster and postpetiole golden yellow, decidedly longer and converging 
from each side to the middle line at the posterior border of each segment. 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 95 


Described from a single specimen taken by W. W. Froggatt at Wagga, New 
South Wales. Another specimen, perhaps to be regarded as representing a distinct 
variety of sericata, from Meningie, South Australia (L. H. Minchin), measures 
only 12 mm. and has the mesonotum coarsely, transversely and arcuately rugose 
with large interspersed punctures and the petiolar node longer and more coarsely 
rugose. 

Promyrmecia aberrans Forel s.sp. taylori Wheeler. 


Myrmecia (Promyrmecia) aberrans Forel s.sp. taylori Wheeler, Colony- 
founding among Ants, 1933, p. 53. 


Length 15 mm. 

Larger than froggatti but similarly coloured; body somewhat more opaque; the 
rugae strong on the head and thorax but less sharp than in the preceding forms, 
arcuate and transverse on the mesonotum, reticulate on the epinotum and petiole. 
Node of the latter more sharply cuboidal than in froggatti, postpetiole nearly twice 
as broad as long, like the gaster subopaque and finely punctate, with longer and 
denser, yellowish pubescence. Pilosity on the body longer and more abundant 
than in the preceding forms. 

Described from a single specimen taken by Frank H. Taylor in the Roma 
District, Queensland. 


Promyrmecia maura Wheeler. 
Plate XII, figs. 6-7. 


Myrmecia (Promyrmecia) aberrans Forel s.sp. maura Wheeler, Colony- 
founding among Ants, p. 51, 1933, &. 


Worker. Length 11-13 mm. 

Black ; mandibles, antennae and tarsi reddish-yellow, teeth of mandibles blackish- 
brown, articulations of legs reddish-brown. 

Shining. Mandibles obliquely and coarsely striate. Head finely striate longi- 
tudinally. Pronotum and mesonotum longitudinally striate, coarser than on head. 
Epinotum more coarsely striate-rugose transversely, interstices densely reticulate. 
Node irregularly punctate-rugose, almost circularly rugose. Postpetiole and gaster 
densely and microscopically punctate. 

Hair yellowish, sparse, short and erect, longer on clypeus and apex of gaster. 
Pubescence greyish, sparse throughout. 

Head very slightly broader than long, as broad in front as behind, sides fully con- 
vex, occipital border deeply concave at middle, angles broadly rounded. Mandibles 
fully their width shorter than head; external border straight or feebly concave at 
middle, inner border straight to basal fourth then abruptly reduced to base, 
furnished with nine large broad teeth, first two smallest, ninth forms an angle 
between the two apparent borders. Scapes not extending to occipital border by 
fully twice their thickness; second segment of funiculus as long as first; third 
slightly shorter. Thorax twice as long as broad; pronotum twice as broad as long, 
sides and front convex, dorsum flattened ; mesonotum as long as pronotum, almost 
one-third broader than long, convex in all directions; excision deep and narrow; 
epinotum one-third longer than broad, convex transversely; in profile evenly 
convex from apex of pronotum to base of mesonotum, a very slight depression 
at pro-mesonotal suture, meso-epinotal excision deep and narrow; epinotum convex 
from base to foot of declivity. Node one-fifth broader than long, sides strongly 
convex, anterior and posterior borders feebly convex; in profile one-fifth higher 
than long, anterior and posterior faces straight, vertical, both bluntly rounded into 
the slightly convex dorsum, ventral spine broad, triangular, bluntly pointed. Post- 


96 A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


petiole barely one and one-half times broader than long, hemispherical in front ; 
constriction wide but not deep. First segment of gaster one-fifth broader than 
long. Legs short and robust. 

Female. Length 14-16 mm. } on 

Larger and more robust than the worker, colour identical, sculpture similar but 
coarser; pilosity longer and more abundant. Scutellum small, feebly impressed, 
about one-fifth of the length of mesonotum. 

Habitat—New South Wales: Tarcutta; Gundagai (J. Clark) ; Canberra (G. F. 
Hill, T. Greaves) ; Red Hill (T. Greaves) ; Monaro (N. R. Flynn). 


Promyrmecia froggatti Forel 
Plate XII, fig. 5 


Myrmecia froggatti Forel, Rev. Suisse Zool., xviii, p. 9, 1910, &. 

Myrmecia (Promyrmecia) froggatti Emery, Genera Insect., fasc. 118, p. 19, 
1911, &. 

Myrmecia (Promyrmecia) aberrans Forel s.sp. froggatti Forel,Wheeler, 
Colony-founding among Ants, p. 52, 1933, %. 


Worker. Length 11-12 mm, 

Dark red; postpetiole and gaster black; front of face and the legs brownish- 
black; mandibles, antennae and tarsi yellow. 

Shining. Head longitudinally striate-reticulate, the striae straight on middle of 
head, slightly diverging outward at sides, and continued into the antennal depres- 
sions. Some large punctures on occipital border. Mandibles strongly and obliquely 
striate. Pronotum longitudinally and strongly striate. Mesonotum and epinotum 
transversely striate, continued obliquely on the sides. Node coarsely reticulate. 
Postpetiole and gaster very finely punctate. 

Hair yellowish, erect, rather sparse throughout. Pubescence greyish, very fine 
and adpressed, most abundant on postpetiole and gaster. 

Head broader than long, as broad in front as behind, occipital border concave, 
posterior angles rounded. Mandibles short and broad, external border concave at 
middle; inner border nearly straight to basal third, furnished with eleven teeth, 
the first two small, the third, fifth, ninth and tenth large and blunt; the ninth 
forms the angle between the two apparent borders. Frontal carinae erect, nearly 
straight, extending to posterior margin of eyes. Scapes not extending to occipital 
border by one-fifth of their length; first segment of funiculus as long as second. 
Thorax fully twice as long as broad; pronotum twice as broad as long, broader in 
front than behind, dorsum flattened in middle. Mesonotum slightly broader than 
long, convex and rounded above. Epinotum one and three-fourths times longer 
than broad, strongly arched from basal to inferior posterior edge; the declivity 
not defined. Node as broad as long, broader behind than in front, in profile higher 
than long, rounded above, the stalk in front extremely short. Postpetiole one and 
one-third times broader than long. First segment of gaster slightly broader than 
long, almost as broad behind as in front, sides convex. Legs moderately long and 
stout, 


Male and female unknown. 

Habitat —New South Wales: Manilla (W. W. Froggatt) ; Quirindi (Col. C. V. 
Morissett). 

Re-described from a co-type received from the late Mr. W. W. 
Froggatt. : 

This is close to P. aberrans, as noted by Forel, but is distinct. 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 97 


The sculpture is larger and coarser, the head and node differently 
shaped, the pubescence much more abundant. In both the post- 
petiole and gaster have fine microscopic punctures often obscured 
by pubescence, both segments are more shining in froggatti than 
in aberrans. The clypeus is much more excised and the clypeal 
projections more outwardly directed in froggatti, and the labrum 
shorter and narrower, nearly square, not rounded as in aberrans. 


Promyrmecia nobilis sp. nov 
Plate XII, figs. 2-4 


Myrmecia (Promyrmecia) aberrans Forel, Clark, Victorian Naturalist, 
xlii (6), p. 136, 140, 1925, ¥. Wheeler, Colony-founding among Ants, 
p. 50, 1933, ¥. Clark, Mem. Nat. Mus. Vict., viii, p. 9, pl. 1, figs. 1, 2, 
1934, § 292. 


Worker. Length 10-14 mm. 

Black; top of pronotum, mesonotum, epinotum and node, red; mandibles and 
labrum yellowish-red, points of teeth black; antennae and tarsi brownish. Some 
examples have a reddish tinge on lateral borders of the head behind. 

Shining. Head longitudinally striate in middle, the striae between frontal 
carinae continued from front of clypeus to occipital border; sides of clypeus and 
antennal depressions not striate, but finely and densely punctate, these fine punc- 
tures continued between the striae on head; some large scattered punctures on 
occipital border. Pronotum longitudinally striate in middle, longitudinally arched 
at sides above: mesonotum smooth and shining, with some scattered shallow 
punctures; there are faint traces of fine longitudinal striae on some examples. 
Epinotum coarsely striate transversely, descending obliquely on the sides; node 
circularly striate, with a central longitudinal carina; postpetiole, gaster, scapes and 
legs very finely and densely punctate. 

Hair yellowish, sparse on head and body, more abundant on the apical segments 
of gaster, but short and erect; shorter and adpressed on the tibia and tarsi, tibia 
also furnished with some long bristle-like hairs on the underside. Pubescence 
greyish, very fine and adpressed on clypeus and funiculus; more abundant on 
postpetiole and gaster, shorter and finer on sides of thorax. 

Head very slightly broader than long, broader behind than in front, occipital 
border concave, angles broadly rounded. Mandibles short and broad, not as long 
as head, external border feebly concave at middle; inner border nearly straight to 
basal third, thence strongly reduced to base; furnished with twelve teeth, first 
two small, third, fifth, seventh, eighth, tenth and eleventh strong and obtuse; the 
tenth forms the angle between the two apparent borders. Frontal carinae short, 
extending to about the posterior third of eyes. Clypeus strongly excised at middle 
in front, the excision obtuse, sides straight, forming a sharp tooth-like projection 
on each side. Labrum sharply rounded, projecting outward almost to the points 
of clypeus. Scapes not extending to occipital border by one-fifth their length; 
first and second segments of funiculus equal, third somewhat shorter, apical as 
long as the two preceding combined. Thorax twice as long as broad. Pronotum 
one and one-half times broader than long, broader in front than behind, slightly 
depressed above. Mesonotum almost circular, very slightly broader than long, 
convex and rounded above. Epinotum one and one-fifth times longer than broad ; 
in profile the dorsum and declivity appear as an even arch. Node circular, as 
broad as long and as broad in front as behind; the stalk in front very short, barely 


98 A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


one-third of the length of node; in profile a little higher than long, rounded above, 
anterior and posterior faces vertical. Postpetiole one and one-half times broader 
than long, broadest at middle. First segment of gaster broader than long, and 
broader behind than in front. Legs moderately long. 


Female. Length 16-18 mm. 

Colour identical with worker. Sculpture slightly coarser. Pilosity similar. 

Apart from the great size and bulk it closely resembles the worker. The scutellum 
is very small and inconspicuous. The metanotum is indicated by a sharp ridge. 
There are no traces of wings, but the anterior wing sclerites are indicated. 


Male. Length 13-14 mm. 

Black. Antennal scapes and first segment of funiculus, femora of all legs, and 
anterior tibiae and apical segments of tarsi, red; middle and posterior tibiae 
brownish. 

Mandibles shining, finely punctate. Head finely reticulate, coarser behind, with 
some large shallow punctures. Pronotum similar. Mesonotum similar in front. 
Epinotum with coarse reticulations forming faint transverse rugae. Node irregu- 
larly rugulose, with a strong longitudinal central carina. Postpetiole and gaster 
finely and densely punctate. 

Hair yellow, erect, long and abundant except on antennae and legs. Pubescence 
white, very fine, short and adpressed, particularly abundant on gaster. 

Head broader than long, broader in front than behind, sides strongly convex, 
occipital border short and straight. Mandibles short, not raised. Scapes fully 
twice as long as first segment of funiculus; second segment four times as long as 
first. Pronotum short, strongly convex. Mesonotum convex in front, flattened 
behind, mayrian furrows distinct but not strongly impressed; parapsidal furrows 
sharply defined. Scutellum strongly convex above, twice as broad as long. Epinotum 
twice as broad as long, strongly convex. Node slightly broader than long, sides 
strongly convex. First segment of gaster much broader behind than in front. 
Legs slender. Genitalia retracted. 


Habitat—Victoria: Altona (J. E. Dixon, % ; T. Greaves, % 2 ¢; J. Clark, 
% 2%); Bacchus Marsh and Coburg (C. Oke, % 2); Broadmeadows (F. P. 
Spry, %); Geelong (A. D. Butcher, 9 ); Patho (H. Potter). 


Winged females have not been seen in any of the nests examined. 
All the females found are similar to the worker and apart from 
their greater size are easily overlooked. Ergatoid females occur 
with several species of the genus, but winged forms also are known 
with the majority. 

This species has been confounded with aberrans Forel, from 
which it differs in the formation of the head and nodes. The colour 
and sculpture also are different. 

The various subspecies erected by Wheeler are based on this 
species, not on aberrans, which apparently he did not know. 


Promyrmecia eupoecila sp. nov. 


Plate XII, fig. 8. 
Female. Length 14°5 mm. 
Mandibles and antennae yellow, head yellowish-red with a broad brown band 
across the forehead, extending from eye to eye and including the ocelli; pronotum 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 99 


and node bright red, mesonotum and epinotum reddish-brown, postpetiole and 
gaster black, legs brown, tarsi reddish. 

Mandibles coarsely striate obliquely, the striae very large. Head longitudinally 
striate, some large shallow punctures between the striae. Pronotum and mesonotum 
longitudinally striate-rugose, coarser than on head. Epinotum and node coarsely 
and irregularly rugose, transverse on declivity. Postpetiole, gaster and all the 
body densely and very finely reticulate-punctate. 

Hair yellow, long, erect and abundant throughout, short and suberect on antennae 
and legs. Pubescence yellow, very fine and adpressed, forming a distinct covering 
on postpetiole and gaster but not hiding the sculpture. 

Head a fraction broader than long, sides convex, angles very broadly rounded, 
occipital border deeply indented at middle. Mandibles one-fourth shorter than 
head, as long as scapes, apical half of external border convex, inner border straight, 
furnished with eight large, broad, blunt teeth, the eighth forms the basal angle. 
Scapes not reaching the occipital border by fully twice their width at apex; first 
and second segments of funiculus equal length, third one-fourth shorter. Thorax 
fully twice as long as broad. Pronotum three times broader than long, sides 
strongly convex, dorsum feebly convex. Mesonotum twice as long as pronotum, 
one-seventh broader than long, strongly convex in all directions. Scutellum very 
small, twice as broad as long, appearing as if embedded in mesonotum, excision 
deep and wide; metanotum small but prominent; epinotum longer than broad, 
feebly convex transversely; in profile centre of mesonotum slightly higher than 
pronotum and epinotum, excision deep. Pronotum high, strongly convex. Meso- 
notum convex, highest at middle, dropping behind; scutellum small, just apparent 
in epinotal excision; epinotum raised in front, convex from base to bottom of 
declivity. Node one-seventh broader than long, broadest at middle, broader behind 
than in front; in profile higher than long, anterior face high, slightly convex, 
posterior face straight, both faces rounded into the feebly convex dorsum, ventral 
spine short, broad and sharp-pointed. Postpetiole fully one and one-half times 
broader than long, broadest just behind middle, strongly convex in all directions, 
constriction deep and narrow. First segment of gaster broader than long, broader 
behind than in front, sides strongly convex. Leg robust. 

Male and worker unknown. 


Halitat—South Australia: Adelaide (R. Blackwood, 25.8.27). 


The structure of the thorax and nodes as well as the variegated 
colour render this species very distinct. 


Promyrmecia greavesi sp. nov. 


Plate XII, fig. 9. 

Female. Length 15-5 mm. 

Head, thorax and node red, mandibles and antennae testaceous, legs brown, 
gaster black. 

Mandibles strongly and coarsely striate diagonally and a long straight striae at 
base of teeth, base punctate only. Head finely striate-rugose longitudinally, very 
finely and densely punctate between the rugae. Pronotum striate-rugose similar 
to head. Mesonotum coarsely and irregularly punctate-rugose. Metanotum shining. 
Epinotum very coarsely rugose, somewhat transverse on the declivity. Node 
irregularly rugose with a central longitudinal carina. Postpetiole and gaster 
microscopically punctate. 

Hair yellow, short and erect on head, antennae, thorax, nodes and legs, long and 
fine on gaster, longer and coarser on mandibles and clypeus. 


100 A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


Head as broad as long, sides strongly rounded into occipital border ; occipital 
border deeply indented, concave at middle. Mandibles one-third shorter than head, 
external border straight, inner border furnished with eight large sharp teeth, the 
eighth forming the basal angle, there is one strong tooth on basal border. Clypeus 
projecting strongly in front, angles sharp, deeply excised in middle, sides straight. 
Frontal carinae as long as broad behind. Scapes extend to posterior fourth of 
head ; first segment of funiculus one-fifth longer than second, remainder decreasing 
in length to apical which is barely as long as the two preceding combined. Thorax 
twice as long as broad. Pronotum fully twice as broad as long, strongly convex 
in front and on sides, flattened above. Mesonotum circular, very slightly broader 
than long. Scutellum small and narrow, no traces of wing stumps. Metanotum 
small and erect. Epinotum as long as broad, convex laterally. In profile the 
pronotum evenly arched from base to apex, mesonotum raised, highest in front, 
convex, scutellum and metanotum small, epinotum strongly convex from base to 
apex. Node as long as broad, circular, flattened on top, a weak longitudinal carina 
in the centre. In profile as high as long, anterior and posterior faces straight, 
vertical, both rounded into the feebly convex dorsum; the ventral spine broad, 
short and sharp-pointed. Postpetiole barely twice as broad as long, strongly convex 
in all directions. First segment of gaster broader than long, broadest behind, sides 
strongly convex. Legs long and robust. 


Worker and male unknown. 
Habitat—North Queensland: Mareeba (T. Greaves). 


The peculiar colour and seulpture render this species distinct 
from all the other known species. 


Promyrmecia picta Smith 
Plate XII, figs. 10-13 


Myrmecia picta Smith, Cat. Hym. Brit. Mus., vi, p. 146, 1858, %. Lowne, 
The Entomologist, Long., ii, p. 336, 1865, &. 

Myrmecia (Myrmecia) picta Smith, Emery, Genera Insect., fasc. 118, p. 21, 
1911. 

Myrmecia (Promyrmecia) picta Smith; Clark, Victorian Naturalist, xliv 
(2), p. 39, 1927, § 9? 6; Mem. Nat. Mus. Vict., viii, p. 11, pl. 1, figs. 
3, 4, 1934, ¥ 9 3. 


Worker, Length 9-12 mm. 

Black. Mandibles, clypeus, front of face, to about the posterior margin of eyes, 
yellow; antennae and anterior legs reddish-yellow; intermediate and posterior legs 
brownish; tarsi lighter. The colour of the thorax and nodes is most variable, 
ranging from all black on some specimens, to all red on others. The most numerous 
individuals have the head, behind the eyes, pronotum and a spot on mesonotum, 
black ; edges of mesonotum, all the epinotum, node and a greater portion of post- 
petiole red, or reddish-yellow. The gaster always black. 

Head longitudinally striate, finely and densely reticulate between the striae. 
Mandibles shining, with scattered elongate punctures. Pronotum transversely 
arched striate-rugose, in some specimens almost longitudinally arched. Mesonotum 
finely rugose transversely, on a few examples almost smooth. Epinotum trans- 
versely, often irregularly, rugose, definitely striate on declivity. Node irregularly 
rugose. Postpetiole and gaster very finely and densely punctate. 

Hair yellowish, erect, rather long and abundant throughout, none on scapes, 
longer and more abundant on apical segments of gaster than elsewhere. Pubescence 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 101 


greyish, very fine and abundant, particularly on postpetiole and gaster, frequently 
appearing as a greyish covering. 

Head as long as broad, broader in front than behind, occipital border nearly 
straight, angles rounded. Mandibles not as long as head, external border concave 
at middle, inner border nearly straight to basal fifth, thence sharply reduced to 
base, furnished with nine teeth, first two small, third, fifth, seventh and ninth twice 
as large, the ninth forms the angle between the two apparent borders. In some 
examples there is indication of a tooth on basal border but this is usually edentate. 
Frontal carinae short, almost parallel. Clypeus strongly excised in front, inner 
edges straight. Labrum projecting almost to points of clypeus, anterior border 
feebly rounded. Scapes not extending to occipital border; second segment of 
funiculus one-third longer than first and third, fourth to eighth equal, ninth and 
tenth shorter, apical as long as the two preceding combined. Thorax fully two 
and one-half times as long as broad. Pronotum almost twice as broad as long, 
dorsal surface slightly rounded. Mesonotum circular, rounded above. Epinotum 
longer than broad, without a boundary between dorsum and declivity, the latter 
short. Node broader than long, slightly broader behind than in front; in profile 
much higher than long, rounded above, the stalk in front short, not half the length 
of node, anterior face nearly vertical, posterior face sloping behind. Postpetiole 
one and three-fourths times broader than long, much broader behind than in front, 
convex on sides and above. First segment of gaster broader than long. Legs long 
and moderately slender. 


Female, Length 13:5-14-5 mm. 

Differs from the worker only by larger size and in possessing wings. The colour 
appears to be more constant. In all the examples examined the occiput, pronotum, 
margins of the other segments and gaster are blackish; the mesonotum, scutellum, 
epinotum, node and postpetiole red. All the legs are uniformly castaneous, except 
the apical half of posterior femora, these are brown. Front of face bright yellow. 
Four corners of node more clearly defined, but not sharp. Wings hyaline. Ergatoid 
females also are present. 


Male. Length 10-11 mm. 

Black; mandibles, five basal segments of antennae, front of face and all the legs, 
yellow; eight apical segments of antennae brown. 

Head finely striate-rugose on middle, becoming coarser at lateral and occipital 
borders. Mandibles shining, coarsely and sparsely punctate. Pronotum, scutellum, 
mesonotum and epinotum coarsely reticulate-punctate. Node coarsely and irregu- 
larly rugose. Postpetiole and gaster very finely and densely punctate. 

Hair greyish, long and suberect, longer and more abundant on head and thorax 
than on gaster, short and adpressed on legs, none on antennae. Pubescence greyish, 
short, most abundant on gaster. 

Head broader than long, broader in front than behind; occipital border convex. 
Mandibles short, triangular, external border convex; diverging behind. Clypeus 
long, convex and rounded above, concave at middle in front. Antennae long and 
slender; scapes short, first segment of funiculus half as long as scapes, second 
three and one-half times as long as scapes, third slightly shorter than second, the 
others about equal. Thorax barely twice as long as broad. Pronotum strongly 
rounded in front and above. Mesonotum large, convex and rounded above, mayrian 
furrows distinct; a deep longitudinal suture extends from anterior border to near 
base; parapsidal furrows faintly defined. Scutellum broad, strongly convex, 
Epinotum strongly convex and rounded above, without a boundary between the 
dorsum and declivity. Node slightly broader than long, almost circular, strongly 
convex above. Postpetiole broader than long, broadest just behind the middle, 


102 A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


strongly convex above and on sides. First segment of gaster broader than long. 
Legs long and robust. 


Habitat—W estern Australia: Merriden (L. J. Newman); National Park and 
Mundaring (J. Clark); Yellowdine (W. Joyce). ; 

South Australia: Adelaide; Mt. Lofty (A. H. Elston); Port Lincoln (F. E. 
Wilson). 

Victoria: Maldon (J. C. Goudie) ; Mallee (J. E. Dixon) ; Wyperfield (J. Clark). 

New South Wales: Broken Hill (F. W. Shepherd) ; Narrabri (W. W. Froggatt). 


The colour varies considerably in the individuals of a single 
colony. Many specimens are entirely black, with the exception of 
mandibles, front of face, antennae and anterior legs. Others have 
thorax, petiole and anterior half of postpetiole entirely red or 
variously marked with red. The extent of yellow area on front 
of face also varies slightly, on some examples this does not pass 
anterior margin of eyes, whilst on others it extends well beyond 
posterior margin. Although the colour varies considerably, the 
sculpture, pilosity and pubescence are constant. The same colour 
varieties occur in all colonies obtained from each State. 


Promyrmecia fucosa Clark. 
Plate XII, figs. 14-16. 


Myrmecia (Promyrmecia) fucosa Clark, Mem. Nat. Mus, Vict., viii, p. 15, 
pl. 1) -iips.5; 6; I9S4 Fy. 

Worker. Length 10-11-5 mm. 

Red. Posterior half of head and two apical segments of gaster black. Mandibles 
and front of face to about the middle of eyes yellow; antennae and anterior legs 
testaceous ; middle and posterior legs brownish. 

Head longitudinally and irregularly rugose, densely and finely reticulate between 
the rugae. Mandibles smooth and shining, with some scattered shallow punctures. 
Pronotum transversely arched-rugose. Mesonotum finely striate transversely. 
Epinotum transversely striate-rugose, coarser than on mesonotum but not as coarse 
as on pronotum. Node strongly and irregularly rugose. Postpetiole and gaster 
very finely and densely punctate. 

