MEMOIES or THE NATIONAL MUSEUM, MELBOUKJSTE. No. 7. PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES. gj) ; H. J. GSEBN, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, MELBOURNE. 1608. JXJ3STE, 1927. 1 MEMOIRS OF THF NOOn ON A L M LTSEUM, M E lJ^OLl RNli;. Xo. 7. PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES. Jiij (Suthciriti) : )t. .j. cKEEN, pRrNTBK, :sielboi'rnh. HiOS. O^XTlSrE, 1S27, VAGK Termites from the Australian Region. I’ai-t T. l^y Gerald F. Hill (plates I.— IX.) ... .. ... 5 Monograph on the Triassic Flora of Raid Hill, Bacuhus .Marsh, Victoria. Bj’ Frederick Chapman, A.L.S., F.B.IM.S. (plates X. — XTIT. and Text Figure) ... 1 ’2 I loT An Additional Occurrence of Bythotrephis in Victoria. A. H. S. Luca,s, M.A., B.Sc. (plate XIV.) 'ly TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGHON. PART I. By Gerald F. Hill, Entomologist, National Museum, Melbourne. (Plates 1. IX.) A. — liitroduction IP — Tlie Termite Fauna of New Guinea, New Britain, New Ireland, New Hebrides, and Solomon Islands 0. A Revision of the Australian Leucotermes, Microeerotermes and M irofermes . . -INTRODUCTION. The termites referred to in tliis paper comprise ]iart of a collec- tion of about 1,000 nest series collected by the author in the Xorthern Territory of Australia during the years 1912 17, in North Queensland during 1919-23, and in New Britain and Papua during 1922, iu addition to about 250 series collected by Mr. J. Clark in \ATstern Australia, and about 50 series collected by several other cor- respondents in various localities. Small collections from New Britain, New Ireland, and Solomon Islands, which have been presented to the National Museum recently by Drs. C. M. Heydoip H. (1. Wallace, and Mr. W. \V. Froggatt, as well as loan collections from the museums of South Australia, Queensland, and Western Australia, and Mr. L. J. Newman, (fovernment Entomologist, AVestern Australia, have been dealt vith also. Thirty-two species, representing seven genera, are proposed as new, and of the former thirteen species, re[)i'esenting five genera, are from New Cuinea, Bismarck Archijielago, and adjacent groujis of islands. J)escri])tions are given also of the imago of one species from New Cuinea and seven species from Australia, which have been known hitherto only in the sterile castes. The nomenclature used in describing wing veins is that of Holmgren (1909, pp. 122-128), while the method of recording measurements and colours is the same as in my earlier papers. For the minute star and scale like structures found on the wiims of most termites 1 have employed the term micraster (Tilly ard, 1919) FooixoTK. — While the above paper was in eoiirBe of piiljlicatiou Dr. T. U. .Snyder’s pajier on '■ New Tennites from the Soiomnn islands and Santa Cruz Arehi)ieia<;o ” (.lourn. Wash. Aoad. So. xv. (17 and l!l) iSidij) name to hand. Tliis eontains de.scription.s of specier from the former iocaiity wlncli appear to l)e very eloseiy allied to, if not iiiontical with, certain s|iecies now being devit with. It is proposed to publish some rcvisional notes, if foiimi necessary, after a comparison of the type series has been made, TERMITES PROM THP: AUSTRALIAN REGION. to clistiiiguisli tliem from the more typical microtricliia with which they are generally associated. In recording localities ’■ (lerman New (Ininea ” is used to denote the former (lerman territory on the Neu (Ininea mainland. 1 am indebted to Professors Nils Holmgren, Vngve Sjostedt, 8. F. Light, Mr. \V. W. Kroggatt, and the authoiities of the South Australian and West Australian Museums for tlie opportunity of examining types and co-types of other authois, and to the first- named for the examination of specimens and the gift of literature not otherwise accessible to me. Professor Silvestri s assistance in the identification of south-west Australian species not re.|)resented in the A\'est Australian Museum is gratefullv acknowledged. Mr. J . A . Kershaw, Curator of the National Museum of ^ irtoria, has facilitated the preparation of this paper in every possible manner ; his co-operation has been whole-hearted and indispensable, and is acknowledged with gratitude. I thank Mr. -1. ( lark and many other correspondents for the patience and labour they have ex- pended in procuring sjiecimens for study, and i\Ir. Ewen jMackinnon for very kindly prejiaring the photomicrograjihs of wdngs. B.--THE TP^RMITE FAUNA OF NEW tUTlNEA, NEW BRITAIN, NEW IRELAND, NEW HEBRIDES, AND SOLOMON ISLANDS. 8o little attention has been jiaid to the termite fauna of New (fuinea and the islands referred to in this jiayer that little advantage is to be gained from a discussion of the distribution of genera and species within these possessions or from a coni})arison with the fauna of the Australian continent ; it may be mentioned, however, that of the seven genera recorded fi'om the first grouj) of localities six are well represented in Australia. The remaining genus {Cwpri- termes), which is rejjresented in Formosa, India, Africa, and 8outh America, has not been recorded from this continent. On the other hand, of the thirteen genera re^jresented in Australia Mastotermes, tStolotermes. Porotermes, Lmcotermes , Parrh inotermes. PI am Hermes , and Ahamitermes are not known from New (luinea and the above- mentioned islands. List of termites from New Ouinea. New Lritain, New Ireland, New Hebrides, and Solomon Islands, including thirteen new species described in this paper : — TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REUION. Described Castes. Species. I.ocality, Caloiermes {N eoternu-s) jmyua (Desn.) German New Guinea X* X ,, schuHzei Holmgr. ? J .‘5 Xt xt ,, ferrmiiums Holmgr. . . 5 ? ' > X 1 . . (I’l or.yyjitoh xpeiscf i Holmgr. . . New Hebrides . . X „ {(Jriiii/ofenncs) (iidoyihs, n. sp. Papna X* X* .. repentiniiy, ri. .sp. New Britain . . X* (Glypiolcniies) raihf/iolahnitii, n. up. 1 5 X* I . . Cojdotenncti (lisae (Di'sv.) German New Guinea xt ' „ hyalua per \io\mgv. J5 X ,, rewotui, ti. sp. . . New Ireland .. X* X* ,, obiratus, n. s]). New Britain and Papua X* X* solotnouensiy, n. «]>. Solomon Islands . . X* X* Rhinolermes (limorplim (I)esn.) German New Guinea xt X ., „ Sub-sp. rohuntior (Silv.) Bisiuarok Archi- pelago German New Guinea, Cele- bes, and Sumatra X X ,, celebensia Holmgr. X Imnslucens Hav. German New Guinea and Borneo X X X ,, xwibraticus, n. k]>. New Britain . . X* X* X* ExUermes gmllator (\)e&n.) .. German New Guinea X X ,, princeps (Desn.) . . jy jj xt xt X ., yracilirofilris (l)osn.) y> yy xt X „ novarum hebridurum Holmgr. New Hebrides. . X ,, rujirostris. n. sp>. New Britain . . X* X* ,. yandiniensis, n. sp. Solomon Islands, New Hebrides, New Britain, New Ireland X* X* X* ,, kaewieiiije/isir, ii. sp. New Ireland . . X* X* X* ,, vt.riioni Hill N. Queensland and Papua xt xt xt Microcerotermes hiroi (Desn.) German and Dutch New Guinea and Papua X X X ,, ,, Hub-sp. brevior (Desn.) German New Guinea X xt xt ,, papaaitus Holmgr. yy yy X X X ,, umbrilarsus, n. sp. New Britain . . X* X* X* ,, rcimynanfi, n. sj). Papua X* X* frogqaUi, n. sp. Solomon Islands X* X* X* Capritermes schullzei Holmgr. German New Guinea X X Mirotermes odontomachus (Desii.) yy y> xt xt X ♦ Described iu this paper. f Type or co-types examined. [ 7 ] ^Vorke^. TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAK REHIOX. Calotermes (Neotermes) PAPUA Desiieux. Ann. Mus. Xat. Hungarici, Vol. iii, 1905. Holmgren, Xeu-Huinea Terniiten, 1911. Plate figs. 1—4- ; Plate V., fig. 150. Imago. Head, anterior tliree-fonrths of pronotum and the abdomen auburn ; posterior fourth of pronotum and ajiical margin of abdominal tergites 2-6 darker ; meso- and metanotum, first abdominal tergite, tibiae, tarsi and sternites dark brown ; remainder of ventral surface and wings Brussels brown ; the whole insect glabrous and sparsely clothed with fine, pale-coloured setae. Head (Big. 1). Twice as long as wide, front slightly concave and rugose, with very scanty moderately long pale setae. Eyes large, nearly circular (0'513 x 9 •570), prominent and coarsely facetted, separated from the lower (lateral) margin of the head by a space equal to half their height, Ocelli large, broadly oval, contiguous to the eyes. Postchqieus short, three times wider than long, with four moderately long and stout reddish setae ; the arti- culation of the mandibles forming a dark reddish-brown s])ot at either end. Anteclypeus four times wider than long, anterior margin truncate, yellow ochre in colour. Labrum brown, narrow at the base, rounded on the sides to the truncate apex, one-third wider than long,^ with scanty small pale setae. Antennae 17- or 18-jointed, the 1st joint short and broad, narrowed in the middle ; 2nd half as long as 1st, its widest part (aj>ex) as wide as narrowest part of 1st ; 3rd about as long as 2nd, but narrower at the base and wider at the apex ; 4th nearly as wide as the 3rd. but much shorter, globose ; 5th to 15th increasing in length progressively ; 16th and 17th equal in length to 15th, but narrower ; 18th markedly shorter and narrower than 17th, narrorvest of all ; the 1st and 2nd joints with only minute hairs ; tlie 3rd to 8th with a single row of large hairs near the apex. T/iora, r.—Pronotum not markedly arched transversely, the margins produced, anterior margin concave, sides slightly rounded, antero- and postero-lateral angles rounded, posterior margin slightly emarginate in the middle, the entire surface uniformly and very scantily clothed with setae similar to those on head. Meso- and metanotum with posterior margin as in pronotum. Stumps of the forewnigs large, showing the bases of the veins very distinctly, covering two-thirds of the stumps of the hindwings ; setae as on pronotum , stumps of the hindwings small and reaching only half- way down the metanotum. TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. m(js (Hg. 150). Witli the anterior margin (excepting at the proximal end) ciliate, a few liairs on principal veins, none on mem- brane or .small veins ; the four anterior veins and their branches very distinct throughout their length ; tlie media connected with the radial sec-tor by many stout cross- veins ; the cubitus distinct only to the sixth or seventh branch, from thence onward its course and the course of its remaining braiu-hes (seven to nine in nunibei-) is indicated by irregular lines of scale-like micrasters similar to those on membrane ; between the media and the cubitus there is a net- work of these lines arising from the fcn-mer and extending more or less distinctly to the latter, most distinct in the forewings, somewhat obscure in the hindwings. In tlie hindwings the media sometimes branches from the radial sector a considerable distance from the cross-suture, which is markedly concave in the forewings. Lecffi. — iShoj-t and stout, femora not markedly thick'ened ; tibiae and tarsi dark c-oloured, tibial spurs long and slender. Widest in the middle, tapered to the markedly pointed apex ; the apex of each tergite fringed with minute pale setae, a thin line of larger ones jcarallel to these at the apical third of eacli tergite ; cerci large. ^ L easurements . — Length with wings ,, without wings Head, base to apex of labruni, long ,, base to c-lvpeofrontal suture, long _ . ‘ ,, (including eyes), wide Antennae, long . . Pronotum, long ,, wifle W'ings, forewings, long ,, ,, wide ,, hindwings, long ,, ,, wide Tibia iii, long Abdomen, wide Soldier. Co/oc'r.- Antennae, labrum and dorsal surface of head orange rufous ; frons and ventral surface ochraceons orange ; anteclypeiis hyaline suffused with orange ; base of mandibles, the external articulation of mandibles and antennal carinae very dark ; pronotum yellow ochre narrowly margined with brown ; tibiae and tarsi mm. t 18-00 9 17-00 t 8-00 9 7-00 t 2-16 1- 70 1-80 2- 35 d- 50 1-02 1-80 12-50-13-00 3- 50-3-75 12-00 12-75 3-25-4-00 1-60 2- 25 TEKMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. lirown ; the whole insect glabrous ami bearing ver}' few moderately long fine setae ; margins of the nota with a scanty fringe of minute setae. Head. \\ idest in the midtile, slightly i-ounded on the sides, very broadly rounded behind, frons concave and slightly rugose, sloping gradually to the clypeus. Clypeus short, three-fifths the width of the head at its widest part ; anteclyjieus as wide as the labriim, truncate in front. Tjabrum markedly ct)uvex. rounded in front and on the sides, one-third wider than long, with five or .six moderatel} long slender setae. Mandibles (Fig. 2) long and stout, the left with two angular teeth near the apex and several smaller ones towards the base ; the right with a short broad tooth in the middle and another near the base. (Inla very narrow in the middle, Avhere it is one- eighth to one-iiinth as wide as the head. Fjyes hyaline, rudimentary, situated immediately behind the antemial fossae. Antennae (Fig. 3) 14- to 17-jointed. generally I h-jointed ; the 1st one-third longer than wide at the apex, narrowed in the middle ; 2nd half as long as 1st, nearly as Avicle as long ; 3nl as long and wide as 2nd, narrowed at the base ; 4th a little narrower tluin 3id, shortest of all ; 5th a little longer than 4th. as wide as 3rd ; 6th and 7th as wide as, and a little longer than, 5th, globose ; 8th to 13th monilitorm. slightly turbinate ; 14th to 17th becoming narrower progressively ; 17tii very short. Thora.r. Fronotuni (Fdg. 4) a little narrower than head, anterior and posterior margins almost truncate, the sides rounded. Moderately stout, femora not markedly thickened, claws and tibial spurs long and slender. 8tyli present iii all (30) specimens examined. Meas^irements . — mm . Total length .. .. .. 12 '00 Head to apex of mandibles, long .. .. 5 *13-5 -25 ,, to articulation of mandibles, long .. 3 -50-3 -70 Mandibles (dissected out), long .. .. 2-00 Head, wide .. ' .. .. .. 2-55-2‘85 - deep .. .. .. 1-76^1 -93 Antennae, long .. .. .. _ 2 ‘50 ih'onotum. long . . . , l -lA-.l -90 ^vide .. .. .. .. 2 -40-2 -50 Tibia iii, long .. .. .. p- 5 Q Abdomen, wide . , . , 2 ’25 Nymfhae. Colour. Lniform light yellow ochre ; wing rudiments very little darker than remainder of insect. Locality.- -New Britain, Kabaul. 1 10 ] TERMITES FROM 'PHE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Biology. -Described from a large colony found in the trunk of a dead cacao tree in a dense tropical scrub in raviiu' ((l.K.ll., 1.6.22). beveral living trees of the same species were similarh' infestocl. 1 have referred my specimens to Desneux’s species with some hesi- tation. I here is a marked dilTerence (3 ’00 mm.) in the length of the body and a considerable dilTerence in the width of the head in the soldiers (the otdy caste in which C. payva is known), but thei'(' are no im])ortant structural characters mentioned in Desneux’s description to dillei'entiate the New (luinea from the New Britain examples. In view ol the ])robability that a comparison of imagos will reveal sj)ecific dilTerences not evident in the soldier caste, I have described the New Britain S])ecimens in detail. I am indebted to Professor Holmgren for exajuining my material atid fo)' co-tyj)es of the allied species C. .‘^chvUzet llobngr. from Sepik, New (Juiiiea. Calotermes (Neotermes) schultzei Holmgren. Neu-(iuinea Termiten, 1911. Locality . — German New Guinea. Galotermes (Neotermes) ferrugineus Holmgren. Neu-Guinea Termiten, 1911. Locality.- (Jernian New Guinea. Galotermes (Procryrtotermes speiseri K. and N. Holmgren. Nova Galedonia, Zoologie, Vol. ii, L. ii, No. 6. Locality . — New Hebrides. Galotermes (Gryptotermes) gulosus, n. sp. Plate J., hgs. 5-11 ; Plate V., tig. 151 ; Plate Vlll., fig. 152. Imago, Colour . — Ochraceous tawny above, legs aiiid under surface honey yellow. Head (Fig. 5).- Small, shagreened, much longer than wide, with scattered setae. Eyes large fO’323 x 0‘255 to 0.306 x 0'272), moderately prominent. Ocelli large, but not prominent, very close to eyes. Glypeus one-hfth as long as \\ide, truncate in front, straight on the sides. Labrum markedly convex, large, rounded in front and on sides. Antennae (Figs. 6 and 7) very long, 15- or 16-jointed, the basal joints short, 6th to 14tli increasing pi'ogressively. T/zoma:.— -I’ronotnm reniform, the margin with a scantv fringe of small fine setae. 1 H. ] TERMITES EROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Wings (Fig. 151). — The principal veins dark brown, very dis- tinct, tiie smaller veins somewhat obscure; membrane (Fig. 152) with minute scale-like micrasters, most evident on the veins. Stumps of hindwings less than halt as long as those of forewings. Legs- -Short and stout ; femora thickened, nearly half as wide as long, spurs long and markedly serrate. Abdo'tnen . — Long and narrow, almost without setae, except on the apical margin of sclerites, where there is a fringe of hairs similar to those on pronotnm. Cerci very short and stout. Measaremients . — Length, with wings ,, without wings Head, from base to apex of labrum, long from base to clypeofrontal suture, long ,, w’ide ,, deep Hula, at middle of head, wide Fronotum, long „ wide.. Wings, long ,, wdde Tibia hi, long ()UEEN. Total length, 5 •00 ; abdomen, wide, 1 '25. Soldier. C'o/onr.-- Anterior jiart of head and mandibles black, the former shading to hessian lirown jiosteriorly ; lateral cervical sclerites, anterior lobes of pronotnm, a spot on either side of these and another in the middle line at the posterior third also hessian broAvn. Head (Figs. 8 and 9). — Short, broad, and high, broadest behind the middle : frontal area excavated, rugose ; lateral and dorsal margins of this area thickened and bent outwards and upwards to form a flange, which is deeply and narrowly notched inid-dorsally ; a short, stout, horn-like prolongation of the lower anterior margin of the antennal fossa })rojects outwards and upwards well beyond the Irons. Mandibles short and stout. Labrum wide at tlie base, bluntly pointed in front. Antennae (Fig. U) 13-jointed ; the 4th very short and wide, wider than 3rd ; 5th, 6th, and 7th progressively longer and wider ; 8th to 13th moniliform. Thorm (Fig. 10).- IT'onotum with, anterior lobes elevated, the sides depressed, very little narrower than head, middle two-thirds I 12 ] mm. 9 25 - 9 •50 4 50 - 4 •80 1 20 0 90 0 95 - 1 00 0 50 0 18 - 0 ■23 0 61 1 19 6 75 2 10 0 80 TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. of anterior margin serrated, anterolateral corners rounded, sides slightly curved, posterior margin sliglitly sinuate, a scanty fringe of setae on margin, feiv elsewhere ; posterior margin of meso- and metanotnm rather more sinuate than pronotum. -Short and very stout, femora greatly thickened, nearly half as wide as long ; spurs markedly serrade. Ahfhme'H .. — Short and wide, with sliort pale setae at the apex of each sclerite ; longer on the last three segments. Cerci sliort and stout. Measurements.- - mm. Total length (head at right angles to hody) . . 3 ‘90 Thorax and ahdomen, long . . . . . . 3'0() Head, base to anterior margin of frontal flange, long . . . . . . l'20-l '25 ,, to apex of mandibles, long .. .. 1'62 ,, wide .. .. .. .. 1‘20 ,, deep .. .. .. .. 0'90 Antennae, long .. .. .. .. I'OO Pronotum, long .. .. .. .. O' 78 ., wide .. .. .. 1'14 Tibia iii, long .. .. ■■ O' 65 Abdomen, wide . . . . . . ■ . I'OO Localit!/.- Papua, 30 miles south-east from I’ort M oresbv' Described from numerous alate imagos, two kings, two queens, one soldier, and main' larvae and nvmphs ; found in association with soldiers and workers of M icrocerofermes repncpums, n. s]i., in a rotten log ((I.F.H., 22.7.22). A ffinities. -The imago is very closely allied to C. 'pr Inins Hill, from North (bieensland ;. the latter, however, has longer and lighter colourefl wings and differently shaped ]U-onotum (cf. Figs. 5 and 12). The soldiers of these two species are (juite distinct in the form of the head and pronotum. The soldier resendiles C. cynoce- phalus Light, from Philippine Islands, but it is much larger and has the frontal flange distimtly differently notched. Types (imago, soldier, and worker) in National Museum of Aictoria. LaLOTERMES (LrYPTOTERMES) RERENTINIJS, U. S]). Plate L, fig. 13. Imago. \Arv closely a.llied to C. (jnlosns, n. sp., from which it is distin- o’uished by its smaller size, narrower gula, differently shaped, and fess setaceous pronotum (Fig. 13), shorter and narrower wings. i 13 I TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REOION. Measurements. — Lengtli, with wings ,, without wings Head, from base to a])ex of ]al)runi, long . . „ wide Gala, wide Pronotum, long ,, wide.. Wings, long- wide Tibia iii, long LocalUt/. —New Britain: liabaul (type locality), G.P.H., dune, 1922. Described from two alate iniagos (5 and ?) caught in spiders' webs under roof of bungalow. Type in Xational Museum of Victoria. CaLOTER.MES (GlYFTOTERMES) XANTHOLABRUM, 11. sp. Plate V., fig. 153; Plate VI! 1., fig. 154. Im.voo. Colour.- M\)\)ev and lower surfaces very dark brown, nearly black; basal joints of antennae Dresden brown; remainder of antennae, femora, base of mandibles and apex of alidomen dark- chestnut brown ; tibiae and tarsi whitish. Head. -Very small, shagreened, with very few setae, these mostly short, hue, ami pale. Byes small (0'204 x ()-255), hnelv facetted, rather prominent. Ocelli small, close to eves. Cdypeus hvaline, short and conijiai-ativelv narrow, anterior margin produced in the middles. |)osterior margin straight. Labrum small, nearly parallel on the sides and almost truncate in fi-ont, with a few nioderately long setae near the apex. Antennae 11- or 12-iointed, the 2nd and 3rd joints ecpial, 4th a little shorter and wider. 