Hair greyish, long and erect, abundant on whole body, except the scapes, shorter 
and suberect on funiculus and legs. Pubescence greyish, long and abundant on 
postpetiole and gaster, forming a distinct covering, sometimes hiding the sculpture; 
sparse elsewhere. 

Head slightly longer than broad, broadest in front, occipital border feebly concave, 
angles rounded. Mandibles not as long as head; external border almost straight to 
apical third; inner border nearly straight to basal third, then greatly reduced to 
base; furnished with nine teeth, the third, fifth, seventh, eighth and ninth twice 
as large as the first two; the eighth forms the angle between the two apparent 
borders, the ninth placed just in front of middle of basal border. Frontal carinae 
extending to the posterior margin of eyes. Clypeus obtusely excised at middle 
in front; anterior corners produced as blunt tqoth-like angles. Labrum broadly 
rounded, extending outward to apex of clypeus. Scapes not extending to the 
occipital border ; first segment of funiculus slightly shorter than second, but longer 
than tenth. Thorax two and one-half times as long as broad. Pronotum broader 
than long. Epinotum about one and one-half times as long as broad. Boundary 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 103 


between the dorsum and declivity feebly indicated. Node as long as broad, 
slightly broader behind than in front; in profile slightly longer than high, 
nearly flat above, anterior face vertical, posterior face descending in a gradual 
slope ; the stalk in front not quite half the length of node; postpetiole very slightly 
broader than long, much broader behind than in front. First segment of gaster 
as broad as long, slightly broader behind than in front. Legs moderately long 
and slender. 


Female. Length 11-13 mm. 

Resembles the worker, but much larger and winged. The sculpture slightly 
coarser on head, thorax and node. The colour similar, except that on two females 
examined the scutellum and sides of the mesonotum are brown or blackish. 


Male. Length 9 mm. 

Head and thorax yellowish-red; mandibles, antennae, nodes, gaster and legs 
testaceous, 

Head finely rugose, the rugae longitudinal, diverging outward behind. Mandibles 
smooth and shining. Pronotum, epinotum transversely rugose. Scutellum and 
mesonotum irregularly rugose; node circularly rugose. Postpetiole and gaster very 
finely and densely punctate, with a few large shallow punctures. 

Hair yellow, short and erect on head, thorax and nodes, longer and more 
abundant on gaster. Pubescence very abundant on gaster, whitish, short and 
adpressed. 

Head broader than long, strongly convex behind the eyes. Mandibles short, 
sharply pointed, furnished with one large sharp tooth midway between the point 
and inner angle, clypeus broadly rounded in front. Frontal carinae as long as broad 
behind, with a feeble median groove between them. Scape of antenna fully as 
broad as long, twice as long as first segment of funiculus, second segment three 
times as long as first. Thorax almost twice as long as broad. Pronotum short, 
sides and front strongly convex. Mesonotum as broad as long, mayrian and 
parapsidal furrows strongly impressed. Scutellum one-fourth broader than long. 
Epinotum twice as broad as long; in profile pronotum convex, raised abruptly, 
mesonotum raised and strongly convex, mayrian furrow deeply impressed. Scutellum 
dome-shaped ; epinotum convex to bottom of declivity. Node one-fifth broader than 
long, convex in all directions; in profile one-fourth longer than high, anterior face 
straight and vertical, dorsum feebly convex, rounded into posterior face, the ventral 
spine long and thorn-like. Postpetiole one and three-quarter times broader than 
long, sides convex. First segment of gaster much broader than long, broadest 
behind, sides strongly convex. Legs long and slender. 


Habitat—Victoria: Lake Hattah, Ouyen (J. E. Dixon) ; Mildura (Mrs. M. J. 
Zimmer) ; Sea Lake (J. C. Goudie) ; Wyperfield (J. Clark). 

South Australia: Murray Bridge (A. M. Lea). 

This species resembles P. picta Smith in size and colour. It is 
readily distinguished, however, by the form of the mandibles, 
antennae and nodes. 


Promyrmecia urens Lowne 
Plate XV, figs. 56-58 
Myrmecia urens Lowne, The Entomologist, Lond., ii, p. 336, 1865, &. 
Myrmecia pumilio Mayr, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, xvi, p. 896, 1866, ¥. 


Myrmecia picta Smith, Mayr, Jour. Mus. Godeffroy, xii, p. 94, 1876, ¥ ; 
Forel, Ann. Soc, Ent. Belg., xliv, p. 54, 1900, ¥. 


104 A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


Myrmecia (Myrmecia) picta Emery, Genera Insect., fasc. 118, p. 20, 1911; 
Viehmeyer, Ent. Mitteil., Berlin, xxiii, p. 222, 1924, 3. 

Myrmecia (Promyrmecia) urens Clark, Vict. Nat., xliv, p. 39, 1927; 
Wheeler, Colony-founding among Ants, p. 62, 1933; Clark, Mem. Nat. 
Mus. Vict., viii, pp. 13-14, 1934. 


Worker. Length 6-8 mm. 

Black, basal half of mandibles and labrum yellow, apical half reddish-yellow ; 
antennae, anterior tibiae and apical half of femora and all tarsi reddish or reddish- 
yellow, other tibiae and femora brown. The colour of the thorax and node varies 
considerably amongst the individuals in every nest. Large numbers have the 
dorsum of pronotum, epinotum and node red; head, postpetiole and gaster always 
black. 

Apical half of mandibles obliquely striate, basal half finely reticulate and with 
numerous large, shallow punctures. Head finely and longitudinally striate, striae 
widely spaced, interstices densely reticulate. Pronotum irregularly rugose, meso- 
notum with faint traces of obsolete rugae, epinotum irregularly rugose, with a 
more or less transverse direction, node irregularly rugose, all the thorax and node 
very densely reticulate. Postpetiole and gaster microscopically punctate. 

Hair yellow, long, erect and abundant, shorter and suberect on legs. Pubescence 
white, very fine and adpressed, longer and more abundant on postpetiole and gaster 
but not hiding the sculpture. 

Head as long as broad, broadest in front, sides and occipital border feebly convex, 
angles rounded. Mandibles fully their width at base shorter than head, external 
border concave, inner border convex, furnished with four large, sharp, erect teeth, 
each preceded by two smaller teeth, the fourth forms a slight angle, behind which 
are two small denticles. Scapes fully their width at apex shorter than head; first 
and second segments of funiculus equal length, third one-fifth shorter. Thorax 
two and one-half times longer than broad; pronotum one-third broader than long, 
dorsum feebly convex transversely, mesonotum as long as pronotum, circular, as 
long as broad, excision deep but not wide, epinotum one-third longer than broad, 
convex transversely; in profile pronotum evenly convex from apex to base, meso- 
notum strongly convex, much higher than pronotum and epinotum, highest at 
middle dropping behind, excision deep; epinotum convex from base to bottom of 
declivity. Node as long as broad, broadest behind the middle, convex in all direc- 
tions ; in profile slightly higher than long, anterior face straight, sloping backward, 
sharply rounded into dorsum, posterior face short, convex and continuous with 
dorsum, ventral spine slender and sharp. Postpetiole one-fourth broader than 
long, constriction deep. First segment of gaster broader than long, much broader 
behind than in front. Legs long and slender. 


Female. Length 8-9 mm. 

Colour, sculpture and pilosity as on the worker. Occipital angles more broadly 
rounded. Mandibles shorter, broader and the teeth stronger. Scapes slightly shorter. 
Node one-fourth broader than long. Postpetiole one-third broader than long. 
Wings hyaline. Ergatoid females are found commonly in nests. 


Habitat—New South Wales: Sydney (type locality) ; Como; Manilla; Pilliga 
Scrub; Lismore. 

Queensland : Fletcher ; Milmerran; Peak Downs. 

Victoria: Cann River; Bendigo; Lake Hattah; Portland. 

South Australia: Mt. Lofty; Port Lincoln. 

Tasmania: Launceston. 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 105 


Promyrmecia infima Forel 
Plate XV, figs. 59-61 


Myrmecia picta Smith var. infima Forel, Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg., xliv, p. 54, 
1900, % ; Fauna Sudwest Austral., i, p. 267, 1907. 

Myrmecia (Myrmecia) picta Smith var. infima Emery, Genera Insect., fasc. 
118, p. 20, 1911. 

Myrmecia (Promyrmecia) infima Wheeler, Colony-founding among Ants, 
p. 62, 1933; Clark, Mem. Nat. Mus. Vict., viii, p. 14, 1934. 


Worker. Length 6-8 mm. 

Head, pronotum, mesonotum, postpetiole and gaster black. Mandibles yellow, 
apical third darker, clypeus, antennae and legs reddish-yellow, base of scapes 
darker, epinotum and node red. 

Mandibles striate, obliquely at apex, five large, shallow punctures on inner edge 
of apical half. Head very finely and longitudinally striate-rugose, densely reticu- 
late between rugae. Pronotum circularly rugose. Mesonotum rather coarsely 
reticulate, without striae or rugae. Epinotum and declivity transversely striate- 
rugose. Node irregularly rugose. Postpetiole and gaster microscopically reticulate. 

Hair yellow, long and erect, abundant throughout, short and suberect on legs. 
Pubescence greyish, very fine and adpressed, forming a slight covering on post- 
petiole and gaster but not hiding the sculpture. 

Head as long as broad, sides and occipital border feebly convex, angles broadly 
rounded. Mandibles shorter than head by fully their width at base, external border 
feebly concave, inner border convex, furnished with five large, sharp, erect teeth 
each preceded by a smaller tooth. Scapes barely as long as mandibles, not reaching 
the occipital border by fully their thickness; first and second segments of scapes 
equal in length, longer than third. Thorax two and one-half times longer than 
broad, pronotum one-fourth longer than broad, convex in all directions ; mesonotum 
circular, as long as broad, meso-epinotal excision deep and wide; epinotum one- 
fifth longer than broad, dorsum feebly convex transversely; in profile pronotum 
evenly convex from apex to base, mesonotum slightly higher than pronotum, highest 
at middle, convex, excision deep and wide, concave at bottom; dorsum of epinotum 
straight, declivity slightly convex rounded into dorsum. Node one-eighth broader 
than long, almost circular; in profile higher than long, almost dome-shaped above, 
ventral spine triangular, short, broader than long, sharp-pointed. Postpetiole twice 
as broad as long, hemispherical, constriction deep and wide. First segment of 
gaster one-eighth broader than long. Legs long and slender. 


Female, Length 8 mm. 
Differs from the worker only in being larger, more robust and winged. The 
sculpture slightly coarser, the scapes and femora slightly darker. 


Male. Length 7-8 mm. 

Colour, sculpture and pilosity as on the worker. Head as broad as long, almost 
circular. Mandibles furnished with three large, sharp teeth behind apex. Second 
segment of funiculus three times longer than scapes and five times longer than 
first segment. Thorax twice as long as broad. Pronotum three times as broad 
as long, strongly convex in all directions; mesonotum one-sixth broader than 
long, mayrian and parapsidal furrows sharply impressed. Scutellum almost as 
long as broad, strongly convex, epinotum broader than long, convex transversely. 
Node very slightly broader than long, broadest behind middle, convex in all direc- 
tions; in profile slightly higher than long, dome-shaped, ventral spine very short 
and sharp. Postpetiole one-fifth broader than long, broadest at posterior fourth, 


106 A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


greatly reduced in front; constriction deep. First segment of gaster one-seventh 
broader than long, broader behind than in front. Legs long and slender. 


Habitat—Western Australia: Perth (type locality, Chase); Fremantle; Rott- 
nest Island (L. Glauert) ; Albany; Denmark (J. Clark). 


Promyrmecia nigra Forel 


Plate XV, figs. 62-63 


Myrmecia picta Smith var. nigra Forel, Fauna Sudwest Austral., i, p. 267, 
1907, ¥. 

Myrmecia (Myrmecia) picta Smith var. nigra Emery, Genera Insect., fasc. 
118, p: 21, 1911. 
Myrmecia (Promyrmecia) infima Forel var. nigra Wheeler, Colony-founding 

among Ants, p. 63, 1933, 8. 


Worker. Length 7-9:5 mm. 

Black, apical half of mandibles brown, basal half reddish-yellow; antennae and 
legs brown, apical half of funiculus and the tarsi reddish. The colour of the thorax 
and node varies considerably amongst the individuals of each nest. The majority 
of specimens have the pronotum, epinotum and node more or less marked with 
red, whilst on many examples these segments are entirely red; the postpetiole and 
gaster always black. 

Apical half of mandibles with five large, deep punctures, basal half finely 
punctate. Head finely striate-rugose longitudinally, interstices densely reticulate. 
Pronotum more coarsely striate-rugose, transversely arched; mesonotum finely 
striate-rugose longitudinally and very densely reticulate; epinotum more coarsely 
rugose transversely ; node irregularly rugose ; postpetiole and gaster microscopically 
punctate. 

Hair yellow, long, slender and erect, abundant throughout, shorter and suberect 
on legs. Pubescence white, very fine and adpressed, abundant throughout, longer 
on postpetiole and gaster but not hiding sculpture. 

Head as long as broad, sides and occipital border feebly convex, angles broadly 
rounded. Mandibles shorter than head by fully their width at base; external border 
feebly concave, inner border convex, furnished with ten large, sharp, erect teeth, 
the second, fourth and ninth smallest. Scapes not extending to occipital border 
by fully their thickness; second segment of funiculus one-eighth longer than first. 
Thorax two and one-half times longer than broad; pronotum one-fourth broader 
than long, mesonotum as long as broad, circular, strongly convex above, meso- 
epinotal constriction deep and narrow; epinotum one-fifth longer than broad; in 
profile mesonotum higher than pronotum and epinotum, highest at middle, excision 
deep; dorsum of epinotum convex, almost twice as long as declivity into which 
it is broadly rounded. Node one-sixth broader than long, broadest behind, feebly 
convex in all directions; in profile higher than long, anterior face high, sloping 
backward and rounded into dorsum, posterior face short, convex continuous with 
dorsum, ventral spine long, slender and sharp, as long as broad at base. Post- 
petiole almost one and three-quarter times broader than long, hemispherical in 
front; constriction deep and wide. First segment of gaster broader than long, 
broadest behind. Legs long and slender. 

Female, Length 9-5-11 mm. 

Colour as on the worker. Sculpture coarser. Pilosity and pubescence longer 
and more abundant. Differs from the worker in being larger and more robust and 
possessing wing. 

Male. Unknown. 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 107 


Habitat—Western Australia: Perth (type locality); widely distributed and 
abundant from Albany to Geraldton. 


The colour of the thorax and node varies from all black on some 
individuals to almost all red on others. The same series of colour 
variations occur in all nests. 


Promyrmecia rubicunda sp. nov. 
Plate XV, fig. 65 


Worker. Length 5:5-6°5 mm. 

Head, pronotum, mesonotum and gaster black, mandibles and labrum yellow, 
funiculus, epinotum, node, postpetiole and all legs reddish-yellow, scapes brown. 

Mandibles smooth and shining, with six large, shallow punctures on apical half 
at base of teeth. Head very delicately striate longitudinally, densely reticulate 
between the striae. Thorax and node densely reticulate, pronotum and epinotum 
with traces of transverse rugae; postpetiole and gaster microscopically punctate. 

Hair yellow, erect, rather sparse except on apex of gaster, short and suberect on 
legs. Pubescence white, very fine and adpressed, forming a thin silky covering on 
postpetiole and gaster, not hiding the sculpture. 

Head as long as broad, occipital border short and straight, sides convex, angles 
broadly rounded. Mandibles as long as head, external border straight or very 
feebly concave, inner border convex, furnished with four large, sharp, erect teeth 
each preceded by two small denticles. Scapes not reaching the occipital border by 
fully their thickness; first and third segments of funiculus equal length, second 
one-fifth longer. Thorax two and one-third times longer than broad. Pronotum 
one and three-quarter times broader than long, convex in all directions ; mesonotum 
as long as pronotum, circular, as long as broad, excision deep and wide; epinotum 
one-fourth longer than broad, convex transversely; in profile evenly convex from 
apex of pronotum to base of mesonotum with a very faint depression at pro- 
mesonotal suture, mesonotum highest at middle; excision deep and wide; dorsum 
of epinotum feebly convex, twice as long as declivity into which it is rounded. 
Node very slightly longer than broad, slightly broader behind than in front, sides 
feebly convex, anterior border strongly convex, posterior border almost straight ; 
in profile longer than high, anterior face short and vertical, rounded into the rather 
flattened dorsum, posterior face convex, very short, ventral spine short and broad, 
bluntly pointed. Postpetiole twice as broad as long, almost hemispherical; con- 
striction deep and wide. First segment of gaster broader than long. Legs slender. 

Male and female unknown. 


Habitat —South Australia: Ooldea (J. A. Kershaw). 


Promyrmecia exigua sp. nov. 
Plate XV, fig. 64 


Worker. Length 4-4°5 mm. 

Head and gaster blackish-brown, mandibles yellow; antennae, pronotum, meso- 
notum and legs brown or reddish-brown, tarsi of front and middle legs reddish- 
yellow; epinotum and node red. 

Mandibles smooth and shining. Head finely and irregularly reticulate rugose, 
with some faint traces of longitudinal striae on the middle. Thorax and node 
more coarsely reticulate-rugose, rugae almost obsolete on mesonotum, somewhat 
arched on pronotum. Postpetiole and gaster microscopically reticulate. 


108 A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


Hair whitish-yellow, erect, long and abundant on body, shorter and suberect 
on legs. Pubescence grey, very fine and close lying, long and more abundant on 
postpetiole and gaster but not hiding sculpture. 

Head as long as broad, sides and occipital border convex, angles very broadly 
rounded. Mandibles fully as long as head, external border concave at middle, 
inner border convex, furnished with six large, sharp, erect teeth, the first three 
large teeth each preceded by two small denticles. Scapes not extending to occipital 
border by fully their thickness, first and second segments of funiculus equal length, 
third one-seventh shorter. Thorax two and one-half times longer than broad; 
pronotum one-third broader than long, strongly convex in all directions, mesonotum 
circular, as long as broad, meso-epinotal excision deep, epinotum one-fourth longer 
than broad, feebly convex transversely; in profile pronotum weakly convex from 
apex to base; mesonotum higher than pronotum, highest at middle, strongly convex ; 
excision deep; epinotum high and convex, highest behind, broadly rounded into 
declivity. Node as long as broad, pear-shaped, broadest behind; in profile as high 
as long, anterior and posterior faces short and vertical, both rounded into the 
convex dorsum, ventral spine short and sharp. Postpetiole as long as node, one 
and three-quarter times broader than long, sides and front strongly convex, 
constriction sharp and deep. First segment of gaster one-fourth broader than 
long, broader behind than in front. Legs long and slender. 

Male and female unknown. 


Habitat——V ictoria: Lake Hattah (J. E. Dixon). 


The smallest species in the genus. In colour and sculpture this 
somewhat resembles wrens Lowne, but the structure is quite 
different. 

Promyrmecia dichospila Clark 


Plate XV, figs. 53-55 


Myrmecia (Promyrmecia) dichospila Clark, Proc. Roy. Soc. Vict., 50 (2), 
p. 359, fig. 2, 1938, ¥§ 9 3. 


Worker. Length 7-9 mm. 

Black, dorsum of node and a large spot on epinotum red. Mandibles yellow at 
base, reddish-yellow towards apex, teeth brown, Labrum reddish-yellow. Scapes 
brown, funiculi reddish-yellow. Tarsi and apex of tibiae brownish-yellow. 

Mandibles finely striate-reticulate with a row of large deep punctures along the 
inner borders. Head finely striate-rugose longitudinally, densely and finely 
reticulate, not striate. Pronotum striate-rugose, transversely arched. Mesonotum 
striate-rugose longitudinally. Epinotum and node coarsely and irregularly rugose. 
Postpetiole and gaster very finely reticulate, 

Hair yellowish, long and erect, particularly on clypeus and last three segments 
of gaster. None on antennae, very short and sparse on legs. Pubescence greyish, 
very fine and adpressed, long and abundant on gaster. 

Head as long as broad, sides and occipital border straight, angles broadly 
rounded. Mandibles one-fifth shorter than head, external border concave, inner 
border strongly dentate, the third, fifth, seventh and ninth teeth twice as large as 
the others, the ninth forming a slight angle. Scapes not extending to occipital 
border by twice their thickness; first and second segments of funiculus equal in 
length, third one-fourth shorter. Thorax two and one-half times longer than 
broad. Pronotum one-third broader than long, strongly convex in all directions. 
Mesonotum circular, as long as broad. Epinotum slightly longer than broad, 
strongly convex transversely; in profile pronotum strongly convex from apex to 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 109 


base. Mesonotum higher than pronotum, dropping behind, strongly convex. 
Epinotum feebly convex on dorsum, strongly rounded into declivity. Node slightly 
broader than long, fully twice as long as the stalk in front, convex in all directions; 
in profile slightly higher than long, apical third straight and vertical, sloping 
gradually to apex of stalk in front, dorsum convex, rounded into posterior face, 
ventral spine long and broad, sharp-pointed, directed forward. Postpetiole almost 
one-third broader than long, broadest at middle, strongly convex in all directions; 
constriction deep and wide. Gaster one and two-thirds times longer than broad. 
First segment of gaster one-fifth broader than long, much broader behind than 
in front, sides convex. Legs long and slender. 


Female. Length 24:5-26 mm. 

Colour, sculpture and pilosity similar to worker. | Mandibles broader and 
straighter, teeth larger. Pronotum twice as broad as long, convex in all direc- 
tions. Mesonotum short, one-fourth broader than long, sides and front semi- 
circular, convex both ways on top, parapsidal furrows distinct. Wing stumps 
present. Scutellum circular, as long as broad, dome-shaped above. Epinotum 
feebly convex transversely. Node one-fifth broader than long. Postpetiole almost 
twice as broad as long. Legs slender. 


Male. Length 9:5 mm. 

Head and gaster black. Thorax, node, postpetiole and legs brownish-yellow, 
mandibles and scapes brown, funiculi yellowish-red. 

Head finely punctate-reticulate, more coarsely punctate behind. Thorax and 
node finely and densely reticulate, with numerous large shallow punctures scattered 
throughout, coarser and more abundant on epinotum. Postpetiole and gaster finely 
and densely reticulate. Pilosity as in worker but the erect hairs longer. 

Head almost one-third broader than long, strongly convex behind. Mandibles 
short, furnished with four strong sharp teeth. Clypeus broad, convex above, 
concave in middle in front. Frontal area large, triangular. Frontal carinae one- 
third longer than broad in front. Scapes two and one-half times longer than first 
segment of funiculus, second segment six times longer than first, remainder sub- 
equal to apical. Eyes large, occupying almost all the sides. Ocelli large. Thorax 
two and one-half times longer than broad. Pronotum short, strongly convex. 
Mesonotum one-fifth broader than long, convex in front, mayrian and parapsidal 
furrows and frontal groove in centre deeply impressed. Scutellum one-third 
broader than long, anterior edge feebly convex, sides and posterior edge strongly 
convex. Epinotum strongly convex transversely. Node circular, as long as broad, 
fully four times as long as the stalk in front, in profile like node of worker but 
ventral spine straight. Postpetiole as long as broad, almost three and one-half 
times broader behind than in front, sides straight to basal third then strongly 
convex. Gaster fully twice as long as broad. First segment almost one-third 
broader than long, much broader behind than in front. Genitalia retracted. Legs 
long and slender. Wings hyaline. 


Habitat —South Australia: Reevesby Island. 


Promyrmecia pilosula Smith 
Plate XIV, figs. 37-39 
Myrmecia pilosula Smith, Cat. Hymen. Brit. Mus., vi, p. 146, 1858, ¥ 9 2 ; 
Roger, Berl. Ent. Zeitschr., v, p. 35, 1861; Mayr, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. 
Wien, xii, p. 726, 1862. 
Formica forficata Latreille, Fourmis, p. 216, pl. 8, fig. 50, 1802, ¥ 
Myrmecia (Myrmecia) pilosula Emery, Genera Insect., fasc. 118, p. 21, 1911. 


110 A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


Myrmecia (Halmamyrmecia) pilosula Wheeler, Biol. Bull., xl, p. 195, 
1922, ¥. ] J 

Myrmecia (Promyrmecia) pilosula Clark, Vict. Naturalist, xlii, p. 140, 
1925; Wheeler, Colony-founding among Ants, p. 56, 1933, &. 


Worker. Length 12-14 mm. 

Black; mandibles, antennae, tibiae and tarsi yellow. 

Apical half of mandibles with a large longitudinal groove and some coarse 
oblique striae. Head longitudinally striae, the striae very fine and widely spaced, 
densely and finely punctate between the striae. Pronotum longitudinally striate 
in the middle, circular at the sides, the striae larger and closer than on head. 
Mesonotum longitudinally striate, sometimes more striate-rugose, anterior fourth 
of epinotum longitudinally rugose, remainder, including declivity, transversely 
rugose. Node circularly rugose with a longitudinal central carinae. All interstices 
very finely and densely punctate-reticulate. Postpetiole and gaster microscopically 
punctate-reticulate. 

Hair greyish, short, erect, moderately abundant throughout, longer and more 
abundant on gaster, very long and inclined on top and underside of mandibles, 
none on antennae, very short and suberect on legs. Pubescence white, very fine 
and short, adpressed, abundant throughout, longer and more abundant on post- 
petiole and gaster, forming a distinct covering but not hiding the sculpture. 

Head one-sixth broader than long, feebly concave behind, sides convex, angles 
rounded. Mandibles not quite as long as head, external borders straight or feebly 
concave, inner border furnished with four large, sharp, erect teeth, the fourth 
forms a slight angle near base, from there the mandible is slightly reduced, between 
the large teeth is a smaller but sharp tooth. Scapes extend beyond occipital border 
by their thickness; first and third segments of funiculus equal in length, one-tenth 
shorter than second, apical almost twice as long as the preceding. Thorax barely 
twice as long as broad. Pronotum twice as broad as long, sides and front convex, 
dorsum flattened or feebly concave. Mesonotum one-sixth broader than long, 
strongly convex in all directions. Epinotum one-eighth longer than broad; dorsum 
flattened; in profile pronotum convex from apex to base. Mesonotum higher than 
pronotum and epinotum, highest in front, flatly convex, dropping behind; meso- 
epinotal suture deep and narrow. Epinotum strongly convex from base to foot 
of declivity. Node one-fifth broader than long, convex in all directions; in profile 
one-fifth higher than long, almost dome-shaped above, all faces convex, ventral 
spine long and stout, bluntly pointed. Postpetiole barely twice as broad as long, 
strongly convex in all directions; constriction wide and deep. First segment of 
gaster one-sixth broader than long. Legs long and slender. 


Female. Length 14-16 mm. 

Colour and pilosity as on the worker. Sculpture coarser, more irregular. Node 
one and three-fourth times broader than long, sides convex, anterior and posterior 
faces straight or feebly convex. 


Male, 11-12 mm. 

Colour as on the worker. 

Mandibles shining, superficially punctate. Head behind the eyes coarsely punctate, 
the punctures large and shallow, front of head and bottoms of punctures very 
finely and densely punctate. Thorax and node irregularly punctate, the punctures 
large and shallow, obsolete in places, the whole, including postpetiole and gaster, 
very finely and densely punctate. 

Hair grey, very long and abundant throughout, shorter on legs. Pubescence 
white, slightly yellowish on gaster, very fine and abundant. 

Head one-fifth broader than long, greatly reduced behind. Mandibles triangular, 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 111 


with one large tooth at centre between apex and base of inner border. Scapes twice 
as long as first segment of funiculus, second segment of funiculus five times as 
long as first, third segment four and one-half times longer than first. Thorax twice 
as long as broad. Pronotum four times broader than long. Mesonotum with 
sharply defined mayrian and parapsidal furrows. Scutellum as long as broad, 
broadest in front. Node slightly broader than long, convex in all directions; in 
profile higher than long, dome-shaped, higher in front, stalk half as long as node, 
ventral spine long, slender and sharp. Postpetiole one-third broader than long, 
broadest at posterior third, constriction deep and wide; first segment of gaster 
one-eighth broader than long. Legs long and slender. Wings hyaline. 


Habitat—Tasmania: Hobart (type locality). 

New South Wales: Whole State. 

Western Australia: Albany; Mundaring (J. Clark). 

South Australia: Mt. Lofty (A. H. Elston) ; Kangaroo Island (D. J. Mahony) ; 
Normanville (H. Womersley). 

Queensland: Fletcher and Stanthorpe (E. E. Sutton). 


Very abundant in all the eastern States. Commonly known as 
the ‘*‘black jumper,’’ this is the most common and widely dis- 
tributed species in the genus. In Western Australia it is quite 
common in Albany and surrounding district, but is rare farther 
north. In Queensland it ranges north to Rockhampton. 


Promyrmecia michaelseni Forel 
Plate XIII, figs. 17-18 


Myrmecia michaelseni Forel, Fauna Sudwest. Austrl., i, p. 267, 1907, ¥. 

Myrmecia (Myrmecia) michaelseni Emery, Gen. Insect., fasc. 118, p. 21, 
1911, ¥. 

Myrmecia michaelseni var. perthensis Crawley, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (9), 
ix, p. 431, 1922, &. 

Myrmecia (Promyrmecia) michaelseni Wheeler, Colony-founding among 
Ants, p. 59, 1933. 


Worker. Length 10-12 mm. 

Black; mandibles, antennae and legs brown, tarsi reddish. 

Mandibles smooth, some obsolete striae near tips. Head finely striate longi- 
tudinally, very finely and densely punctate between the striae. Pronotum and 
mesonotum finely striate longitudinally. Epinotum more coarsely striate, longi- 
tudinal in front, irregular behind and transverse on the declivity. Node irregularly 
rugose with a longitudinal direction. Postpetiole and gaster densely and micro- 
scopically punctate. 

Hair whitish or yellow, moderately long, abundant and erect throughout, much 
longer on clypeus and apical segments of gaster, hardly apparent on antennae 
except at apex of scapes. Pubescence white, very fine and adpressed on head, 
thorax, antennae and legs, longer and more abundant on postpetiole and sides of 
gaster, top of gaster covered with long golden-red pubescence which hides the 
sculpture. 

Head slightly broader than long, occipital border straight or feebly concave, 
angles rounded. Mandibles very slightly longer than head. Frontal carinae swerving 
behind, as long as broad. Scapes just reach to the posterior border of head; first 
segment of funiculus as long as second, remainder subequal to apical, this is as 
long as the first but shorter than the two preceding combined. Thorax twice as 


112 A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


long as broad. Pronotum twice as broad as long, sides and front strongly convex, 
depressed above. Mesonotum one-third broader than long, sides and front strongly 
convex, weakly convex behind. Meso-epinotal depression deep. Epinotum one- 
third longer than broad, convex in all directions; in profile pronotum and meso- 
notum united in a long convexity, slightly flattened at pro-mesonotal suture. 
Meso-epinotal suture deep and wide, epinotum strongly arched into declivity. Node 
as broad as long, much broader behind than in front, sides and posterior border 
convex, anterior border short and straight; in profile as high as long, anterior 
and posterior faces straight, vertical, dorsum concave, angles bluntly pointed, 
ventral spine long, broad and sharp. Postpetiole one-third broader than long, 
strongly convex in front. First segment of gaster one-sixth broader than long, 
strongly convex. Legs slender. 

Female. Length 13:5-15 mm. 

Colour, sculpture and pilosity as in the worker. Larger and more robust. 
Mandibles similar but larger and broader. Node one-fourth broader than long. 
Postpetiole one-third broader than long. Wings with a slight brownish tinge. 

Male. Unknown. 


Habitat—W estern Australia: Albany; Denmark; Nornalup; Bridgetown; 
Armadale; Perth; Mundaring. 

The worker is described from a co-type received from the late 
Dr. Michaelsen. The female from a nest found at Albany. This 
species is abundant in the Albany district and is found sparingly 
from Albany to Perth. The measurements given by Forel for the 
nodes of this species do not apply to the co-types received nor to 
the majority of large numbers of nests found in various districts. 
The variety described by Crawley from Perth is the typical form. 


Promyrmecia michaelseni Forel s.sp. queenslandica Forel 
Plate XIII, fig. 19 


Myrmecia michaelsenit Forel r. queenslandica Forel, Arkiv. f. Zool., 9, 16, 
p. 4, 1915, &. 

Myrmecia michaelseni s.sp. overbecki Veihmeyer, Ent. Mitteil., xiii, p. 222, 
1924, ¥ @. 


Worker. Length 11-13 mm. 

Colour as in P. michaelseni Forel. Sculpture coarser, more rugose. Hair longer 
and more abundant. Pubescence on gaster not so bright red, more yellowish-red. 

Mandibles as long as head. Scapes not extending to the occipital border by 
fully their thickness; segments of funiculus thicker. In general more robust than 
michaelseni. 


Female. Length 15-5 mm. (after Viehmeyer). 

Mandibles somewhat shorter, not longer than the head, but broader, the fine 
ridge at base of teeth much more distinct than in the worker. Petiole distinctly 
broader than long, its posterior face in profile concave. Wings missing. 

Male. Unknown. 

Habitat—Queensland: Lamington Plateau (type locality, E. Mjoberg) ; 
Fletcher; Stanthorpe (E. Sutton). 

New South Wales: Lismore (C. F. Deuquet) ; Grafton (J. Clark) ; Trial Bay 
(H. Overbeck). 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 113 


Promyrmecia ruginodis n.sp 


Plate XITI, figs. 20-22 


Worker. Length 12-14 mm. 

Black; mandibles, antennae and legs reddish-brown. 

Mandibles finely punctate-reticulate, three or four fine striae near apex and a 
row of large deep punctures along the inner edge at base of teeth. Head finely 
and longitudinally striate-rugose, large shallow punctures between the rugae, the 
whole surface very finely and densely punctate. Pronotum and mesonotum finely 
striate longitudinally, shining between the striae. Epinotum longitudinally striate 
in front, transversely striate behind. Top of node longitudinally striae-rugose. 
Postpetiole striate longitudinally, densely punctate between the striae. Gaster very 
finely and densely punctate. 

Hair yellow, long and erect, rather sparse on head and thorax, longer and 
abundant on nodes and gaster. Short and suberect on legs. None on antennae 
except a few at apex of scapes. Pubescence yellow, very fine and adpressed, longer 
and abundant on postpetiole and gaster, particularly on middle of first segment, 
where it hides the sculpture. 

Head one-eighth broader than long, sides and occipital border feebly convex, 
angles broadly rounded. Mandibles as long as head, external border feebly concave, 
inner border furnished with six large sharp teeth and a smaller tooth between 
each, Frontal carinae as long as broad behind. Scapes extend to posterior border; 
first segment of funiculus slightly shorter than second, apical as long as second, 
remainder sub-equal. Thorax barely twice as long as broad. Pronotum twice as 
broad as long, convex in all directions. Mesonotum one-third broader than long, 
oval. Epinotum twice as long as broad; in profile pronotum and mesonotum 
combined evenly convex from base to apex; constriction between mesonotum and 
epinotum deep. Epinotum evenly convex from base to foot of declivity. Node 
one-third broader than long, broadest behind, conyex in all directions; in profile 
anterior face straight above, sloping forward from the middle below, posterior face 
feebly concave, or straight, dorsum convex, angles rounded, the ventral spine 
short and sharp. Postpetiole one-third broader than long, sides strongly convex. 
First segment of gaster one-eighth broader than long. Legs robust. 


Female. Length 15 mm. 

Colour and pilosity as in the worker, sculpture coarser particularly on the 
mandibles, head and node. 

Mandibles broader, external border straight, teeth longer. Head square behind. 
Node one-fourth broader than long, oval. Postpetiole almost twice as broad as 
long. In all other respects similar to the worker. 


Male. Length 11:5 mm. 

Black ; mandibles, antennae and legs brown, tarsi lighter. Wings hyaline, nervures 

llow. 

Mandibles finely striate on outer border, smooth and shining in middle and inner 
border. Head finely rugose, very finely and densely punctate between the rugae. 
Pronotum, scutellum, mesonotum and node irregularly punctate-rugose, very densely 
punctate between rugae. Epinotum transversely rugose. Postpetiole finely but 
sharply rugose, very finely and densely punctate, the gaster similarly finely punctate. 

Hair whitish, abundant, long and erect throughout, short and suberect on legs, 
none on antennae. Pubescence white, very fine and adpressed, most abundant on 
postpetiole and gaster, yellowish and longer on middle of gaster but not hiding 
the sculpture. 

Head one-sixth broader than long, strongly convex behind eyes. Mandibles 


114 A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


short and triangular, furnished with three strong sharp teeth. Frontal carinae short 
and depressed. Insertions of antennal scapes exposed. Scapes one-fourth longer 
than broad, almost twice as long as first segment of funiculus, second segment five 
times longer than first. Thorax barely twice as long as broad. Pronotum five 
times broader than long, strongly convex. Mesonotum one-fourth broader than 
long, mayrian furrows sharply but not deeply impressed, parapsidal furrows sharply 
impressed. Scutellum one-third broader than long; in profile pronotum erect, 
convex. Mesonotum raised, convex, mayrian furrow deeply impressed. Scutellum 
dome-shaped, longer than high. Epinotum convex from base to foot of declivity. 
Node one-sixth broader than long, almost circular; in profile the anterior face 
sloping gradually backward, posterior face short and straight, dorsum convex, 
both edges rounded; the ventral spine short and sharp. Pronotum almost twice 
as broad as long, sides strongly convex. First segment of gaster one-fifth broader 
than long. Legs long and slender. 


Habitat —W estern Australia: Perth; Armadale; Ludlow (J. Clark). 


In size and colour this species resembles P. michaelseni Forel. 
The sculpture is quite different. 


Promyrmecia chrysogaster n.sp. 


Plate XIII, fig. 23 

Worker. Length 9 mm. 

Black; mandibles, antennae and anterior coxae brown; legs, including middle 
and hind coxae, yellow. 

Mandibles with coarse obsolete striae in the middle of dorsum, finely reticulate 
on basal third. Head finely striate longitudinally. Thorax and node longitudinally 
striate, more coarsely than on head, epinotal declivity transversely striate. Post- 
petiole and gaster microscopically punctate. 

Hair yellow, fine, long, erect and abundant throughout, shorter on legs, none 
on antennae except at apex of scapes. Pubescence white, very fine and adpressed 
throughout, long and very abundant on postpetiole, yellow on gaster, long and 
adpressed, forming a golden covering hiding the sculpture. 

Head as long as broad, sides and occipital border straight, angles broadly rounded. 
Mandibles as long as head, external border strongly concave in middle, inner edge 
furnished with six large, sharp, erect teeth with a small tooth between each. 
Frontal carinae as long as broad behind. Scapes not extending to occipital border 
by fully their thickness. Second segment of funiculus one-fifth longer than first. 
Thorax twice as long as broad. Pronotum twice as broad as long, sides and front 
convex. Mesonotum one-third broader than long, oval. Epinotum one-fifth longer 
than broad; in profile convex in front, dorsum of pronotum, mesonotum and 
epinotum straight with a deep and wide incision at meso-epinotal suture, declivity 
of epinotum shorter than dorsum into which it is rounded. Node as long as broad, 
convex in all directions; in profile slightly higher than long, anterior face sloping 
backward, convex, rounded into the convex dorsum, posterior face slightly concave, 
the top edge rounded, the ventral spine short and blunt. Postpetiole one-third 
broader than long, sides and front strongly convex. First segment of gaster 
broader than long, sides convex. Legs slender. 


Male and female unknown. 
Habitat—Queensland: Brisbane (C. Barrett). 
The general colour gives this species the appearance of P. 


fulvipes Roger; it is, however, more closely related to P. michael- 
sent Forel. 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 115 


Promyrmecia cydista sp. nov. 


Plate XIII, fig. 24 


Worker. Length 9-12 mm. 

Black; basal half of mandibles yellow, apical half yellowish-brown, antennae 
and legs brown, tarsi reddish-brown. 

Basal half of mandible smooth, microscopically reticulate, apical half with four 
or five large, shallow, elongate punctures. Head very finely striate longitudinally, 
interstices wide, densely and finely reticulate and with scattered shallow punctures. 
Pronotum and mesonotum longitudinally striate-rugose, coarser than on head; 
epinotum and node coarsely and irregularly punctate-rugose, all interstices finely 
and densely reticulate. Postpetiole and gaster microscopically reticulate. 

Hair yellow, short and erect, abundant throughout, longer on apical segments of 
gaster; sparse, short and suberect on legs, a few at apex of scapes. Pubescence 
whitish, very fine and adpressed throughout; yellow, longer and more abundant 
on postpetiole but not hiding sculpture, long and forming a dense covering on 
gaster. 

Head very slightly broader than long, sides feebly convex, occipital border 
feebly concave, angles broadly rounded. Mandibles shorter than head, external 
border feebly concave, inner border furnished with five large, sharp, erect teeth, 
with two smaller teeth preceding each large tooth. Scapes not extending to 
occipital border by their thickness; first and third segments of funiculus equal in 
length, second very slightly longer. Thorax twice as long as broad; pronotum 
almost twice as broad as long, sides and front strongly convex, dorsum flattened; 
mesonotum one-fifth longer than pronotum and one-sixth broader than long; 
constriction deep and wide; epinotum as long as broad, feebly convex transversely ; 
in profile pronotum evenly convex from apex to base; mesonotum much higher 
than pronotum and epinotum, highest in front, meso-epinotal excision deep, 
epinotum evenly convex from base to foot of declivity. Node one-fourth broader 
than long, broadest behind, anterior and posterior borders straight or feebly convex, 
sides strongly convex; in profile dome-shaped, higher than long, ventral spine 
thorn-like, sharp. Postpetiole one-third broader than long, broadest behind middle; 
constriction deep and wide. First segment of gaster one-fifth broader than long. 
Legs slender. 

Male and female unknown. 


Habitat —New South Wales: Lismore (C. F. Denquet) ; Dorrigo (W. Heron) ; 
Sydney (W. W. Froggatt) ; Wahroonga (H. J. Carter). 

Resembles P. michaelseni in colour but is much smaller, more 
slender and differently sculptured. The yellow mandibles, shape 
of thorax and nodes distinguish them. 


Promyrmecia chasei Forel 
Plate XIII, figs. 25-27 


Myrmecia chasei Forel, Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg., xxxviii, p. 235, 1894, ¥.: 

Myrmecia (Myrmecia) chasei Emery, Genera Insect., fasc. 118, p. 21, 
1911, %. 

Myrmecia pilosula Smith s.sp. mediorubra Forel, Rev. Suisse Zool., xviii, 
p. 7, 1910, %. 

Myrmecia (Myrmecia) pilosula Smith s.sp. mediorubra Emery, Genera 
Insect., fasc. 118, p. 21, 1911, %. 


116 A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


Myrmecia (Myrmecia) chasei Crawley, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (9), ix, p. 431, 
1922, %. 

Myrmecia (Promyrmecia) mediorubra Wheeler, Colony-founding among 
Ants, p. 58, 1933, %. 


Worker. Length 12-15-5 mm. 

Head, postpetiole and gaster black, antennae and legs brown, mandibles, apical 
segments of funiculus and tarsi yellow, thorax and node light red. ; 

Front half of mandibles striate, base smooth, finely punctate. Head finely striate 
longitudinally, the striae widely spaced; very finely and densely punctate between 
the striae. Pronotum, mesonotum and front of epinotum sculptured as on the head 
but the striae large, epinotal declivity transversely striate, node circularly striate 
with a strong central longitudinal carina. Postpetiole and gaster densely and 
microscopically punctate. 

Hair whitish, short and erect, abundant throughout. Pubescence white, very 
fine and adpressed on head and thorax, long and more abundant on postpetiole 
and gaster, on the middle of first segment it is yellowish and dense, almost hiding 
the sculpture. 

Head very slightly broader than long, straight or feebly concave behind, the 
angles broadly rounded into sides. Mandibles a fraction longer than head, external 
border straight, inner border furnished with five large erect teeth, with a smaller 
tooth between each. Frontal carinae erect, longer than broad behind. Scapes 
extend to occipital border ; second segment of funiculus one-third longer than first. 
Thorax twice as long as broad. Pronotum fully twice as broad as long, strongly 
convex all ways. Mesonotum almost one-fourth broader than long. Epinotum one 
and one-half times longer than broad; in profile pronotum convex from base to 
apex. Mesonotum convex, raised above level of pronotum and epinotum, meso- 
epinotal suture narrow and deep, epinotum convex from base to foot of declivity. 
Node one and one-half times broader than long, oval; in profile higher than long, 
anterior face short and vertical, posterior edge sharply rounded, Ventral spine 
short and sharp. Postpetiole twice as broad as long, sides and front strongly convex. 
First segment of gaster one-sixth broader than long. Legs short and stout. 


Female, Length 22-24 mm. 

Colour as in the worker, but there is a brown spot on each side of the dorsum 
of scutellum and one on each side of dorsum of node. Wings hyaline. Sculpture 
and pilosity similar, but the pubescence darker and more abundant on gaster. 

Head one-fifth broader than long, occipital border straight or feebly concave, sides 
feebly convex, angles broadly rounded. Mandibles as long as head, external border 
convex, inner border convex, furnished with five large, sharp, erect teeth with a 
smaller tooth between each. Scapes not extending to occipital border by fully twice 
their thickness ; second segment of funiculus very slightly longer than first. Mayrian 
furrows indicated but not impressed. Node twice as broad as long, broader behind 
than in front, sides strongly convex, posterior border feebly convex, anterior border 
concave in middle. Postpetiole twice as broad as long, almost oval. First segment 
of gaster broader than long. Legs short and robust. 


Male. Length 14-5 mm. 

Black; a large spot on each side of pronotum, the whole of the mesonotum, 
epinotum and node yellowish-red, mandibles and legs blackish-brown, antennae and 
tarsi reddish-brown. 

Head, thorax and node coarsely punctate-reticulate, postpetiole and gaster very 
densely and finely punctate. 

Hair yellowish-white, erect, long and abundant throughout, pubescence white, 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 117 


very fine and adpressed, very abundant on postpetiole and gaster but not hiding 
the sculpture, darker on middle of first segment. 

Head very slightly broader than long, strongly convex behind the eyes. 
Mandibles furnished with three strong sharp teeth. Frontal carinae as long as 
broad behind. Scapes one-third longer than broad, and twice as long as first 
segment of funiculus, second segment of funiculus six times longer than first. 
Thorax twice as long as broad. Pronotum five times broader than long, sides and 
front convex. Mesonotum slightly broader than long, convex in all directions, 
mayrian and parapsidal furrows deeply impressed. Scutellum one-third broader 
than long, broadest in front. Epinotum almost twice as broad as long, convex 
laterally ; in profile pronotum erect, convex. Mesonotum high and convex mayrian 
furrows deeply impressed. Scutellum dome-shaped, longer than high. Epinotum 
short, strongly convex from base to foot of declivity. Node one-third broader than 
long, oval; in profile longer than high, anterior face straight, sloping gradually 
backward, posterior face short, convex, rounded into convex dorsum, anterior edge 
bluntly rounded. Postpetiole barely twice as broad as long, sides strongly convex. 
First segment almost one-fourth broader than long. Legs slender. 


Habitat—Western Australia: Perth; Mundaring; Armadale; Bridgetown; 
Albany ; Denmark (J. Clark). 


The workers vary greatly in size’in some nests. The queen is 
huge in bulk in comparison with even the largest workers. As a 
rule in most of the known species there is very little difference in 
the size of the workers and queens. A female from Garden Island 
has the head brown, straighter behind and the whole sculpture 
coarser. 


Promyrmecia chasei Forel var. ludlowi Crawley 


Myrmecia chasei Forel, var. ludlowi Crawley, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (9), 
ix, p. 431, 1922, ¥ ; Crawley, l.c., xvi, p. 578, 1925, ¢. 

Worker. Length 12-15 mm. 

Agrees with P. chasei Forel in all details except colour. The mandibles, antennae 
and legs brown, tarsi reddish. Head, postpetiole and gaster black, the thorax, 
instead of being entirely red, is black on the neck of the pronotum, a large spot on 
centre of mesonotum, lower half of the mesosternum and metasternum. 

Female. Length 22 mm. 

Colour darker than P. chasei, otherwise similar. One fully-developed female 
form Ludlow has no traces of wings. 

Male. Length 14 mm. 

Similar to the male of P. chasei Forel. 


Habitat —Western Australia: Ludlow; Armadale (J. Clark). 


This colour variation is constant; no graduation between the 
two forms has been found. 