5th to 10th or 11th moniliform. 7V/u/-«,r. I’ronotum short and wide, reniform, markedly convex when viewed from behind, the margin with scanty fringe of nale, shoi't setae ; two pairs of long setae about the middle, one pair near the median line, the other near the lateral margins ; an obscure notch ill the posterior margin and a distinct median line from anterior to posterior fiorder. Vlesonotnm slightly siinmte poste- riorly ; metanotmn more rounded. II riuj.'i (ligs. 153, 154). -Short and very narrow, iridescent, superficially like those of Cryptotermes albipes Holmgr. Forewing [ 14 ] mm. 8-00 4-00 1*10 0*87 0-12 0’56 0-85 6-00 1 '50 0-78 TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. with siibcosta very short or completely fused vvith costa ; radius less than one-fourth the length of wing ; radial sector and media stout like costa, close together, unbranched, parallel to each other and to costii ; cubitus passing through middle of wing, with about hve well-defined branches near base a.nd numerous others towards a,pex indicated by rows of micrasters. TTindwing similar. exce])ting that the media branches from the radial sector about the proximal one-fourth of wing. Membrane light brown, suffused with darker brown in anal area ; micrasters moderately numerous, bluntly conical. a]iparently with pore at apex. Legs.-^ -8hort ; femora greatly thickened, almost without setae ; tibiae with scattered setae and short stout sours. L Abdomen. - Nearly parallel on the sides, bluntly rounded behind, each tergite with a fringe of short pale setae at the apex, similar to that on pronotum. Cerci short and stout. Memurements . — mm . IjCngth, with wings ( ^ ) . . . . . . . . 6'40 ,, without wings .. .. .. .. 4‘00 Head, from base to clypeofrontal suture, long .. 0’74 ,, from base to apex of lab rum, long .. .. 1’08 ,, wide .. .. .. .. ..0-85 Antennae (12-iointed). long .. .. .. 0'85 IVonotum, long .. .. .. .. 0'62 ,, wide . . . . . . . . . . 0 ‘74 Wings, fore wings, long . . . . . . . . 4'21 ,, wide .. .. .. ..1-08 ,, hindwings, long . . . . . . . . 4*10 ,, ., wide .. .. ..1*14 Locality. As ew Britain : Rabaul. Described from two alate iniagos ( i and 9 ) taken from a spider’s web under bungalow roof ((f. F.H., 6.6.22). A ffinitie,s. --This species differs from Cryptotemies alhives Holmgr., from Tjoyalty Islands, in having darker head and pronotum. shorter, narrower, and darker wings, smaller eyes, the labruni. head, pronotum and abdomen more setaceous, the setae much longer and darker, wiiu'' micrasters fewer, larger and darker, and in the subspecific character of the venation. Type in National Museum of Victoria. Coptotermes elisae (Desneux). Ann. Mus. Nat. Hungarici, Vol. iii, 1905. Holmgren, Neu-(4ninea Terrniten, 1911. Locality - AQYiivan New (fuinea. TEEMITES EKOM TEE AUSTJiAJEAN KEGION. CoPTOTEEMES HYALOAPEX Ilolmareii. Neii-Guiiiea Termiten, 1911. Several soldiers collected from the interior of a house-stump are undoubtedly referable to this species. (Type locality Bukana, (lerman Mew (Tuinea.) Locality . — Papua : Mambare River, near former international boundary (Dr. (1. D. Vernon, 1921). C'OPTOTEEMES EEMOTUS. 71. S]). Plate 1., fig. 14. Soldier. Most closely allied to C. wicJiaelseni Silv., from south-west Australia, from which species it is distinguished by its shorter, wider and more pyriform head (ef. Pigs. 14 and 15)'; numbei' and form of the antennal joints, sliortei', wider and less acuminate labrum. Antennae Id-jointed, the 1st joint long, a little more than half as wide as long ; 2nd, drd, and 4th about equal in leiu>th, a little more than half the length of 1st and one-fifth narrower, the 2nd cylindri('al, the 3rd and 4tli turbinate ; 5tli slightly longei' and wider than fomth , bth to 12th approximatelv efjuai, s'lightb’ hmgei* than 5th ; 13th a little loi7ger than 12th aiid about as wide. Tlnwax aiid abdomeii as in C. michaFhenl , but 7uore setaceous. 4 / easuremei its .■ — ■ Total length Head, with mandibles, lono- ,, posterior margin to an- terior margin of fon- tanelle, long wide Antennae Pronotum, lonsi' ,, wide Tibia iii, long C. remotns. 3 -50-3 -75 1-70 1-00 0-97 13- jointed 0-34 0-68 0-80 C. inichaelseni. 4 -00- 4 -30 1-76 .. 1-14-1 •20 . . 0-85 0-96 T1 -jointed 0-34 0-68 0-80 Worker. Colour. (4-eainy white ; labrum yellowish white, articulation of mandibles reddish. Head, thorax, and abdomen with scattered I'eddish setae. Head. -Nearly spherical when vieived from above, flattened on vertex ; clypeus short and wide, five times wider thati lono' a?ite- clypeus short, truncate in front. Labrum large, narrowed at the TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION base, spreading out sharply at the basal fourth, then narrowed to the rounded, apex. Antennae 14-jointed, the 1st joint long ; 2nd and ' 11 ^ little shorter and narrower, smallest of a , ? til slightly larger than 4tlij more globose ; 6th to 13th monili- form ; 14th a little longer and narrower than 13th. d / ecmiremenU . — Total length .. .. .. 3 '00 Head, base to apex of labrum, long . . . . 1-14 base to clypeofrontal suture j long .. O' 74 - wide .. .. .. .. 0-97 Pronotum, long .. .. ,, . . 0'34 wide .. .. .. ..0-57 Tibia iii, long .. .. .. .. .. 0'74 Aocai%.- -New Ireland : Kaewieng (Dr. 11. (1. Wallace, 4.10.23). Described from a small series of soldiers and workers. It is the smallest species at present known from the Australian region. Types (soldier and worker) in National Museum of Victoria. (V)PTOTERMES OBIRATLJS, U. Sp. Plate I., fig 16. (Sol BIER. Dofour.-- Head yellow ochre ; labrum orange rufous ; thorax light orange yellow ; legs and abdomen lighter than thorax. Head (Pig. 16).— Long and narrow, not markedly widened posteriorly; with a few long reddish setae. Pontanelle small, half as wide as labrum, its margin dark and projecting very little. Clypeus short, hyaline. Labrum long, acuminate. Antennae long and slender, 16-jointed, the 2nd joint as long as the 5th, 3rd shortest and narrowest of all, 4th a little longer and wider than 3rd. Gula at its narrowest part 0'228, or about one-sixth as wide as head. Thorax. -Pronotum deeply emargiuate iu front, not markedly so behind, with rather scanty long reddish setae. Mesonotum less sinuate posteriorly than pronotum ; metanotum nearly straight ; setae as on pronotum. Legs . — Moderately long, stout, and setaceous. H6doWR/L- -Without dark pattern mid-dorsally (as seen in C. acinaciformis Progg.), setae on dorsum as on pronotum, denser on posterior part of ventral surface. Cerci very long and slender. [ 17 1 1 (ios.— 2 'PERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. yi easurem-enis . — ■ Total length Head, with mandibles, long . . base to apex of labruin, long ,, base to frontal opening, long ,, wide Antennae, long Pronotnm, long ,, wide Mesonotnm, wide Metanotnm, wide Tibia iii, long mm. 5 '50 3-36 2-00 1-53 1-19-1 -22 1-70 0-51 0-91 0-85 0-75 0-91 Worker. Colour. Head cinnamon bnfl ; frons whitish ; a small ferrn- ginons spot at either end of ])ostclypens ; labrnm light orange yellow at the sides ; remainder of insect whitish. Head. — barge, widest part in line with antennal foveolae, nar- rowed posteriorly to the broadly rounded hind margin, rather scantily clothed with pale setae. Postclypens small, anterior margin concave, posterior margin convex, about one-fourth as long as wdde : antecly])eus about as long as postclypens, slightly produced in middle. Labrnm small, Avider than long, narrowed at the base, slightly widened before tlic middle, thence narrow-ed to bluntly ])ointed apex. .Antennae IG-jointed, tlic 1st joint long and narrowed in the middle, 2nd about half as long as 1st, 3rd very small, 4th to 8th increasing in size progressively. Thora.r . — Pronotnm deeply emarginate and bent np in front ; posterior margin truncate ; moderately setaceous. Posterior margin of mesonotnm truncate, of the metanotnm broadly rounded ; with setae as on pronotnm. Legs. Moderately stout ; femora with few setae ; much more numerous on tibae. HhdomcJL — Short, very Avide in the middle, tapered to the bluntly pointed a])ex ; Avith setae as on thorax. Cerci and styli long and slender. Measurements. - mm. Total length .. .. .. ., .. 4-50 Head, from posterior margin to apex of labrnm, long . . 1*53 ., to clypeofrontal suture, long .. .. 1‘02 Avide .. .. ^ .. ..1-25 Antennae, long .. ., .. .. ..1-53 Pronotnm, long .. .. .. ..0-45 ,, wide . . . . . . . . 0*85 Tibia iii, long . . . . . . . . . . 0-93 Abdomen, Avide . . . . . , . . 0-91 TEKMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REOION. Locality . — Papua (Mekeo District) : Waima (type locality) ; New Britain : Rabaul. Describerl from numerous soldiers and workers collected in native-made dwelling (G.P.H., July, 1922) from the rafters of which the insects had fallen during the night on to a mosquito-net below. When discovered next morning each of the soldiers had the mandibles firmly imbedded into the fabric forming the top of the net. The New Britain specimens were taken in the rafters of a native dwelling by Dr. G. M. Heydon. GJiaities.- This species is quite distinct from C. hyaloapex Hoi mgr. and from other species from the Australian region ; it is apparently easily distinguished from Oriental species. There is a possibility that it is C. elisas Desn., from the Huon Gulf District of German New Guinea, at present known only in the alate form. It is an exceedingly destructive species, ancl undoubtedly the one responsible for most of the damage to native dwellings. Types (soldier and worker) in National Museum of Victoria. COPTOTERMES SOLOMONENSIS, 11. Sp. Soldier. Very closely rela.ted to C. obiratus, n. sp., from which it is distin oTusheri by the following characters r Head dark m colour (mars Tmllow), a little less narrowed anteriorly, wider gula, IJ-jointed antennae, larger fontanel le (O' 170 wide) ; head, thorax, and abdomen noticeably less hairy. M easurements . — Total length Head, with mandibles, long . . ,, to apex of labrum, long ,, to anterior margin of fontanelle, long ,, wide Gula, wide (at narrowest part) Antennae, long Pronotum, long ,, wicle Tibia iii, long Abdomen, wide mm. 5-40 2-56 1-99 1-36 1-19 0- 285 1- 50 0- 45-0 -47 0- 91 D02 1 - 20 Worker. Closely allied to C. obiratus, n. sp., from which species it is differentiated by its darker head (ochraceous tawny) ; much larger ferruginous spot at end of clypeiis ; smaller Pronotum ; 15-]omted antennae (3rd joint nearly always larger than 4th) ; markedly less hairy head, thorax, and abdomen. I 19 ] TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION Measurements . — Total length Head, from posterior margin to apex of labrum, long ,, to clypeofrontal suture, long wide Antennae, long . . Pronotum, long wide Tibia iii, long mm. 4-50 1 -48 1 -08 1 -27 1-25 0-3b 0-74 0-96 Locality . — Solomon Islands : Banaka. Described from a small colony of workers and soldiers collected by Mr. W. W. Froggatt. Tv])es (soldier and worker) in National Museum of Victoria. Rhinotermes niMORPHUs Desueux. Aim. Mus. Nat. Hungarici, Vol. iii, 1905. Holmgren, Neu-duinea Termiten, 1911. Locality.- (lerman New Ouinea : Friedrich-Wilhelmshafen. Rhinotermes himorphus sub-s]). robastior (Silvestri). Die Fauna Sud-west Australiens, Isoptera, ii, 17, 1909. Two soldiers and several workers from New Ireland (Kaewieng, Dr. H. (4. Wallace) agree with the description of this species, the type locality of which is Bismarck Archipelago (Ralum Louson). Rhinotermes celerensis Holmgren. Neu-duinea Termiten. 1911 ; Kungl. sv. Vet. Akad. Handl. Bd. 46, No. 6, 1911. Locality.- -derman New (luinea ; Bumatra ; Celebes. Rhinotermes translucens Haviland. Jr. IJnn. Boc., Vol. xxvi., 169, 1898. Holmgren, Kungl. sv. Vet. Akad. Handl. Bd. 48, No. 6, 1911 ; Neu-duinea Termiten, 1911. CorYdR//.-- derman New duinea ; Borneo. Rhinotermes umbraticus, n. sp. Plate I., figs. 17, 18. King. do/our. Antique brown to Budan brown; anterior margin of frons and apice of wing-stunips argus brown ; under surface and legs antique brown ; tarsi Budan brown. r 20 I T’EEMITES FEOM THE AUSTEALIAN EEGION. Head. -Large, lieniisplierical behind the eyes. Eyes small (0 323 X 0'391 diani.), slightly obhque, prominent, finely facetted, 0 136 from lower margin of head. Ocelli large, well separated from eyes, in line with fontanelle, their posterior margin a little behind a line drawn through the anterior margin of the eyes. Fon- tanelle large, circular, with prominent maT'gins, sinuate fine furrows arising posterior to it and passing forward on either side of it into the frons. Irons convex, its antero-lateral margins well defined by the transverse suture, the posterior margin not so well defined but clearly extending to the fontanelle; clypeo-frontal suture straight. Clypeus triangular, two-fifths wider than long, the apex bluntly pointed and projecting markedly over the excavated ante- clypeus, dark in colour, divided longitudinally by a distinct suture, which passes posterioily into the frons. Anteclypeus hyaline. Labrum large, convex, slightly narrowed at the base, swollen on the sides, rounded in front. Antennae of doubtful number of joints, only 14 and 15 joints remaining in king and queen ; the 2nd and 4th equal in length, the 2nd quadrate, the 4tli globose ; the 3rd markedly longer than 2nd and 4th ; 5th a little longer than 4th ; 4th to 14tii moniliform. Thorax . — Fronotum very large, slightly arched, the posterior and lateral margins raised, the anterior margin nearly straight, its extreme edge bent up, with an obscure depression in centre ; the sides rounded, posterior margin slightly concave, a scanty fringe of lorig and medium sized setae on sides and behind, a few similar ones on remainder of surface. Wing-stumps very large, with scattered large golden setae ; the base of the veins very distinct ; the stumps of the forewings nearly covering those of the hindwings. Legs . — Long and rather stout, with few setae, excepting on the outer edge of tarsi, where there is a rather dense fringe of long and moderately stout ones. Abdomen . — Widest in the middle, bluntly rounded posteriorily ; tergites with apical fringe of long golden setae like those on wing- stumps, others scattered irregularly behind these. Cerci long and moderately stout. Measurements. - nim. Total length — king . . . . . . . . 7 • 00 ,, queen . . . . . . . . 7 '50 Head, to apex of post-clypeus, long .. .. 1'42 ,, to clypeofrontal suture, long .. .. 1*14 ,, to fontanelle, long. . .. .. .. 0'85 ,, deep . . . . . . . . . . 0 *85 Fronotum, long .. .. .. .. ..0*74 ,, wide .. .. .. .. f'20 Tibia iii, long . . . . . . . . . . 1 '80 Abdomen, wide (king) .. .. .. ..1*70 TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Soldier (Small Form). Colour . — Head and pronotum raw sienna ; labrum antique brown ; legs cream colour. Head (Fig. 17).— Short and wide, widest behind the antennal fossae, broadly rounded behind, with only three pairs of long slender setae (situated as shown in figure) . Labrum of typical form , extending beyond mandibles. Mandibles typical. Antennae 13-jointed (rarely 12-jointed), the 3rd shortest and narrowest. Palpi long, reaching to the apex of labrum. Thorax (Fig. 18). — Pronotum small, anterior margin markedly convex and slightly elevated in the middle, sides rounded, posterior margin slightlv sinuate, with three pairs of long slender setae, arranged one on either side of the middle line and near the anterior margin, one on each antero-lateral angle and one on each postero- lateral angle. Legs . — Moderately stout ; with scanty, long fine setae. Abdomen . — ^Each tergite with six large setae like those on thorax ; each sternite with about twelve shorter and paler ones. Cerci very long and slender. Measurements . — Total length . . . . . . ■ . . . 2 * 10 Head, Avith mandibles, long .. .. .. I'lO ,, to posterior margin of fontanelle, long .. O' 52 ,, wide . . . . . . . . ..0*56 Labrum, from anterior margin to clypeus, long . . O' 35 Pronotum, long . . . . . . . . . . 0 ' 25 ,, wide . . . . . . . . 0'37 Mesonotum, wide .. .. .. . . 0'37 Metanotum, Avide .. .. .. .. 0'44 Antennae (13-jointed), long .. .. .. 0'96 Tibia hi, long .. .. .. .. .. 0'54 Abdomen, Avide . . . . . . . . . . 0 ' 68 Worker. Colour . — Head buff yellow, AAuth dark reddish spot at either end of clypeus. Head . — Hemispherical, widest behind the antennal fossae, flat- tened on the vertex ; AAdth scanty moderately long and stout setae. Antennae 13- to 15-jointed, the 3rd and 4th more or less fused. Labrum convex, rounded on sides and in front ; with a few long setae. Thorax . — Pronotum very short ; the anterior halt elevated and margins rounded ; posterior margin as in soldier. [ 22 ] TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Measurements . — jjin, Total length .. .. .. 4'00 Head, to apex of labrum, long . . . . . . 1 ’25 ,, to clypeofrontal sntnre, long .. .. Q-62 wide .. .. .. .. .. l-OO Pronotiim, long .. .. ..0-34 wide . . . . . . . . 0'51 Tibia hi, long .. .. .. .. .. 0'68 Locality.- -New Britain ; Bai, near Rabaul. Described from a small colony comprising 54 individuals as follows : — King, queen, 16 soldiers, and 38 workers. Found in a rotton log (Gr. F.H., June, 1922), wliich contained also the colony of Eutermes rufirostris, n. sp., referred to elsewhere in this paper. The absence of soldiers of the large form in young colonies of Rhino- term.es has been noted in Australian species. Affinities . — The most closely related species appears to be R. dimorphns, the smaller soldier of which is larger than that of the proposed new species, and has at least two more joints in the antennae. The imago of Desneux’s species is not known . The i mago of R. umhra- ticus differs from all other species known to the writer in having a markedly protuberant postclypeus. Types (imago, soldier, and worker) in National Museum of ATctoria. Futermes grallator (l)esneux). ' Ann. Mus. Nat. Hungarici, Vol. hi, 1905. Holmgren, Neu-Guinea Termiten, 1911. Locality.-- (Ternian New Guinea. J^luTERMES princeps (Desiieux). Ann. Mus. Nat. Hungarici, Vol. ih, 1905. Holmgren, Neu-Gninea Termiten, 1911. Jjocality . — German New Guinea, Dutch New Guinea. Eutermes gracilirostris (Desneux). Ann. Mus. Nat. Hungarici, Vol. ih, 1905. Holmgren, Neu-Guinea Termiten, 1911. Locality.- Aenimn New Guinea. Eutermes novarum her rid arum Holmgren, N. & K. Nova Caledonia, Zoologie, Vol. ii, L. ii, No. 6, 1915. Locality.— ^ew Hebrides. TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Kutermes RUEIROSTRIS, H. SJ). I’late figs. 19-21 . tSoLDIER. (Colour . — Head buckthorn brown, rostrum burnt sienna ; antennae and ])ronotum nearly as dark as head ; legs cream buff. Head (Figs. 19 and 20). Almost s})herical in dorsal aspect, with a few very long, and rather more very short setae ; rostrum long and slender. Antennae (Fig. 21) 11-jointed (rarely 10-ioi))ted) ; drd shortest and narrowest, 4th markedly longer and wider than 3rd. f^ronotum. Very small, less than half as wide as head, the a,ntero-lateral angles prominent, the anterior margin slightly emar- ginate in the middle, the hind margin less so ; with very few hairs. Lefjs. Moderately short and stout, with scanty pale setae. Ahdome/G - Short and broad, widest in the middle, pointed towards the apex. Meamremethtsr nun . Total length . . . . . . . . . . 2‘65 Head, long .. .. .. .. IHO » •• • .. .. .. 0-59 •• •• .. .. ..0-42 Thorax and abdomen, long . . . . . . 1-53 Fronotum, long .. .. .. _ wide .. .. .. ..0-25 Antennae (1 1-jointed) .. .. .. .. 0'81 Tibia iii, long .. .. .. .. .. 0-56 Worker. Colour.- Head and antennae buff yellow, articulation of mandi- bles showing distinctly as a redclisir sj)ot at either end of post- clypeus ; thorax and legs cream colour. //ead.-- Widest behind the antennal fossae, sides narrowed to tlie posterior margin. ; frontal and transverse sutures indistinct ; frons concave ; setae few, pale, some comparatively long ; post- clypeus slightly concave behind, less so in fi'ont, three-eighths as long as wide ; anteclypeus roundes (Desn.), from whicli it is easily distinguished by the size of the imagos and soldiers. It is allied to several undescribed sjiecies from Australia. E. novarum hebridarimi Flolmgr. is evidently a very distinct species. 'L’ypes (imago, soldier, and worker) in National Museum of Victoria. IdUTERMES KAEWIENCIENSIS, 11. Sp. IMate I., hgs. 27, 28 ; Plate V., fig. 159 ; Plate VI 1 1., fig. 160. Imago. Colour.- -Hiead very dark brown, nearly black ; pronotum, antennae, wing-stumps, and tergites of abdomen somewhat lighter ; palpi, legs, wings, meso- and metanotum mummy brown ; clypeus and labrurn yellow ochre ; anteclypeus hyaline. Head (Fig. 27). — Very hairy, hemis])herical behind the eyes, sloping in sharply from tlie anterior margin of eyes to the clypeus. Fontanelle indistinct. Postclypeus short, one-fourth as long as wide, convex, roundetl behind, truncate in front, clothed with numerous long reddish setae ; anteclypeus longer than postclypeus, anterior margin produced in the middle. Labruni short and broad, densely setaceous. Fyes large (0*289 diam.), circular, prominent, sejiarated from lower margin of head by a space erpial to that separat- ing the ocelli from the eyes. Ocelli large, broadly oval. Antennae 13-jointed, the 1st joint twice as long as wide, cylindrical ; 2nd less than half as long as 1st, narrow ; 3rd as long as 2nd, narrowest of all ; 4th as long as 2nd and 3rd, globose ; 4th to 13th lengthening progressively. Thorax. -Bronotum concave and elevated in front, antero- lateral angles rounded, sides narrowed sharply to the sinuate posterior margin ; a deep yellowish linear depression half as long as the 'rKRMITKS FROM 'I'HK AlRS'rJRVLIAN RE(iI()i\. width of })i‘onotum behind the anterior margin and a smaller rounded depression in each corner ; the surface densely clothed with moder- ately short and stout setae. 11 m(is (Figs. 151), 160). Mummy brown, the two anteriormost veins and the hrst four or live branches of the cubitus darke]’ ; all the veins distinct to the border : margin and memhmne densely ciliate, the membrane sufliised with yellow behind the radial sector ; the cubitus of both wings with eight or nine branches ; membratu' very densely covered with micrasters. Legs. -Moderately long and stout. Abdomen.- Moderately wide, bluntly rounded at the apex ; tergites clothed similarly to head ; ventral surface tawnv olive, sternites 1-6 munnny brown laterally, the 6th also apicallv. M easurements. Length, with wings ,, without wings Head, from base to apex of labrum, long ,, from base to clyj)eofrontal suture, long ,, at and including eyes, wide Fronotnm, long ,, wide Wings, fore wings, long „ „ wide .. ,, hindwings, long wide .. Tibia iii, long Abdomen, wide . . mm. !)-50 5 -50 0-1)7 0-6b 0-D5 0-40 0-68 7-25 1 -88 7-00 2-00 0 - 1)1 1 -U Nv MRH. Colour. ^ (Vea.my white ; wing buds fuscous ; total length 6 mm. ; antennae 12-jointed. Soldi KK. (A)lou,r. Head hazel, a little lighter behind and in front, basal two-thirds of rostrum chestnut, apical one-third lighter : antennae, [U'onotum and tergites of abdomen suffused with yellow ochri' remainder of insect whitish. Head (Fig. 28). Widest in the middle, broadly rounded behind. ])osterior half (without rostrum) hemis])herical ; with a few pale setae ; rostrum slender, nearly half as long as remainder of head. .Vntennae mutilated ; the 1st joint half as wide as long, cylindrical ; 2nd two-thirds the length of 1st and nearly as wide; 3rd a little longer than 2nd, narrow at base ; 4th as long as 2nd and wider than 3rd ; 5th to hth increasing in length progressively ; bth twice as long as wide. TEB-MITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Fronotum . — Of typical form, anterior half narrowed and bent np sharply ; sides sloping abruptly to the rounded and slightly notched posterior margin ; entire margin fringed with scanty reddish setae. Legs. -Moderately long and slender ; sparsely setaceous. Abdomen.- -Wide and bluntly rounded at apex ; the tergites with scattered, moderately long setae. M easurements. — mm. Total length . . . . . . . . . . 2’56 Head, from base to apex of rostrum, long . . . . 1 '02 ,, wide . . . . . . . . . . 0’62 Pronotum, long , . . . . . . . O'll ,, wide . . . . . . . . 0‘34 Tibia iii, long . . . . . . . . 0‘39 Abdomen, wide . . . . . . , . . . 0’80 Worker. Colour.- -Dorsal surface of head and labruni burnt ochre, sides of head and frontal suture whitish ; articulation of mandibles hazel. Head. Nearly as wide as long, widest across the middle ; clypeo- frontal suture only slightly concave ; cly])eus short, one-fifth as long as wide, not markedly convex, with scattered setae as on head ; anteclypeus small, produced in the middle ; labrum large, convex, rounded on the sides and in front. Antennae 12-jointed, the 1st joint long, cylindrical, one-third longer than 2nd ; 2nd slightly narrowed at the base ; 3rd narrowest of all, as long as 4th ; 4th wider and moi'e globose than 3rd ; 5th to 11th increasing in length progressively ; T2th as long as lOtli, narrower than 11th. Fronotum.^ HuvaW, saddle-shaped, half as wide margins with scanty setae as on head. Leg,s. -Short, moderately stout, and setaceous. as head, the Abdomen . — Short and wide, bluntly rounded at the apex ; tergites and sternites moderately setaceous. Measurements.- - mm. 'hotal length .. 3-00 Head, from base to apex of labrum, long .. 0-85 ,, from base to clypeofrontal suture, long .. 0-62 ,, wide .. 0-80 Ih'onotum, long .. 0-17 ,, wide .. 0-40 Antennae, long . . .. 0-85 Tibia iii, long .. 0-40 Abdomen, wide . , .. 1-14 [ 30 1 TERMITES EROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Loca/i%.— New Ireland : Kaewieng (J3r. H. G. Wallace, 4.10.23). Described from one alate imago, four nymphs, one soldier, and SIX workers. .1 Affinities. - The imago is very distinct from any hitherto described Australian species, and appears to have no very close ally in the Oriental fauna. The soldier resembles E. gracilirostris (Desn.) in the shape of the head, but the latter is distinguished by its larger size and differently coloured head. Types (imago, soldier, and worker) in National Museum of Victoria. hlUTERMES {?) VERNONI Hill. Proc. Linn. 80 c., N. 8 .W., Vol. xlvii., 1922. Iwo nest series of soldiers, workers, and nymphs from Papua are so closely related to the above species (from Townsville, N. (bieens- land) that it is considered advisable to withhold a description until imagos are available for comparison. The soldiers and workers are smaller than typical exanpiles from ()ueensland. In the shape of the head and segmentation of the antennae there is no appreciable difference in either soldier or worker castes, but there are marked differences in the nature and disposition of the hairs on head and body. The termitaria also have some resemblance to each other, the slight differences observed being possibly due to local couflitions. Locality. - Papwd : Fairfax Plantation (B. F. Hill) ; Yule Island (G.F.H., July, 1922). Migrooerotermes riroi (Desneux). Ann. Mns. Nat. Hungarici., Vol. iii., 1905. Silvestri, Fauna Siid-west Australiens, 1909. Holmgren, Neu-Guinea Termiten, 1911. Plate L, fig. 29 : Plate V.. fig. 161 ; Plate Vlll., fig. 162. The following colonies appear to be referable to this species, the type locality of which is German New Guinea (1) Imagos (Fig. 29) and two forms of workers from Fairfax Plantation, neai' Port Moresby, Papua (B. F. Hill, 1920), from a woody termitarium on tree-trunk near ground. (2) Several nest series of soldiers and w'orkers (two forms) from blackish, woody termitaria on trunks of coconut palms, Ethel River (Mekeo District) and Kaile (30 miles south-east from Moresby), Papua (G.F.H., July, 1922). (3) Imagos (Figs. 161 and 162), one soldier and many workers, from termi- tarium on tree-trunk. Collingwood Bay, Papua (Dr. G. H. Vernon. 1921). The imagos in (1) and (3) agree with each other in all details ; imagos and workers from the latter colony have been examined by Professor Holmgren, who considers them to be correctly referred [ 31 ] TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. to this species. There are no imagos in (2) for comparison with those in (1) and (3). The soldiers in (1) and (2) agree with each other and witli the description of M. birou excepting that the 3rd joint of the antennae in nearly all cases is markedly shorter, and nearly always markedly narrower than the 4th and' 5th. (In the description of M. hiroi this joint is said to be generally a little longer and broader than the 2nd, or subequal to it . . ^ . . . In a few cases the antennae are apparently of fourteen segments, the 3rd being more or less jierfectly divided into two segments! of which the basal one is small, and shorter than the 2nd.'’ '’of the writer’s specimens only a few individuals in a large colony from Kaile can be so described). The soldier found in (3) agrees in all details with the typical form. ’I’lie workers of all three series have the 3rd segment shorter and narrower than the 2nd, and thus agree with some of the specimens described by Desneux ; in other respects they are typical. (4) ’Fwo colonies of soldiers and workers from Darn, Pa]ma (W. W. Froggatt). Measurements of imagos from colon v (1) — mm. Length with wings . . 5-50-6-50 Head, from base to apex of labrum, long 1-14-1-19 ,, from base to clypeofrontal suture, long 0-91 j,- wide 0-93-0-96 Pronotum, long 0-39-0-47 „ wide 0-74-0-85 Wings, forewings, long 6-75-7-75 wide 1-99-2-00 ,, hindwings, long 6-25-7-50 » wide 1-93-2-16 Eyes, diameter, generally 0-255 x 0-255, rarelv 0-289 x 0-289.^ Measurements of soldiers from hlthel River and Kaile, Papua.- - 3'otal length H ead, with mandibles, long „ from base to clypeofrontal suture, long :: wide Pronotum, long „ wide Tibia iii, long mm. 5 *25-6 *50 2 *62-2 -90 1-70 1 -08^1 -19 0-30-0 -39 0-68-0-74 0-85 Measurements of workers from Ethel River and Kaile, Papua. Mim- mm. Large form. Small form. total length .. .. 4-85-5-15 4-00^-27 Head, long .. .. 1-32 » wide .. .. 1-08 0-90 1 : 32 I TEKMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Mr. i^roggatt’s collection contains a very closely allied species, represented by a nest series of imagos, nymphs, and workers collected by him at Kikori, Papua. The imago differs from M. hiroi as identihed by the writer in having larger eyes (0-323 x 0'323) ; larger ocelli (length 0"102, as against 0’085) ; ocelli near to the eyes, i.e., less than their short diameter ; antennae lighter coloured ; wings somewhat lighter (more greyish), with different micrasters. Desneux’s description would apply equally well to this species, but until specimens have been compared with the types the species of which all castes are available for study is here regarded as the described form. Microcerotermes hiroi, sub-sp. brevior (l)esneux). Ann. Mils. Nat. Plungarici. Vol. iii, 1905. Holmgren, Neu-Huinea Termiten, 1911. Locality.- -iTeimmi New (luinea. Microcerotermes papuanus Holmgren. Neu-Uuinea Termiten, 1911. Locality.- (lerman New (Tuinea. Microcerotermes umbritarsus, n. sp. Plate 1., hgs. 30-33 ; Plate V., hg. 163 ; Plate VIll., fig. 164. Imago. Colour. Head very dark brown, postclypeiis rather lighter, antecly])eus cream colour ; labrum yellow ochre ; thorax and abdomen lighter than head, but darker than postclypeus ; pleura, tarsi, antennae, and palpi mummy brown ; sternites of abdomen mummy brown, darkest laterally ; 6tli visible sternite of male long and very dark ; wings dark brown, lighter than in 47. hiroi. Head (Fig. 30). Densely setaceous, hairs of large and small size, postclypeus straight in front, convex behind, one-third as long as wide ; anteclypeus nearly as long as postclypeus, rounded in front. F^es comparatively large (0-289 diam.), very prominent, separated from the lower margin of head by a space equal to one- third the diameter. Ocelli small, broadly oval, well separated from the eyes. Fontanelle indistinct. Antennae (Fig. 31) 14-jointed ; the 3rd joint verv short and narrow, almost hyaline , 4th to 8th moniliform. increasing in size progressively. Thorax (Fig. 30).— Pronotiim nearly straight in front, antero- lateral angles rounded, sides sloping to the slightly sinuate posterior margin ; the whole surface moderately densely haired. Meso- and metanotum with posterior margin deepl} emarginate. TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. M'ings (Figs. 163, 164) .^-Stumps of forewiiigs a little larger than those of hindwings, densely setaceous, sutures straight. Radius and radial sector dark and setaceous to the extremity ; the first seven or eight branches of the cubitus very dark, all veins distinct to the wing-border ; membraiie covered densely with minute micr asters. Lei/s. -Moderately long and stout; tibiae much darker than femora ; claws and tibia! spurs very long and slender. dhdomeM. - Nearly cylindrical, bluntly rounded at the apex, moderately setaceous. Cerci short and very broad. Me.asure?nenfs. mm. mm. Length with wings .. .. ^ 10 ‘00 9 ,, without wings .. .. 5'40 9 Head, from base to apex of labriun, long . ,, from base to clypeofrontal suture, long ,, wide Fronotum, long ,, wide AVings, forewings, long „ _ wide ,, hindwings, long ,, ,, wide Tibia iii, long . . 11-00 5-88 1- 19 0-68 1-00 0-40 0- 74 8-25 2 - 10 7-75 2-20 1- 50 Holhier. Co/oRr.- Head Sanford’s brown (ochraceous tawny in young specimens), darkest in front; anteclypeus hyaline; labrum orange rufous ; thorax and abdomen clay colour, legs slightly paler. Head (Fig. 32). Long and narrow, nearly twice as long as mandibles, widest at posterior fourth, slightly narrowed to the base of the mandibles, with a few long and short setae. Antennae (Fig. 33) 13-jointed ; the 2nd joint long and narrow, distinctly longer than 3rd ; 3rd shortest of all, as wide as 2nd ; 4th and 5th equal, markedly longer than 3rd, globose. (Ada at narrowest part one-hfth as wide as head. Thorax. Fronotum a little more than half as wide as head, the anterior margin bent up and slightly emarginate in the middle ; anterolateral angles rounded ; posterior margin broadly truncate! Mesonotum half as wide as head, ])osterior margin similar to that of pronotum. Metanotum a little wider than mesonotum, the posterior margin broadly rounded. TKKMITES EKOM 'PHE Al^STKAUAX KE(;IOX. Measurements. - iiim. Total length .. .. .. o* 00-5 '50 Head, \vitli mandibles, long .. .. 2'40-’2’67 without mandibles, long .. .. l‘6o 1 HO ,, to apex of labrmn. long . . . . 1 ‘88-1 ‘00 wide . . . . . • . . 1 ‘08-1 ‘14 dee]) .. 0 ‘85-0 ‘00 Antennae, long . . . . . • • • 1 ‘oO Ih'onotnm. long .. .. •• ,, wide . . . ■ ■ • 0‘62^ Tibia iii. long .. .. •• 0‘68-0‘74 Worker. Colour . — (lenerally yellow ochre to ferruginous in the lai;ger form; postclypeiis same colour, or a little lighter; Irons whitish. In the smaller form the head is generally chestnut brown, wdth pale head sutures and clypeus of the same colour as the remaindei of head. In both forms the labrmn is clay colour and the articulation of the mandibles reddish browui. Head. Broadly rounded behind, nearly ])arallel on the sides to the base of the mandibles. C'lypeus markedly convex, divided axially by a distinct suture, the lobes verv prominent. Antennae Id-jointeil ; the basal joints segmented as in the imago. Measurements. Total length Head, long ,, wide Pronotnm. wide Tibia iii. long mm. mm. Liu'se form. Small form. 4-40 .. :H40 1-19 .. 0-85 0-97 .. 0-74 0‘57 .. 0‘51 0 -57 . . Localitti. New Britain ; Beining District ((i.F.H., lU.b.22). Described from a series of imagos. soldiers and workers from a flattened, black, woody termitarinm, 8 inches high. 17 inches long, and 12 inches wide, constrncteil on the ground m dense ]imgle on hill-side. About one-half the nest was buried in loamv soil and leaf-mould from which it was easily removed intact. itfinities This species is closely allied to M . Jro(tfi<(ttt. n. sp. •imf ■ / hiroi. From the former it is distinguish ed by the characters ;'kwred to in the discussion following the descnption i.t the new dn'ls more fiirv liel.l Mul darker aiiteimae and palpi. Ilie are verv difficult to separate from t lose ol .1/ hm>,. ivlnel, “e S erallv a little smaller arid liave the sides of head more nenrh 'PERMITES I'^ROM 'I’liE AUS'l’RALIAN REGIOAE parallel. M. hwns-mledoniae Holmgr. (from New Caledonia), the imago of which is undescribed, has not been examined, but the measurements of the soldier indicate a very distinct species. The following nest series are referred to this species ])rovisionally : (1) Chieen, soldiers, and two forms of workers, from blackish, woody termitarium 4 feet long by 12 inches whle, on trunk of coconut palm. 6 feet fron\ ground (New Britain, Beining District. (uh.H., 12.6.22). I he cpieen, which agrees with the tvpe, measures 27 mm. in length by 7 mm. across the abdomen. The soldiers dilfer from those in tlie type colony in their larger size, more rugose Irons, and gcTterally differently segmeiited antennae. The latter, in nearly all cases, have the 2rd joint longer and wider than 2nd, and the 4th and 5th joints more elongate. The 2rd joint is very rarely smaller than the 2nd, and then not markedly so. In the worker caste the drd joitit is variable, being either distitictly smaller or larger than the 2nd, and the head is darker, i.e., Dresden brown in the larger form and mummy brown in the smaller, as is the case in the following series : MeasuremenlH of soldiers.- - nun. Head, with mandibles, long .. .. 2 ‘HO 2-85 ^vide .. .. .. .. 1-14 .Mandibles, long .. .. .. ()•()] (2) ()ueen, soldiers, and two forms of workers from a termitarium similar to (1), Init smaller, situated 3 feet from the ground on trunk of coconut palm. New Britain. Neinduk (D.F.H.‘ 14.6.22). The queen agrees with tlie type and also with the queen in (1), except m the size of the abdomen, which measures 15 -GO nun. in length by :D00 nun. in width. The soldiers are lighter (‘oloured and smaller than those in (1). and ditfer froju the type series in some of the measiu enients ; they agree with the latter in ahvays having the 3rd antennal joint shorter than the 2nd. Workers as in (1). Measnrenievls of soldiers. Head, with mandibles, long M wide Mandibles, long . . Brouotum. long . . V wide . . mm. 2 -.50 0- 96-1 -02 0-91 0-34 0*62 (3) Soldiers and workers from a termitarium similarlv situated to (2). New Britain, Toma (D.F.H., 8.6.22). (4) Imago, from spider's web in bungalow. New Britain Toma ((I.F.H.. 8.6.22). (5) Soldiers and workers. New Britain, Habaiil (Dr. (f. ydon, December, 1923). lew M. I I TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN KEOION. (6) One brachypterous queen, soldiers, workers (two forms), and many larvae and nymphs ; from termitarium similar to (1). Xew Britain, near Rabaul ((l.F.FT., 6.6.22). The queen measures 4 '80 mm. in length by 1 '42 mm. in width; head mummy brown shading to Dresden brown posteriorly ; ])ronotum, wing-pads, and tergites of abdomen Dresden brown ; frontal and transverse sutures very distinct ; eyes hyaline ; ocelli as in imago, antennae 14-jointed, the 3rd joint very short. Tvpes (imago, soldier, and worker) in National Museum of Victoria. Microc'erotermes repuonans, n. sp. Plate b, figs. 34-36. Soldier. Colour. Head Sanford’s brown, darkest anteriorly ; ante- clypeus hyaline ; labrum orange yellow ; mandibles dark reddish brown, neiirly black ; remainder of insect cream colour. Head (Fig. 34). — Long, slightly rounded on the sides, rounded behind ; with scanty, moderately large reddish setae, most numerous on postclv])eus. Mandibles (Fig. 3.o) comparatively short and stout, finely serrated excepting towards the base, where there is a prominent tootii on each mandible. Anteclyiieus short, anterior margin pro- duced in the middle. Labrum large, broad, with several large setae towards the apex. Antennae (Fig. 36) short and stout, 13-jointed ; the 3rd joint distinctly the shortest and narrowest ; 4th and 5th eipial, moniliform. Thorax. — Pronotum narrow, anterior margin raised, rounded in front, not emarginate ; anterolateral angles rather prominent posterior margin broadly rounded, without emargination ; mth scanty, moderately long and stout hairs, each side with a long hair near the anterolateral angle. Mesonotum a little narrower than the pronotum, the porterior margin less rounded and having a scanty fringe of moderately stout hairs. Lef/s.— Short and stout, with scanty, pale setae. Measuremenis. - Total length FTead, with mandibles, long ,, wide „ deep Mandibles, long . . Antennae, long . . Pronotum, long . . wide Tibia hi, long 1-71 0-85 0-62 0-60 0-91 0-28 0-45 0-.57 1 37 ] TERMITES EROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. AVorker. Colour. — Head buff yellow, with a dark reddish spot at the articulation of the mandibles ; remainder whitish. Head. — Almost hemispherical, flattened behind the clypeus. Postclypeus large, convex, straight in front, convex behind, divided axially by a distinct suture. Anteclypeus long, similar in shape to that of soldier. Labrum large, convex, widest in the middle, rounded in front. Antennae short and stout, 13-]ointed, the 3rd joint shortest and narrowest. Fronotum. — As in soldier, but with paler and finer setae. Legs. — As in soldier. Abdomen. — Long and slender, with scanty, pale coloured, short setae. Measurements . — mm. Total length . . . . . . . • . . 3 ' 64 Head, to apex of labrum, long . . . . . . 0'97 „ to clypeofrontal suture, long .. .. O’ 68 ,, wide . . . . . • • • . . 0 '85 Pronotum, long . . .. 0’17 ,, wide . . . . . • . . 0*40 Tibia iii, long .. .. .. •• . 0’51 Locality. — Papua ; 30 miles south-east from Port Moresby (G.F.H., 22.7.22). Described from numerous soldiers and workers taken in a rotten log with Calotermes {Gryptotermes) gulosus, n. sp. Affinities. — This species is very distinct from any other hitherto described from the Australian or Oriental Legions. Types (imago, soldier and worker) in the National Museum of Victoria. Microcerotermes eroggatti, n. sp. Plate V., fig. 165 ; Plate VITL, fig. 166. Imago. Differs from M . umbritarsus , n. sp. in its smaller size and in having the head and body a shade lighter in colour (more reddish) ; eyes and ocelli smaller, the latter more distant from the former ; pronotum very similar, but the posterior margin truncate ; meso- and metanotum more hairy and the posterior margin less deeply emarginate ; wings smaller, slightly paler in colour and with different micrasters (cf. Figs. 163 and 164 with Figs. 165 and 166). TERMITES EROM 'PHE AUSTRAUAN REOTOX. Measurements. - mm. Length with wings (^ ) 8 MR ) -8 • 50 ,, without wings (t ) . . -■)-40 fiMiO Head, ifrom base to apex of labrum, long ()-'.)7 ,, from base to clv])eofrontal suture, long . . ()Mi8 wide 0-',)l Lyes, diameter ()-2:h8 Antennae, Id-jointed Pronotnm, long 0-4U ,, wide OMR.) Wings, forewings, long 0-55 ,, ,, wdde 1 -88 ,, hindwdngs, long 0 • 28 ,, w'ide 1 -88 Tibia iii, long ()-l)l Abdomen, wdde 0 •'.)