The male described from Albany by Crawley is the male of 
chasei, which is common there; the var. ludlowi is not found in 


that locality. 


118 A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


Promyrmecia hardert Forel 
Plate XITI, figs. 28, 29 


Myrmecia harderi Forel, Rev. Suisse Zool., xviii, p. 8, 1910, %. 
Myrmecia (Myrmecia) harderi Emery, Gen. Insect., fasc. 118, p. 21, 
1911, &. 


Worker. Length 10-5 mm. 

Head and gaster black, mandibles yellow, antennae and tarsi reddish-yelow. 
Legs, coxae and base of mesosternum brown, thorax, node and centre of post- 
petiole yellowish-red. 

Mandibles smooth and shining on basal half, coarsely striate on apical half. 
Head very finely striate longitudinally, finely reticulate between the striae. Meso- 
notum feebly and irregularly rugose, the rugae almost longitudinal, densely reticu- 
late. Epinotum and node much more coarsely and irregularly rugose. Postpetiole 
longitudinally striate-rugose. Gaster microscopically punctate. 

Hair yellow, short and erect on head, thorax and legs, longer and more abundant 
on node, postpetiole and gaster. Pubescence white, very fine and adpressed, much 
longer and more abundant on gaster but not hiding the sculpture. 

Head very slightly broader than long, occipital border feebly concave, sides 
convex. Mandibles as long as head, slender, parallel, external border concave, inner 
border furnished with five large, short, erect teeth, with a smaller tooth between 
each. Scapes just reach the occipital border; second segment of funiculus barely 
one-fourth longer than first, Thorax fully twice as long as broad. Pronotum twice 
as broad as long, sides and front strongly convex, dorsum flattened. Mesonotum 
very slightly broader than long, almost circular. Epinotum one-third longer than 
broad; in profile pronotum and mesonotum united in an even convexity with a 
feeble impression at suture, meso-epinotal suture deep but not wide. Epinotum 
convex from base to foot of declivity. Node as long as broad, circular, convex on 
top ; in profile longer than high, anterior face short, rounded into dorsum, posterior 
face and dorsum united convex, ventral spine very short, sharp. Postpetiole one- 
fourth broader than long, convex from base to apex. First segment of gaster very 
slightly broader than long. Legs stout. 

Female. Length 14:5 mm. 

Differs from the worker in being larger, more robust and winged. Mayrian 
furrows feebly impressed on mesonotum. The mandibles slightly shorter and 
broader, the scapes do not reach the occipital border. 


Habitat—New South Wales: Gunnedah; Narrabri; Dubbo (W. W. Froggatt). 


The worker is re-described from a co-type received many years 
ago from the late W. W. Froggatt. 


Promyrmecia scabra sp. nov. 


Plate XIV, figs. 4041 


Worker. Length 11-11-5 mm. 

Black; half of pronotum, whole of epinotum and node red. Mandibles yellow 
on basal half, apical half darker, antennae and tibiae brown, tarsi more reddish. 

Basal half of mandibles very finely and densely reticulate, with some large, 
shallow punctures, apical half longitudinally striate. Head finely striate longi- 
tudinally, the striae widely separated, interstices densely reticulate. Pronotum and 
mesonotum longitudinally striate-rugose. Epinotum and node more coarsely and 
irregularly rugose, all interstices densely reticulate. Postpetiole more finely rugose, 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 19 


the rugae with a longitudinal direction and more or less obsolete, some obsolete 
punctures showing, the interstices densely and finely punctate, gaster very finely 
and densely reticulate. 

Hair yellowish, erect, short on head and thorax, longer on nodes and gaster, 
very short and suberect on legs, none on antennae. Pubescence yellowish, very 
fine and adpressed, forming a distinct covering on gaster but not hiding sculpture. 

Head very slightly broader than long, sides convex, occipital feebly concave in 
middle, angles rounded. Mandibles as long as head, external border feebly concave, 
inner border convex, furnished with four large, sharp, erect teeth, each preceded 
by two small teeth. Scapes just reach occipital border, first and third segments 
of funiculus equal length, one-fifth shorter than second. Thorax twice as long as 
broad. Pronotum twice as broad as long. Mesonotum slightly broader than long, 
almost circular, excision deep and wide. Epinotum one-fifth longer than broad, 
convex transversely ; in profile pronotum evenly convex from apex to base; meso- 
notum higher than pronotum and epinotum, highest in front of middle, dropping 
behind ; epinotum convex from base to bottom of declivity. Node slightly broader 
than long, broadest behind middle, convex in all directions; in profile slightly 
higher than long, anterior face high, basal half straight, upper half convex, posterior 
face short, convex, continuous with dorsum into anterior face; ventral spine short 
and sharp. Postpetiole three-fifths broader than long, sides and front strongly 
convex, broadest behind middle. First segment of gaster one-sixth broader than 
long, broadest at middle. Legs long and robust. 


Female. Length 15:5 mm. 

Colour, sculpture and pilosity as on the worker. Larger and more robust. Head 
one-eighth broader than long, mandibles not reaching occipital border by fully 
their width at base. Scapes not reaching occipital border by fully their width at 
apex. Node one-fourth broader than long, oval. Postpetiole five-eighths broader 
than long. Legs robust. Wings hyaline. 


Male. Unknown. 

Habitat—South Australia: Leigh’s Creek. 

In general appearance similar to P. harderi Forel, but distin- 
guished by the form of the mandibles, thorax and nodes. 


Promyrmecia occidentalis sp. nov. 
Plate XIII, figs. 30, 31 


Worker. Length 11-12 mm. ; 

Head, pronotum, mesonotum and gaster black; mandibles yellow, antennae and 
legs reddish-yellow ; epinotum, node and postpetiole light red. 

Head finely striate-rugose, interstices densely reticulate. Pronotum more coarsely 
striate-rugose, longitudinally arched. Mesonotum _and epinotum longitudinally 
striate-rugose, declivity of epinotum transversely striate. Node irregularly rugose. 
Postpetiole and gaster microscopically reticulate. 

Hair yellow, short and erect, sparse throughout, but more abundant and longer 
on gaster. Pubescence white, apparent on postpetiole and gaster, very fine and 
adpressed. As . 

Head very slightly broader than long, occipital border straight or feebly concave, 
sides convex, angles rounded. Mandibles as long as head, external border concave, 
inner border convex, furnished with five large, sharp, erect teeth, with two small 
teeth between each. Scapes extend beyond occipital border by their thickness; 
second segment of funiculus one-fourth longer than first. Thorax two and one- 


120 A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


third times longer than broad. Pronotum twice as broad as long, strongly convex 
on front and sides. Mesonotum slightly broader than long, convex in all directions. 
Epinotum one-third longer than broad, flattened laterally ; in profile evenly convex 
to base, suture sharply impressed. Mesonotum convex, highest at middle, suture 
deep and wide. Epinotum evenly convex from base to apex. Node circular, as 
long as broad; in profile as high as long, anterior and posterior faces vertical, 
straight, dorsum convex, edges rounded. Ventral spine short and sharp. Post- 
petiole one-third broader than long, sides convex. First segment of gaster one- 
seventh broader than long, sides evenly convex. Legs long and slender. 


Female. Length 13 mm. 

Head, pronotum, scutellum, mesonotum and gaster black, mandibles and labrum 
yellow, basal half of scapes brown, apical half and all the funiculus and legs reddish- 
yellow, epinotum, node and postpetiole red. 

Sculpture similar to that of worker but coarser, the dorsum of epinotum irregu- 
larly, not longitudinally, rugose. 

Pilosity similar but longer and more abundant. 

Head one-tenth broader than long, sides feebly convex, occipital border concave, 
angles rounded. Mandibles barely as long as head, straighter and more strongly 
toothed than in worker. Scapes barely reach occipital border. Node one-fourth 
broader than long. 


Male. Unknown. 


Habitat—Western Australia: Tammin; Eradu (J. Clark); Merridin (L. J. 
Newman) ; Beverley (E. du Boulay). 


Resembles P. chasei, but distinguished by the more slender and 
smaller size, as well as the yellow antennae and legs. 


Promyrmecia celaena sp. nov 
Plate XIV, fig. 42 


Worker. Length 10-11 mm. 

Black; mandibles yellow, antennae and legs brown, tarsi reddish-brown. 

Mandibles coarsely striate-rugose on apical two-thirds, very finely striate on 
basal third. Head finely striate longitudinally, interstices wide and densely punctate- 
reticulate. Pronotum and mesonotum longitudinally striate-rugose, transversely 
arched on front of pronotum, epinotum irregularly punctate-rugose, the punctures 
large and shallow, node more coarsely rugose; postpetiole irregularly striate- 
rugose, the rugae with a more or less longitudinal direction, interstices densely 
reticulate, gaster microscopically punctate-reticulate. 

Hair yellow, fine, short and erect on head and thorax, longer on node and gaster, 
short and sub-erect on legs. Pubescence white, very fine and adpressed, abundant 
throughout, long and more dense on postpetiole, longer and coarser on gaster, 
forming a faint yellowish covering but not hiding sculpture. 

Head slightly broader than long, sides convex, occipital border concave, angles 
broadly rounded. Mandibles not as long as head, fully their width at base shorter, 
external border concave, inner border convex, furnished with four large, sharp, 
erect teeth, each preceded by two smaller teeth. Scapes not extending to occipital 
border by fully their thickness; first and second segments of funiculus equal in 
length, third very slightly shorter. Thorax twice as long as broad. Pronotum 
twice as broad as long, convex in all directions. Mesonotum one-sixth broader 
than long, one-fifth longer than pronotum, excision deep and wide; epinotum as 
long as broad, convex laterally; in profile pronotum convex from apex to base, 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 121 


mesonotum higher than pronotum, highest at middle, evenly convex, dropping 
behind; excision deep and wide; epinotum evenly convex from base to foot of 
declivity. Node barely one-fifth broader than long, broadest at middle, convex 
in all directions; in profile higher than long, dome-shaped, anterior and posterior 
faces vertical and short, rounded into convex dorsum, ventral spine long, slender 
and sharp. Postpetiole one-third broader than long, broadest at basal fourth, con- 
striction deep and wide. First segment of gaster one-tenth broader than long, 
broadest at middle, sides evenly convex. Legs long and robust. 


Male and female unknown. 

Habitat —New South Wales: Pilliga (W. W. Froggatt); Narrabri (W. W. 
Froggatt). 

Queensland: Millmerran (J. Macqueen). 


In size and colour this species is similar to P. clarki from 
Western Australia. The formation of the mandibles and nodes 
readily separates them. 


Promyrmecia maloni sp. nov 
Plate XIV, fig. 43 


Worker. Length 10-11 mm. 

Black ; dorsum and sides of pronotum, epinotum and node red, edged with black 
below. Mandibles yellow, funiculus and tibiae brown, tarsi yellowish-brown. 

Basal half of mandibles smooth, apical half coarsely striate-rugose. Head with 
fine, longitudinal, widely spaced striae, clypeus and spaces between the striae finely 
and densely punctate-reticulate. Pronotum and mesonotum longitudinally striate- 
rugose, coarser and more widely spaced than on head. Epinotum and node coarsely 
but shallowly punctate-rugose, the declivity of epinotum transversely rugose, 
densely and finely reticulate-punctate between the rugae. Postpetiole superficially 
punctate-rugose, the punctures large and very shallow, finely and very densely 
reticulate-punctate throughout. Gaster and legs microscopically reticulate. 

Hair yellow, short and erect, abundant on head, thorax and legs, none on antennae, 
long and more abundant on gaster. Pubescence white, very fine and adpressed, 
most abundant on gaster and legs, on most examples the pubescence on dorsum 
of gaster is longer and yellowish, forming a slight covering but not hiding the 
sculpture. 

Head one-seventh broader than long, sides convex, occipital border concave, 
angles rounded. Mandibles not as long as head, external border feebly convex, 
inner border furnished with four large teeth and small teeth between the larger. 
Frontal carinae almost one-fourth longer than broad. Scapes just reach occipital 
border; first and third segments of funiculus equal in length, one-tenth shorter 
than second, apical one-third longer than preceding. Thorax two and one-sixth 
times longer than broad. Pronotum twice as broad as long, convex in all directions. 
Mesonotum as long as broad, circular. Epinotum one-fourth longer than broad, 
broadly rounded in front; in profile pronotum raised, evenly convex. Mesonotum 
highest in front, slightly higher than pronotum, convex and dropping behind, 
constriction between mesonotum and epinotum deep. Dorsum and declivity of 
epinotum united in a broad arch. Node slightly broader than long, almost circular; 
in profile slightly higher than long, anterior face straight and vertical, dorsum and 
posterior face convex, ventral spine short, broad and sharp. Postpetiole barely 
twice as broad as long, strongly convex in all directions, constriction sharply 
impressed, narrow. First segment of gaster broader than long, broadest behind, 
strongly convex. Legs long and robust. 


122 A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


Female and male unknown. 

Habitat—Victoria: Inglewood (Sep., 1939). 

In general appearance like P. occidentalis, but much more 
slender. The colour varies slightly; one example has only the 
dorsum of the epinotum and the node red. 

This species is dedicated to Mr. M. J. C. Malone, of the Museum 
staff, in recognition of his assistance in typing the work. 


Promyrmecia elegans sp. nov. 
Plate XIV, figs. 44-45 


Worker. Length 13-14°5 mm. 

Head, postpetiole, gaster and all coxae black, postpetiole with’a large reddish 
patch at each side, mandibles and antennae yellow, legs reddish-yellow. Thorax 
and node bright red. 

Basal half of mandibles densely punctate, apical half coarsely and obliquely 
striate. Head, pronotum and mesonotum longitudinally striate, very finely and 
densely reticulate between the striae. Basal third of epinotum coarsely and 
irregularly rugose, transversely rugose behind. Node circularly rugose. Post- 
petiole and gaster finely and densely reticulate. Scapes and legs finely and densely 
reticulate, 

Hair yellow, short and erect, sparse on head and thorax, more abundant on 
postpetiole and gaster, very long on node and apex of gaster, short and suberect 
on legs, none on antennae. Pubescence whitish, very fine and adpressed, apparent 
only on postpetiole and gaster. 

Head as broad as long, occipital border straight or very feebly concave, sides 
feebly convex, posterior angles broadly rounded. Mandibles slightly longer than 
head, external border concave in middle, inner border furnished with ten sharp 
teeth, the first two very small. Frontal carinae as long as broad at middle. Scapes 
extend beyond the occipital border by about half their thickness. Second segment 
of funiculus twice as long as first, remainder subequal, apical-pointed, one-third 
longer than the preceding. Thorax two and one-fourth times longer than broad. 
Pronotum almost twice as broad as long, strongly convex in all directions. Pro- 
mesonotal suture sharply impressed. Mesonotum one-sixth broader than long, 
convex in all directions, meso-epinotal suture deep and wide. Epinotum one-third 
longer than broad, convex laterally; in profile pronotum raised and strongly convex 
in front, flatly convex behind. Mesonotum rather flatly convex. Epinotum strongly 
and evenly convex from base to foot of declivity. Meso-epinotal suture deep and 
wide. Node one-fifth broader than long, all faces convex; in profile higher than 
long, top half of anterior face short and vertical, bottom half sloping forward and 
downward at an acute angle, posterior face short and vertical, rounded into the 
dorsum, anterior edge of dorsum bluntly rounded. Ventral spine very short and 
sharp. Postpetiole barely twice as broad as long, broadest and strongly convex at 
basal third, constriction deep and narrow. First segment of gaster broader than 
long, strongly convex. Legs long and slender. 


Female, Length 16 mm. (dealated). 

Colour, sculpture and pilosity as in the worker. 

Larger and more robust. Head very slightly broader than long. Mandibles 
stronger, not as long as head. Scapes not extending to occipital border by fully 
their thickness. Thorax robust; parapsidal furrows sharply impressed, mayrian 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 123 


furrows feebly indicated. Node fully one-third broader than long, anterior edge 
feebly concave in middle. Postpetiole almost twice as broad as long. Legs stout. 


Habitat —Western Australia: Hovea; Mt. Dale; Mundaring (J. Clark). 


Promyrmecia opaca sp. nov. 
Plate XLV, figs. 46-47 


Worker. Length 11-11-°5 mm. 

Head, thorax and gaster black; dorsum of epinotum, node and in parts the 
postpetiole blood-red; mandibles yellow, antennae and legs reddish-brown. 

Mandibles coarsely punctate-rugose in front, finely reticulate on basal half. 
Head finely and densely striate-rugose longitudinally, very finely and densely 
reticulate between striate. Pronotum, mesonotum and anterior fourth of epinotum 
longitudinally striate-rugose, coarser than on head, epinotum transversely rugose. 
Node irregularly, almost circularly rugose. Postpetiole and gaster very finely 
and densely reticulate. 

Hair yellow, short and erect throughout, longer and more abundant on apical 
segment of gaster, very short and suberect on antennae and legs. Pubescence white, 
very fine and adpressed, abundant on postpetiole and gaster, but not hiding the 
sculpture. 

Head slightly broader than long, occipital border straight, sides feebly convex, 
angles rounded. Mandibles barely as long as head, external border feebly concave 
in middle, inner border convex, furnished with five large sharp teeth with a small 
tooth between each of the larger, first two teeth small. Scapes extend beyond 
occipital border by barely their thickness; first and second segment of funiculus 
equal in length, remainder subequal. Thorax almost two and one-fourth times 
longer than broad. Pronotum almost twice as broad as long, strongly convex in 
front and on sides, flatly convex above. Mesonotum one-sixth broader than long, 
convex in all directions, meso-epinotal suture deep. Epinotum longer than broad, 
flattened transversely; in profile pronotum raised and sloping backward, straight, 
rounded into the rather flattened dorsum. Mesonotum convex, higher than pro- 
notum, meso-epinotal suture deep. Epinotum convex from base to foot of declivity. 
Node as long as broad, slightly broader behind than in front, all faces convex; in 
profile top half of anterior face vertical, bottom half sloping downward and forward 
at an acute angle, dorsum flattened, posterior face convex and rounded into dorsum, 
ventral spine short and sharp. Postpetiole one-third broader than long, sides 
strongly convex, constriction deep and wide. First segment of gaster broader 
than long, much broader behind than in front, sides strongly convex. Legs robust. 


Female. Length 14-15 mm. (dealated). 

Colour, as in the worker. 

Sculpture slightly coarser, more strongly rugose. Hair longer and more abun- 
dant. Pubescence darker, more yellowish, and more abundant on gaster. Apart 
from larger size and in being winged, very similar to the worker. 

Habitat—Western Australia: Tammin; Eradu (J. Clark); Dowerin (L. J. 
Newman). 

Promyrmecia cephalotes sp. nov 
Plate XLV, figs. 32-34 

Worker. Length 13-14-5 mm. 

Mandibles yellow, head and gaster black, antennae, thorax, node, postpetiole, a 
small patch on each side of first segment of gaster and all the legs yellowish-red. 


124 A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


Mandibles striate-punctate on apical half and a row of shallow piligerous punc- 
tures along the centre from base to apex. Head very finely striate longitudinally, 
very finely and densely reticulate between the striae. Pronotum finely striate and 
reticulate as on head but striae more spaced, longitudinal in the middle, arched on 
the sides. Mesonotum much more finely striate, the striae longitudinal but diverging 
outward in front. Epinotum rather coarsely striate transversely. Node circularly 
striate-rugose. Postpetiole and gaster very finely and densely punctate. 

Hair yellow, short and erect on head, thorax and node, longer and more abundant 
on postpetiole and gaster, very short and sparse on antennae. longer and suberect 
on legs. Pubescence white, very fine and adpressed, longer and more abundant 
on gaster, where it forms a thin covering. 

Head one-fifth broader than long, sides convex, occipital border straight or 
feebly concave. Mandibles as long as head, external border feebly convex, inner 
border feebly convex, furnished with five large, sharp, erect teeth. Frontal carinae 
as long as broad behind. Scapes extend beyond occipital border by fully their 
thickness; second segment of funiculus one-fourth longer than first. Thorax twice 
as long as broad. Pronotum twice as broad as long, strongly convex in all direc- 
tions. Mesonotum one-eighth broader than long, circular, convex above. Epinotum 
fully one-fourth longer than broad, convex laterally; in profile pronotum and 
mesonotum united in an even curve with a feeble indention at the suture, top of 
mesonotum scarcely higher than top of pronotum and epinotum. Meso-epinotal 
suture deep and wide. Epinotum straight in front, broadly rounded into the 
declivity. Node one-fourth broader than long, convex in all directions: in profile 
slightly longer than high, anterior and posterior faces erect, short, broadly rounded 
into dorsum, ventral spine short and sharp. Postpetiole twice as broad as long, 
ee strongly convex. First segment of gaster one-eighth broader than long. Legs 
slender. 


Female. Length 18:5-19 mm. 

Colour as in the worker except that the first segment of gaster is entirely red 
at base, shading to brown at apex of segment. Wings hyaline with a yellowish tinge. 

Sculpture similar but coarser. 

Hair longer and more abundant. 

Head one-fourth broader than long, mandibles as long as head, broader and 
more conyex than in worker. Scapes just reach the posterior border. Node barely 
twice as broad as long, posterior and anterior faces straight, sides convex. Post- 
petiole twice as broad as long, strongly convex on front and sides. First segment 
of gaster one-fourth broader than long. Legs robust. 


Male. Length 14 mm. 

Head, pronotum, mesonotum and three last segments of gaster black. Mandibles 
brownish-red, antennae, legs, sides, mesonotum, epinotum, both nodes and first 
segment of gaster yellowish-red. 

Hair white, erect, long and abundant throughout. Pubescence white, very fine 
and adpressed, longer and more abundant on gaster. 

Head very slightly broader than long, convex behind eyes. Mandibles short 
and broad, furnished with three teeth. Scapes twice as long as broad and twice as 
long as first segment of funiculus, second segment three times longer than first. 
Thorax twice as long as broad. Pronotum four times broader than long, strongly 
convex. Mesonotum as long as broad, parapsidal furrows weakly impressed. 
Scutellum one-fourth broader than long, broadest in front. Epinotum twice, as 
broad as long, convex laterally; in profile pronotum erect, strongly convex in 
front. Mesonotum high and convex, highest in middle. Scutellum dome-shaped. 
Epinotum straight on top, as long as declivity into which it is rounded. Node 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 125 


one-third broader than long, convex in all directions; in profile dome-shaped, the 
ventral spine sharp, very short. Postpetiole one-third broader than long, sides 
i trae First segment of gaster one-fourth broader than long. Legs long 
and slender. 


Habitat—South Australia: Cooper’s Creek (J. G. Reuther) ; Killalpaninna 
(H. J. Hillier). 
Promyrmecia hilli sp. nov 


Plate XIV, fig. 35 


Worker. Length 14°5 mm. 

Head and last two segments of gaster black. Mandibles yellow, antennae, thorax, 
node, postpetiole, first two segments of gaster and the legs reddish-yellow. 

Mandibles finely striate, a row of large piligerous punctures along their centre. 
Head finely striate longitudinally, striae spaced and densely reticulate between 
them. Pronotum longitudinally striate, the striae larger and more widely spaced. 
Mesonotum finely striate longitudinally, the striae obsolete, particularly behind. 
Epinotum coarsely striate transversely. Node circularly striate. Postpetiole and 
gaster microscopically reticulate. 

Hair yellow, erect, short and sparse throughout; there are six very long hairs 
on dorsum of pronotum. Pubescence white, very fine and adpressed, very sparse, 
noticeable only on gaster. 

Head very slightly broader than long, occipital border and sides feebly convex, 
angles broadly rounded. Mandibles as long as head, external border straight or 
feebly convex, inner border furnished with four large, sharp, erect teeth, with a 
smali tooth between each, the fourth is at the basal fourth, no teeth between it 
and the base. Frontal carinae longer than broad. Scapes extend beyond occipital 
border by barely twice their thickness. Second segment of funiculus one-sixth 
longer than first. Thorax two and one-fourth times longer than broad. Pronotum 
one-third broader than long, sides strongly convex, dorsum flattened in middle. 
Mesonotum circular, as long as broad. Epinotum one-third longer than broad; 
in profile pronotum and mesonotum combined evenly convex, pro-mesonotal suture 
feebly indicated, meso-epinotal suture deep and wide. Epinotum weakly convex 
above, broadly rounded into declivity. Node as long as broad, almost circular, but 
slightly broader behind than in front, convex in all directions; in profile longer 
than high, anterior face vertical, straight, posterior face short, rounded into dorsum, 
anterior edge blunt, the ventral spine short and sharp. Postpetiole one-third 
broader than long, sides strongly convex. First segment of gaster one-fifth broader 
than long. Legs long and slender. 

Male and female unknown. 


Habitat.—Central Australia: Finke River (G. F. Hill). 


Promyrmecia callima sp. nov 
Plate XLV, fig. 36 


Head black, mandibles yellow, base of scapes and anterior edge of pronotum 
and a spot on each side of mesonotum brown, apical half of scapes, funiculus, 
thorax, nodes and gaster yellowish-red, legs lighter, more yellowish. 

Mandibles with a row of large piligerous punctures along the centre with a 
slight ridge at each side forming a shallow groove. Clypeus very finely and densely 

te, with indications of very faint longitudinal striae at the sides. Head with 
very fine longitudinal striae widely spaced, the spaces very finely and densely 


126 A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) : 


reticulate-punctate. Thorax more shining than head. Pronotum longitudinally 
arched striate, the striae very widely, but irregularly, spaced. Mesonotum very 
densely and finely reticulate-punctate, with some obsolete longitudinal striae, more 
clearly defined at the sides. Dorsum and declivity of epinotum transversely striate, 
the striae very widely spaced. Node circularly striate-rugose, in the centre the 
striae obsolete and almost longitudinal. Postpetiole and gaster microscopically 
reticulate. 

Hair yellow, very long and inclined inwards on the top and underside of the 
mandibles, rather short and sparse on the head and thorax, with a few long fine 
and erect hairs sparsely scattered on thorax, more abundant on legs, longer and 
more abundant on apical segments of gaster, none on antennae, except a few very 
short at apex of scapes. Pubescence white, very short and adpressed, longer and 
more abundant on gaster, forming a feeble covering. 

Head one-fourth broader than long, sides and occipital border convex. Mandibles 
slightly longer than head, external border feebly convex, inner border furnished 
with numerous large, sharp, erect teeth on the apical three-fourths, on the basal 
fourth the teeth are small, almost obsolete. Frontal carinae as long as broad in 
front. Scapes extend beyond occipital border by almost one-sixth of their length; 
second segment of funiculus one-fourth longer than first, third very slightly shorter 
than first, apical one-fourth longer than preceding. Thorax slightly more than 
twice as long as broad. Pronotum twice as broad as long, strongly convex in all 
directions. Mesonotum very slightly broader than long, strongly convex, the sides 
margined, meso-epinotal constriction deep and wide. Epinotum about one-fourth 
longer than broad, bluntly rounded in front, dorsum flattened. In profile pronotum 
convex, raised abruptly, pronotum and mesonotum combined in an even curve, 
mesonotum dropping behind, meso-epinotal suture deep and wide, epinotum strongly 
and evenly convex from base to foot of declivity. Node as long as broad, posterior 
border and sides strongly convex, anterior border weakly convex; in profile as 
long as high, anterior and posterior faces vertical, parallel, rounded into the convex 
dorsum, ventral spine slender and sharp. Postpetiole one-fourth broader than 
long, sides strongly convex, reduced in front, very narrow, constriction between 
postpetiole and gaster sharply impressed. First segment of gaster broader than 
long, strongly convex. Legs long and robust. 


Female and male unknown. 

Habitat—Victoria: Kiata (Nov., 1940; I. H. Cole, J. Clark). 

Resembles P. cephalotes Clark in the shape of the head. 

Abundant on the desert country, it is known locally as the red 
bull-ant. The nest is inconspicuous and indicated only by a few 
very small holes scattered around the roots of small bushes; 
generally there is no mound. 


Promyrmecia varians Mayr 


Plate XV, figs. 67-68 


Myrmecia varians Mayr, Jour. Mus. Godeff., xii, p. 94, 1876, &. 
Myrmecia (Myrmecia) varians Emery, Gen. Insect., fasc. 118, p. 21, 1911, 
% 


M yrmecia rufonigra Crawley, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. (9), vii, p. 87, 1921, 8. 
Worker. Length 11-12°5 mm. 
Head, thorax and gaster black, mandibles and basal half of scapes yellowish- 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 127 


| brown, apex and teeth more reddish, apical half of scapes, funiculus and legs 
_ yellowish-red. Node and postpetiole red. 
Head finely striate longitudinally in front, more striate-rugose behind, very 

finely and densely punctate between the striae. Pronotum and mesonotum finely 
_ ‘Striate-rugose longitudinally. Epinotum transversely rugose. Node irregularly 
| rugose; the spaces between the rugae on thorax and node finely and densely 
punctate. Postpetiole and gaster very finely and densely punctate. 
7 Hair yellow, long and erect, abundant on mandibles, clypeus, thorax, nodes and 
| gaster, sparse on head, none on antennae. Very short and suberect on legs. Pubes- 
cence very fine and adpressed, white, abundant throughout, forming a distinct 
_—s covering on gaster but not hiding the sculpture. 

Head as long as broad, sides feebly convex, occipital border straight or feebly 
concave, angles rounded. Mandibles one-eleventh longer than head, convex on 
basal third, straight on central third and from there to apex strongly convex, 
inner border furnished with fourteen teeth, the third, sixth, ninth, tenth, eleventh 
and twelfth long, sharp and curved backward, the others smaller and straight, 
the twelfth forms a distinct angle. Frontal carinae one-fourth longer than broad 
behind. Scapes extend beyond occipital border by their thickness; second segment 
of funiculus one-sixth longer than first, remainder subequal. Thorax fully twice 
as long as broad. Pronotum one-third broader than long, convex in all directions. 
Mesonotum one-fourth broader than long, convex. Epinotum about one-fifth longer 
than broad; in profile pronotum strongly convex, rising abruptly. Mesonotum 
convex, higher than pronotum, constriction between mesonotum and epinotum 
wig d and wide. Epinotum convex from base to foot of declivity. Node as long 
as broad, very slightly broader behind than in front; in profile as high as long, 
anterior face short and vertical, rounded into dorsum, posterior face and dorsum 
united in a convexity. Ventral spine short and sharp. Postpetiole one-third 
broader than long, sides strongly convex, the constriction deep and wide. First 
segment of gaster broader than long, broader behind than in front, sides strongly 
convex. Legs long and slender. 


Female. Length 15-16 mm. 

Larger and more robust than the worker. Colour similar, sculpture coarser, 
pilosity longer and more abundant. Mandibles shorter and broader, teeth erect 
on apical half, inclined backwards on basal half. Scapes not extending to occipital 
border by almost their thickness. Node larger. Postpetiole hemispherical, one- 
third broader than long. Legs robust. 

Male unknown. 

Habitat—Queensland: Peak Downs (type locality) ; Rockhampton; Bowen 
(Dr. J. Mackay) ; Townsville (J. P. Dodd) ; Gayndah (F. A. Cudmore). 

The colour of this species varies considerably. On some examples 
‘the whole thorax is black, whilst on others it is red; most examples 
have the thorax more or less marked with red. 

Re-deseribed from a series of three specimens in National 
‘Museum collection. They were received from the Museum Godef- 


in 1888. 


Promyrmecia wilson sp. nov. 
Plate XV, fig. 66 


a ; 12°5-14 mm. 
Mod cod rong black. Mandibles, labrum and apex of clypeus yellow. Antennae, 
x, nodes and legs yellowish-red. 


128 A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


Head, pronotum and mesonotum and the anterior third of epinotum finely striate- 
rugose longitudinally, declivity of epinotum transversely rugose, node irregularly 
rugose. Apical half of mandibles strongly striate longitudinally, finely punctate 
near base. Postpetiole and gaster finely and densely punctate. 

Hair yellow, fine and erect, long and abundant throughout, short and suberect 
on legs, none on antennae. Pubescence white, very fine and adpressed, most 
abundant on postpetiole and gaster, but not hiding the sculpture. 

Head slightly broader than long, sides and occipital border feebly convex, angles 
rounded. Mandibles a fraction longer than head, external border concave in middle, 
inner border furnished with fifteen teeth, the third, fifth, sixth, eighth, ninth, 
eleventh, twelfth and fifteenth large, sharp and directed backwards. Frontal 
carinad longer than broad behind. Scapes extend beyond the occipital border by 
fully their thickness; second segment of funiculus barely one-sixth longer than 
first, remainder subequal. Thorax twice as long as broad. Pronotum twice as 
broad as long, convex in all directions. Mesonotum about one-sixth broader than 
long, convex; constriction between mesonotum and epinotum deep and wide. 
Epinotum almost as long as broad, not defined behind; in profile the pronotum 
and mesonotum united and evenly arched, the constriction feebly impressed. Meso- 
epinotal constriction deep and wide. Epinotum as high as mesonotum, evenly 
convex from base to foot of declivity. Node one-fifth broader than long, almost 
circular; in profile as high as long, anterior face short and vertical, dorsum convex, 
rounded into posterior face. Postpetiole almost one-fourth broader than long, 
sides strongly convex; constriction wide and shallow. First segment of gaster 
one-fourth broader than long. Legs slender. 


Female and male unknown. 
Habitat—North Queensland: Mutchilba (A. D. Selby). 


Four examples received from F. E. Wilson. This species 
resembles P. varians Mayr; the shape of the thorax and nodes 
distinguish them. 


Promyrmecia shepherdi sp. nov 
Plate XV, fig. 50-52 


Worker, Length 10-11 mm. 

Head and gaster blackish-brown, apex of pronotum and anterior coxae brown. 
Mandibles, anterior edge of clypeus, labrum and antennae yellow, apical segment 
brown; thorax, node, postpetiole and all legs reddish-yellow. 

Apical half of mandibles striate, basal half reticulate-punctate. Head finely 
striate-rugose, densely reticulate between striae. Pronotum, mesonotum and anterior 
half of epinotum longitudinally striate, posterior half of epinotum and the declivity 
transversely striate. Node circularly rugose with a strong central longitudinal 
striae. Postpetiole and gaster densely and very finely punctate-reticulate. 

Hair yellow, short and erect, abundant throughout, shorter and suberect on legs, 
none on antennae. Pubescence white, very fine and adpressed, forming a fine 
covering on postpetiole and gaster but not hiding the sculpture. 

Head as long as broad behind eyes, occipital border straight or feebly convex, 
sides convex, posterior angles rounded. Mandibles as long as head, external border 
feebly concave, inner border straight, furnished with five large sharp teeth and 
two small teeth between the larger teeth. Frontal carinae as long as broad. Scapes 
just reach the occipital border; first and second segments of funiculus equal in 
length. Thorax two and one-fifth times longer than broad, pro-mesonotal suture 
sharply impressed, meso-epinotal suture deep and wide. Pronotum one and three- 


RE — 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 129 


quarter times broader than long, sides and front strongly convex, dorsum flatly 
convex. Mesonotum barely one-fourth broader than long, sides and front convex, 
posterior edge concave in middle. Epinotum strongly convex in front, almost flat 
laterally; in profile pronotum evenly convex from apex to base. Mesonotum 
evenly convex, highest in front, meso-epinotal suture deep and wide. Epinotum 
evenly arched from base to foot of declivity. Node very slightly broader than long, 
circular; in profile as high as long, anterior and posterior faces short, rounded 
into the convex dorsum, ventral spine short, broad and sharp. Postpetiole one- 
third broader than long, sides strongly convex, constriction deep and wide. First 
segment of gaster much broader than long, broadest behind, sides strongly convex. 
Legs slender. 

Female. Length 14°5-15 mm. 

Colour, sculpture and pilosity similar to that of the worker. Wings hyaline with 
a yellowish tinge, veins brown. 

Head slightly broader than long, sides feebly convex behind, occipital border 
feebly concave, angles broadly rounded. Mandibles shorter than head, external 
border straight, inner border convex, teeth large. Scapes not reaching the occipital 
border by more than their thickness, second segment of funiculus very slightly 
longer than first. Mesonotum with mayrian furrows faintly indicated, parapsidal 
furrows sharply impressed. Node oval, fully one and one-half times broader than 
long. Legs robust. 

Male. Length 12 mm. 

Head, pronotum, mesonotum, scutellum, postpetiole and gaster brownish-black. 
Mandibles, antennae and legs reddish-yellow; sides, epinotum and node yellowish- 
red. Wings hyaline with yellowish tinge. 

Sculpture as in the worker but slightly finer. 

Pilosity similar but longer and slightly more abundant. Head, across the eyes, 
almost one-fifth broader than long, broadly convex behind. Mandibles small, narrow 
and sharp pointed, furnished with three small teeth. Clypeus convex above and in 
front. Frontal carinae as long as broad. Antennae slender. First segment of 
funiculus two and one-half times longer than scape, remaining segments subequal. 
Thorax barely twice as long as broad. Pronotum short, fully four times broader 
than long, strongly convex in all directions. Mesonotum one and one-half times 
broader than long, mayrian and parapsidal furrows strongly impressed. Scutellum 
almost one-third broader than long, convex in all directions. Epinotum convex 
transversely; in profile pronotum convex, high and vertical. Mesonotum high, 
evenly convex from apex to base. Scutellum hemispherical, almost four times 
longer than high. Epinotum evenly convex from base to foot of declivity. Node 
one-sixth broader than long, broadest behind, all faces convex; in profile as high 
as long, anterior face vertical, slightly convex, rounded into dorsum, posterior face 
very short rounded into dorsum ; ventral spine short and sharp. Postpetiole broader 
than long, broadest and strongly convex at basal third; constriction broad and 
shallow. Gaster slender. Legs long and slender. 

Habitat —New South Wales: Broken Hill (F. W. Shepherd) ; Dubbo (W. W. 
Froggatt). 

South Sinaia Finke River (G. F. Hill) ; Murray Bridge (A. H. Elston). 

Victoria: Nhill (J. Clark). 


Promyrmecia goudiet sp. nov 
Plate XV, figs. 48, 49 


Worker. Len 12:5-14 mm. 
Black, node Je} in some examples the epinotum slightly reddish, mandibles, 
antennae and legs brown, tarsi reddish. 


130 A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


Head, pronotum, mesonotum and anterior fourth of epinotum finely striate- 
rugose longitudinally, rest of epinotum transversely rugose. Node irregularly 
rugose. Postpetiole and gaster and all spaces between the rugae on head and 
thorax very finely and densely reticulate. 

Hair yellowish, long, erect and abundant throughout, shorter on legs, a few 
short bristle-like hairs at apex of scapes. Pubescence white, very fine and adpressed, 
longer and more abundant on postpetiole and gaster, forming a distinct covering 
but not hiding the sculpture, on the centre of gaster the pubescence is yellow. 

Head as long as broad, sides feebly convex, occipital border concave in middle, 
angles broadly rounded. Mandibles as long as head, external border concave, 
inner border furnished with twelve teeth, the third, fifth, eighth, tenth and eleventh 
large, sharp and directed very slightly backward. Frontal carinae one-fourth longer 
than broad in front. Scapes just reach occipital border; first and third segments 
of funiculus equal in length, the second almost one-third longer, apical not as long 
as the two preceding combined. Thorax twice as long as broad. Pronotum twice 
as broad as long, strongly convex in all directions. Mesonotum one-fourth broader 
than long. Epinotum broadly convex in front, flatly convex laterally; in profile 
pronotum strongly and evenly convex from apex to base. Mesonotum higher than 
pronotum, abruptly convex in front and behind, flat in the middle, meso-epinotal 
suture deep and wide. Epinotum, strongly convex from base to foot of declivity. 
Node slightly broader than long, convex in all directions; in profile as high as long, 
anterior face short and vertical, posterior face short and convex, continuous with 
dorsum, ventral spine short and sharp. Postpetiole one-third broader than long, 
sides strongly convex, constriction deep and wide. First segment of gaster one- 
fifth broader than long, strongly convex. Legs long and slender. 


Female, Length 14 mm. 

Colour, sculpture and pilosity as in the worker. Wings hyaline, nervures brown. 

Head slightly broader than long. Mandibles broader and the outer border 
straight; the teeth larger and broader. Scapes not reaching the occipital border 
by fully their thickness. Thorax barely twice as long as broad. Pronotum three 
times broader than long, convex in all directions. Mesonotum almost one-third 
broader than long, broadly convex in front and above, parapsidal furrows sharply 
impressed, mayrian furrow feebly indicated. Scutellum one-third broader than 
long, with a transverse impression in the middle. Epinotum almost twice as broad 
as long. Node about one-fourth broader than long, strongly convex in all direc- 
tions. Postpetiole twice as broad as long, strongly convex in front, constriction 
deep and wide. First segment of gaster fully one-fourth broader than long. Legs 
long and robust. 


Male. Unknown. 


Habitat —Victoria: Sea Lake (J. C. Goudie) ; Redcliffs (W. S. Creek; J. Clark, 
Sept., 1939) ; Hattah (J. Clark) ; Lake Hattah (J. E. Dixon). 


Promyrmecia tepperi Emery 
Plate XVI, fig. 70-71 
Myrmecia tepperi Emery, Rend. Accad. Sc. Bologna, p. 231, fig. 1, 1898, 
2 ¢ 


Myrmecia (Myrmecia) tepperi Emery, Gen. Insect., fasc. 118, p. 20, 1911, 
PeGu 


Worker. Length 10°5-12 mm. 
Blackish-brown, gaster black. Mandibles, antennae and legs brown. 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 131 


Apical half of mandibles coarsely striate, basal half finely reticulate. Head longi- 
tudinally striate, very finely and densely reticulate between the striae. Pronotum 
longitudinally arched striate-rugose, the striae widely separated, the spaces densely 
reticulate. Mesonotum more finely and closely striate longitudinally, reticulate 
between the striae. Epinotum coarsely striate-rugose and reticulate longitudinally 
on top; declivity transversely rugose. Node irregularly, almost circularly rugose. 
Postpetiole and gaster very finely and densely reticulate. 

Hair yellow, short and erect, long and more abundant on mandibles and apical 
segments of gaster, short and suberect on legs. None on antennae. Pubescence 
yellowish, very fine and adpressed, abundant throughout; on dorsum of first 
segment of gaster it is more abundant but not hiding the sculpture, golden yellow 
on the three apical segments, long and abundant, hiding the sculpture. 

Head very slightly broader than long, occipital border feebly concave, angles 
broadly rounded. Mandibles as long as head, external border feebly concave; 
apical half of inner border furnished with three large, sharp, erect teeth and five 
smaller; teeth on basal half short, broad and directed backward. Clypeus deeply 
excised in front. Scapes extend beyond occipital border by barely their thickness; 
second segment of funiculus one-sixth longer than first, third equal to first, 
remainder subequal. Thorax twice as long as broad, pronotum twice as broad as 
long, strongly convex in all directions. Mesonotum one-fourth broader than long, 
sides strongly convex, feebly convex in front and behind. Epinotum one-fifth 
longer than broad, flattened laterally above, sides and front feebly convex; in 
profile strongly convex from apex of pronotum to apex of epinotal declivity, sutures 
sharply impressed, mesonotum higher than pronotum and epinotum. Node one- 
fifth broader than long, convex in all directions; in profile anterior and posterior 
faces straight, vertical, dorsum feebly convex, borders rounded. Ventral spine 
erect, short and sharp. Postpetiole fully one-third broader than long, strongly 
convex in all directions, constriction wide but shallow. First segment of gaster 
slightly broader than long, broadest behind, sides strongly convex. Legs robust. 


Female. Length 14-15 mm. 

Colour, sculpture and pilosity similar to that of the worker. Larger and more 
robust. Wings hyaline with a yellow tinge. 

Male. Length 12:5 mm. (according to Emery). 


I have not seen the male, but for the sake of completeness give a translation of 
Emery’s description as follows: 

“The male differs similarly from that of M. pilosula by the broader petiole and 
by the colour of the mandibles, antennae and legs. Length 124 mm.” 


Habitat —South Australia: Tepper (? type locality) ; Wilpena Pound (H. Hale) ; 
Port Lincoln (J. Clark). 

Western Australia: Mundaring (J. Clark) ; Emu Rock (H. Reynolds). 

Victoria: Lake Hattah (J. E. Dixon). 

Federal Capital Territory: Canberra (G. F. Hill). 


The male and female were described from an unknown locality 
in South Australia. The worker, therefore, has been deseribed 
from examples collected at Port Lincoln. In his descriptions of 
the male and female Emery compared them with M. pilosula, but 
they have no connection with that species; beyond size and colour 
there is little resemblance. This species is widely distributed in 
the warm mallee districts and it is surprising to find it at Canberra. 


132 A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


Promyrmecia clarki Crawley 
Plate XVI, figs. 74-76 


Myrmecia clarki Crawley, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., 9, ix, p. 432, 1922, Ss. 
Myrmecia (Promyrmecia) clarki Wheeler, Colony-founding among Ants, 
p. 61, fig. 23, 1933, 3 2. 

Worker. Length 11-13 mm. 

Black; funiculi and legs blackish-brown, tarsi lighter, mandibles yellow. 

Apical half of mandibles coarsely striate, basal half finely punctate-reticulate. 
Head finely striate-rugose longitudinally, very finely and densely reticulate between 
the striae. Pronotum, mesonotum and epinotum strongly striate longitudinally, 
declivity transversely striate. Node longitudinally striate-rugose. Postpetiole and 
gaster microscopically reticulate. 

Hair yellow, sparse, very short and erect, finer and suberect on legs. Very long 
end abundant at apex of gaster. Pubescence yellow, very fine and short, forming 
a distinct covering on postpetiole and gaster but not hiding the sculpture. 

Head very slightly broader than long, occipital border feebly concave, sides 
convex, angles rounded. Mandibles slender, longer than head by their width at 
base, external borders concave in middle, apical half of inner border furnished 
with large, sharp, erect teeth, basal half with short broad teeth directed backward. 
Scapes extend about half their thickness beyond occipital border; second segment 
of funiculus one-sixth longer than first, third as long as first, remainder subequal. 
Thorax fully twice as long as broad. Pronotum twice as broad as long, sides and 
front strongly convex, dorsum flat laterally. Mesonotum one-fourth broader than 
long, oval, convex in all directions. Epinotum flat laterally; in profile pronotum 
strongly convex from, apex to base, pro-mesonotal suture weakly impressed. Meso- 
notum flatly convex, highest behind ; meso-epinotal suture deep and wide. Epinotum 
evenly convex from base to bottom of declivity. Node very slightly broader than 
long, strongly convex in all directions; in profile higher than long, stalk sloping 
down at an acute angle in front, anterior and posterior faces straight, vertical, 
dorsum feebly convex, angles rounded; ventral spine very short, erect and sharp. 
Postpetiole almost twice as broad as long, sides and front strongly convex; con- 
struction deep and narrow. First segment of gaster one-seventh broader than 
long, sides strongly convex. Legs slender. 


Female. Length 16-16°5 mm. 

Colour, sculpture and pilosity as in the worker. Wings hyaline, nervures brown. 

Head somewhat similar but broader behind. Mandibles shorter and broader, 
shorter than head, external borders straight, inner border furnished with similar 
but larger and stronger teeth. Scapes not extending to occipital border by fully 
their thickness, second segment of funiculus one-fourth longer than first. Eyes 
not occupying half the sides, their posterior margin at middle of sides. Ocelli 
small but prominent. Mesonotum with well-defined mayrian furrows. Node almost 
one and one-half times broader than long, anterior and posterior faces short and 
straight, sides strongly convex. Postpetiole twice as broad as long. 


Male. Length 11-12 mm. 

Black. Mandibles yellow, antennae and anterior legs reddish-yellow, middle and 
posterior legs brown. Wings hyaline. 

Head, thorax and node punctate-rugose, epinotal declivity transversely finely 
striate-rugose. Very finely and densely reticulate between the punctures. Post- 
petiole and gaster microscopically reticulate. 

Hair as in the worker but not so abundant. 

Head as long as broad, occipital border straight, sides convex, angles broadly 


ij 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 133 


rounded. Mandibles short, almost triangular, inner border furnished with two 
large sharp teeth behind apex, the second forms a sharp angle to basal border. 
Clypeus rounded in front. Scapes short, first segment of funiculus twice as long 
as scapes, second segment one-fifth shorter than first, remainder subequal. Eyes 
large, occupying more than half the sides. Ocelli large and prominent. Thorax 
twice as long as broad. Pronotum five times as broad as long, strongly convex in 
front. Mesonotum almost cone-shaped, one-fifth broader than long, mayrian and 
parapsidal furrows sharply impressed. Scutellum almost as long as broad, broadest 
in front, strongly convex in all directions. Epinotum one-fourth broader than long, 
flat laterally; in profile strongly arched longitudinally. Pronotum erect, convex, 
mesonotum erect in front, convex from apex to base. Scutellum as high as long, 
dome-shaped, Epinotum convex from base to bottom of declivity. Node one-third 
broader than long, convex in all directions; in profile high and dome-shaped, all 
faces convex, ventral spine very short and sharp. Postpetiole one-third broader 
than long, strongly convex behind, constriction deep. First segment of gaster one- 
fourth broader than long. Legs slender. 