() Potal length, ’24 MR) iniu. (^>L'KEN. abdomen, wide, b'oO mm. SoLDIEK. sp., but tlie head sometimes mm. (denerally a,s in M. umhritarsns, n more nearly parallel on the sides. Measurements. Total length Mead, with mandibles, long . . ,, without mandibles, long ,, wide Mandibles, from external articnlation, long (lula, at narrowest part, one-fifth as wide as head. Pronotnm, long ,, wMde WoRKEH. Colour. Large form : I lead generally ochraeeous on , somewhat paler. Small form: Head chestnut brown with pale sutures ; postclypeus distinctly lighter than remaindei of head. 'rhere are intermediate forms as regards colour and size ; other- wise similar to the workers of M. umhntursim. M easuremeuts. Total length Head, from base to apex of labrum, long from base to clyjieofrontal suture. Imp; „ wide ^ Antennae, 12- ITonotiini, long „ wide Tibia iii, long Abdomen, wdde 5 • 00 5-50 2 • fR) 2-85 1 • 6.T -1-71 ()• 4)7 1 -11 ()• •01- -1 M)8 O' ■20 0-24 ()• ■57 0M12 , clypeus w dth pale mm. 4 MR) 5 MR) 1 -25 OMiS O-DT lM)d ()-28 0 -57-t) M)2 0M12 UM)6 I Ri' I TEKMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Locality.- -i^olomon Islands; Pepisala (type locality) and Banaka. Described from a complete nest series collected by Mr. W. W Kroggatt from a termitarium constructed on the trunk of a coconut palm, 'riiree colonies from similar nests and one colony from a nest built on the ground were also examined. A ffinities . — As indicated above, the most closely related species appear to be M . umhritarsm and M. biroi (see notes on the former). Types (imago, soldier and worker) in the National Museum of Victoria. Vapritermes schultzei Holmgren. Neii-duinea Termiten, 1911. Locality . — (lerman New (Juinea. .Mirotermes odontomaghus (Desneux). Ann. Mus. Nat. Hungarici, Vol. hi, 1905. Holmgren, Neu-duinea Termiten, 1911. Locality . — derman New duinea. C.— A REVISION OF THE ArSTRALIAN LEUCOTERMES, MIORO- f'EROTERMES AND MIROTERMES. denus Leucotermes Silvestri. List of known species, including those described in this paper : - Npecies. I.ocality, Imago. Soldier. Worker. Leucotennea ferox. (Frogg.) . , New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia xt xt xt ,, paradoxus (Frogg.) Queensland Xt x+ xt ,, darh Hill South-we.st .\ustralia X* xt X * ,, vttlidus (Hill) . . Northern Territory xt xt xt ,, occiduus, n. s]i. . . South-west Australia X* X* X * vagus, n. sp. Northern Territory X* X* ,, venustus, n. sp. . , Northern Territor\' X* X * X* ,, barreMi, n. sp. . . Queensland X* X* X* ? Heteroterme.s plafycephalus frogg. South Australia . . X * DpRoribecl in this paper. f Type or eo-types examined. I 40 ] TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Leucotermes ferox (P'roggatt). Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., Vol. xxii., 1897. F'roggatt, Dept. Agric., N.8.^^., Bull. No. 60, 1915. Silvestri, F'auna Siidwest Australiens, 1909. Mioberg, Arkiv. for Zoologi, Vol. xii., No. 15, 1920. Hill, Bull. Ent. Res., Vol. xii.. No. 4, 1922. Plate V., fig. 167; Plate Vlll.. fig. 168. It is doubtful if this species is as widely distributed as is recorded and until imagos are available for confirmation South-west and North-west Australian records should be regarded as provisional only. Michaelsen and Hartmeyer’s specimens from Serpentine, Western Australia, some of which 1 have seen, are undoubtedly referable to L. ocoidims, while others from the same collection referred to L. ferox by Silvestri are doubtless L. darki. Of 88 nest series collected by Mr. J. Clark in South-west Australia 86 are referred to either L. darki or L. occiduus ; the remaining two series, represented by soldiers and workers only, appear to differ specifically from all described species. Midberg's specimens (soldiers) from Cedar Creek, North Queensland, do not agree with PVoggatt’s ty])e, nor with any other described species. The imagos of L. ferox have 16-jointed antennae (40 specimens examined) ; the 3rd joint is generally the smallest of all, but it is commonly larger than the 4th. The soldiers generally have antennae of 15 joints ; 16-jointed antennae are rare (this number occurs in a co-type). Locality. — New South Wales ; Broken Hill (P\ Shepherd) ; Victoria : Lakes Entrance and Mallee District (E. E. Wilson), Sea- ford (W. F. Hill) ; South Australia (Tepper, from South Australian Museum collection). Affinities. -This species is closely allied to L. occMuns and L. harretti (q.v.). Biology.- Most of the colonies examined by me were collected under stones or logs or in the walls of nests of Coptotermes ; but in one instance (Seaford, 4.10.20) a community comprising all castes, including numerous alate imagos, was found in association with Caloterm.es {G.) rufinotum Hill (= obscurus Hill nec Walker) in a soft-wood verandah- post the interior of which was considerably damaged by termites. J/EUCOTERMES PARADOXUS (PToggatt). Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S,W., Vol. xxii., 1897. Hill, Bull. Entom. Res., Vol. xii, Pt. 4, 1922. Plate IL, figs. 37-40 ; Plate V., fig. 169 ; Plate VI II., fig. 170. A more detailed description of this species is necessaiy to dis- tinguish it from others added to the list since the publication of [ 41 ] TIOKWri'ES KROM THK AUSTRALIAN RKOION. Kroi^g.itt's m()n()^i'ci|)li. The meiisureineiits ^iven below include those of co-ty])es (from the South Australiam Museum eollection) and numerous spw'imeus from various eolotues compared with them. Snyder (1924) has recorded the fact that ocelli are variably present or absent in American species of Leiicofenne,s from the same colony ; this applies also to the species under notice. I MA(!o. (liedescribed.) (U)lour. Head and body as in A. cUtrki \ wings [laler (tawny olive). Head (big. 47). Hong aiul narrow, rather densely clothed with moderately long golden setae, longest and most numerous behind and below the eyes. Ocelli generally present (DO per cent, in a series of (14 s[)ecimens), small arid well separated from the eyes, l^lyes small, sub-triangular (0.204 x 0.221) or round (0.221 x 0.221), not prominent. I’ostclypeus markedly convex, divided axially by a distinct suture, with about 12 setae, the two median ones on the anterior margin markedly the longest ; anteelypeus hyaline, about half as long as wide, truncate in front. Labrum yellow, small, markedly convex, widest at the basal third, with scattered setae, those about the middle longest. Kontanelle small, circular, very distinct. Antennae 18-, rarely 17- jointed ; the 1st long ami stout, widest at the a])ex ; 2nd about half as long as the 1st, slightly wider at a])ex than at base ; 3rd nearly ahvays markedly the shortest and narrowest, Init sometimes larger than 4th ; 4th generally smaller than 5th, but sometimes larger ; 5th generally a little smaller than (ith, but often eijual ; 6th to 16th or 17th monili- form, increasing in length progressively and becoming more stalked ; 18th as h)ng as 17th and very little narrower. Variations other than those noted occur. Thoms. -Pronotum clothed similarly to head, large, narrower than head ; anterior margin rounded, with a dee[> and wide emargi- nation, antero-lateral angles broadly rounded, sides sloping to the sinuate [)osterior margin. Meso- and metanotum with posterior margin generally as in pronotum. but sometimes less sinuate, or almost truncate. WiiUls. Wing-stumps moderately densely clothed with long- golden hairs; suture convex. Wings (Pigs. 16D, 170) long and narrow, the margin, excei)ting the |)roximal tw’o-fifths of hind border, moderately densely ciliate ; the radical sector, base of median and the proximal branches of cubital veins yellowdsh, the radial sector widely se])arated from the radius, the median branching from it beyond the suture in the hindwing, bending down sharply and passing through the anterior third of the wing, w-ith three or four inferior branches beyond the distal fourth of the wing ; the I -1^ 1 TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIANS REGION. cubitus with ten or eleven branches (some of which are forkeSouth-west Australia : Swan lliver (type locality). Dwellingup. Ludlow, Mundaring, Albany. Denmark, (fosnells. Lion Mill, Boyanu]) (4. Clark). A ffinities. I lie imago and soldier are distinguished from all other described Australian species by their larger size. The imago is dis- tinguished from L. ferox and L. occidinis by its much paler colour and two or three additional antennal joints. The imago of L. ragus vs unknown, but it is almost certain to be a very small form closely allied to L. rennsfiis. In addition to the above, Mr. Clark has collected several colonies of soldiers and workers at Lion Mill which appear to belono- to an undescribed species. 44ie soldiers in these colonies are intermediate m size between L. dnrkUwvX L. Jerox and have antennae with 15 or D joints, very rarely with 1/ joints. As none of the soldiers as- sociated with the alate form of L. darki are as small as these thev may be regarded as indeterminable until more complete series are to hand. TEKMITES FKOM TJJE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Biology. — Mr. Clark’s collections include specimens from 39 colonies, in four of whicli all the castes are represented. One of the latter colonies was found in a termitarium occuj)ied by all castes of Hamitermes obeimfin Silv. ; the remaining three were not associated with other sjiecies. Thirty-five colonies were represented by soldiers and workers only, of which number 22 were associated with Ilami- termes obeimtis Silv., 10 with Eutennes occasus Silv., 2 with Eutermes apiocephakis Silv., and 1 with Calotermes obscurus (ITalker). Types (imago, soldier and worker) in National Museum of Victoria. Leucotermes VALimis (Hill). Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.AV., Vol. xl, Pt. 1, 1915. Bull. Rntom. Res., Vol. xii, No. 4, 1922. Plate 11., figs. 41-45 ; Plate V., fig. 173 ; Plate VIII., fig. 174. Imago. Idle imago was described as having 16-jointed antennae ; the number should have been given as 18, rarely 17. d’he segments vary in form as noted in E. pamdoxns. ( )celli appear to be invariably absent. The following are additional measurements from numerous specimens collected near the ty])e locality : - Measurements.- - Length with wings ,, without wings Head, from base to apex of labrum, long ,, from base to clypeofrontal suture, long ,, wide Pronotum, long . . ,, wide . . Mings, forewings, long „ „ wide ,, hindwings, long „ „ wide Eyes, diameter Tibia hi, long Soldier. Head, with mandibles, long ,, without mandibles, long ,, wide „ deep .. •• Cula, at narrow^est part, wide Mandibles, from external articulation, long Antennae, long Pronotum, long . . ,, wide . . Tibia hi, long mm. 10-00-11 -50 4-50 5 -50 1-14 1 -19 0-85- 0 -91 0-85 0-51 0-74 9-50 2-00 8-50 2-10 0-221 0-85 2 -90~3 -20 1 -90-2 -05 0-97-1 -02 0- 85-0-97 0-17 1- 14-1-25 1 -53 0-62 0-85-0-91 0-79-0-85 'I'ERMI'PES FROM 'niE AUSTRAIMAN REOION. /voca/i/y. -Northern Territory; Darwin (type locality) ami Koolpinyah. AffinUie^. -The similarity between this s])eeies and L. paradoxn.n has been noted elsewhere in this paper. liiolo!/jf. -V large colony of these termites, including many alate images, was taken on 7th l)ecember near the type locality from the interior of a hardwood verandah-post. Types (imago, soldier and worker) in National Museum of \u(‘toria. IjErOOTERMES OCOIOUUS, 11. Sp. Plate II., figs. 46 M8 ; Plate V., fig. 175 : Plate VIII., tig. 176. Imago. Coloux. -Very dark brown ; antennae, palpi and legs lighter ; clypeus Sudan brown ; anteclypeus hyaline ; labruni brown, like antennae, apex hyaline ; apical part of tibiae and tarsi cream colour ; wings fuscous. Head (Pig. 46). — Longer than wide, with scattered pale hairs. Pontanelle small, circular, prominent, in line with the yiosterior margin of the eyes. Lyes small, sub-triangular, 0’170 X 0*170. not projecting lieyond tlie sides of the head. Postclypeiis small, markedly convex, arcuate behind, slightly concave in front, with a distinct median suture and about twelve long setae : anteclypeus very short, hyaline, suffused with brown. Labrum narrow at the base, widening considerably at the ba,sal third and narrowed sharply to the trumaite apex. Antennae (Fig. 47) 15- or 16 jointed ; the drd joint smallest : 4th larger than 5th, ecpial to 6th, or llrd (rarely) larger than 4th. and 4th smallest of all. Thorax. Moderately setaceous, like head. Pronotum narrower than head, anterior margin elevated, rounded and widely emarginate in the middle, auterolateral angles rounded, the sides sloping to the emarginate posterior border, a deeji im])ression on each side of the median line behind the raised anterior' border. Posterior margin of the mesonotum more widely emarginate than the pronotum, the metanotum inor'e so than the mesonotum. Winns. Vdng stumps unepual. with setae as on pronotum ; the base (rf the veins distinct. Wings (Figs. 175, 176) long and slender, the two auterioi'most veins widely se]>arated ; the median distinct only at its base, with several branches beyond the middle to the apex and posterior border of the wing ; cubitus short, with about ten branches in tire forewing and about twelve in the hindwing. Membrane densely covered with micrasters and with scanty minute setae. TERMITES FROM 'I’HE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Legs. — Short and moderately slender, with few setae ; tihial spurs and claws long and slender. Ahdom,en. —Long and narrow, broadly rounded at the apex, clothed similarly to thorax, ('erci moderately long and stout ; styli long and slender. Measurements. - Length with wings ,, without wings Head, base to apex of labrum, long ,, base to clypeofrontal suture, long ,, base to fontanelle, long ,, base to fontanelle, ,, wide Antennae, long Pronotum, long ,, wide Wings, forewings, long ,, ,, wide ,, hind wings, long wide Lyes, diameter L. occiduus. L. ferox. mm. mm. 11 -00-11 -50 . 4-00 . 4-50-5-00 0-91 1-25 0-68 . 0-74-0-79 0-37 0-40 0-73 0-90 2-05 0 •40-0-45 . ' 0-47-0 -50 0-57-0-62 . . 0-68-0-70 8-50 9-00 1-99 2-28 8-00 2-05 0-17 o-is Soldier. Colour. Head antimony yellow ; mandibles ferruginous ; re- mainder of insect udiitish. Head. -Long and narrmv, slightly wider across the middle than elsewhere, broadly rounded behind, with very few setae. Antennae (Fig. 48) 15- or lb-jointed (15 normally) ; the 3rd joint shortest ; 4th larger than 5th, equal to 6th ; or 3rd larger than 4th. Mandibles long and slender, of ty])ical form. Labrum long, conical, one-third longer than wide. Thorax. —Vronotnni similar to that of imago. Posterior margin of mesonotum slightly sinuate, that of metanotum nearly straight. Legs. -Short and moderately stout, with scanty setae. Abdomen. — Long and slender, widest about the middle, vutli scanty pale, short setae. Oerci long and slender. TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Measurements L. occiduus. L. ferox "Fotal leiigtli Kead, with mandibles, long . . ,, without mandibles, long ,, wide ., dee,}) Mandibles, from external articulation long .Vntennae. long Pronotum, long ,, wide Tibia iii, long AVorker. Colour. Head cream, witli a ferruginoi cly})eus ; remainder whitisli. Head. Slightly longer than wide, widest })art in line with insertion of antennae, broadly rounded ]iosteriorly, with scanty yjale setae ; sutures indistinct. (1y])eus and labruni as in imago, the former markedly glabrous and convex. Antennae 15-join ted ; the 3rd or 4th joint shortest. (co-type). mm. mm. 4 '50 .. 5-00 2-16 .. 2-50 1'33 .. 1-08 0'74 .. 0-91 0.62 .. 0.74 0-82 . 1-20 1-24 0-45 0-51 0-62 .. 0-74 0-62 .. 0-74 jiot at each end of T/R)mT. --Pronotum narrower than head, similar to that of soldier, with scanty fringe of pale setae. Meso- and metanotum as in soldier. Leijs.- -Short and moderately stout, with few setae. Abdomen. -Long and rather narrow, widest about the sixth tergite, with a scanty fringe of |>ale, short setae at the apex of each segment. MeasureumUs. - mm. Total length .. .. .. .. .. 3'40 Head, base to apex of labruni, long . . . . 1’08 ,. base to clypeofrontal suture, long .. .. O' 68 ,, wide . . . . . . , . . . 0'80 Pronotum, long . . . . . . . . 0'28 ,, wide .. .. .. 0'51 Tibia iii, long . . . . . . . . 0'54 Localities. -South-west Australia : Mundaring (type locality), WAngong. Ludlow, l)wellingu]j, (losnells, Lhidlow’s Well, Hovea. Armadale (J. Clark), Merredin (L. -1. Newman). Affinuties. This species is closely related to L. ferox, the measure- ments of imago and soldier of which are given for com]iarison. Apart from its smaller sHe the imago of the proposed new species differs TERMITES PROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. from L. ferox in having the head, body, femora and wings slightly darker ; venter less hairy ; ocelli slightly larger, more rounded and in contact with the eyes (in L. ferox the ocelli are very narrow and widnly separated from the eyes). The soldiers also are smaller tlian m broggatt s sjiecies. Biology. Of the 32 colonies collected by Mr. Clark, 28 were associated with other species, as follows : -12 with Hamitermes .sp., 6 with Hamitermes obeuntis Hilv., 4 with Eutermes apiocephalus hilv., 3 with Eutermes occasm Silv., 1 with Coptotermes sp., 2 with Coptotetmes sp., Hamitermes obeuntis and Eutermes apiocephat.us, aiid 4 with Hamiteimes sp. and iMirotermes hraepelmi Silv. Alate imagos were found in March, April, and May. A brachypterous queen w^as found in one colony. Types (imago, soldier and worker) in National Museum of Victoria. Leucotermes vagus, n. sp. Plate IT, figs. 49-51. Soldier. Colour. — Head ochraceoiis tawny, palest anterodorsally ; ]iro- notimi and legs somewhat lighter ; mandibles uniform dark ferru- ginous. Head (Fig. 49). — Long and narrow, widest across the middle ; ])osterior margin broadly rounded, anterodorsal surface raised into two prominences, the front sloping rather sharply to the clypeiis, which is moderately large and conspicuous ; anteclypeus hyaline, nearly truncate in front. Labrum orange yellow, very long, acuminate, the apex hyaline and bearing tw^o conspicuous long hairs. Fontanelle small but distinct. Mandibles long, curved inwards at the tip, with dentition as in L. venustus (Fig. 54). Antennae (Figs. 50, 51) 13- or 14-jointed ; the 3rd smallest of all ; 4th generally markedly larger than 5th. Dorsal surface of head clothed rather densely with short, fine setae, fewnr and longer on the front. Thorax. — Pronotuni moderately setaceous, much narrower than head, markedly emarginate in front, with a deep impression on each side about the anterior third, anterolateral angles broadly rounded, sides curving in to the rounded posterior margin, w4iich is rather deeply notched in the middle. Meso- and metanotum broadly rouncled posteriorly, the former faintly sinuate in the middle. Legs.- -Short and stout ; femora markedly so. --Slender ; clothed rather densely with pale setae ; cerci short and moderately stout ; styli long and slender. TERMITES EROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Measurements . — min. Total length . . . . . . . . 3 '50 Head, with mandibles, long . . . . . . 2’ 00 ,, posterior margin to fontanelle, long . . 0’86 „ wide .. .. .. .. 0-75-0 -85 ,, deep . . . . . . . . 0-62 Mandibles, entire length . . . . . . 0‘91 Antennae, long . . . . . . . . 1-25 Pronotum, long .. .. .. .. 0*35 ,, wide .. .. 0-52 Tibia hi, long .. .. .. .. 0-57 Worker. Colour.- -Head somewhat paler than that of soldier ; remainder of insect cream huff. Head. — Moderately setaceous, very broad, almost parallel on the sides and markedly rounded behind. Clypeus small, convex, glabrous. Labruni markedly convex and broad, rounded in front. Antennae 13-jointed ; the 2nd joint quadrate ; the 3rd always shortest and narrowest ; the remaining joints, excepting the last, moniliform. Thorax.- -VTumoimn very much narrower than head, the anterior margin sinuate, but not deeply emarginate as in the soldier ; antero- lateral angles somewhat less rounded than in soldier ; sides and posterior margin as in the latter. Posterior margin of meso- and metanotum as in soldier. Legs . — Short and stout ; moderately setaceous. Abdomen . — C'lothed similarly to legs ; cerci short and stout ; styli long and slender. M easurements . — _ Total length . . . . . . . . . . 3*50 Head, from base to apex of labruni, long . . . . Q-97 ,, from base to clypeofrontal suture, long .. 0-62 >= wide .. .. .. .. ..0-74 Pronotum, long . . . . , . . . . . 0-27 wide . . . . . . . . 0-44 Tibia iii, long . . . . . . _ _ . . 0 • 47 Locality . — Northern Territory ; Darwin. Affinities.~Y\\m is the smallest described Australian species of Leucotermes, its nearest ally being L. venustus, from which it is easily distinguished by the shape of the labruni and fewer jointed antennae. Biology. The type colony, which was taken from an imported soft-wood box lying upon the ground (Gr.F.H., 1.8.14), comprised [ 54 ] TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. many workers and a few soldiers and nymphs. 