Habitat —W estern Australia: Mundaring Weir (type locality) ; Margaret River ; 
Albany; Denmark; Armadale; Perth (J. Clark). 


In size and colour this species is similar to P. pilosula. The 
formation of the mandibles separates them. 


Promyrmecia swalet Crawley 
Plate XVI, figs. 72-73 


Myrmecia harderi Forel, race swalei Crawley, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., 9, ix, 
p. 429, 1922, ¥. 


Worker. Length 11-12'5 mm. 

Head, postpetiole and gaster black, thorax and node bright red, mandibles yellow 
on basal half, reddish-yellow on apical half, antennae and legs brown, scapes darker. 

Head longitudinally striate-rugose in front, punctate-rugose behind. Pronotum 
coarsely striate-rugose longitudinally. Mesonotum more irregularly rugose longi- 
tudinally. Epinotum irregularly rugose, transversely rugose on declivity. Node 
circularly rugose. Postpetiole and gaster microscopically reticulate. 

Hair yellow, short and erect, longest on gaster, short and suberect on legs. 
Pubescence yellowish, very fine and adpressed, forming a thin covering on post- 
petiole and gaster but not hiding the sculpture. a 

Head very slightly broader than long, sides strongly convex behind, occipital 
border concave, angles rounded. Mandibles as long as head, external border straight 
or very feebly convex, inner border furnished on the apical half with two large. 
sharp, erect teeth and four very small sharp teeth, on the basal half the teeth are 
short and irregular more or less directed backward. Scapes not extending to 
occipital border by fully their thickness; first and second segments of funiculus 
equal in length, one-fifth longer than third, remainder subequal. Thorax fully 
twice as long as broad. Pronotum twice as broad as long, convex in all directions. 
Mesonotum one-fourth broader than long, oval. Epinotum short, subbordered in 
front, flattened laterally ; in profile evenly convex from apex of pronotum to bottom 
of epinotal declivity, sutures sharp but not deep. Node very slightly broader than 
long, all faces convex; in profile almost square, anterior face vertical, straight, 
twice as high as posterior face, dorsum feebly convex, angles rounded, ventral spine 
short, thin and sharp. Postpetiole two-fifths broader than long, strongly convex 
almost hemispherical in front; constriction deep and narrow. First segment of 
gaster one-seventh broader than long. Legs rather slender. 


134 A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


Female. Length 15-16°5 mm. 

Similar to the worker but larger and more robust. 

Head more square behind, sides not so convex, occipital border more narrowly 
concave. Mandibles stronger, external border convex, teeth on apical half of 
inner border larger, obsolete on basal border except one large tooth near base 
with a small one behind it. Node oval, two-fifths broader than long, sides and 
dorsum convex, anterior and posterior faces straight. Postpetiole one and two- 
thirds times broader than long, almost oval, broadest at middle. First segment of 
gaster one-fifth broader than long. Legs long and stout. 


Male. Unknown. 


Habitat —Western Australia: Albany (type locality, Dr. H. Swale; J. Clark) ; 
Perth; Mundaring; Ludlow; Serpentine River (J. Clark). 


Described from examples collected at Albany. Crawley described 
this as a race of harderi Forel. It is not related to that species. 


Promyrmecia testaceipes sp. nov. 
Plate XV, fig. 69 


Worker. Length 10-11 mm. 

Head and gaster black, thorax and, node reddish-yellow, postpetiole more or less 
reddish-yellow, generally with a large reddish spot on each side in front ; mandibles, 
antennae and legs yellow, apex of mandibles and base of scapes brown. 

Basal half of mandibles smooth and shining, apical half with coarse oblique striae. 
Head longitudinally striate, finely and densely reticulate-punctate between the 
striae. Clypeus almost smooth, some obsolete rugae at base. Pronotum and meso- 
notum longitudinally striate, epinotum and node coarsely punctate-rugose, epinotal 
declivity transversely rugose; the whole thorax and node finely punctate between 
the striae and at bottom of punctures, postpetiole and gaster microscopically punc- 
tate. 

Hair yellow, short and erect, abundant throughout, long and stout on the under- 
side of mandibles, long and fine on clypeus and apical segments of gaster, short 
and adpressed on antennae and legs. Pubescence whitish, very fine and close lying, 
most abundant on postpetiole and gaster forming a distinct covering but not hiding 
the sculpture. 

Head one-sixth broader than long, broadest in front, sides straight or very 
feebly convex, occipital border concave, angles strongly rounded. Mandibles 
slender, as long as head, external border concave at middle, inner border furnished 
with three large teeth on the apical half, two smaller teeth between the larger 
teeth, all slightly hook-shaped, directed backwards, basal half with only faint traces 
of teeth except at base, where there are two large blunt teeth directed backwards. 
Frontal carinae longer than broad, slightly wider behind than in front, widest at 
middle. Scapes not reaching the occipital border by almost their thickness: first 
and third segments of funiculus equal in length, shorter than second, apical pointed, 
twice as long as second. Thorax twice as long as broad. Pronotum twice as broad 
as long, sides and front strongly convex, dorsum flatly convex. Mesonotum one- 
sixth broader than long, convex in all directions. Epinotum one-fourth longer 
than broad, broadly rounded in front: in profile pronotum evenly convex. Meso- 
notum higher than pronotum and epinotum, evenly convex, constriction between 
mesonotum and epinotum deep and wide. Epinotum evenly convex from base to 
foot of declivity. Node one-fifth broader than long, convex in all directions; in 
profile higher than long, top half of the anterior face and the posterior face straight, 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 135 


vertical and parallel, basal half of anterior face sloping forward at an acute angle, 
dorsum feebly convex, ventral spine very short and slender. Postpetiole almost 
one-third broader than long, strongly convex in all directions ; constriction between 
postpetiole and first segment of gaster deep and wide. First segment of gaster 
slightly broader than long, strongly convex. Legs robust. 

Female and male unknown. 


Habitat —W estern Australia: Albany (J. Clark). 


Resembles P. swalei Crawley, but more slender; the colour of 
the legs and antennae are very different. 


Promyrmecia dixoni sp. nov 
Plate XVI, figs. 77, 78 


Worker. Length 9-5-10°5 mm. 

Head and gaster black, mandibles yellow, antennae, thorax, nodes and legs 
brownish-red, base of scapes darker. 

Basal half of mandibles finely punctate, apical half obliquely striate. Head longi- 
tudinally striate in front, longitudinally striate-rugose behind, interstices very finely 
and densely punctate. Pronotum longitudinally striate, mesonotum longitudinally 
striate-rugose. Epinotum and node coarsely punctate-rugose, declivity coarsely 
striate transversely. Postpetiole and gaster microscopically reticulate. 

Hair yellow, erect, short and sparse throughout, longer and more abundant on 
apical segments of gaster, a few much longer and stouter on mandibles, fine, short 
and suberect on scapes and legs. Pubescence white, sparse except on postpetiole, 
gaster and legs. 

Head one-sixth broader than long, sides feebly convex, occipital border feebly 
concave, angles rounded. Mandibles slightly longer than head, external border 
concave, inner border furnished with three large sharp teeth, feebly curved back- 
ward, in front and between each of these are two much smaller, behind the third 
large tooth the teeth are obsolete and directed backwards, the two at extreme 
base slightly larger. Frontal carinae as long as broad in front. Scapes not reaching 
the occipital border by fully their thickness, first and third segments of funiculus 
equal in length, very slightly shorter than second, apical almost twice as long as 
the preceding. Thorax twice as long as broad. Pronotum twice as broad as long, 
strongly convex in all directions. Mesonotum almost one-third broader than long, 
strongly convex, meso-epinotal constriction deep and wide. Epinotum slightly 
longer than broad, almost straight in front; in profile anterior face of pronotum 
erect, straight or feebly convex, at an acute angle, strongly rounded into the rather 
flat dorsum. Mesonotum higher than pronotum and epinotum, strongly convex, 
meso-epinotal suture sharply, but not deeply, impressed. Epinotum convex from 
base to foot of declivity. Node one-fifth broader than long, strongly convex in all 
directions; in profile one-fifth higher than long, anterior face high, straight and 
vertical, posterior face short and vertical, dorsum convex, dropping behind and 
rounded into posterior face; ventral spine short and sharp. Postpetiole almost 
twice as broad as long, sides, front and dorsum strongly convex, constriction 
narrow and deep. First segment of gaster broader than long, sides and dorsum 


strongly convex. Legs slender. 


Female. Length 12 mm. (dealated). 
Colour and pilosity as in the worker, sculpture coarser. Mandibles and scapes 


shorter, node and postpetiole much broader. 
Male. Unknown. 
L 


136 A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


Habitat.—Victoria: Eltham (J. E. Dixon, F. E. Wilson). 
New South Wales: Albury (F, E. Wilson). 
Federal Capital Territory: Canberra (T. Greaves). 


Promyrmecia gilberti Forel 
Plate XVI, figs. 79, 80 


Myrmecia fulvipes Roger var. gilberti Forel, Rev. Suisse Zool., x, p. 6, 
1910, ¥ 

Myrmecia (Pristomyrmecia) fulvipes Roger var. gilberti Emery, Genera 
Insect., fasc. 118, p. 21, 1911. 

Myrmecia (pristomyrmecia) fulvipes Roger race gilberti Forel, Bull. Soc. 
Vaudoise des Sc. Nat., xlix, p. 173, 1913, ¥. 

Myrmecia (Pristomyrmecia) regina Santschi, Bull. Soc. Vaud. Sc. Nat., 
Ivi, p. 465, 1928, &. 

Myrmecia (Promyrmecia) gilberti Wheeler, Colony-founding among Ants, 
p. 72, 1933, ¥ 9. 


Worker, Length 9:5-15 mm. 

Black, mandibles, antennae and legs brown, tarsi lighter. 

Apical half of mandibles coarsely striate-rugose, basal half more finely striate- 
Tugose, punctate between the rugae. Head finely striate-rugose, longitudinally in 
front, more irregularly behind, the rugae widely spaced, the interstices very finely 
and densely reticulate-punctate. Pronotum irregularly and coarsely striate-rugose, 
almost transversely. Mesonotum longitudinally striate-rugose. Epinotum punctate- 
rugose on top, the punctures very large and shallow, more striate-rugose trans- 
versely on declivity. Node irregularly and coarsely punctate-rugose, the punctures 
large. Postpetiole and gaster densely and microscopically punctate, with scattered 
shallow, almost obsolete, punctures, more numerous on postpetiole. 

Hair grey, long and erect, abundant throughout, but longer and more numerous 
on mandibles and apical segments of gaster, short and suberect on legs, sparse on 
antennae; pubescence grey, very fine and abundant, longer and more abundant 
on postpetiole, yellow, and hiding the sculpture on gaster. 

Head as long as broad, sides and, occipital border feebly convex, angles rounded. 
Mandibles not as long as head, about one-ninth shorter, outer border straight or 
feebly concave at middle; inner border straight, furnished with twelve erect sharp 
teeth, long and broad on apical half, shorter and inclined backwards on basal half. 
Scapes not extending to occipital border by fully their thickness, second segment 
of funiculus very slightly longer than first, the remainder shorter, subequal to 
apical, which is as long as first. Thorax fully twice as long as broad. Pronotum 
twice as broad as long, sides and front strongly convex, dorsum feebly convex. 
Mesonotum one-fourth broader than long, convex in all directions, constriction 
between mesonotum and epinotum deep and wide. Epinotum one-sixth longer 
than broad, convex in all directions; in profile pronotum raised strongly and 
evenly convex from apex to base, mesonotum higher than pronotum and epinotum, 
highest in front, evenly convex, meso-epinotal constriction deep and wide, epinotum 
strongly and evenly convex from base to bottom of declivity, highest at anterior 
fourth. Node as long as broad, broadest at middle, almost twice as broad there 
as in front, convex in all directions; in profile as high as long, anterior face straight, 
vertical, rounded into dorsum, posterior face short and vertical, dorsum feebly 
convex, ventral spine long and sharp, broad at base. Postpetiole one-third broader 
than long, broadest just behind middle, strongly convex. First segment of gaster 
one-sixth broader than long, broader behind than in front, sides strongly convex. 
Legs robust. 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 137 


Female. Length 16°5 mm. 

_ Colour as on worker. Sculpture coarser, more rugose and the ground reticula- 
tion more conspicuous. Hair longer and more abundant. Pubescence brass yellow, 
oo very dense on gaster, finer and greyish-yellow on posterior half of post- 
petiole. 

Head slightly broader than long, External border of mandible concave, inner 
border convex, furnished with twelve sharp erect teeth, the second, fourth, sixth, 
eighth and tenth much longer and broader than the others. Scapes not extending 
to occipital border by fully their thickness. Parapsidal and mayrian furrows feebly 
indicated. Node one-fifth broader than long, very slightly broader behind than in 
front, broader than long, broadest at middle. Postpetiole one-fourth broader than 
long. First segment of gaster one-eighth broader than long. 


T have not seen the male but the following description by the 
late Dr. W. M. Wheeler is quoted for the sake of completeness : 


“The male (undescribed) measures about 11:5 mm. and is more opaque than 
the male of piliventris, with much more finely rugose head, thorax and petiole. The 
head is proportionally smaller than in piliventris or fulviculis, the thorax, petiole 
and postpetiole distinctly narrower and less robust, the postpetiole as long as broad 
and gradually narrowed anteriorly. The pubescence on the gaster is like that of 
the worker ; the wings are slightly smoky as in the males of piliventris and fulvicults, 
with yellowish-brown veins and darker brown pterostigma.” 


Habitat—Queensland : Mackay (type locality, G. Turner) ; Townsville (F. P. 
Dodd, G. F. Hill) ; Koah (W. M. Wheeler) ; Nanango (F. A. Cudmore) ; Burleigh 
Heads (Dr. C. P. Ledward) ; Brisbane (H. Hacker) ; Bribie Island (H. Hacker) ; 
Rockhampton (Godeffroy Museum). 


This species is variable in the formation of the teeth on the 
mandibles. At first sight it appears to belong to the mandibularis 
group; actually, however, it belongs to the teppert group and 


almost forms a connection between michaelseni and clarkt. 


Promyrmecia mandibularis Smith 
Plate XVII, figs. 91-93 


Myrmecia mandibularis Smith, Cat. Hymn. Brit. Mus., vi, p. 145, 1852, ¥ ; 
Mayr, Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wein, xii, pp. 726-27, 1862, ¥._ 

M yrmecia mandibularis Smith s.sp. aureorufa Forel, Rev. Suisse Zool., 
xviii, p. 6, 1910, ¥. 

Myrmecia (Pristomyrmecia) mandibularis Emery, Genera Insect., fasc. 118, 
J. 1, fig’ 11, 1911, %. 

Mirmecia (Promyrmecia) mandibularis Wheeler, Colony-founding among 
Ants, p. 64, 1933. ; at 

M yrmecia (Promyrmecia ) mandibularis Smith s.sp. postpetiolaris Wheeler, 
Colony-founding among Ants, p. 65, 1933, ¥ @. 

Worker. Length 12-15 mm. 

Black; mandibles, antennae and legs brown, tarsi reddish; on some examples 
the mandibles and legs quite reddish. 

Shining. Mandibles longitudinally striate, coarsely so on apical third. Head 
longitudinally striate, with large shallow punctures between the striae behind. 
Pronotum, mesonotum and anterior of epinotum longitudinally striate-rugose 
behind, declivity transversely striate. Node longitudinally striate-rugose. Post- 


petiole much more finely longitudinally striate-rugose in front, more punctate- 


138 A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


tugose behind, the rugae appear more as elongate punctures. Gaster microscopically 
punctate. 

Hair yellow, erect, abundant throughout, very long on mandibles and gaster, 
short and suberect on antennae, a little longer on legs. Pubescence very fine and 
whitish, very close lying, longer and more abundant on postpetiole and sides of 
gaster forming a thin covering at middle of posterior border of postpetiole, on the 
gaster the pubescence is bright golden red, long, dense and adpressed, hiding the 
sculpture. 

Head slightly broader than long, sides convex, occipital border concave, angles 
rounded. Mandibles fully their width at base, longer than head, parallel, external 
border convex, inner border furnished with four large, sharp, erect teeth at apex, 
behind these the teeth becoming shorter and broader to base, where they are 
obsolete. Scapes extend to occipital border; first and third segments of funiculus 
equal in length, second one and one-half times longer, Thorax fully twice as long 
as broad ; pronotum almost twice as broad as long, sides and front strongly convex, 
dorsum flat; mesonotum as long as pronotum, about one-fourth broader than long, 
strongly convex in all directions, excision deep and narrow; epinotum one and 
one-half times longer than broad, bluntly rounded in front, dorsum convex; in 
profile pronotum evenly convex from apex to base, mesonotum slightly higher 
than pronotum and epinotum, highest in front, evenly convex from apex to’ base, 
epinotum twice as long as declivity into which it is rounded. Node very slightly 
broader than long, broadest behind middle, one-fourth broader behind than in 
front, anterior and posterior borders straight, sides convex; in profile slightly 
higher than long, anterior face vertical, feebly convex, posterior face straight, both 
faces rounded into the convex dorsum, ventral spine triangular, sharp pointed. 
Postpetiole one and one-half times broader than long, broadest at posterior third, 
constriction deep and wide. First segment of gaster broader than long. Legs robust. 


Female. Length 15-15-5 mm. 

Colour and pilosity as on the worker, sculpture similar but much coarser. 

Head one-eighth broader than long, occipital border and sides feebly convex, 
angles broadly rounded. Mandibles slightly longer than head, external and inner 
borders feebly convex, inner border furnished with nine large, broad, sharp, erect 
teeth in front of middle; behind these the teeth are smaller and directed forward 
(backward in worker). Scapes barely reach occipital border. Thorax fully twice 
as long as broad; pronotum three times broader than long; mesonotum broader 
than long, broadly convex in front, mayrian furrows feebly indicated, parapsidal 
furrows weakly impressed; scutellum almost twice as broad as long, strongly 
convex; epinotum one and one-half times broader than long. Node one-fourth 
broader than long, broadest behind middle, anterior and posterior borders straight, 
sides strongly convex; in profile higher than long, anterior and posterior faces 
straight, vertical, rounded into the feebly convex dorsum, ventral spine triangular, 
short and sharp. Postpetiole one-third broader than long, strongly convex. First 
segment of gaster slightly broader than long, slightly broader behind than in front. 
Legs robust. Wings hyaline. 


Male, Length 11-5-12-5 mm. 

Colour as on the worker. Hair and pubescence longer and more abundant 
throughout. Sculpture more punctate-rugose, the bottom of punctures densely and 
finely punctate. 

Head as long as broad, occipital border short, straight or feebly convex, sides 
strongly convex. Mandibles short, triangular, the angle on inner border forming 
a sharp tooth. Scape twice as long as first segment of funiculus, second segment 
three times longer than scape. Thorax twice as long as broad. Pronotum very 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 139 


short, eight and one-half times longer than broad. Mesonotum slightly broader 
than long, broadly rounded in front, mayrian and parapsidal furrows deeply 
impressed. Scutellum one-third broader than long. Epinotum one-third broader 
than long ; in profile pronotum raised vertical, convex above, mesonotum raised 
convex in front, feebly convex on top, mayrian furrows deeply impressed. Scutellum 
high, dome-shaped. Epinotum straight, as long as declivity into which it is bluntly 
rounded. Node one-fourth broader than long, convex in all directions; in profile 
higher than long, anterior and posterior faces vertical, rounded into the feebly 
convex dorsum, ventral spine translucent, long and sharp, broad at base, postpetiole 
barely one-third broader than long, broadest at basal third. First segment of gaster 
slightly broader than long, broader behind than in front. Legs long and robust. 
Wings hyaline. 

Habitat—South Australia: Adelaide (type locality) ; Mt. Lofty (A. H. Elston). 


Western Australia: Emu Park (H. Reynolds); Perth; Mundaring ; Collie; 
Albany (J. Clark). 


Promyrmecia laevinodis sp. nov. 


Plate XVII, figs. 94, 95 

Worker. Length 11-14 mm. 

Black ; mandibles, antennae and legs reddish-brown. 

Shining. Mandibles finely striate longitudinally, with shallow, elongate punctures 
between the striae. Head finely striate longitudinally, interstices wide, with large, 
shallow punctures. Pronotum and mesonotum longitudinally striate, coarser than 
on head. Epinotum and node coarsely and irregularly rugose, declivity transversely 
striate. Postpetiole and gaster microscopically punctate; on some examples indica- 
tions of a few large punctures, very feeble and obsolete. 

Hair yellow, erect, rather sparse on head and thorax, longer and more abundant 
on postpetiole and gaster, short and suberect on legs. Pubescence white, very fine 
and adpressed, longer and more abundant on postpetiole and sides of gaster; on 
the dorsum of gaster it is bright, reddish-yellow, long, hiding the sculpture. 

Head one-seventh broader than long, sides feebly convex, occipital border 
straight or feebly concave, angles broadly rounded. Mandibles slightly longer than 
head, about half their breadth longer, external border straight at middle, convex 
at basal fourth, inner border furnished with five erect, sharp teeth on apical fourth, 
behind these the teeth obsolete, almost effaced. Scapes extend beyond occipital 
border by their thickness; first and third segments of funiculus equal in length, 
second one-fourth longer than first. Thorax fully twice as long as broad. Pronotum 
barely twice as broad as long, almost circular, dorsum flat. Epinotum as long as 
pronotum, one-third broader than long, oval; excision deep and narrow. Epinotum 
one and one-half times longer than broad; in profile evenly convex from apex of 
pronotum to base of mesonotum, excision deep, narrow at bottom; epinotum feebly 
convex in front, strongly convex into declivity behind. Node one-sixth broader 
than long, broader behind than in front, sides strongly convex, anterior and posterior 
borders feebly convex; in profile very slightly higher than long, anterior and 
posterior faces straight and vertical, rounded into the feebly convex dorsum, ventral 
spine triangular, half as long as broad at base, bluntly pointed. Postpetiole one- 
fourth broader than long, broadest at posterior fourth, constriction deep and wide. 
First segment of gaster slightly broader than long. Legs long and robust. 

Female. Length 15-16 mm. 

Colour and pilosity as on the worker. Sculpture much coarser. 

Head broader than long, occipital border feebly concave. Mandibles shorter 
than head, broad, external borders straight in middle, inner border convex, furnished 


140 A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


with eight or nine large, broad, sharp, erect teeth and behind these three or four 
shorter and blunt directed forwards. Scapes not extending to the occipital border 
by almost their thickness. Thorax twice as long as broad; pronotum three and 
one-half times broader than long, dorsum feebly convex. Mesonotum one-sixth 
broader than long, parapsidal furrows feebly indicated. Scutellum one-third broader 
than long. Epinotum slightly broader than long, feebly convex transversely; in 
profile pronotum and mesonotum raised and evenly convex to base of mesonotum, 
pro-mesonotal suture feebly impressed. Scutellum raised slightly above mesonotum, 
convex. Epinotum convex from base to foot of declivity. Node one-seventh broader 
than long, broadest behind middle, anterior and posterior borders straight, sides 
convex. Postpetiole one and one-half times broader than long, strongly convex 
in all directions, constriction deep but not wide. First segment of gaster one-ninth 
broader than long. Legs robust. Wings hyaline. 
Male. Unknown. 


Habitat.—W estern Australia: Armadale; Albany; Bunbury (J. Clark). 


South Australia: Lucindale; Melrose (A. M. Lea); Kangaroo Island (A. 
Campbell). 


Victoria: Mallee (J. E. Dixon). 


Similar to P. mandibularis Smith, but separated by the smooth 
postpetiole. 


Promyrmecia piliventris Smith 
Plate XVII, figs. 84-86 


Myrmecia piliventris Smith, Cat. Hymn. Brit. Mus., vi, p. 146, 1858, 3 ; 
Roger, Berl. Ent. Zeitschr., v, p. 36, 1860-61, % ; Mayr, Verh. Zool. Bot. 
Ges. Wien, xii, p. 727, 1862, ¢ ; Jour. Mus. Godeffroy, xii, p. 93, 1876, 
BQ. 