'Ihie latter were in the stage preceding the final moult, the antennae then having 15 joints. Stained specimens showed no indication of the presence of o(‘elli. A second colony (soldiers and workers only) was taken in the near vicinity on :^6.10.1() in similar circumstances. In both instances the ex])osed surfaces of the timber were encased in a thin brittle layer of earthy matter under covei' of which considerable damage had been done. TyP6"‘^ (soldier and worker) in National Museum of Victoria. ].EUC(_)TERMES VENUSTUS, U. Sp. Plate II., figs. 52-56 ; Plate V., fig. 177 ; Plate VI II., fig. 178. Imago. Colour. -Head and pronotum clay colour, remainder of upper surface tawny olive ; legs and under surface cream buff ; wings very pale buff, suffused with light brown behind the radial sector ami between the first five branches of the cubitus. Head (Fig. 52). Small, narrow, noticeably longer than wide, moderately setaceous. Fyes small, sub -triangular (O' 170 vertically X 0'204 laterally), finely facetted, not prominent, widely separated from the lower niargin ' of the head. Ocelli wanting. Kontanelle small, distinct, in line witli the posterior margin of the eyes. Post- clyjieus cream buff, short, one-fourth as long as wide, arcuate behind, straight m front, with a distinct median suture. Anteclypeus hyaline, small, truncate in front. Labruni long and narrow, widest behind the middle, then sloping to the bluntly-pointed apex, with a few short, pale setae on the apical half, .\ntennae (Fig. o3) 16- Qj. X7-]ointed ', the 1st joint short and wide i the 2nd half as long, quadrate ; 3rd narrower and shorter than 2nd, very little narrowed at base ■ 4th globose, a little shorter and narrower than 5th, smallest of all ; oth, 6th and following joints to the 15th or 16th increasing in length progressively but all relatively short and wide ; the last joint as long as the 'penultimate, but narrower ; or, rarely, 3rd markedly the shortest and narrowest, the 4th a little longer than 5th, but smaller than 6th. T/ioro;r.— Pronotum moderately setaceous, very little arched, lateral and jiosterior margins jiroduced, with a deep impression on each side of the median line about the anterior third, narrower than the head about one-third Avider than long ; anterior margin sinuate, deeply emarginate in the middle ; anterolateral angles broadly rounded • sides sloping slightly to the broadly rounded jiosterior margin the middle of which is less einarginate than the anterior margin' Posterior border of nieso- and metanotuin broadly trumaite, Avitirindistinct eniargination in the former. TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Wings. — Wing-stumps of the forewings large, about one-third larger than those of the hindwings ; setae as on pronotum. Wings (Figs. 177, 178) long and narrow ; the radial sector, the base of the median and cubital veins and the first three or four branches of the latter very distinct ; the radial sector widely separated from the radius ; the median, excepting at the base, and the distal branches of the cubitus ver}^ indistinct. Wing-membrane densely covered with micr asters. Legs . — Short and stout, moderately setaceous, the femora very stout ; tibia! spurs long and slender. Abdomen. - Long and narrow, narrowest at the base, widening gradually to the fifth tergite, then narrowed to the broadly-rounded apex ; the whole surface covered with pale setae. 8tyli long and slender. Measurements. - mm. Length with wings . . . . . . . . 9’25 ,, without wings .. .. .. .. 4 '50 Head, from base to apex of labrum, long . . . . O' 97 ,, from base to clypeofrontal suture, long .. 0'74 ,, from posterior margin to fontanelle, long .. 0'45 „ wide . . . . . . . . . . 0'74 ,, deep .. .. .. .. .. 0'45 Pronotum, long . . . . . . . . . . 0'4‘2 ,, wide .. .. .. .. 0'62 Wings, forewings, long .. .. .. .. 7'80 ,, ,, wide . . . . . . . . 1 '70 ,, hindwings, long .. .. .. .. 7 '50 ,, ,, wide .. .. .. .. 1'75 Tibia iii, long . . . . . . . . . . 0'68 Abdomen, wide . . . . . . , . . . 0'62 Soldier. Colour . — Head yellow ochre ; mandibles ferruginous at the base, darker towards the tip ; remainder of insect cream buff. Head.— Long and narrow, with scattered pale setae ; nearly parallel on the sides. Labrum (Fig. 54) long and narrow, bluntly pointed at the apex, covering one-third of mandibles. Mandibles long and slender, curved inwards at the tip, the left with three serrations and a large blunt tooth near the base, the latter opposed to a pit in the right mandible. Antennae (Fig. 56) 16-jointed ; the 2nd short, nearly quadrate ; 3rd smaller than 2nd, but larger than 4th ; 4th smallest of all ; 5th onwards to 15th increasing in length progressively, but all short and broad. 1 56 ] TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REHION. Fhorax. -Pronotum similar in shape to that of imago, but with fewer setae and anterior and posterior margin more deeply emarginate. Meso- and metanotum with posterior margin broadly rounded. Legs. Short and stout, moderately setaceous, femora markedly thickened. Abdomen, — hong and slender, bluntly rounded at the apex, with scanty setae. Styli long and slender. M easuremients . — nnn . Total length .. .. .. .. 3 ’50 Head, with mandibles, long .. .. .. 2 ’10-2 ‘28 ,, without mandibles, long .. .. 1'31 ,, from posterior margin to fontanelle, long O' 85 ,, wide .. .. .. .. 0'74 Mandibles, long .. .. .. .. O' 96 Pronotum, long .. .. .. .. 0'40 ,, wide . . . . . . . . 0'57 Tibia hi, long . . . . . . . . O' 60 Worker. Colour . — Head pale orange yellow ; remainder of insect whitish. Head. — Large, widest behind the articulation of the mandibles, narrowed slightly to the broadly -rounded posterior margin. Post- clypeus short, convex, truncate in front ; anteclypeus very small, slightly produced in the middle. Labrum narrowed at the base, widest at the posterior third, rounded at the apex, a few long setae on the apical half. Antennae 15-jointed ; the 3rd joint smallest of all. Thorax . — Pronotum similar to that of imago, but with anterior third slightly raised ; with few setae. Meso- and metanotum with posterior border slightly sinuate ; with very scanty pale setae, as on abdomen. Legs . — Short and stout ; with scanty, moderately long setae, as on abdomen. Measurements. mm. Total length . . . . . . . ■ . . 3 '00 Head, from base to apex of labrum, long . . . . 1 '02 ,, wide . . . . ■ • • • . . 0 '80 Pronotum, long . . . . . • . ■ . . 0'29 ,, wide . . . . . ■ . . 0 '51 Locality . — Northern Territory : Stapleton, 70 miles south from Darwin. Affinities . — The imago is easily distinguished from other described forms by its small size, but it is probably very similar to the, as yet, [ 57 ] TERMITES FROM THE AHSTRALTAX REOIOAR unknown imago of L. rufjus. The distinguishing characters of the soldiers are referred to under the last-mentioned species. There are four alate imagos in National Museum collection (collected hy Mr. J. A. Kershaw, Claudie River, North (|)ueenslanfl) which differ from L. venmlm apparently only in the size and density of the setae on head, thorax ami abdomen. Hiolofiy. ^ i his s])ecies is known otdy from a colony captured on 4.11.14 (d.K.H.) in small underground passages in wet, black, peaty soil formerly covered with dense tropical jungle but at the time under cultivation as a banana |)lantation. Types (imago, soldier and worker) in the National Museum of Victoria. Teucotermes barrktti, n. sp. Imago. C losely allied to L. J'erox (Krogg.), from which species it differs in the following respects : Pleural sclerites lighter ; antennae, tarsi and femora darker ; abdomen, especially the three terminal segments, lightei , sternites 1 o and tergites 1 4 with apex jiale (not uniformly dark) ; 8th sternite in male orange yellow : eyes much larger, more [ironunent and nearer to lower margin of head‘(i.e., (1*08.5, as against 0-14T 0*170) ; ocelli larger (i.e., length 0*085, as against 0*068), but about the same distance from eyes ; bead narrower ; fontanelle indistinct ; wing-stumps of mesonotum shorter (i.e., 0*41), as against 0*50) ; prouotum with anterior margin nearly straight, without emaigination ((hapily notched in L. femx) : mesonotum with sides rounded and the posterior margin in the form of two rounded lobes ; metanotum rounded on sides and behind, ivithout emargination (in /v. feiox the sides of the. meso- and metanotum are nearly straight and slope to the posterior margin, which is broadly notched in the former and almost truncate in the latter). The antennae are muti- lated ; the live basal segments are like those of L. fero.r. MeasuremetUs.^ Length without wings ffead, to a])ex of labriim, long tn clypeofrontal suture, lono- • , ‘ ‘ ’ t) ,, wide Ryes, diameter . . Pronotiim, long . . ,, wi(le Tibia iii, long (hoi measuiements of Jj. Jevox see under L. occiduus.) iiini. 5*00 1*02 0*60 0*86 0*255 0*42 0*68 0*91 1 5« I TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRAIHAN ]{E(J1()N. Soldier. Very hkt L. fer ox, apparently differing only in liaving 17-iointed antennae. 1 he :frd joint of the antenna is shortest of all, as is geneially, nut not always, the case in Kroggatt’s species. M emurements . — ■ d’otal length Head, to apex of mandibles, long ,, wide Fronotuni, long . . ,, wide mm. 4 '50 2 '4-5 0'8-5 0'-51 0'68 Worker. Similar to L. ferox, but having 16-jointed antennae. Mmmremenls. Head, base to apex of labrum, long . . . . 1-14 ,, base to clypeofrontal suture, long .. .. 0'74 ” •• •• .. .. .. O'Ol l^ronotum, long . . .. .. .. 0-;54 ” wide .. .. .. 0 - 5 P Tibia iii, long . . . . . . . . . . 0'6i Locality. — (Queensland : Rockhampton. Described from a small series comprising one deiilated imago, one soldier, and several workers and first-form nymphs. Collected by Mr. Charles Barrett (10.10.24). Types (imago, soldier and worker) [iresented to the National Museum of Victoria by the collector. Heterotermes platyceph ALUS Froggatt. Rroc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., Vol. xxl, 1800. Desneux, (Jenera Insectorum, 1004. Holmgren, Kungl. sv. vet. Handl. Bd. 40, No. 0, 1011. Mjoberg, Arkiv. for Zoologi, Vol. xii., No. 15, 1020. This species lias been referred to the genus Leucotermes by the authors referred to above. The type series appears to have been lost and no other specimens are known in Australian collections. TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. (lenus Migrooerotermes Silvestri. List of described Australian species of Microcerotermes : DcscribevI Castes. (H'ilJ-'ll. Soldier. Worker. M krrocerolermes sermhts (Frogg.) North Queensland X=:= Xt xt ,, lumen (Frogg.) South Qixeensland and New South Wales X xt X ,, (lisliuciuts 8iiv. Western Australia and South Australia X* X xt nanus (Hill) . . Northern Territory X* xt xt ,, parviee.jis Mjob. South Queensland Xt X xt ,, excisus Mjob. South Queensland xt xt xt „ leai, ti. sp. . . South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales X* X* X* „ 'uerms}is^ n. s]>. Northern Territory X* X* X* neivHmni, n. s]). Western .Australia X* X* X* ,, qladius, n. sp. North Queensland X* X* ,, boreus, n. s|). Northern 'Peuritory and ? Victoria. X* X* X* „ Jugac, n. sp. Northern Territory X* X* x=;= „ laylori. n. s]>. North Queensland X* X* X* ,, menvJimiS: ii, sp. North Queensland X* X* X* * Described in this paper,— — t 'I’j'pc or eo-types examined. Microcerotermes serratus (Froggatt). I’roc. linn. 8oc. N.S.W., Vol. xxii, 1897 (nec Haviland, Jr. Linn. Soc. Lond., Vol. xxvi, 1898). Plate 11., figs. 57-63 ; Plate V., fig 179 ; Plate VI 11., fig. 180. Imago. Co/nwr.- Plead and tliorax dark bay ; abdomen and pleura a little ligbter ; jiostclypeus much lighter than head (Sudan brown), antecly})eus hyaline ; labrum yellow ; antennae, palpi and legs Dresden brown, coxae, femora arid tibiae suffused with much darker brown ; sternites of abdomen mummy brown ; wings light fuscous. Head. -Small, hemispherical behind the eyes, narrowed from the eyes to the base of the clypeus ; very setaceous, a few of the setae, especially near the eyes, very long. Labrum narrow at the base, swelling out on the sides to the rounded apex, the. a]iex and sides hyaline, a few long and numerons short setae about tlie middle. Clypeus large, markedly convex, hemispherical behind, straight in front, moderately setaceous, suture distinct. Eyes small, prominent, circular (0‘221 X 0'221), separated from the lower margin of the head by a space equal to the short diameter of the ocelli. Ocelli small, broadly oval, well separated from the eyes. Antennae (Fig. [ 60 ] TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. 57) 14 jointed ; the 1st joint short and stout ; 2nd much shorter and narrower; 3rd smallest of all; 4th to 12th moniliform, in- creasing in size progressively ; 13th and 14th about as long as 12tli : 14th broadly oval. Thorax (Fig. 58). — Pronotum of typical form, markedly setaceous, many of setae large, larger than any on head. Meso- and metanotum very setaceous, but none of the setae very large ; the posterior margin of these sclerites irregular in form, often malformed or serrate as though damaged in adolescence. mngs. ^ll'ing-stumps densely setaceous, as in pronotum, suture nearly straiglit. Wings (Figs. 179, 180) long and narrow ; the margin very setaceous ; the two anteriormost veins and the first five or six branches of the cubitus much darker than the membrane ; the other veins indistinct but discernible to their extremity ; the radial sector very setaceous along its entire length, the membrane near its base suffused with dark lirown ; the media with three or four branches ; media of hindwing branching from the radial sector well beyond the suture ; the cubitus with nine to thirteen branches. Membrane moderately setaceous and densely covered with niicrasters. Legs . — Short and moderately stout, very setaceous ; sjmrs ami claws long and slender. Abdomen. - -Long and narrow, densely setaceous ; the spiracles distinct. Measurements.- - Length with wings . . ,, without wings Head, from base to apex of labrum, long ,, from base to clypeofrontal suture, long ,, wide Ihonotum, long ,, wide Wings, forewings, long ,, ,, wide ,, liindwings, long ... ” Tibia iii, long Abdomen, ivide mm. 7 -50-8 -00 4- 25-4- 50 0-85-0 -93 0-51-0-56 0-81 0-39 0- 64 6-25 1- 53 6-25 1-53 0-76-0-85 1 -00 Queen. Total length, 18 ‘50 mm. ; abdomen, wide, 3 '50 mm. Soldier. The soldiers vary somewhat in the size and shape of the head (cf. Figs. 59, 60 and 61), the figure on right representing the com- monest form), but as a rule there is little variation in members of [ 61 ] TEKMITKS FKOM TIfE AUSTRALIAN REGION. the same colony. The measurements recorded here are of specimens from thirteen colonies in which the alate form or queen is present to confirm diagnosis. The original description and figure of the pro- notum of this caste is misleading ; in reality the anterior margin is not truncate but quite typical, i.e., bent up, and the anterolateral angles are narrowed as shown in Fig. 6(). The antennae have elongate joints (see Fig. 68). M easurements.—^ - mm. Total length 4*75 Head, with mandibles, long . . .. 2 -05-2 -73 ,, base to labral suture, long .. 1-19-1 -60 ,, wide .. 0-80-1-00 Mandibles, from external articulation, long .. 0-85-1-08 Antennae, long 1-25 Pronotum, long 0-28 ,, wide .. 0-51-0-56 Tibia iii, long 0-71 Loculi ty. North ()ueensland : Torrens Cheek, Fentland ((1. F. (Viok), Townsville and Magnetic Island ((l.F.H.) ;. New South AVales (received from Prof. Holmgren). Identification. The identification of the above-mentioned speci- mens is based on a comparison of soldiers and workers from Torrens Creek (type locality) and Pentland (50 miles from Torrens Creek) with CO -types in the South Australian Museum collection. The colony from Pentland includes alate imagos, which agree with those in ten colonies fmni Townsville and Magnetic Island. Afiin.ities. 'I'his species is most closely related to M. boreus (q.v.). It is also allied to M . pcirnceps, but the latter is more reddish in colour, has slightly larger eyes and much smaller ocelli. Biology.- Fences, house piles, timber bridges. &c.. are often seriously damaged by these termites, the presence of which is generally indicated by small external covered-ways or " tubes,” or by more or less extensive envelopment of exposed surfaces by a sheathing com- posed of triturated wood and earth. Although the interior of the wood, and especially the buried portion, is most severely damaged, much of their food ap})ears to be derived from the weathered surfaces of hardwood timber, in cracks and crevices in fences or dead forest trees and bushes and other similar ]daces, where one may see the freshly-gnawed surface in advance of the protective “ tube ” or sheathing. This surface feeding is of little consequence as a rule, but very often when the colony is situated in a slab or picket fence, for example, the operations are extended to the concealed parts between pickets and rails, or to the mortices, and thence into the solid wood. Painted surfaces appear to be immune from attack. The following notes will convey some idea of the habits of this I (52 ] TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. species;- Townsville, 19.1.20: Following a heavy fall of rain on the previous night, a great number of imagos were seen about 8 a.m., either on the wing or running about the ground or fences in de-alated ])airs. In most instances de-alation was effected by the wings adhering to wet fences or grass ; in others in the usual way, i.e., by a backward thrust of the wings against the ground, first on one sifle and then on the other. The source of the flight could not be ascertained, but it appeared that “ swarming ” was taking place simultaneously from many colonies situated in the soil near the heavily infested and more or less dilapidated fence enclosing the allotment. The life of most of the individuals taking part in the flight was very short, owing to the attacks of small ants {Pheulole megacephale) which pounced upon most of them as soon as they settled on ground or fences after their short, erratic flight. Swarm- ing ” continued throughout the morning, but it was not iintil^noon that the actual emergence from the g - - ^round was witnessed. About this time many imagos were seen Hying from under the house, which was built 4 feet from the ground on blocks, and they were traced to a small circular opening in the sandy soil near one of the supporting piles. Three or four soldiers and about a dozen workers were con- gregated outside the opening, from which the imagos fluttered in rapid succession. A search was made for the nest, but it was not found until the following year, when it became necessary to replace the pile owing to its ])artial destruction by McintoteTiues. In the interval the soil in the immediate vicinity had been jioisoned with arsenite of soda and all traces of termite life had disaiipeared. 1 he nest consisted of a small mass of cells constructed of a woody com- position and occupving a portion of the space formerly tekeii up bv the sapwood. On' 10th December of the same year, while the soi was still damp from heavy showers which fell on the 8th, diurnal swarming ’ ivas again observed on this allotment. In many cases there were as manv as four surface openings to each colony, from which the imagos poured as rapidly as they could pass out ; in others there was but a single opening. Workers were plentiful near the exits, but soldiers were either scarce or absent. No tiirthei “ swarming took place during the remainder of the wet season o 1920-1921 but on 13th March several alate imagos were captured in the covered-ways on the adjacent fences. 'Phe next - swarming occurred here from 25th to 29th December following, between which dates over 5 inches of rain fell, mostly m |eavy showers of short duration 'Phe flights emerged between 8.30 a.m. and b ]).m. and alwik Iran 'ealteh a ahower. On -261, and 27th yve.nber. 1920' and 9th November. 1922, several colonies, inchiding many aiate imanos were found on Magnetic Island (4 miles froin lowns- 'ville) in dead' tree trunks on the flat sandy country near Die beach, and in the stems of small dead shrubs on the hill-sides. 1 he latter were almost completely destroyed from the roots to the extremity 1 1 TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. of the branches, only the bark remaining undamaged. In all the colonies workers and imagos were very numerous, outnumbering the soldiers by several hundreds to one. Surface terrnitaria appear to be rarely constructed by this species, none having been found in the Townsville Distric.t, where the species is commonly met with. The specimens collectefl at Pentlaml were from a nest described as “ a small, pointed mound, 6 inches high by 5 inches across the base, found in well-drained open forest country.” Two colonies were found near Townsville in the lower part of small terrnitaria of Ilmnitermes ivilsoni Hill. In both instances a portion of the earthy material forming the original nest had been removed and replaced hj' A mass of wooily material in which the cells were unusually large foi such a small sjiecies, i.e., from T?; to 2 inches across by I inch high. Hie (lueeii occupied a somewhat smaller cell surrounded by large ones occujiied by soldiers, workers and many nymjihs. The latter show the hrst evidence of the developing wing-buds late in June or early in July. i type imago, with associated soldiers and workers, in the National Museum of Victoria. Mi(!ROCEROTERMES TURNER ( Kroggatt). Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., Vol. xxii, 1897. Mjoberg Arkiv. for Zoologi. Vol. xii, No. 15, 1920. A small colony of soldiers and workers taken under a log in the Blackall Ranges, South (Queensland (F. F. AVilson, October, 1920). with Lemotermes sp. (soldiers and workers), agree with co-types (from Mackay, (Queensland) and with specimens from the collections of Prof IJohngren and Dr. Mjoberg, from New South AVales and (Queensland respectively. Miorocerotermes distinctus iSilvestri. Die Fauna Sudwest-Australiens. Bd. ii. Lief. 17, 1909. Mjdberg, Arkiv. for Zoologi. Vol. xii, No. 15, 1920. Plate II., figs. 64 66 ; Plate V., fig. 181 ; Plate VIII., fig. 182. I.UAGO. Colou,r. -\erj dark brown, head and pronotum darkest; post- clypeus and labrum somewhat lighter than abdomen ; anteclypeus yellow^; palpi and legs dark, darker than antennae : under surface dark brown ; apical margin of tergites and sternites and the tarsi testaceous. The whole insect rather densely clothed with pale setae. Head (Fig. 64).- -Large, broadly rounded behind, flat on summit Irons concave. Postclypeus large, about half as long as wide.’ markedly convex, rounded behind, with a distinct suture, anterior margin broadly tiuncate, with scattered setae ; anteclypeus verv TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. short, anterior margin sligiitly produced in the middle. Lahrum short and wide, widest across the middle, broadly rounded in front, with scattered moderately long setae. Palpi very dark, apex of terminal joint pale. Eyes small (O’ 187 diameter), circular, pro- minent, finely facetted, separated from the lower margin of the head by a space equal to half their diameter. Ocelli small, broadly oval, well separated from the eyes. Antennae (Fig. 66) 14-jointed ; the 1st joint short, one-fifth longer than wide ; 2nd half as long as 1st. a little longer than wide ; 3rd very short and narrow ; 4th to 13th increasing in size progressively ; 14th longer than 13th, about as long as 1st. Fontanelle represented by a linear ])rominence. Thorax (Fig. 65). — Pronotum, narrower than head, anterior margin nearly straight and slightly bent up anterolateral angles rounded, sides slo])ing to the slightly emarginate posterior border. Posterior margin of mesonotum markedly sinuate ; that of meta- notum very irregular, geHerally approximating the form shown in figure. Wings.- Wing-stumps rather densely clothed with long pale hairs. Wings (Figs. 181, 182) light fuscous, with the two anterior veins and the first 5 or 6 branches of the cubitus dark, margin moderately densely ciliate except on the basal one-third of the hind margin. JMedian vein passing through the wing slightly above the middle, indistinct except at the base, with three or four branches to the posterior border. Cubitus with seven or eight branches, two or three of which are generally branched. Wing-membrane wdth minute micrasters and numerous small setae ; the latter apparently wanting, or almost wmnting, on hindwdngs. Legs . — Short and rather slender, moderately setaceous. Abdomen.- Long, narrowed at the base, nearly parallel on the sides from the 3rd to 6th segments, broadly rounded at the apex. Tergites and sternites markedly setaceous. C'erci small. asurements.^ -- mm. Length without wings .. 4’50-5’00 Head, base to apex of labrum, long . . . 0’9W0’97 „ base to clypeofrontal suture, long .. O’ 57-0 -62 ,, at and including eyes, wdde 0 ’ 85 Pronotum, long 0’45 ,, wide 0’74 Wings, forewings, long 8’00 „ wide 1-88 ,, hindwings, long 7 ’25 „ wide 1’95 Tibia iii, long 0’78 1 (i08. — 5 [ ] TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAX REGION. Soldier. Measurements . — mm. Total leiifrth . . . . . . . . 5 '10-5 '2.5 Head, with mandibles, loner .. .. .. 2 '45-2 62 wide .. .. .. .. O' 96 deep .. .. .. .. 0-79-CI-85 Mandibles, from external articulation, long . . O' 79-0 -So Antennae, long . . . . . . . . 1 • .33 Tibia iii, long . . . . . . . . 0'74 For other details, see description and figures by .Silvestri. Locality . — South Australia ; AVesteni Australia : Merriden. Described from a small colony from the South Australian Museum collection. The identification is based upon the original description and figures of the soldier and worker castes, and on a comparison of workers with co-types. The latter, however, are of little value for specific diagnosis of closely allied species. The measurements of soldiers differ slightly from those given by Silvestri (" Long. corp. mm. 5'.o. long, capitis 2‘0, lat. capitis O’ 98. altitudo capitis O’ 87 long, antennarum 1’32, mandibularum 0’97. tibia iii 0’84 '■). but as there is complete agreement in all other respects it has been deemed advisable to refer the South Au.strahan specimens to this species pending an examination of imagos from the. type locality (Coolgardie. M e.steni Au.stralia). Styli appear to be ivanting in all the specimens examined by the MTiter. A small nest series of soldiers and workers collected at Merriden, M estein Australia, by Mr. L. -J. Xewnian are doubtle.ss correctly refen-ed to this species', although the measure- ments of the soldiers differ slightly from the above. The soldiers described by Silvestri and those in the South Australian series appear to have a short and wide labruin and there is no visible anteclypeiis ; one of the 41erriden specimens has a still more retracted labnim. but in the remainder of the series the labruin appears to be much hniger and a little iiarroiver and the anteclypeiis is ven* evident 4 he difference in the degree of retraction of these organs and the \ ariation in the .size and colour of the head of soldiers from different colonies are apt to be misleading. Mea.siirements of soldiers from Merriden. AA esterii Australia. — mm. Total length .. .. .. -5 ’00-5 ’40 Head, with mandibles, long . . . . 2 ’50-2 ’80 ” .. .. 0’ 85-0 ’90 >’ ■■ ■■ .. .. 0’74-0’80 Antennae, long .. .. 1’4’^ Mandibles from external articulation, long . 0’85 Tibia iii, long .. .. _ _ ® g.0g [ ] TEKMITKS FROINI THE AU8TRAUAN REGIOX. A very closely allied species, or possibly a small form of M. distinctus, is represented in my collection by two colonies of workers and soldiers from Hovea, 8outh-west Anstralia and Jigalono’, North- west Australia (collected by Mr. J. ('lark and Mr. -I. Hickmer respectively). The measurements of the soldiers are ; J.iength of head with mandibles 2'39; without mandibles 1'48; width of head O' 91. In size they are intermediate between typical examples of d/. distinctus and M. v,emnani and in gross a|)pearance closely resemble the latter in having long narrow heads and short stout mandibles ; they differ, however, as follows : In having larger heads, stouter mandibles, more rounded labrum (the latter with two long setae at its apex), different arrangement of setae on clypeus longer jointed antennae, pronotum with anterior margin only faintly emarginate and with many more setae. Type imago in the South Australian Museum. Miceocerotermes nanus (Hill). Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.AV., Vol. xl, 1915. Instit. Sci. and Ind., Bull. 21, 1921. Plate IT, figs 67-71 ; Plate VI., fig. 183; Plate IX., fig. 184. Imago. Colour. -Head and pronotum chestnut, abdominal tergites auburn, postclypeus and base of mandibles lighter than head (Sudan brown)*; anteclypeus hyaline; labrum, palpi, antennae, legs and wing-stumps same colour as postclypeus ; wings light brown. Head (Fig- 67). -Very setaceous, some of the hairs noticeably longer than the majority ; hemispherical behind the eyes, not noticeably flattened on summit, ('lypeus large, markedly convex, rounded behind, truncate in front, with scanty setae ; anteclypeus very lomp nearly as long as jaistclypeus, wide at its base but narrowed shaT])ly to the pointed apex. Labrum large, about as long as wide, narrowed at the base, round on the sides and in front, widest across the middle, with a few moderately long reddish setae, the sides and apex hyaline. Antennae 14-jointed ; 3rd joint smallest ; 4th as long but wider than 2nd, rounded ; 5th smaller than 4th. Ocelli moderately large, broadly oval, well separated from the eyes (by a space less thaii their short diameter). Eyes circular, moderately large (O' 187 diameter) and prominent, finely facetted, separated from the lower margin of head by a space equal to that separating the ocelli from the eyes. Thorax (Fig. 68).— Pronotum very setaceous, narrower than head, anterior margin sinuate and slightly bent up in front, anterolateral [ 67 ] 'PEKMITES FK0:\1 'I'HE AUSTKALIAN KEEKJX. angles rounded, sides slo])ing to the wide and slightly sinuate posterior margin. Posterior margin of meso- and metanotum markedly sinuate. n oecies have the antennae invariably 13-jointed. llimtociEKOTEEMES EXCISES IVljoberg. Arkiv. for Zoologi. Vol. xii, No. 15, 1920. Locaiity - South ()ueensland. Miorocerotermes leai, n. sp. Plate 111., iigs. 72-76 ; Plate VI., fig. 186 ; Plate IX., fig. 187. Imago. Col()ur.^V])])er surface similar to M. distincfm but more reddish ; anteclypeus hyaline ; labrum yellowish brown, distinctly lighter than clypeus ; antennae and ])al])i dark, but not so dark as in di fit ill, ctm ; under surface and legs clay colour, with the sternites suffused with dark brown ; apical margin of tergites and sternites testaceous ; wings light fuscous, much lighter than in M. sermtus (Krogg.). Head (lOg. l2).- (dabrous, with a few long setae arranged in pairs and inany much shorter ones ; small and rather narrow, flat on summit, frons depressed, no indication of fontanelle. Clypeus large, markedly convex and rounded behind, truncate in front, with distinct suture and a few small setae ; anteclypieus very large, about two-thirds wider than long, anterior margin jiroduced in the middle. Labrum small, not covering apiex of mandibles, convex, rounded on the sides and in front, w’ith nnmerons long dark setae. Lyes small (0'204 x 0-204), prominent, finely facetted, a little less than half their diameter from the lower margin of head. Ocelli small, broadly oval, well separated from the eyes. Antennae (Lig. 73) 14- jointed 2nd joint large, five-sevenths as long as 1st ; 3rd \wy short and narrow ; 4th longer and wider than 3rd, shorter and narrower than 1 ’^0 ] TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REOION. 5tli, wliicli is ecjual to or a little larger tluiii 6tli ; Gtli to 8th increas- ing progressively; 9th to 12th about equal, turbinate; IGth a little longer than 12th ; 14th about as wide as 12th, but longer. Thorax.- Pronotuin (hdg. 74) glabrous, moderately setaceous on sides and in front ; the mitldle with very few setae, the anterior margin slightly sinuate with the extreme edge bent u]), anterolateral angles bluntly rounded, sides sloping to the slightly sinuate [losterior margin. Meso- and metanotum (Fig. 75) with the ])osterior margin markedly sinuate. Wing^. -Wing-stumps small, moderately setaceous, about as loug as their respective nota. AViugs (Figs. 186, 187) small and slender ; with two anterior veins, the base of the median and the first five to seven branches of the cubitus distinct. The membrane densely covered with micrasters and with many minute setae on forewings, the latter wanting or very few" on himUvings. Legs . — yiiort and moderately slender ; rather setaceous. Abdomen . — Long and slender, narrow at the base, nearly parallel from the third to sixth segments, bluntly rounded at apex ; the tergites and sternites markedly setaceous. Cerci small. Measureme)Us.- - mm. Length with wings . . . . 7-50; 9 ,, without wings . . . . $ 4-25; 9 Head, from base to apex of labrum, long 0-97 ,, to clypeofrontal suture, long U-57 ,, wide 0-79 Antennae, long 114 Ih'onorum, long 0-29 ,, wide 0-68 AAdngs, forewdngs, long 5-70 ,, wide L50 ,, hindwings, long 5-40 wide 1-65 Tibia iii, long 0-74 Abdomen, wide 0-95 Soldier. Colour . — Head and labrum orange rufous, mandibles uniform reddish brown, antennae yellow" ochre. Head (Fig. 76). — Longer than wide, w-idest across the middle, slightly rounded on the sides, ])ostero-lateral margin rounded to the truncate ])osterior margin, the entire surface almost devoid of setae, (’lypeus large, truucate in front, W’ith tw'o moderately long and a few very short setae, the former near the a]>ex ; anteclypeus short, sometimes concealed. Labrum wide at the base, a little w"ider TEKMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. than long, conical, pointed at apex, where there is a group of short setae. Mandibles very long and slender, nearly straight to near the tips, very little widened at the base, the inner margin serrate. Antennae 13-jointed ; the 2nd about one-half as long as 1st and much narrower ; 3rd shortest of all ; 4th longer and wider than 2nd, a little longer than 5th ; 5th to 8th about equal in Iraigth ; 9th to 11th a little shorter ; 12th as long as 2nd, 13th a little longer. Thorax. -Ihonotum with anterior one-third elevated and with a slight notch in middle ; anterolateral angles produced ; sides rounded to the posterior margin, which is slightly sinuate ; the margin with a scanty fringe of moderately long pale setae. Meso- and metanotum broadly rounded and fringed as in pronotum. Ije.fjs. — Short, femora moderately stout, with scanty setae. A Widest across the middle, ])ointed at the apex ; with scattered ])ale setae. Cerci small. Measurem,ents.- mm. 3’otal length 5-00 Head, with mandibles, long .. 2 -40-2 -50 wide 0-85 ,, deep .. 0-57-0 -62 Mandibles, from external articulation, long 1-08 Pronotum, long 0-34 5) wide 0 '57 Tibia iii, long 0-62 Worker. Colour.- Head ochraceous orange, clypeus and labrum paler ; vertex, thorax, legs and antennae light ochraceous buff ; a dark ferruginous spot at the articulation of the mandibles. Head. A\ idest at the antennal fossae, narrowed slightly to the broadly rounded posterior margin, with very few setae. ‘ Clypeus similar to imago, hve-eights as long as wide, with four setae near anterior margin ; anteclypeus large, the anterior margin slightly produced m the middle. Labrum short, broad and strongly convex, widest at the jiostenor third, with eight to ten moderately long setae towards the apex. Antennae 13-jointed ; the 3rd joint shortest and narrowest. 2Aomx.-Pronotum similar to soldier, but with fewer setae. Le^rs.— Short and moderately stout ; with scattered setae. Abdomen. Lather slender, narrowed at the base, bluntly pointed widr^Tru^^ ^ Cerci small, wide at the base, apical joint slender. 1 72 ] TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. M easmements . — mni. T otal length . . . . . . , . . . 4 ' 00 Head, to apex of labrum, long . . . . . . 1 '08 ,, to clypeofrontal sntnre, long .. .. O' 62 , , wide . . . . . . . . . . 0 ■ 80 Pronotnm, long . . . . . . . . . . 0'32 ,, wide . . . . . . . . 0 '56 Tibia iii, long . . . . . . . . . . 0'68 Locality. -South Australia ; Ooldea (type locality) ; Victoria ; Violet Town ; New South Wales ; Pilliga Scrub. Described from a small colony (collected by A. M. Lea) in the South Australian Museum collection. The Victorian specimens (col- lected by C. Oke, July, 1924, and the New South Wales specimens collected by 4V. W. hToggatt, 30.10.24) are almost certainly correctly referred to this species. Affinities. — The imago appears to be most closely allied to M. parviceps Mjob., from which species it is differentiated by its smaller and less prominent eyes, markedly less hairy head, thorax and abdomen, smaller and paler wings and entirely different Aving micrasters (cf. Figs. 185 and 187). The soldiers of these two species have not been compared, but Mjoberg s figure indicates a marked difference in the shape of the mandibles. The (hieensland species, moreover, has Id-jointed antennae (13-jointed in all other Australian species). Types (imago, soldier and worker) m the South Australian Museum. Microcerotermes nervosus, n. sp. Plate 111., figs. 77-81 ; Plate VI., fig. 188 ; Plate IX., fig. 189 ; Plate VIL, fig. 218. Imago. Colour. — Chestnut, head a little darker than pronotnm and abdomen ; postclypeus tawny olive ; antennae, mouth parts and legs clay colour pleura and sternites suffused Avith broAvn ; AAungs light fuscous (as in M. lead). Very similar to M. parciceps Mjob. in colour, &c., but smaller and lighter coloured ; eyes as in M. parviceps, i.e., small, circular (O' 204 X 0'204), rather prominent. O' 085 from loAA^er margin of head • ocelli as in M. parviceps, very small, AAudely separated from the eyes, i.e., by a space equal to their long diameter. Antennae (Fig. 77) 14-jointed, the joints short and AAude, the 14th as Avide as 13th. [ Td ] TEKMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Wings (Figs. 188, 189). — Distinctly smaller and ]ialer than in M. parviceps (cf. Fig. 185) ; the micrasters smaller and fewer ; more like M. leai in gross appearance. Le^s.-^Short and moderately stout, with few setae on femora ; tibiae moderately setaceous ; tibial spurs and claws long and slender. Abdoinen.- Wong and narrow^ very setaceous. Cerci with short and wide basal joint and short, narrow apical joint. as'urements.— mm. Length with wings . . $ 7-25; 9 7 -75-8 -00 ,, without wings 9 4 •10-4-45; 9 4 -56-4 -86 Head, from posterior margin to apex of labrum. 0-91-0 -97 long ,, from posterior margin to clypeofrontal 0-62 suture, long ,, at and including eyes. wide 0-80 Antennae, long 1-19 Pronotum, long 0-40 ,, wide 0-62 Wings, forewings, long ,, ,, wide 5-75-6-45 1-53-1-71 „ hindwings, long 5-50-6-00 „ _ „ wide 1-60-1-70 Tibia hi, long 0-68 Abdomen, wide 1-00 Queen. Total length, 23 ' 00 mm. ; abdomen, wide, 5 ' 00 mm. Soldier. Colour . — Head uniform Sandford’s brown ; mandibles very dark, nearly black ; thorax, legs and antennae clay colour. Head (Fig. 79). — Very long and narrow, parallel on the sides, very little narrowed to the articulation of the mandibles. Mandibles (Fig. 80) very short and moderately stout, a little more than half as long as the remainder of the head, only slightly curved, finely serrated, a very small but distinct tooth at the proximal third, sometimes obscured by labrum. Labrum short and wide, parallel on the sides, bluntly pointed at the apex, wdth a group of ten moderately large setae arranged in pairs, apparently constant. Clypeus with two pairs of hairs on the anterior half ; one pair on the anterior margin of the frons ; remainder of head with very few setae, (lula long and narrow, the narrowest part one-fifth as wide as head. Antennae (Fig. 81) 13-jointed, longer than mandibles ; 4th and 5th joints equal, or 4th a little larger than 5th ; 6th to 12th more elongate ; 13th long and pointed. [ 74 ] TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Thorax . — Pronotuin with very few setae, small, anterior third elevated and slightly emarginate in the middle ; the anterolateral angles narrowed ; the sides sloping acutely to the truncate posterior margin. Legs . — Short ; femora stout ; tibiae slender ; with very few setae ; tibial spurs short and stout, 3:2:2; claws short and stout. Abdomen. — Small, narrow at the base, widest in the middle, abruptly tapered posteriorly, with numerous mostly very fine setae. Cerci moderately large, wide at the base, apical joint long and slender. Styli veiy small. Measurements . — Muii- Total length . . . . • • • 4 ’50-5 ’00 Head, with mandibles, long . . . . ■ • 2 ’28 ,, wide . . . . • • • • ” •• •• Mandibles, long . . • • • ■ • ■ P °o Antennae, long .. •• •• •• i'*jO Pronotum, long . . - . • • • • 0 ‘ 34 ,, wide . . . • ■ • • • O' 60 Tibia iii, long . . • • • • • • 0 68 Abdomen, wide . . . • • • • • 0 85 ■Worker. C'ofour.— Large form : Head and postclypeus ochraceous orange, the latter with a large dark ferruginous area at the articulation of the mandibles ; anteclypeus hyaline ; labrum light orange yellow ; antennae, thorax and legs cream buff. Small form : Similar to the above, but paler ; frons white. Head.— With very few setae, but more than in soldier ; nearly parallel on the sides, broadly rounded behind. Postclypeus markedly convex, hemispherical behind, truncate in front, with a distinct ferruginous median suture and a few rather large setae. Anteclypeus larged about half as long as postclypeus, nearly truncate in wont. Labrum small, markedly convex, narrow at the base, widest m the middle, rounded in front. Antennae 13-jomted ; the 1st joint short and stout ; 2nd stout, a little more than half as long as 1st , 3rd shortest ' 4th to 8th moniliform ; 9th to 12th more turbinate ; 12th noticeably longer than 11th, but shorter than 13th. TAomr - -Pronotum similar to that of soldier, but the posterior part shorter and the whole slightly more setaceous. Posterior margin of meso- and metanotiim with a scanty fringe of setae as on pronotum. [ 75 ] TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Legs . — Short and moderately stout, with very few setae excepting at apical fourth of tibiae. Spurs and claws short and stout. Abdomen. -Widest in the middle, bluntly pointed at the apex ; moderately setaceous, most of the setae very short and fine. Cerci and styli as in soldier. M easurenmUs.— Large form. Small form. mm. mm. T’otal length 3 -50-4 -GO .. 2-90-3-20 Head, to apex of labruni, long. . ,, to cly])eofrontal suture. O- 97-1 -00 0-85 long 0-52-0 -68 0-40 ,, wide 0-85 0-73 Antennae, long 0-93 Pronotum, long 0-25 !! 