Myrmecia (Pristomyrmecia) piliventris Emery, Genera Insect., fasc. 118, 
p. 21, 1911, & ¢. 

Myrmecia (Promyrmecia) piliventris Wheeler, 
Ants, p. 67, 1933, 8 

Worker. Length 10-155 mm. 


Black; mandibles, antennae and legs dark brown, tarsi lighter, more reddish. 

Shining. Mandibles obliquely striate on apical half, more finely striate and punc- 
tate on basal half. Head longitudinally striate in front, more striate-rugose behind, 
the interstices very finely reticulate. Pronotum, mesonotum, anterior epinotum 
and node longitudinally striate-rugose, declivity transversely rugose, more coarsely 
than on head, interstices finely reticulate. Postpetiole and gaster microscopically 
punctate. 

Hair yellowish, erect and abundant, particularly long on mandibles, clypeus and 
apical segments of gaster, short and suberect on legs. Pubescence greyish, very 
fine and close-lying on antennae and legs, yellow, long and forming a dense covering 
on gaster and posterior of postpetiole. 

Head one-eighth broader than long, sides straight, occipital border feebly concave, 
angles broadly rounded. Mandibles slightly longer than head, parallel, straight or 
feebly convex on external border, inner border with five strong, sharp, erect teeth 
on apical fourth, behind these the teeth short and directed backwards, sawtooth- 
like. Scapes extend to occipital border ; first and third segments of funiculus equal 
in length, second almost one-fourth longer. Thorax fully twice as long as broad. 
Pronotum almost twice as broad as long, sides and front strongly convex, dorsum 
flattened. Mesonotum as long as pronotum, one-fourth broader than long, dorsum 
feebly convex, meso-epinotal excision deep and wide. Epinotum one-fifth longer 


Colony-founding among 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 141 


than broad, almost flat transversely; in profile pronotum raised, strongly convex 
from apex to base. Mesonotum convex, highest in front and slightly higher than 
pronotum and epinotum, excision deep, sharp at bottom. Epinotum convex from 
base to foot of declivity. Node very slightly broader than long, broadest at middle, 
broader behind than in front; in profile slightly higher than long, anterior and 
posterior faces straight and vertical, both rounded into the feebly convex dorsum, 
ventral spine long, thin and sharp, as long as broad at base. Postpetiole one-third 
broader than long, strongly convex in all directions, constriction deep but not wide. 
First segment of gaster very slightly broader than long, broader behind than in 
front. Legs long and robust. 


Female. Length 16-20 mm. 

Colour as on the worker. Sculpture coarser. Pilosity more abundant and longer, 
the pubescence on postpetiole and gaster longer and more abundant, bright brass 
yellow. 

Head one-ninth broader than long, sides and occipital border straight, angles 
rounded. Mandibles much shorter than head, external borders straight or feebly 
convex, inner border strongly convex, furnished with twelve long, sharp, erect 
teeth, broad at base. Scapes not extending to occipital border by fully their thick- 
ness. Node one-third broader than long, broadest just behind middle, anterior and 
posterior borders straight, sides convex. Postpetiole three-fifths broader than 
long, strongly convex. First segment of gaster broader than long, broadest in 
front of middle, broader behind than in front. Wings with 2 yellow tinge. 


Male. Length 11:5 mm. 

Colour, and pilosity, as in the worker, sculpture more punctate-reticulate. 

Head as broad as long, strongly arched from behind, semi-circular. Mandibles 
triangular, inner border furnished with one large sharp tooth at basal angle. Scapes 
not extending to posterior border of eyes, twice as long as first segment of funiculus, 
second segment three times longer than scape. Thorax barely twice as broad as 
long. Pronotum very short, semi-circular. Mesonotum broader than long, parap- 
sidal furrows sharply impressed, mayrian furrow sharply impressed in front, 
feebly impressed behind. Scutellum slightly broader than long, dome-shaped. 
Epinotum one-third broader than long, strongly convex. Node as long as broad, 
slightly broader behind, almost circular. Postpetiole one-fifth broader than long, 
broadest behind middle, bluntly rounded in front, constriction deep and wide. First 
segment of gaster broader than long, sides strongly convex. Legs slender. Wings 
with a yellowish tinge. 

Habitat.—N ew South Wales: Sydney ; Thornleigh; Peak Hill (W. W. Froggatt). 

Queensland: Stanthorpe; Fletcher (E. Sutton). 

Tasmania: Burnie (N. Howes). 

Victoria: Frankston (C. Barrett) ; Belgrave (J. Clark) ; Eltham (J. E. Dixon) ; 
Broadmeadows (F. P. Spry). 


The specimens from Tasmania are identical in every detail with 
those from Sydney. 


Promyrmecia piliventris Smith s.sp. rectidens Forel 
Plate X VIL, fig. 87 
Myrmecia piliventris Smith var. rectidens Forel, Rev. Suisse Zool., xviii, 


p. 5, 1910 
Myrmeciga (Pristomyrmecia) piliventris Smith var. rectidens Emery, Genera 
Insect., fasc. 118, p. 21, 1911. 


142 A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


Myrmecia (Promyrmecia) piliventris Smith s.sp. rectidens Wheeler, Colony- 
founding among Ants, p. 68, 1933. 


Worker. Length 9:5 mm. 

Mandibles, antennae and legs reddish-brown, head, thorax and node brownish- 
black, postpetiole and gaster brown. 

Shining. Mandibles with a few coarse striae on apical third, almost smooth 
behind, a few shallow elongate punctures. Head finely striate longitudinally. 
Pronotum and mesonotum longitudinally striate, much coarser than on head. 
Epinotum coarsely rugose, longitudinal on anterior fourth, irregular behind, trans- 
verse on declivity. Node coarsely and irregularly rugose, postpetiole and gaster 
microscopically punctate. 

Hair yellow, short and erect, sparse throughout, long and more numerous on 
clypeus, mandibles and apical segments of gaster, short and suberect on scapes and 
legs, longer at apex of femur. Pubescence not apparent except on postpetiole and 
gaster, where it forms a dense golden covering hiding the sculpture. 

Head almost as long as broad, sides feebly convex, occipital border feebly con- 
cave, angles broadly rounded. Mandibles fully their width longer than head, 
straight and parallel, bent at basal fourth, inner border furnished with five large, 
sharp, erect teeth slightly inclined backward; behind these is a series of very small 
backward-directed denticles. Scapes extend to occipital border, first and third 
segments of funiculus equal in length, fully half as long as second. Thorax fully 
twice as long as broad. Pronotum almost twice as broad as long, dorsum flattened. 
Mesonotum as long as pronotum, one-fourth broader than long, meso-epinotal 
constriction deep and narrow. Epinotum one-fifth longer than broad, dorsum 
feebly convex ; in profile mesonotum raised above level of pronotum and epinotum, 
excision deep and narrow; pronotum evenly convex from apex to base; mesonotum 
highest in front, evenly convex; epinotum evenly convex from base to foot of 
declivity. Node as long as broad, anterior and posterior faces straight, vertical, 
rounded into the feebly convex dorsum, ventral spine long and thin, not as long 
as wide at base. Postpetiole one and three-fourths times broader than long, strongly 
convex, constriction wide but not deep. First segment of gaster one-fifth broader 
than long. Legs slender. 


Male and female unknown. 

Habitat—New South Wales: ? Kingstown (W. W. Froggatt) ; Uralla (W. W. 
Froggatt). 

Victoria: Ararat (G. F. Hill). 

Re-described from a co-type received some years ago from Mr. 
Froggatt. The locality label on the co-type states King’s Sound 
142 in Froggatt’s writing. This is undoubtedly an error as this 
form is found plentiful around Kingstown and Uralla in New 
South Wales. Forel gives the locality as Kingstown, Australia 


Promyrmecia piliventris Smith var. femorata Santschi 
Plate X VII, figs. 88-90 
Myrmecia (Pristomyrmecia) piliventris Smith var. femorata Santschi, Bull. 
Soc. Vaud. Sc. Nat., lvi, p. 466, 1928, 3. 
Myrmecia (Promyrmecia) fulvipes Roger var. femorata Wheeler, Colony- 
founding among Ants, p. 70, 1933, 8. 


This form differs from piliventris only in the colour of the coxae and femora, 
red on some examples. Many specimens from the same nests cannot be separated 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 143 


from the typical form, the colour and sculpture being identical. It can be regarded 
only as a slightly colour variety and the name retained to prevent future confusion. 
The female and male also are included in the above remarks as both are distinguished 
only by the red femora. 


Habitat —Victoria: Frankston (C. L. Barrett); Belgrave; Ferntree Gully 
(J. E. Dixon, J. Clark) ; Eltham (J. E. Dixon). 


Promyrmecia luteiforceps Forel 
Plate XVII, fig. 96 


Myrmecia (Pristomyrmecia) fulvipes Roger r. gilberti Forel var. lutei- 
forceps Forel, Arkiv. f. Zool., ix (16), p. 9, 1915, &. 

Myrmecia (Promyrmecia) gilberti Forel var. luteiforceps Wheeler, Colony- 
founding among Ants, p. 74, 1933, ¥. 

Worker. Length 12 mm. 

Black ; mandibles yellow, antennae and legs brown, tarsi reddish. 

Apical half of mandibles obliquely striate, basal half smooth and shining. Head 
finely striate-rugose longitudinally in front, irregularly rugose behind, interstices 

y punctate-reticulate. Pronotum and mesonotum longitudinally striate-rugose, 
more coarsely than on head, epinotum and node irregularly punctate-rugose, the 
declivity transversely rugose, interstices and bottom of punctures densely punctate- 
reticulate. Postpetiole and gaster densely and finely punctate, 

Hair yellowish, short and erect, long and abundant on mandibles, clypeus and 
gaster, none on antennae, very short and suberect on legs. Pubescence yellowish, 
Sparse except on gaster, where it forms a dense covering, some scattered pubescence 
on middle of posterior fourth of postpetiole. 

Head slightly broader than long, sides feebly convex, occipital border straight 
or feebly concave, angles rounded. Mandibles longer than head, parallel, external 
border straight, inner border furnished with five large, sharp, erect teeth on apical 
third, on the basal two-thirds the teeth short, sharp and directed backwards. Scapes 
not extending to occipital border by their thickness; second segment of funiculus 
one-fifth longer than first. Thorax fully twice as long as broad. Pronotum one 
and one-half times broader than long, strongly convex; mesonotum one-third 
broader than long, oval, meso-epinotal excision deep. Epinotum one-fourth longer 
than broad, feebly convex on top; in profile, dorsum of the three segments forming 
a straight line, meso-epinotal excision deep and wide, pro-mesonotal suture feebly 
indicated, pronotum strongly convex in front, forming a straight surface with 
mesonotum behind, mesonotum dropping convex at excision; epinotum raised 
slightly convex in front, dorsum flattened, rounded into declivity. Node a fraction 
broader than long, almost circular ; in profile as high as long, anterior face vertical, 
feebly convex rounded into dorsum, posterior face very short, broadly rounded 
into dorsum, ventral spine short and sharp, half as long as broad at base. Post- 
petiole barely one-third broader than long, almost semi-circular in front. First 
segment of gaster one-sixth broader than long, broader behind than in front. Legs 


Male and female unknown. 

Habitat —North Queensland: Herberton (E. Mjéberg). 

Described and figured from a co-type. Forel described this as 
a variety of gilberti, stating that the yellow jaws are the main 
reason for separating them. The only features in common on both 
forms is the pubescence on postpetiole and gaster. 


144 A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


Promyrmecia fulviculis Forel 
Plate XVII, fig. 97 


Myrmecia (Pristomyrmecia) fulvipes Roger r. fuliculis Forel, Bull. Soc. 
Vaud. Sc. Nat., xlix, p. 174, 1913, 8. i 

Myrmecia (Promyrmecia) fulvipes Roger s.sp. fulviculis Wheeler, Colony- 
founding among Ants, p. 70, 1933, 8. 

Worker. Length 13-14°5 mm. 

Head, thorax and node black, mandibles and antennae reddish-brown, post- 
petiole and anterior two-thirds of first segment of gaster brown, apical third of 
first segment and the following segments yellowish, legs, including coxae, reddish- 

ellow. 
z Mandibles coarsely and obliquely striate on apical third, finely and longitudinally 
striate behind. Head finely and longitudinally striate-rugose, irregularly punctate- 
rugose behind, striae widely spaced, the spaces densely reticulate. Thorax much 
more coarsely rugose, the rugae almost longitudinal on pronotum and mesonotum, 
irregularly on epinotum and node. Postpetiole and gaster microscopically reticulate. 

Hair yellow, erect, long and fine throughout, coarser, shorter and suberect on 
antennae and legs. Pubescence whitish, very fine and close lying, very dense, 
yellow, long and adpressed on postpetiole and gaster, where it forms a dense golden 
covering hiding the sculpture. 

Head very slightly broader than long, sides and occipital border straight, angles 
broadly rounded. Mandibles slightly longer than head, external border straight 
or feebly convex, inner border furnished on apical third with five large, sharp, 
erect teeth, from these to base the teeth widely spaced, short and directed back- 
ward. Scapes extend to occipital border; first and third segments of funiculus 
equal in length, second two and one-fourth times longer than first. Thorax fully 
twice as long as broad. Pronotum one-third broader than long, strongly convex, 
mesonotum one-fifth broader than long, oval, epinotum about one-third longer 
than broad; in profile mesonotum scarcely raised above level of pronotum and 
epinotum, excision deep, sharp at bottom, pronotum and mesonotum forming an 
even arch, mesonotum dropping abruptly behind. Epinotum feebly convex on 
dorsum, almost twice as long as declivity into which it is broadly rounded. Node 
one-sixth broader than long, broadest at middle, sides and posterior border strongly 
convex, anterior and posterior faces straight and vertical, rounded into the convex 
dorsum, ventral spine triangular, sharp, half as long as broad at base. Postpetiole 
one-third broader than long, strongly convex in all directions, constriction deep 
and wide. First segment of gaster slightly broader than long. Legs robust. 

Male and female unknown. 


Habitat—New South Wales: Sydney (A. M. Lea); Como (E. H. Zeck); 
Lismore (C. F. Deuquet). 


Queensland: Brisbane; Bribie Island (H. Hacker) ; Fletcher; Stanthorpe (E. 
Sutton). 

The type of this species was collected at Sydney, not Tasmania, 
as stated in Forel’s description. Co-types received some years ago 
from Froggatt had Lea’s label attached in addition to one in 
Frogegatt’s handwriting with the name Tasmania and his number 
to Forel. Lea sent many specimens of New South Wales ants from 
Hobart to Froggatt for identification and apparently Froggatt did 
not notice Lea’s label. This species differs too much from both 
P. fulvipes and P. piliventris to be attached to either. 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 145 
Promyrmecia fulvipes Roger 
Plate XVI, figs. 81-83 


Myrmecia fulvipes Roger, Berl. Ent. Zeitschr., v, p. 36, 1861, ¥ ; Mayr, 
Verh. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, xii, p. 726, 1862, 8 ; Jour. Mus. Godeffroy, 
xu, p. 93, 1876, &. 

Myrmecia (Pristomyrmecia) fulvipes Emery, Genera Insect., fasc. 118, p. 21, 
1911; Forel, Bull. Soc. Vaud. Sc. Nat., xlix, p. 173, 1913, 9. 

wie ee dma fulvipes Wheeler, Colony-founding among Ants, 
Pp. ’ ’ g. 


Worker. Length 10-12 mm. 

Black; mandibles and antennae brown, coxae and legs reddish-yellow, tarsi 
slightly darker. 

Shining. Apical half of the mandibles obliquely striate-rugose, basal half almost 
smooth, with large, shallow, elongate punctures. Head longitudinally striate-rugose 
in front, more punctate-rugose behind, the interstices finely punctate-reticulate. 

otum, mesonotum, anterior fourth of epinotum and node more coarsely striate- 
rugose, more or less longitudinally, remainder of epinotum irregularly rugose, 
declivity transversely striate-rugose. Postpetiole and gaster microscopically punc- 
tate. 

Hair yellow, erect, rather short except on mandibles, clypeus and apical segments 
of gaster, much shorter and suberect on antennae and legs. Pubescence greyish- 
yellow on postpetiole, longer and more abundant on middle of posterior third; brass 
yellow on gaster, longer and more abundant, forming a dense covering. 

Head one-tenth broader than long, sides and occipital border feebly convex, 
angles rounded. Mandibles one-tenth shorter than head, parallel, external border 
straight, inner border furnished with seven large, sharp, erect teeth on apical half, 
short and directed backward, sawtooth-like on basal half. Scapes just reach 
occipital border; first and second segments of funiculus of equal length, apical 
slightly longer. Thorax twice as long as broad. Pronotum twice as broad as long, 
convex in all directions. Mesonotum one-third broader than long, strongly convex 
in all directions ; meso-epinotal constriction deep and narrow. Epinotum one-third 
longer than broad, feebly convex transversely; in profile mesonotum scarcely 
higher than pronotum and epinotum, meso-epinotal constriction deep but not wide, 
pronotum raised, strongly convex. Mesonotum flatly convex, highest behind, 

inotum strongly convex from base to foot of declivity. Node one-fifth broader 

n long, broadest just behind middle, strongly convex in all directions; in profile 
higher than long, anterior face straight, sloping gently backward, rounded into 
the feebly convex dorsum, posterior face short, sloping slightly backward, rounded 
into dorsum, ventral spine long and sharp, as long as broad at base. Postpetiole 
one and one-half times broader than long, strongly convex, constriction behind 
deep and wide. First segment of gaster one-tenth broader than long, broader 
behind than in front. Legs long and stout. 


Female. Length 15 mm. 

Colour, sculpture and pilosity as in the worker. 

Head fully one-sixth broader than long. Mandibles shorter than head, external 
border feebly concave at middle, inner border strongly convex, furnished with nine 
large, sharp, erect teeth on apical three-fourths, from the ninth to base the teeth 
smaller and broad. Node fully one-fourth broader than long, oval. Postpetiole 
one-third broader than long. First segment of gaster one-fourth broader than 


long. Legs robust. Wings hyaline, slightly yellowish. 


146 A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


Male. Length 10:5 mm. 


Colour as in the worker. Sculpture similar but finer. Hair longer and more 
abundant throughout. 
Head very slightly broader than long, sides and occipital border convex. Man- 
dibles short, triangular, inner border with a sharp cutting edge, without teeth. 
Scapes extend slightly beyond middle of eyes; second segment of funiculus two 
and one-half times longer than scapes and eight times longer than first segment. 
Thorax fully twice as long as broad. Pronotum short, strongly convex. Meso- 
notum slightly broader than long, parapsidal and mayrian furrows impressed. 
Scutellum one-fifth broader than long, strongly convex in all directions. Epinotum 
almost twice as broad as long, convex transversely; in profile pronotum almost 
vertical, convex above. Mesonotum evenly convex from apex to base, highest at 
base, mayrian furrows distinct. Scutellum high, its base level with pronotum and 
epinotum, dome-shaped. Epinotum short, convex from base to foot of declivity. 
Node one-fifth broader than long, broader behind than in front, broadest at middle; 
in profile higher than long, anterior face straight and vertical, dorsum convex, 
rounded into short posterior face, ventral spine long, slender and sharp. Post- 
petiole one-third broader than long, constriction wide and deep. First segment of 
gaster one-fifth broader than long, broader behind than in front. Legs slender. 

Wings hyaline, slightly yellowish. 


Habitat —South Australia: Murray River (S. W. Fulton), 

Victoria: Ferntree Gully; Millgrove; Beaconsfield; South Morang; Grampians ; 
Gellibrand (J. Clark). 

Tasmania: Hobart (A. M. Lea) ; Wynyard (F. A. Cudmore) ; Trevallyn (V. V. 
Hickman) ; St. Patrick’s River (F. A. Cudmore). 

New South Wales: Batlow (W. W. Froggatt) ; Barrington Tops (H. J. Carter) ; 
Uralla (W. W. Froggatt) ; Sydney (A. Musgrave). 


The following two forms are not represented in our collection, 
but for convenience Wheeler’s descriptions are given below. 


Myrmecia (Promyrmecia) fulvipes Roger s.sp. barbata Wheeler, Colony- 
founding among Ants, p. 71, 1933, % @. 


Worker. Length 12-14°5 mm. 

Head broader than in the preceding forms, especially behind, and therefore more 
rectangular. Mandibles somewhat shorter, stouter and distinctly curved, the sub- 
apical teeth smaller. Petiole and postpetiole as in fulviculis, but the former more 
sharply truncated anteriorly. Surface of head, thorax and petiole somewhat more 
shining, with more regular rugosity. Pilosity more abundant, conspicuously long 
on the gula. Pubescence dense, present on the postpetiole and gaster as in the 
typical fulvipes, but fine and dull, greenish-golden as in M. piliventris. Black; 
antennae and mandibles red; legs reddish-yellow as in fulviculis; sting black. 


Female (dealated). Length 14-5 mm. 


Very similar to the worker. Mandibles broader and somewhat shorter, with 
subapical teeth larger and occupying fully one-half of the inner border. Thorax 
more robust, with larger mesonotum and scutellum and shorter epinotum. Petiole 
and postpetiole broader. Gular hairs shorter; pubescence on abdomen as in the 
worker and fully as dense on the postpetiole as on the gaster. 

Described from ten workers from Dorrigo, New South Wales (W. Heron), and 
a worker and female from Belgrade. 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 147 


Promyrmecia fulvipes Roger s.sp. coelatinoda Wheeler 


Myrmecia (Promyrmecia) fulvipes Roger s.sp. cwlatinoda Wheeler, Colony- 
founding among Ants, p. 72, 1933, ¥. 


Worker. Length about 13 mm. 


Mandibles as in barbata, but the subapical teeth worn away, the serrate basal 
denticles very minute and indistinct. Petiole as in barbata, postpetiole one and one- 
half times as broad as long, semi-circular anteriorly, its posterior border somewhat 
emarginate in the middle. Gaster slender, the first segment nearly as long as broad. 
Sculpture as in barbata, but much more of the posterior portion of the epinotum 
transversely and the petiolar node more coarsely rugose. Unlike all the preceding 
forms of fulvipes, the postpetiole is sculptured, being sharply, longitudinally rugu- 
lose, with elongate foveolae between the rugules as in M. mandibularis rugosa. 
Pilosity somewhat less abundant than in fulviculis, the pubescence of the pelisse on 
the gaster of the same bright golden colour, but coarser, longer and less distinctly 
converging at the mid-dorsal line. On the postpetiole there is only a minute patch 
of golden pubescence at the emargination of the posterior border. Mandibles, 
antennae, legs and gaster red; head, thorax and petiole blackish-red. 

Described from a single specimen from Belair, South Australia (J. W. Haacke). 
This subspecies is readily distinguished from all the other forms of fulvipes by its 
colour and its sculptured and posteriorly emarginate postpetiole. 


EXPLANATION OF PLATES. 
PLATE XII 


Dorsal and lateral view of body. 
. Promyrmecia aberrans Forel. Worker. 
‘ nobilis sp. nov. Worker. 


Fig. 


1 

2 

3 nobilis sp. nov. Female. 

4 nobilis sp. nov. Male. 

3. froggatti Forel. Worker. 
6. maura Wheeler. Worker. 
a maura Wheeler. Female. 
8 eupoecila sp. nov. Female. 
9 greavesi sp. nov. Female. 
10 picta Smith. Worker. 


11. picta Smith. Female. 
12. picta Smith. Female (ergatoid). 
13. picta Smith. Male. 
14. fucosa Clark. Female. 
a>. fucosa Clark. Worker. 
16. fucosa Clark. Male. 

Piate XIII 
17. Promyrmecia michaelseni Forel. Worker. 
18. michaelseni Forel. Female. 
19. queenslandica Forel. Worker. 
20. ruginodis sp. nov. Worker. 
21. ruginodis sp. nov. Female. 
22. ruginodis sp. nov. Male. 


2. chrysogaster sp. nov. Worker. 


148 A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


24. Promyrmecia cydista sp. nov. Worker. 


2); 
26. 
27. 
28. 
a9: 
30. 
31. 