0-17-0-19 ,, wide 0-55 .. 0-42-0-44 bia iii, long , . 0 •56-0 -62 .. 0-45 /yom/.fiyy.- -Northern Territory : Darwin (type locality), Stapleton, Brock’s Creek, Melville Island, Daly River District ((f.F.H.), (?) Droote Eylandt, (?) Maria Island, (?) Connexion Island (N. B. Tindale). A ffinities.^ ’Phe imago, as stated in the description, is very closely allied to M. farvicefs Mjiib. ; it resembles, also, M. sermtus (Frogg.), but the latter is more hairy, darker in (’ohmr, has darker, longer and relatively narrower wings, different wing micrasters and differently shaped pronotum. The soldier is quite distinct from Froggatt’s species ; it has, however, some resemblance to M. newmani, n. sp., but it is larger and has a distinctly different shaped head, mandibles and gula. Professor Holmgren, who has compared M. nernosus with the types of M. papumms Holmgr., from New (luinea, notes the following differences : “ The head of the soldier of pa'pumms is broader and covered with hairs, not very densely but over the whole surface. In your specimens there are a few pairs of hairs to be seen as the head is viewed from the side. The imago of 'papuanus is darker coloured and more hairy and is, also, a little larger.” Biology. — Described from a complete nest-series from a small pointed termitarium about 12 inches in height which was built over and around a large bamboo cut-off about 9 inches from the ground. Alate imagos and many first-form nymphs were present in the nest (28.9.14). The following field notes refer to some of the additional 32 colonies collected by the writer : (1) Darwin, 5.10.15. A com- plete series from a sinall woody termitarium built against the trunk of an introduced ornamental tree. Alate imagos very numerous. No rain fell in this locality during past several months. Second- form nymphs were taken from a similar nest in this vicinity on I 76 1 TEKMITKS FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REUION. 9.9. Biinilav nests are coininon at the base of fence-posts, &c. (2) Daly River, 2.10.14. A complete series from a hardwood farm building ; soldiers and workers in sap-wood (damaged by liosirijchid beetles) and in woody termitarinm t) feet from the ground betw(!en to]) of pile and lloor-joist ; images in similar nest situated at bas(' of same pile ; no e.xternal ‘‘ tubes ' on pile, but communication between the two nests maintained by means of passages in the sap- wood. ,\ very destructive sj)ecies, largely res|)onsil)l(> for tlie destruction of dwellings and sheds in this settlement. (2) Darwin, 24.10.14. A complete series from a nest similar to that illustrated in Fig. 218, on dry, stony hill-side. Alate imagos very [)lentiful ; very few soldiers. A similar nest, containing the same forms, wars found here on 19.9.21. (4) 20 miles south-east from Darwin, 20.2.1;!. Soldiers, workers and cpieen frotn pointed, woody teitnitarium 12 inches high by 2 inches in diameter at base ; in corn-held ; ttuini- terium known delinitely to be less than twelve months old ; (pieen in small, Hat cell in centre at ground level, (o) Darwin, 27.1.17. Soldiers and workers from a woody nest, in dry, sandy coastal scrub ; nest 25 inches high by 12 inches in diameter at base (see Fig, 218). (6) ;14 miles south-east from Darwin, 15.1.R!. Soldiers, W(jrkers and (|ueen from nest similar to (2), situated amotigst suckers from small EnmbjplHfi tree, d’he tyjie of Tanijchdus ojxiciis Carter [Ten.e- brioihklae) was taken in this nest. (7) Rrock s (V(>ek, 8' 10' 12. complete series from nest similar to (2), built on e.xposed root ol living tree ; alate imagos and first-form nymphs very nnmerons, soldiers scarce. (8) Stapleton, 4.1 1.14. Soldiers, workers and (puam from nest similar to the above but constructed on tnsso(4v of grass on ill-drained, clayey flat ; (pu'en in small, flattened cell 2 inches below ground level ; many wings in nest and surrounding grass ; similar nests plentiful in well-drained forest country in vicinity, (9) Darwin, 5.2.14. Soldiers, workers and (jueen, Irom a, typical nest built over a small dead .stump ; nest 12 inches high, with top of stum]) ])iojecting thrmigh the ajM'X ; (jueen cell 27 mm. in diameter bv 7 mm. high, with level floor ” and slightly domed ceiling '' ; four small entrances to <‘ell ; situated 2 inches below surface lev(4 of ground and in the centre of nest. (10) Sta|)leton. 4.11.14. complete senes liT)in a typical nest. .Mate imagos commenced to emeige at 4.20 ]).m. (after a heavy shower of rain) from many small, circular openings in various parts of the nest from near the ground to the a])ex : these o|)enings were guarded by soldiers, whose heads only jirojected from the nest, and wiu'e (dosed by workers aftei' tlii' swarminu " ceased : numerous apfiarently fully develojied imagos did not lea've the nest during this flight ; many m\sts of this species were ojiened in this locality on 27.10.12, when tluw contained alate imagos. (11) DaiAvin. 28.9.1:1. A .similar occurrema' to that re- corcied above was observed during very windy weather 24 hours after heavy rain ; males and females settled on the ground after a [ 77 ] 'PERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. short, feeble fUglit and iniinediately shed the wings ; tlie former then followed the latter for varying periods up to fifteen minutes, when each pair secreted themselves under ])ieces of wood or bark oi in tussocks of grass. Types (imago, soldier and worker) in the National Museum of Victoria. Migrooerotermes neavmani, n. sp. Plate 111., figs. 82-84 ; Plate VI., fig. 190 ; Plate IX., fig. 191. Imago. (7o/oMr.— Plead, thorax and abdomen argus brown ; middle of thoracic nota and fifth to eighth abdominal tergites paler , post- clypeiis much lighter than head, clay colour , iabrum, antennae, legs, pleura and sternites of abdomen a little ]ialer than postcly])eus ; wings light fuscous. In gross a])})earance very like M. leai, n. sp., but distinctly smalleinind easily differentiated by the following characters Head not quite so reddish and more hairy ; eyes a little larger ; antennae, mouth-parts, legs and under surface (Ustinctly ])aler ; pronotiim lighter in colour, smaller and differently shaped ; wings about the same length but distinctly wider and rather darker ; wing niicrasters different' (cf. figs. 187 and 191). Antennae (Fig. 82) IP-jointed ; 1st joint twice as long as wide ; 2nd large, as long as 1st is \yide ; :ird very short and narrow ; 4th short and wide, as wide as 2nd ; 5th markedly larger than 4th, as wide as, but nioie (|uadiate than, 6th. Pronotiun (Fig. 83) nearly straight in front, with slight eniargination in middle, anterior margin elevated, anterolateral anoles and sides rounded, posterior margin sinuate, the entire surface covered with long and slmrt setae. ^ Posterior margin of meso- and metanotuni markedly sinuate. Mings (higs. 190, 191) short and wide, the radius, radial sector and extreme proximal end of median vein and the hrst five or six branches of the cubitus dark , the radial sector with numerous moderately long setae along its entire length ; the median vein branched from the radial sector well beyond the suture in the hindwing ; membrane with scattered setae and densely covered with very distinct niicrasters. MeasurenwHis . — Length ivith wings . . • • ,, without w'ings . . . • ^ Head, from base to apex of Iabrum, long. . from base to clypeofrontal suture, long . . ,, wide Eyes, diameter, laterally „ vertically mm. 7-25 ; 9 8-00 3-87 ; 9 4-10 0-85 0-51 0-74 0-238 0-221 f 78 ] TERMITEH KROM 'PHE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Measure'me;nU — con tinned. ’ronotuni, long ,, wide long . . wide . . Tibia iii, long Wings mm. 0-40 0 '54 5- 70 -6 -25 1-65-1 -03 0-62 Soldier. Co/our. -Head uniform ocliraceous tawny : thorax, legs, and antennae chamois yellow. Ilead (Fig. S4). — Long and narrow, parallel on the sides, broadly rounded behind, with very few and very short setae. Antecly])eus short and wide, arcuate in front. Labrum large, a little wider than long, jiarallel on the sides, broadly rounded at the ajiex, with a group of moderately large setae in the middle of the apical fourth. Mandibles short and very stout, curved, serrate. Antennae 13- jointed, about as long as mandibles ; 3rd joint smallest ; 4th and 5tli nearly equal ; 6th to Kith progressively longer ; 13th narrow, as long as 1st. (iula wide, nearly one-fourth as wide as head at narrowest part. T/mma-.— ITonotum small, with few setae, mostly near margin, some of those near lateral angles very long, the anterior fourth narrowed and elevated, with dee]) emargination in the middle, the anterolateral angles jiroduced, the sides nearly straight to the broadly truncate or slightly sinuate posterior margin. The meso- and meta- notum with scanty fringe of long setae and with nearly straight ])Osterior margin. Le(/s. — 8hort and moderately stout, with few setae. Abdomen.— Long and narrow, with scanty, short and long setae, ('erci large. 8tyli a])])arently wanting. ^ I easureme/nts . — Total length Head, with mandibles, long . . ,, without mandibles, long „ dee]) ,, wide . ■ ■ • (iula, at narrowest part, wide Mandibles, from external articulation. Antennae, long Fronotum, long ,, -wide Tibia iii, long long mm . 4 •20 -4 -45 1 •90-2 -10 1- 30-1 -42 0-62 0-74 0-20 0-68-0-74 1 -02 0-23 0-52 0-57 TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Worker. Colour. Head buft' yellow ; frons, antennae, thorax and legs ei'eain ; a, dark reddish spot at articulation of niandibles. Head. Moderately hairy, the hairs mostly short ; jiarallel on the sides, broadly rounded behind, widest in line with the insertion of the antennae. Postcly|)eus large, convex, markedly rounded behind, truncate ui front, with fairly distinct median suture and about twelve I'eddish setai* ; anteclypeus large, the anterior margin produced in the middle. Labruni moderately lai'ge, convex, nar- rowed at the base, swollen on the sides to the rounded apex, a group of about eight short, moderately stout hairs near the apex. Antennae lb-jointed, segmentation similar to that of imago. Thorax. Ihnnotum similar to that of soldier, but with fewer setae. Posterior margin of meso- and metanotum broadly rounded or nearly truncate, with a scanty fringe of long, pale setae as on ])ronotum. Lcf/s.- -Short and moderately stout, clothed similarly to abdomen. Abdomen. -Long and narrow, with scantv, pale setae. Lerci large. M easutemenU. - Total length Head, to apex of labruni, long ., to clypeofrontal suture, long wide Pronotum, long . . ,, wide Antennae, long . . Ihbia hi, long Abdomen, wide . . Locality. — South-west Australia : Mundaring Wongong, Hovea, Hosnells ; North-west Australia : mm. .. 3 -64 .. 0-97 .. 0-60 .. 0-74 0'25 .. 0-51 .. 0-85 .. 0-50 0-90 (type locality), Broome. 1 he imago and worker are described from a nest-series without soldiers ; the latter caste is described from a. nest-series (from the same locality) containing a hrst-form Icing and queen which agree in every respect with the type imago. Fifteen colonies have"" been examined, of which number twelve are without imagos. Of the latter number one was associated with Entermcs api.ocephcdvs Silv. (Mundaring, i\ V. Hill, 18.10.20) and two with Copfotermes sp. (Hovea, 4. Clark). One small series received for identification from Ml. L. J. Newmian, (loveimnent Lntomologist, was found destrovino' a cotton ]jlant at Broome. ' Affinities.- 4Te similarity of the imago to M. leai, n. sp. has been noted ; the soldiers, however, are quite distinct (cf. Figs. 76 1 80 ] TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REOION. and 84). Tlie soldier of M. nemnani most closely resembles certain small forms of M. distinclus (or an allied species), under which species the distinguishing features are discussed. types (imago, soldier and worker) in the National Museum of Adctoria. Microcerotermes gladius, n. sp. Plate 111., figs. 85, 86. Soldier. Colour . — Head hazel behind, deepening to chestnut anteriorly ; anteclypeus hyaline ; labruni same colour as back of head ; antennae, thorax and legs cream buff. Head (Pig. 85). — Longer than wide, sides nearly parallel, broadly rounded behind, with very few long and short setae, the latter most numerous on irons and vertex. Mandibles short and stout, strongly curved, finely serrated. Anteclypeus slightly produced in the middle, variable in length. Labruni large, wide at the base, sloping to the bluntly pointed apex. Antennae (Pig. 86) 13-jointed, longer than the mandibles ; 1st joint long and slender ; 2nd about half as long as 1st ; 3rd smallest of all ; 4th to 7th increasing in length progressively ; 8th to 12th narrow at the base, slightly turbinate ; 13th about as long and wide as 12th, widest in the middle. Uula (Pig. 85) short and very wide, two-fifths as wide as head at its widest part. Thorax . — Pronotum (Pig. 85) small, of typical form, with scanty fringe of setae around margin. Leys .- — Short and moderately slender, ivitli very few setae on femora, rather more on tibiae. Abdomen . — Long and slender, widest in the middle, tapered to the bluntly pointed apex, moderately setaceous, the hairs mostly very short and fine, longer on apical segments. Cerci moderately long and slender. Measurements . — mm. Total length Head, Avith mandibles, long . . ,, without mandibles, long ,, base to labral suture, long ,, deep ,, Avide Mandibles, long Antennae, long Pronotum, long wide. Tibia hi, long Abdomen, AAude . . 4-00-4-20 . . 1-82-2-16 1-25 . . !• 88 - 2-22 . . 0-68-0-74 0-85 0- 85 1- 25 . . 0-30-0 -36 . . 0-54-0 -.50 0-70 0-85 1608.— 6 I 81 1 TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Worker. Colour- Heacl clay colour ; Irons, antennae, legs and thorax cream. Head. Widest in line with the insertion of the antennae, narrowed to the base of the mandibles, broadly rounded behind, Avith very few setae. Postclypeus large, about twice as wide as long, rounded behind, truncate in front, with a few setae near anterior margin and a large reddish spot at the articulation of the mandibles. Anteclypeus large, as long as postclypeus, markedly produce(l in the middle. Labrum small, strongly convex, lAuth "a group of small setae about the middle of apical half, narrowed at the base, rounded on the sides to the rounded apex. Antennae 13-jointed ; 2nd joint large, nearly as Avide and tAvo-thirds as long as 1st ; drd very short and narroAv. ° Thorax.- Ih-onotum similar to that of soldier. Legs . — Short and slender, Avith feAv setae. Abdomen.- W iciest in the middle, tapered to the blunth’ rounded apex, moderately setaceous. Cerci moderateh^ long and slender. Measurement. s.- - Total length .. _ 3 -70^ -00 Head, to apex of labrum, long . . . . 1 •Q9 ,, to (dypeofrontal suture, long . . . . O' 57 , 'Vide .. 0-81 Fronotum, long .. .. .. q-27 O' 47-0 -51 libia m, long .. .. . p .57 Abdomen, AA’ide .. 1'14 Apterous Queen. Colour.- Head russet, Avith verv distinct frontal and transverse sutures ; postclypeus paler (buckthorn brown) ; labrum A'ellow ocliie , pionotuiii cream suffused with brown at margins ; leo’s and remainder of thorax cream ; abdominal tergites cream mottled Antennae 13-jointed : 3rd joint smallest ; 4th to loth increasing in length progressively. Fronotum someAcdiat similar to that of AA orker, but much larger : meso- and metanotum as in Avorker, i.e.. shoAving no trace of AAhng-rudinients. Ocelli and eves entirelv Avanting (stained preparations examined). Abdomen Avith seventh stermte long and Avide, as in female imago of allied species. Locahtg.—A^oidh (Queensland : Merinaa (near Cairns). Palm Island. ir soldiers of this species appear to be most nearh- alhed to M. parnceps Mjob., from AA'hich they differ in their smaller [ 82 ] TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. size, less rounded heads, and Id- jointed anteiniae. Mjciberg's species is described as having tlie antennal joints rounded and short ” ; in the pro])osed new species they are rather elongate. Hioloijy. Described from a colony collected by Dr. .). V. Illing- worth (March, 1921) in the interior of a sugar-cane. There were no eggs or very young larvae in the connunnity, but adolescent soldiers and workers and nymphs witli short wing-stnmps were nnmerons. The apterous queen described above, and another somewhat less developed, were clearly not of the usual ty])e, being ergatoid in the form of the head and pronotum. Although the characteristic type of apterous queen is not rare in Australian Mwroceroterme.s, the above form has not been found previously by the writer in this or any other genus. The Palm Island specimens (D.K.H., 26.!). 20), comprising soldiers and workers only, were found under a log, the interior of which ajipeared to be considerably damaged by them. Microoerotermes boreus, n. sp. Plate IIP, figs. 87, 88 ; Plate VI.. fig. 192 ; Plate IX., fig. 1!)8 ; Plate VII., fig. 219. Imago. Similar to M. serrafvs (Frogg.), from which species it is dis- tinguished by its lighter colour, head and thorax more reddish (chestnut), postclypeus distinctly paler, pleura and legs ochraceous tawny, wings niucli longer and wider, eyes larger and more prm minent, ocelli larger and pronotum longer. Measurements . — Length with wings „ without wings . . Head, base of apex of labrum, long ,, base to clypeofrontal suture, long ,, wide Eyes, diameter Pronotum, long ,, wide IVings, fore wings, long „ „ wide ,, hind wings, long ,, wide ” . ” Tibia iii, long Abdomen, wide (^UEBN. Total length, 21 '00 mm. ; abdomen, wide, 4 'GO. [ 83 J mm. 9 •25-9' 50 5 • 25-5 ■ 50 1-00 0-59 0-85 O' 255 X O' 255 0-42 0-64 8 '25 2-10 7'75 2-10 0'80 0-34 TERMITES EROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Soldier. Colour . — Head hazel, darker anteriorly ; labruni oranye rufous ; anteclypeus hyaline ; mandibles nearly black ; thorax and legs cream buff. Head (Fig. 87). -Long and narrow, nearly parallel on the sides, with a few short, ])aJe setae. Anteclypeus short and wide, slightly sinuate on anterior margin, babrum convex, wide at base and narrowed to the bluntly pointed apex. Mandibles (Fig. 88) very long and slender, as long as remainder of head, inner edges markedly serrate. Antennae (Fig. 88) 18-jointed, long and slender, not reaching the apex of inandibles : -3rd joint shortest ; 4th to 12th elongate; L3tli narrower than 12th and about as long. Antennal carinae heavily chitinized. (bda at its widest part one-fourth as wide as head. Tliorao’ (Fig. 87).— Anterior one-third of pronotum narrowed and bent up, anterolateral angles ])roduced, sides sloping to the slightly sinuate posterior margin, with very few setae. Lcr/.s.- Short and moderately stout, with few setae. Abdomen. Long and slender, widest in the middle, tapered to the pointed a])ex. Cerei long and slender. Stvli wanting. Measurements . — mm. Total length Head, with mandibles, long ,, base to labral suture, ,, wide Mandibles, long Antennae, long Pronotum, long ,, wide '^ribia iii, long -5-.50-6-40 2-7:3-:3d)7 1-42-1 --5:3 0-91-0 -97 1-48 1-60 0-40 0-68 0-76 Worker. Colour . — Head ochraceous buff ; postclypeus a little paler ; frons, antennae, legs and thorax cream buff. Head. — Small, widest at the articulation of mandibles, nearly ])arallel on the sides, broadly rounded behind ; with very scanty, pale setae, some of which are fairly long. Postclypeus large, hemi- spherical, markedly convex, glabrous, anterior margin truncate, a dark ferruginous spot at each end ; anteclypeus large, about half as long as postclypeus. Antennae 1‘3-jointed ; the .‘3rd joint smallest, babrum small, narrow at the base, swollen on the sides and rounded in front. [ 8t ] TKRiMrr,K,S FK(.)M T[IK AUSTRALIAN liEOION. 1 horax. Proiiotuni small, much muTowcr than head, slia|)(!(l as in soldier; with very few setae, some of which are very lony. M(‘so- notnm with posterior nuiroin broadly rounded ; metanotum nearlv straiylit. Lcfjs- Short and moderately slender ; with fmv setain Ahdomen.- -Lonf>' and slender, witli scattered mostly short, [lah* setae, some near ajiex fairly long. d / easurements. — mm. Total lengtli .. .. .. .. .. 4h)0 Head, from fjase to apex of Jabrum, long . . . . I -()2 ,, from base to clypeofrontal suture, long .. Od)b ,, wide .. .. .. .. 0-7(S Pronotum, long . . . , . . . . . . 0•b0 ,, wide .. .. .. .. 0-r)2 Tibia iii, long . . . . . . . . . . O-oT Abdomen, wide . . . . . . . , . . I d)0 Locality . — Northern Territory: Melville Island (ty|)e locality), Darwin (D.F.H.) ; (?) Victoria : Linga (K. K. Wilson). Affinities. - The imago differ.s from M. sermtas (hh'ogg.) as fol- lows The wings are much larger anfl darker, the. i^ronotum notice- ably longer, the eyes much larger and more prominent, the ocelli larger, general colour lighter, postclypeus, legs and pleura distinctly paler. In colour it agrees more closely with M . yarrlceiis, hut the latter is a smaller specie.s, with much smaller eyes, ocelli and wings, and differently shaped pronotum. From .1/. leai it differs in its larger .size, much longer wings, longer pronotum, large.r i^yes and larger ocelli. Tlie soldier differs from J/. sermtas in its larger size, longer and more serrate mandibles, wider gula and longer jointed antennae. Tire latter organ does not reach the t\\> of the mandibles in the new species, whereas in Froggatt’s species it extends well beyond them. Biology . — Two complete ne.st -.series were taken on Melville Islanrl on 29.10.16 from small, rounderl, blacki.sh, woody termitaria (Fig. 219) niea.suring about 11 hiches in height by 9 inches in diameter. In each ca.se about one-half of the .structure projectefj abme the surface of the ground and enveloped part of a small stump or root. Alate imagos and workers were plentiful, but soldiers were not numerous. Another community, comprising soldiers and workers onlv. was taken in Darwin (4.8.14) from “tubes" or covered-ways on a concrete pile 6 feet m height supporting a so-callcf! white-ant pu'oof " dwelling. Access to the floor-joists was gained by carrying the ■■ tubes " over the top of the pile and through a bolt-hoh; in the middle of the interposed metal plate. 