. Promyrmecia 


Promyrmecia 


chasei Forel. Worker. 

chasei Forel. Female. 

chasei Forel. Male. 

harderi Forel. Worker. 
harderi Forel. Female. 
occidentalis sp. nov. Worker. 
occidentalis sp. nov. Female. 


PLATE XIV 


cephalotes sp. nov. Worker. 
cephalotes sp. nov. Female. 
cephalotes sp. nov. Male. 
hilli sp. nov. Worker. 
callima sp. nov. Worker. 


pilosula Smith. Worker. 
pilosula Smith. Female. 
pilosula Smith. Male. 
scabra sp. nov. Worker. 
scabra sp. nov. Female. 
celaena sp. nov. Worker. 
maloni sp. nov. Worker. 
elegans sp. nov. Worker. 
elegans sp. nov. Female. 


opaca sp. nov. Worker. 
opaca sp. nov. Female. 


PLATE XV 


goudiei sp. nov. Worker. 
goudiei sp. nov. Female. 
shepherdi sp. nov. Worker. 
shepherdi sp. nov. Female. 
shepherdi sp. nov. Male. 
dichospila Clark. Worker. 
dichospila Clark. Female. 
dichospila Clark. Male. 
urens Lowne. Worker. 


urens Lowne. 
urens Lowne. 


infima Forel. 
infima Forel. 
infima Forel. 


Female. 

Male. 
Worker. 
Female. 
Male. 


nigra Forel. Worker. 

nigra Forel. Female. 

exigua sp. nov. Worker 
rubicunda sp. nov. Worker. 
wilsoni sp. nov. Worker. 
varians Mayr. Worker. 
varians Mayr. Female. 
testaceipes sp. nov. Worker. 


A REVISION OF THE GENUS PROMYRMECIA EMERY (FORMICIDAE) 


PLate XVI 


4 Promyrmecia tepperi Emery. Worker. 
tepperi Emery. Female. 


3 swalei Crawley. Worker. 
73. swalei Crawley. Female. 
74. clarki Crawley. Worker. 
am clarki Crawley. Female. 
76. clarki Crawley. Male. 
77. dixoni sp. nov. Worker. 
78. dixoni sp. nov. Female. 
79. gilberti Forel. Worker. 
80. gilberti Forel. Female. 
81. fulvipes Roger. Worker. 
82. fulvipes Roger. Female. 
83. fulvipes Roger. Male. 
Pirate XVII 
84. Promyrmecia piliventris Smith. Worker. 
85. piliventris Smith. Female. 
86. piliventris Smith. Male. 
87. rectidens Forel. Worker. 
88. femorata Santschi. Worker. 
89. femorata Santschi. Female. 
90. femorata Santschi. Male. 
91. mandibularis Smith. Worker. 
92. mandibularis Smith. Female. 
93. mandibularis Smith. Male. 
94. laevinodis sp. nov. Worker. 
95. laevinodis sp. nov. Female. 
96. luteiforceps Forel. Worker. 
97. fulviculus Forel. Worker. 


149 


Lup Mcp 


an corte 


1 
wo L a 
rk ae : iat Ate. SPITS 
4} Lint. ery ley ing: 
ati, erase 
; ; Apia he: Rea 
ae : OGAliiat, #8 ene © 
sf | ae epee ae rountteg 


PLAre 2 it. 


2 Mem. Nat. Mus. Vict., 13. 


Prate XIII. 


i “Mux. Nat. Mus. Vicr., 13. 


PLATTER ATV, 


Mem. Nat. Mus. Vacr., 13. 


| 


PLATE & ¥- 


Mem. Nat. Mus. Vict., 13. 


PLate XVI. 


Mem. Nat. Mus. Vicr., 13. 


Plate XVII, 


- Mem. Nar. Mus. Vier, 13. 


Mem. Nat. Mus. Vict., 13, 1943. 


A NEW SPECIES OF PAUROPUS FROM VICTORIA 


By O. W. Tiegs, D.Sc., 
Associate-Professor of Zoology, University of Melbourne 


Although Pauropoda are of widespread occurrence in Australia, 
they have not attracted much attention from systematists, probably 
owing to their small size and obscure habitat. N early thirty vears 
ago Harrison (2) described five species, including a member of 
the remarkable genus Eurypauropus, from the neighbourhood of 
Sydney; since then the list of Australian species has not, as far 
as I am aware, been added to. 

The species which is described in the present paper is one that 
I have obtained in large numbers in the damp mountainous forest 
country at Belgrave in Victoria, and I am using it at present as 
material for the study of the embryology of these peculiar arthro- 
pods. As it seems to be distinct from any other form hitherto 
recorded, a taxonomic description is needed. 

In the following account I have fairly closely followed the 
method of description worked out by Hansen (1) ; for when types 
are not accessible, comparison with his species can be made only 
on the basis of those characters to which he specifically refers. 
The nomenclature adopted is also based on that of Hansen. 


Class PAUROPODA Lubbock, 1868 
Order HETEROGNATHA Saussere et Humbert, 1872 
Family PAUROPODIDAE Lubbock, 1868 
Genus PAUROPUS Lubbock, 1868 


Pauropus silvaticus sp. nov 


Size. The largest specimens encountered measured 1:2 mm. in length, the smallest 
with full number of legs, about 0-86 mm.; the average length based on a measure- 
ment of twelve individuals, is 0°97 mm. Average breadth about 0:23 mm, 

Head (fig. 1). The distance between the “ocular areas” on the dorsal surface 
of the head is about the same as the length of the areas. 

The head is itself completely free from pubescence; its setae are, however, all 
covered with a very delicate, just perceptible pubescence. 

These setae are, as usual, disposed in four transverse rows: (i) An anterior, 
mainly pre-antennal, row of setae, of which one lies unpaired in the median line. 
Five of these setae are clavate, measuring 02 mm. in length; but the two most 
lateral setae are delicate and cylindrical, and are not longer than the clavate setae. 
(ii) The second row is post-antennal, and comprises eight setae, of which six are 
clavate and are similar to those of the first row, while the two most lateral setae are 
cylindrical, and do not exceed the clavate setae in length. This row ends just in 
front of the inner angles of the “ocular areas.” (iii) The third row consists of 
six widely spaced setae, of which four are clavate, while the two most lateral, 

151 
N 


152 A NEW SPECIES OF PAUROPUS FROM VICTORIA 


arising from the sides of the head, are long and cylindrical, measuring about 
‘04 mm. in length. (iv) In the fourth row there are eight widely spaced setae, of 
which the middle pair is short and clavate, measuring only about :014 mm. in 
length, while the three pairs to the sides of these are cylindrical, the inner two 


ews measuring about ‘036 mm. in length, the most lateral pair about two-thirds 
of this. 


FIG, 1. 
Head; dorsal view; right antenna removed to show the setae beneath it. 


In addition to these setae, there are present three unpaired clavate setae, which 
are in a line with the median seta of the first transverse row; one of these, at the 
very tip of the head, is minute; the other two, between the bases of the antennae, 
are only a little shorter than the clavate setae of the first row. 


Antennae (fig. 2). The distal segment of the antenna is much the longest, and 
is nearly twice the length of the third segment. There are two minute setae on 


FIG. 2 
Antenna. 


A. Right antenna, ventral view. ‘ . 
B. Distal end of lower ramus, showing the globulus (from a microtome section). 


each of the first three segments, just perceptibly clavate, except one on the third 
segment, which is markedly clavate and larger. On the fourth segment the two 
setae are long, slender and cylindrical; one is almost as long as the peduncle, the 
other about three-quarters its length. The upper ramus of the antenna is as long as 
the peduncle, and is very slender, its length being about eight times its breadth; 


A NEW SPECIES OF PAUROPUS FROM VICTORIA 153 


it is about half the length of its flagellum. The lower ramus of the antenna measures 
about five-eighths of the length of the upper ramus, and is about three times as long 
as broad ; its anterior flagellum is only very slightly shorter than the posterior, and 
measures about 24 times the length of the lower ramus. The globulus (fig. 2B) 
is comparatively small, and is about twice the width of its very short stalk. 


Trunk. This is of medium build, being neither exceptionally slender, nor, com- 
pared with other species, markedly robust. It gradually widens up to the fifth 
segment, and beyond the seventh tapers more sharply. 

The dorsal shields are approximately rounded, the first being about the breadth 
of the head. They are completely devoid of pubescence. The setae are cylindrical 
with blunt ends; and though some are slightly swollen at the tips, they are never 
markedly clavate. The six setae on the penultimate segment are all rather enlarged, 
and measure about one-third the breadth of the segment (fig. 3A). 


C we 
FIG. 3. 
Posterior end of abdomen, showing setae and “anal plate.” 


A. Dorsal view (Tergal setae only shown). 
B. Ventral view (Sternal setae only shown). Part of “anal plate” protruding. 
C. “Anal plate.” 


The fifth pair of tactile setae (trichobothria) measures about 0-3 mm. in length, 
and is about twice as long as the breadth of the segment (fig. 3A) ; along its distal 
two-thirds is a very delicate close pubescence, but the proximal third is naked. 
The fourth tactile seta is a little less than four-fifths the length of the fifth; like 
the fifth it is faintly pubescent, the basal end alone being bare. The third seta is 
rather more than half the length of the fifth, and about three-quarters the breadth 
of its segment; it is faintly pubescent to within one-quarter its length from its 
base. The second and first setae are about half the length of the fifth, only the 
distal half being faintly pubescent. 

Anal segment (fig. 3). At its posterior tip the tergum of the anal segment grows 
out as an inconspicuous thin protuberance above the “anal plate,” but is not as 


154 A NEW SPECIES OF PAUROPUS FROM VICTORIA 


prominent as the protuberances that have been figured here for some species of 
Pauropus. The setae are all cylindrical, ending bluntly. The lateral and inter- 
mediate tergal setae are about equal in length, and about twice the length of the 
submedian setae. The distance between the two submedian setae is about the 
same as the distance between the submedian and intermediate setae and is about 
three times the distance between the intermediate and lateral setae. 

Of the sternal setae the posterior are much the largest, and are about twice the 
length of the anterior tergal setae; the lateral sternal setae measure about the 
same length as the lateral tergal setae (fig. 3B). 

The “anal plate” (fig. 3C) measures about ‘025 mm. in length, and is furnished 
with four processes lying in the same plane. The median cleft, which extends 


A 2 
504 
B 
! 3 
D 

ey 
FIG. 4. 

Leg. 


A. Posterior leg. 
B. Distal end of same, from a caustic potash preparation, chitin stained with eosin. Note 


eats division of distal leg segment, indicated by constriction and thinning out of chitin 
otted). 
= Distal end of tarsus of left hind leg (external aspect). 
. The same (ventral view) ; note absence of posterior claw (posterior end to right). 
E. Similar view of tip of tarsus of left sixth leg. 


almost to the base of the plate, has a rounded ending. The two diverging outer 
processes curve inwards a little, and taper each to a point. The inner processes 
are rather thicker at the base; their distal end tapers into a narrow separately 
articulated and apparently very faintly pubescent segment. 

The “styles” are thinner than the outer processes of the “anal plate,” and are 
a little shorter than the submedian setae. 


Legs (fig. 4). Like the dorsal shields these are completely free from pubescence. 
They increase considerably in length posteriorly, the last leg measuring about 
0-3 mm. in length. The femur of the last leg (fig. 4A) is a little longer than the 


A NEW SPECIES OF PAUROPUS FROM VICTORIA 155 


trochanter, about half as long again as thick, and a little shorter than the tibia. 
The tibia is only a little longer than its seta. In the terminal segment of the last 
leg there is, as usual, no demarcation of a metatarsus from a tarsus. But a little 
beyond its middle there is recognizable, with various degrees of clearness in 
different individuals, a partial constriction with thinned-out chitin (fig. 4B). This 
constriction is also perceptible in some of the more anterior legs, but not so clearly 
as in the last. This incipient division of the tarsus is not confined to the present 
species. On this point Hansen (1) writes: “In some large species of Pauropus 
the tarsus of the ninth pair presents a faint indication of a division into two joints, 
but this spurious articulation or thin-skinned place is always situated outside the 
middle of the tarsus and has nothing to do with the sharp division into metatarsus 
and tarsus existing in the eighth and other pairs, in which the metartarsus is 
always much shorter than the tarsus.” 

The seta of the tibia of the last leg is tapering and pubescent. A similar but 
shorter seta arises from near the upper end of the tarsus. At the lower end of 
the tarsus is a very short cylindrical faintly pubescent seta, about as long as the 
claw. The coxa and trochanter bear each a single biramous seta; in the more 
anterior legs the corresponding setae are uniramous. 

The middle claw of all the legs is well developed; the posterior claw is small, 
and on the last pair of legs is not merely of diminished size, as in most species, 
but completely absent (cf. figs. 4C, D, E). 


Locality. Belgrave, Victoria. 

Type in National Museum, Melbourne. 

Of the described species of Pauropus Harrison’s P. australis seems to approach 
the nearest to the new species above described. In size both are about the same, 
though P. australis seems to be much more slender. Particularly striking is the 
general resemblance of the hind legs with its reduced number of claws, the anal 
plate and the posterior setae. The head and antennae of P. australis have not been 
described with sufficient attention to those minute points of detail that are needed 
for the differentiation of species in Pawropus. On the principal points of difference 
Harrison is quite definite. In P. australis “the cuticle shows a fairly long pubes- 
cence on the last shield, anal segment, and posterior legs; a slight pubescence on 
the fifth shield; and is smooth in front of that’; in P. silvaticus the dorsal shields 
and the legs are completely free from pubescence. In P. australis Harrison found 
the first tactile seta (trichobothrium) to be “very coarsely plumose distally”; in 
P. silvaticus the seta is uniformly faintly pubescent along its distal half. 


Habits —The animals may be found under stones, fallen timber, 
or amongst the thick deposit of fallen leaves on the forest floor. 
They also enter rotting tree-trunks, half-decayed logs of tree- 
fern (Alsophila, Dicksonia) being particularly favoured. I have 
obtained several hundred out of a single such log. They select a 
damp environment, dry or wet surroundings being both avoided. 
They are light-shy creatures, and quickly run for cover when 
disturbed. 

Oviposition takes place in the early and middle summer months, 
the eggs being scattered about singly in the decaying vegetation 
within which the animals live. The eggs are white and spherical, 


1. Harrison's statement that it is the middle claw that is absent in the hind leg is probably 
an error; it is the normally diminutive posterior claw that becomes reduced in the ninth leg 
in all species of Pawropus (Hansen, 1901), and has completely vanished in P. silvaticus, 


156 A NEW SPECIES OF PAUROPUS FROM VICTORIA 


extremely minute, measuring seldom more than 0:11 mm. in 
diameter. All the larval stages, comprising animals with 3, 5, 6 
and 8 pairs of legs can be found in abundance during the summer, 
in places where the adults are prevalent. 

There is no evidence that the animals are predaceous, as some 
writers on Pauwropus have inferred from the activity of their 
movements; nor do they seem to ingest solid vegetable material, 
for this is not recognizable in the distended intestine. The latter, 
indeed, contains nothing but fluid material. It seems that Pawropus 
subsists upon organic matter dissolved in the juices of the rotting 
vegetation within which it lives. 

Despite the agility of their movements the animals are much 
preyed upon by the more slowly moving pedipalps and predaceous 
mites that form part of the associated microfauna; and I have 
occasionally seen even adult animals that have fallen victim to 
their attack. 

Unlike one of the species described by Harrison (P. amicus), it 
cannot be said of P. silvaticus that it is markedly sociable in its 
habits. In captivity, it is true, the animals sometimes congregate 
under fragments of leaf or wood in the breeding receptacles, but 
I have not encountered this under natural conditions. Nor do the 
animals exhibit the remarkable maternal instinct of guarding 
their eggs, as observed by Harrison in P. amicus; indeed, the eggs 
are not laid in clumps, but, as already stated, are scattered about 
singly and at random amongst the rotting vegetation in which 
they live. 

REFERENCES 
1. Hansen, H. J. On the genera and species of the order Pauropoda. Vidensk. 
Meddel. d. nathist. Forening, Copenhagen, 1901, p. 323. 
2. Harrison, L. On some Pauropoda from New South Wales. Proc. Linn. Soc. 
N.S.W., 1914, xxxix, p. 615. 


3. Lubbock, J. On Pauropus, a new type of Centipede. Trans. Linn. Soc. 
London, 1868, xxvi, p. 181. 


Mem. Nat. Mus. Vict., 13, 1943. 


THE KORALEIGH STONY METEORITE 
By A. B. Edwards, D.Sc., and G. Baker, M.Sc 


INTRODUCTION 


The stony meteorite (aerolite) herein described was found by 
Mr. F. A. Cudmore in March, 1943. It had been ploughed up from 
red soil near Koraleigh, in New South Wales, about twenty miles 
north-west of Swan Hill. The meteorite was submitted to us 
for mineralogical investigation by the Director of the National 
Museum, Mr. D. J. Mahony, and is now lodged in the National 
Museum, Melbourne. 


GENERAL DESCRIPTION 


The Koraleigh meteorite is only part of the original mass, since 
one of its six faces is a more or less flat fracture surface. 

The weathered nature of the meteorite indicates that it has lain 
in the soil for a considerable period of time. Its rust-coloured 
exterior is due partly to reddish-brown limonite, and partly to 
small attached particles of red soil. During its period of burial, 
small particles of soil and occasional well-rounded grains of quartz 
became cemented on to surfaces of the aerolite by the iron oxides 
formed from the weathering of its metallic constituents. 

The meteorite is irregular in shape, with six surfaces of varying 
size. Several of the surfaces show the ‘‘thumb-marks”’ so charac- 
teristic of meteorites. On one of the surfaces, a circular depression, 
measuring 7 mm. across, marks the position from which a hemi- 
spherical chondrule has broken out since the meteorite was 
collected. The flat base of this chondrule was on the outside of 
the aerolite, and may therefore have resulted from weathering. 
It was most likely spherical in its original condition. 

The size of the meteorite is 9:3 em. x 5°7 em. x 5-0 em. across its 
major dimensions. The mass weighed approximately 450 grams 
before slicing for mineralogical examination. Its specific gravity 
was determined as 3°41. This value is similar to that of the Caroline 
stony meteorite recently described in these Memoirs (Stillwell, 
1941). Freshly fractured surfaces of the meteorite are dark brown 
to dark grey. Small soft patches of light-brown limonite are 
irregularly distributed through more weathered areas. The fresher 
surfaces show that minute patches of metallic minerals are dis- 
seminated throughout the meteorite. 


157 


158 THE KORALEIGH STONY METEORITE 


MINERALOGY 


A thin section of the aerolite revealed that it is principally 
crystalline, with a granular to micro-porphyritic texture. Con- 
siderable staining by secondary hydrous oxides of iron has taken 
place right through the specimen. 

The greater portion of the silicate minerals consists of granular 
olivine and crystals of bronzite with 2V approximately 90°. Oceca- 
sional chondrules of the barred monosomatiec variety and of the 
radiating and granular polysomatic variety are present. Twenty 
chondrules occurred in one thin section, measuring { in. x @ in. 
The types of chondrules are similar to those occurring in the Bond 
Springs stony meteorite from Central Australia (Baker and 
Edwards, 1941), though they are not as numerous. The largest 
chondrule observed was the detached one measuring 7 mm. across; 
the smallest measured approximately 1 mm. in diameter. 

Metal and iron sulphide grains are seattered throughout the 
section as small patches of irregular shape. They are frequently 
enveloped by limonite, the metal more so than the sulphide 
minerals. 

The volume percentages of the silicate minerals and of the metal 
+ sulphide were determined from 14 traverses, taken at 1 mm. 
intervals across a thin section, by means of an integrating machine. 
This resulted in a value of 97% for the metal + sulphide, with 
the sulphide mineral considerably in excess of the metallic iron. 
This percentage value is lower than that for the Bond Springs 
aerolite (12% by volume), partly because of considerable altera- 
tion by weathering of the iron in the Koraleigh aerolite. 

The silicate minerals and small amounts of glassy material 
comprise the remaining 903% by volume of the aerolite. They 
have suffered slight decomposition, occasional alteration products 
(probably serpentine and iron oxide dust) occurring along cracks 
in some of the olivine crystals. They are invariably stained by 
thin films of secondary iron oxides derived from the metallic 
constituents. 

Rare interstitial areas with low birefringence and vague twin 
lamellae are probably plagioclase felspar. Some of the clear areas 
between the grains and erystals of olivine and bronzite are 
uniaxial, negative, and probably correspond to the sodium-calcium 
phosphate mineral, merrillite, the presence of which was estab- 
lished by Stillwell in the Caroline stony meteorite. 

Other rare interstitial areas which are clear and principally 
isotropic, represent maskelynite or devitrified glass. As in the 
Caroline stony meteorite, minute particles of reddish-brown colour 
and isotropic character, included in the olivine and pyroxene 


THE KORALEIGH STONY METEORITE 159 


crystals, are regarded as chromite. Small opaque inclusions in 
certain of the olivine crystals are probably metallic iron and 
sulphides. Occasional rounded grains of a diopsidie mineral are 
also associated with the more abundant crystals of the silicate 
minerals. 

Two varieties of pyroxene are present. One is the orthopyroxene, 
bronzite; the other shows oblique extinction, up to 36°, so that it 
is a clinopyroxene, probably augite. The orthorhombic variety is 
the more common of the two. Some of the pyroxene crystals exhibit 
wavy extinction, indicative of strain; rare examples of the clino- 
pyroxene display lamellar twinning. 


Opaque Minerals 


The opaque minerals in the meteorite are pyrrhotite, «iron 
(kamacite), limonite and (?) chromite. Pyrrhotite, the most 
abundant of the opaque minerals, forms areas which may be as 
large as 0°12 mm. x 0°25 mm. across, but are more commonly 0°10 
mm. x 0:10 mm. in size. In reflected light, the pyrrhotite appears 
pinkish-brown. It is pleochroic and anisotropic. It can be distin- 
guished from troilite by its etching properties. The pyrrhotite is 
relatively inert to 1 : 1 HNO: and 1 : 1 HCl, whereas troilite effer- 
vesces vigorously with these reagents. It was found by Stillwell 
(1941) that the sulphide mineral in the Caroline stony meteorite 
was also pyrrhotite. 

The iron occurs as corroded remnants of grains which were 
originally equidimensional with the pyrrhotite, but are now partly 
altered to limonite. The iron is readily etched with HNOs, FeCls 
and HgCl:, which indicates that it is iron (kamacite). No y-iron 
(taenite) was detected. Small amounts, presumably of this 
mineral, were thought by Stillwell (1941) to oceur in the Caroline 
aerolite. The iron is occasionally intergrown with pyrrhotite, but 
it is more usual for the two to occur as isolated grains. 

The limonite commonly forms rims enclosing residual areas of 
iron. These rims are much more pronounced about the iron grains 
than around the pyrrhotite. They are connected with small veinlets 
of limonite which traverse the meteorite, and with a fine meshwork 
of limonite threads or films from 0:001 mm. to 0:002 mm. wide, 
which fill almost every grain boundary between the transparent 
minerals. The limonite occasionally forms parallel, needle-like 
inclusions and veinlets through the pyrrhotite. 

Trevorite, which was recorded among the oxidation products 
of the metallic iron of the Caroline aerolite (Stillwell, 1941), was 
not located in the Koraleigh specimen. 

The mineral which is thought to be chromite occurs as small, 


160 THE KORALEIGH STONY METEORITE 


more or less idiomorphic crystals up to 0°02 mm. in diameter. It 
is grey-brown in reflected light, isotropic, and inert to standard 
etching reagents. The small crystals sometimes occur as groups 
within a single grain of the silicate minerals. 


CONCLUSION 


The aerolite from Koraleigh, in New South Wales, is a bronzite- 
olivine chondrite like that from Caroline, on the Glenelg River 
near the Victorian-South Australian border. Because of the close 
similarity of these two aerolites in the various characteristics 
examined, it is thought probable that they may have close genetic 
relationships, and might even be portions of the same fall, as the 
Caroline aerolite was found at the site of a blackfellows’ camp, 
and had therefore possibly been transported from its original place 
of fall. 

REFERENCES 
1941 Baker, G., and Edwards, A. B. The Bond Springs Stony Meteorite. Mem. 
Nat. Mus., Melbourne, no. 12, pp. 49-58, 1941. 


1941 Stillwell, F. L. The Caroline Stony Meteorite. Mem. Nat. Mus., Mel- 
bourne, no. 12, pp. 41-48, 1941. 


Brown, Prior, Anderson Pty. Ltd. 


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