4he common practice of fastening floor- joi.sts to the supporting piles by means of a bolt I So 1 TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. imbedded in tlie latter and passing through the metal plate is obviously bad, and should be discontinned in favour of angle-irons attacheil further down the pile and having sullicient spread to clear the juetal plate. The latter to be effective should have cut, not rolled, edges. The Victorian specimens referred doubtfully to this species are somewhat smaller in size and have the labruni Avider and less pointed than the inajority of the Northern Territory specimens. Measurements: Total length, 5 ‘50-6 '00; head, with mandibles, 2 ‘50-2 -70; head, wide. O' 79-0 *85; antennae, long, 1'48; pro- notum, long 0'84, wide 0'57. Types (imago, soldier and worker) in the National Museum of \Tctoria . Miorocerotermfs fugax, n. sp. Proc. Linn. Soc. N.8.W., Vol. xl, 1915 {Termes turneri Hill, nee Froggatt). Idate 111., figs. 89 94 ; Plate fig. 194 ; Plate IX., fig. 195 ; Plate VIL, fig) 220. Imago. Colour. Head chestnut, a shade darker than in M. nervosus ; antennae, legs and ])leura also a little darker. Head (Fig. 89). Differs from M. nervosus in being rather more hairy, hairs larger ; eyes siiuilar ; ocelli very little larger (long- diameter O' 85 as against O' 68 in M. nervosus) and closer to eyes (O' 34 as against O' 68 in 47. nervosus). Antennae (Fig. 92) 14- jointed ; 3rd joint very small ; 4th longer and wider ; 5th and 6th equal, larger than 4th ; 5th to 9th rounded ; 10th to 13th turbinate, short ; 14th about as long and wide as 13th. Thorax. AAry like 47. nervosus, but with light-coloui'ed area as showm in Fig. 90. Posterior margin of ineso- and metanotum also similar to the above species but generally not so sinuate (cf. Figs. 78 and 91h) ; metanotum often variable (cf. Figs. 91a and 916). Wi'ugs (Figs. 194 and 195). AAry similar to M. nervosus in colour and shape, but the micrasters darker and more numerous and the veins a little more distinct. Auuation very variable ; the median of forewing generally with three branches of varying length, sometimes with five branches, rarely with one of them joining the radial sector near the ajiex of the wing ; cubitus very variable, Avith from seven to twelve branches, simple or forked, the last branch generally joining the posterior border about the distal third of the wing, but sometimes nearer the proxitnal third. Legs.- As in 47. nervosus. Abdomen.- As in 47. nervosus, but more setaceous ; hairs longer. 8tyli Avanting. 1 86 ] TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAK REGION. Measurements. nun. Lengtli with wings . . ,, without wings Head, from posterior margin to apex of iabium, iono- from posterior margin to clypeofrontal sutui'e, fong at and including eyes, wide Kyes, diameter Antennae, long Pronotum, long 0-204 X 0-204-0 -221 8-00-8-50 4-00 5-00 0-97-1-00 0-45-0-51 0-80-0-85 X 0-221 1-00 0-39-0-42 ,, wide Wings, forewings, long , , , , M ide ,, hindwings, long ,, ,, M ide Tibia iii, long Abdomen, wide 0- 63 0-73 7-00 7-50 1 - 48-1 -53 6-75-7-25 1-48 1-65 0- 85 1 - 00 Soldier. Head yellow ochre ; very like M. yladias (cf. Figs. 85 and 93), from which it is distinguished by its lighter coloured and longer head, onger and narrower gula, longer mandibles and pronotum and fewer setae on head. The gula at its narrowest part is about one-fifth as wide as the head (two-fifths in M . gladlus). Antennae 13-joiuted ami similarly segmented to the last-mentioned species. Measurements . — Total length Head, Avith mandibles, long ,, without mandibles, long ,, wide ,, deep Antennae, long Pronotum, long ,, wi(le Tibia iii, long Abdomen. Avide mm. 3- 90-4 -59 2-16 2-62 1 ■ 14-1 -48 0- 80 0-91 0.63 1 - 08-1 -36 0-30 -0-32 0-54-0 -57 0-57 0-85 W'ORKER. Very like M. yladius. Head ochraceous orange, Avith dark ferruginous spot at articulation of mandibles ; frons very little lighter than remainder of head. Styli present. 1 87 1 TERMITES EROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Measuremen.ts . — Total length Head, ])osterior margin to apex of labrnm, long. ,, ])o,sterior margin to dypeofrontal siitiire long ,, wide Antennae, long Pronotnm, long ,, wide Tibia iii, long Abdomen, wide Hta])leton (tyjie locality) ; locality . — Northern Territory : win, Bathurst Island (G.F.H.). mm. 3 30-3 50 0 03 1 27 0 60-0 76 0 85-0 91 1.08 0 22-0 32 0 46-0 51 0-54 0-01 a lit} ) ; Dar- Biology . — Soldiers from the same colony vary very little in size, but individuals from different nests often show noticeable differences in this respect. In the worker caste there appear to be several intermediates between the small and the large forms. The type series was taken on 1.1.13 from the termitarium shown in Big. 220, which was composed almost entirely of an intensely hard woody composition aiul was situated in lightly timbered, undulating country. Alate imagos were numerous and active when disturbed. A second colony was found on the same date iu the earthy wall of a termi- tariuni of Coptotermes achmciforniis (Frogg.), which also contained colonies of Miroterines orhas, n. sp. and Hamifermes {Drepamtermss) septentriomlis Hill. The following additional colonies were taken in the localities stated : Stapleton, 23.12.12 : A complete series from a termitarium similar to that illustrated by Fig. 220 ; 12 inches high by 4 inches in diameter at the base ; u])per part of nest occupied by a colony of ants (Iridomynnex smyjnwe'us Forel). Darwin, 1.4.13 : Soldiers and workers in trunk of coco-nut palm previously damaged l>y weevils ; trunks of several dead palms were similarly infested. Stapleton, December, 1013 : A small colony, including alate forms, under log. Batchelor, 17.7.13 : Soldiers and workers from a termi- tariun; similar to that illustrated, but constructed of earth and comminuted wood ; on ill-drained, flat country. Stapleton, 5.11.14 : A complete series from a nest composed of comminuted wood and earth, built 4 feet from the ground on the trunk of an Eucalyptus tree ; nest connected with ground by a series of passages under a common protective casing of clayey material. Similar nests w^ere very plentiful on the boggy country in the vicinity of a creek ; all cf)ntained soldiers, ivorkers and alate imagos, but no cpieens or eggs (as in typical nests on well-drained country in the near vicinity). These arboreal nests are abandoned during the dry season. Types (imago, soldier and worker) in the National Museum of Victoria. TEKMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Microcerotermes taylori, n. sp. Plate TIT., %s. ; Tnate YT., %. T96 ; Plate IX.. fig. 197. Imago. Similar to M. nanus (TTill), from which species it is (listinouished by its generally darker colour, slightly larger eyes, TS-jointed autemiae, and distinctly different wing micrasters. Head very setaceous, dark bay ; j)ostclypeus distinctly lighter, with dark median suture ; antennae 13-jointed, 3rd joint shortest ; eyes moderately large (0'2040x -204), 0-034 from lower margin of head; ocelli broadly oval, very small ((b050), 0*034 from eyes; pronotum as in M. nanus. M easurements . — Length Avithout wings Head, to apex of labrum, long ,, to clypeofrontal suture, long ,, wide Pronotum, long . . ,, wide Wings, forewings, long mm. 4*00 0*85 0*57 0*68 0*34 0*47 5*50 1 *50 (^UEEN. Total length, 17*00 mm. ; abdomen, wide, 4*00 mm. Soldier. Differs from M. nanus in having a shorter and narrower head (hhg. 95), sides not so narrowed to base of mandibles, mandibles longer and more slender, labrum shorter and narrower, gula (Fig. 96) onedourth narroAver, markedly narrowed at posterior one-third. M easuretneuits . — Total length Head, Avith mandibles, long ,, Avithout mandibles, long ,, Avide ,, deep Antennae (13-jointed) (Tula, at narroAvest part, Avide Pronotum, long . . ,, Avide Tibia iii, long Worker. Head clay colour, Avith very distinct pale sutures ; postclypeus same colour as head, Avith very distinct broAvn median suture, a 1 89 ] T*80 1 *08 0*68 0*57 1*10 0*45 0*25 0*42 0*50 'I'KRMrrES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. laro-e dark chestnut spot at internal articulation of mandibles. Antennae Id- or 14-jointed, drd joint shortest, 4tli to jienultimate joints increasing' in leni>th progressively, a|)ical joint nuu'kedly longer and a little narrower than j)receding one. Dillers Iroin M. 'Ihw.us in having much larger spots at articulation ot mandibles and a daik median suture in clyjieus, head of same colour as 4/. luitius but blotched in appearance. Irons same colour as back ol head (not whitish). MeasKnwievJs. Total length Head, to apex of labrum, long ,, to clypeofrontal suture, long ,, wide Pronotum, long . . ,, wdde I'ibia hi, long lA)califH. North (huHMisland : Meringa, near ('aims. Described from a complete nest series collected by Mr. Taylor on 41. Id. 24 from a small termitarinm about the size of a human head and situated at tlie base of a termitarium of Coptotermes mm. 3 0 U 0 u 0 0 •70 •78 •45 •60 •20 •45 •48 H. ((cinaciforttiis ( Krogg.). h’ypes (imago, soldier and worker) in tlie National iMuseum of Victoria ; paratypes in Mr. d’aylor s collection. Microgerotermes mendicus, n. sp. Plate figs. 08 102 ; Plate V!., fig. 108 ; Plate IX., fig. 100. Imago. Differs from M. sermtus (Krogg.), which species it most closely resembles, in the following characters : Slightly darker in colour, eyes distinctly larger, wings darker (dark tuscous), longer and wider ; dilTers from j7. parrlccps Mjdb. in its smaller size, larger eyes, smaller and more rounded pronotum ; dilTers from M. turiieri (Krogg.) in being much smaller and in having mai'kedly smaller eyes, ocelli and pronotum. 4’he ocelli are 0-068 in leng'th, which is the distance se])a rating the eves from the lower margin of the head and from the ocelli. MemuremeutH. Ijength with wings ,, without wings . . Head, to a[)ex of labrum, long . . ,, to clyjieofrontal suture, long ,, wide hives, diameter Antennae (14-jointed)_ . . mm. c? 7-50, 9 8-50 ^ 4-00, 9 4-27 1 -00 0-58 0-81 , 0-221 X 0-221 1-251 -46 [ 90 ] TERMITES PROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Measurements — con t iniied . mm I’l'onotum, lono' .. 0 -30 0-40 wide .. .. .. 0-ri7 0-64 Wino's, forewino’s, long . , _ (;.4o 7.00 wide .. .. 1-80 -1-88 „ hmdwings, long .. 5 ’75-6 -00 ^ ... ,, wide .. .. 1-82-1 -93 Tibia iii, long . . . . . . ()-3() Abdomen, wide .. .. .. ()-85 Soldier. Similar to M. glaclms, 11. sp. but lighter in colour, head a little longer and Muder, labriim and giila longer and wider, anteclyjieiis larger and produced in the middle. If differs from M. twmeri (hrogg.) in having a smaller, paler, narrower and shallower head, the sides of which are less rounded, the antennae and mandibles more slender ; and from M. exeisus Mjiib. in its smaller size, Ac. Meas urements . — • Total length Head, with mandibles, long . ,, without mandibles, Ion ,, wide ,, deep (lula, at narrowest part, wide Antennae (13-jointed) Pronotiim, long ,, wide Tibia iii, long mm. 4-27 2-16 1-36 0-91 0-74 0-23 1-10 1-20 0-34 0-57 0-73 Worker. Co/our.- -Head chamois, deepening to clay colour behind the transverse suture ; transverse suture and a large spot at junction of transverse and frontal sutures whitish ; antennae and pronotum same colour as postclypeus, the latter with a small ferruginous spot at each end. Head.— Longer than wide, widest iri front, slightly narrowed to the rounded jiosterior margin, with scanty strong reddish setae. Postclypeus small, about one-half as long as wide (0-221 x 0‘425), strongly convex, median suture not well defined ; anteclypeus about half as long as ])ostclypeus, hyaline, anterior margin produced in middle. Labrum short, not as long as clypeus, narrowed at base, very wide in middle, rounded in front. Antennae 13-jointed. Thorax. Pronotum very short, moderately wide, with scanty long refldish setae, anterior margin sharply bent up and deeply emarginate, anterolateral angles produced, sides sloping to the strongly emarginate rounded posterior margin. [ 91 ] TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Leqs. - Moderately long and slender, Avith scanty very short ]>ale setae. Abdomen,. — lAirge, with very short and fine setae. Aleasurenients.- -- min. Total length . . . . • • • • 4 • 00 Head, to apex of labruni, long . . . . 0’90~0‘98 ,, to clypeo frontal suture, long .. .. 0*68 ,, wide .. .. •• 0’84 Pronotum, long .. .. •• 0'25 ,, wide . . . . • • • • 0*56 Tibia iii, long .. .. 9*62 J^oGality.- AAorth Queensland : El Arish (type locality), Meringa (F. H. Taylor). Described from a small colony taken in a dilapidated termitarium on 10.11.24. One alate imago was taken at a lamp in the last-named locality in December. Types (imago, soldier and worker) in the National Museum of ^uctoria ; paratyjies in Mr. Taylor’s collection. Oenns Mirotermes Wasmann. List of desciil)ed Australian Mirotermes : — S|)('ci('s. 1 Locality. J)cscril)(ul ( 'iistos. Iimiigo. Soldier. | Workei'. Mirotermes Irisiformis ( Krogn;.) New South Wales X x| xt , /rraepeloii Silv. South-west Australia. . . X=-.= X X ■mdvilleiisis (Hill) . . Northern Territory X* xt X ,, (Hill) Northern Territory Xt xt X ,, froggalti (UWb Northern Territory xf xt X ,, liarrisi Mjdb. North Queensland X xt X ,, maiilnn, Mjdb. North Queen.sla.nd xt X ,, Mjfib. North Queensland xt xt X „ alleiii M\l)h. North Queensland xt X ,, broomeosis Mjdb. . . North-we.st Australia. . . xt X ,, aluritsis Mjdb. North Queensland xt , septeutrionalis. n. s]>. Northern Territory X* ,, iiijreqiieiis. n. s]). . . South-west Australia . . X* X* X* ,, ijuadrafns, ii. s]>. . . Northern Territory X* ,, sunteri. ii. sp. Northerti Territory X* X* ,, bunksieusis, n. sj). Hiinks Island (Torres X* X* X* „ orbus, n. s]>. ImLT clJ t ) Northern Territory X* X* X* ,, occvltiis, n. sp. Northern Territory X* t Tyi)i' nr co-types exaiiuncd. I 92 ] * Described in tliis paiM'r, TKRMITKkS VKOM 'I’llK A\tsthAI.1AN KK(’,10N. M 1ROTKR.M KS KRISI KORMIS ( Kl'Oggatt). I’roc. Linn. Sot*. N.S.W., Vol. xxii, 18!)7 ; Dopt. Aoric. N.S.W., ]^ull. ()0, 15)15. 1 lohniiroR, KuiirI. sv. vot. Akad. llandk, Pxl. d8, No. 4, 15)2 (Sid)-x(Muis Proloca'iirileniK’s). riato 111., ii.us. 102, 104 ; Tlato VI., %. 200 ; Plale IX., lix 201. 4’lic antonnae are deserihed as heinsj, composed ol lourteen joints in both imago ami soldier, but iu a series ol imagos Irom (VmplH'll- town, New 8outli Wales (Kroggatt’s eollec'tioii), the mimbei' is invai'iably fifteeu. Local ill /. — New South Wales. Mirotkrmks KRARI’KIAIS’I Silvcstri. Die Kaima Siidwest Australiens, Bd. ii., Biel 17, 15)05). Ilolmgi'eti, Neu-(luinea dVrmiteu, 15)11 ; Kimgl. sv. vet. Alcad. Ibiiulk, Bd. 4(S, No. 4, 15)12. Mjiiberg, Arkiv. bir Zoologi, \7>1. xii, No. 15, 15)20. I’late 111., tigs. 105-112 ; I'late \'B, tig. 202 ; Blate IX., fig. 202. ('ousiderable dillietdty has In'en experienced in determining tlie status of numerous series ol M itoIcthics Irom South-west Australia owing to the variations found in both soldiers and imagos li'om (litTei’ent colonies. Bractically no vai'iation has be('ii observaal in imagos from the same colony, and such diHerences as have* been d('tected in individuals from diHerent colonies, though constant, are by no means inaT'ked. In the soldier caste al.so there is remaikabk' agreement amongst individuals from the same colony, but variations do occur occasionally (e.g., a specimen with smaller head, shorter atid stouter froj)tal ])rocess ami narrower gula). Between individuals from dilTerent colonies, however, there is olteii, a very marked (lifTerence, whi(4i, in the absence ol imagos, might very reasonably be regarded as specific. Mr. ('lark, to whom I am imlebted for the material under discussion, on being apprised of the diiruadty, kindly made a s])ecial effort to obtain further series, with the result that about 45 colonies have been plac('d at my disposal, of which numbei about twenty include alate imagos or (pieens. 4'he balance com- prise soldiers and workers, or sohliers only, associated in most cases with species belonging to othei' genera- Hamilcmes oheimlis Silv., Uaviilernieti sp., Le/acoleme.s clarki Hill, L. occidmis, n. s])., and Liitervies apiocephahts Silv. and including several varieties oy races more or less distimt. (in the soldier caste) from those of which the imagos are known. In view of th(> fact that only slight diflerenc(>s have been obscwved in series of imagos tlu^ respective soldiers o which are more or less markcMlIy distinct, it has bc'cn c-onsidcncd advisable for the present to icgarcl thc> whole- group as being rc-lc-rabh- to a single spc-cic-s (4/. Lmepclriil Silv.) and to briefly dc-scribc- thc- more important varieties or races without dc-signating thc-in by r f:3 1 TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. varietal names. A similar course might have been adopted in dealing with certain of the North Australian forms, but in the latter, in the absence of alate imagos, there is nothing in the material at present available for study to suggest specific relationship between the specimens proposed as new, ami for this reason they have been given specific rank. M . Imiejielin.i Silv. was described from soldiers and workers only from M undaring, South-west Australia. Professor Silvestri has kindly compared examples of these castes from the type locality with the type series and these in turn hav^e been compared wdth other series (also from the type locality) conpirising alate imagos, one of which has been selected and described below as the typical form invariably associated with soldiers of the variety or race described by Silvestri. Imago. Colour. Head, posterior margin of thoracic nota and base of veins very dark brown ; postclypeus and remainder of thoracic nota Dresden to mummy bromi ; labrum pale orange yellow ; antennae and ])leural sclerites mummy brown ; legs Dresden brown more or less darkly suffusetl v/ith mummy brown ; wings dark fuscous with slight iridescence in some lights. Head (Fig. 105). -Pather small, hemispherical behind the eyes, very setaceous. Postclypeus strongly convex, hemispherical behind, truncate in front, about half as long as Avide, with distinct meflian suture ; anteclypeus short, slightly produced in the middle. Labruni wide at the base, widest at the posterior third, broadly rounded in front. Fontanelle elongate, obscurely forked anteriorly. Eyes large (0‘238 X 0‘255) and prominent, separated from the lower margin of the head by a space equal to the short diameter of ocelli. Ocelli large (0-068 X 0-102), about half their short diameter from the eyes. Mandibles (Fig. 106) with the apical tooth not markedly longer than the following one. Antennae (Fig. 107) 15-jointed ; 1st joint large, about twice as long and one-fifth wider than 2nd ; 3rd very small ; 4th markedly larger than 3rd ; 5th smaller than 4th but larger than 3rd ; 6th to 14th increasing in length progressively ; 15th about as long as 1st, pointed at the apex. Thorax (Fig. 108).--Pronotum very setaceous, a little narrower than head, concave in front, extreme anterior margin elevated, anterolateral angles rounded to the broad posterior margm, which is markedly sinuate ; posterior margin of meso- and metanotum deeply emarginate. Wings (Figs. 202, 203). — Large, costal margin pale yellow in alcohol specimens ; radius markedly setaceous ; radial sector setaceous throughout, suffused with dark brown posteriorly ; media running through the anterior third of wing, generally simple but TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. frequently branched, often with one or more superior branches towards the radial sector from the ]:)roximal third ; CTd)itus with eight to thirteen branches, generally simple, the first six to eight very dark. Membrane densely covered with micrasters and markedly more setaceous on forewing than on hindwing. Legs. -Moderately long and slender. Abdomen . — Very setaceous ; cerci short and stout. M easuremenis . — Jjength with wings . . ,, without wings Head, posterior margin to apex of labrum, long. . ,, posterior margin to clypeo frontal suture, long ,, wide I’ronotum, long ,, wide Mhngs, long ,, wide Tibia iii, long mm. 11 -GO 5 -25 -5 -SO 0-91-1 -GO G-65 0- 90 G-45 G-74 9-5G 2 -40-2 -50 1- GG Soldier. d I easuremenis . — Head, base to apex of frontal process, long ,, wide „ deep (lula, at narrowest part, wide mm. 1 -48 1 -71 G-97-1 -08 G -74-0 -85 G-17 Locality. — South-west Australia : Mundating, Gosnells, Armadale, Ludlow, Collie, Lion Mill, Hovea, MMngong. Twenty-five nest-series examined. Type imago and associated soldiers and workers in the National Museum of Victoria. Variety “ A.” Soldier.— Agrees with the typical form in having long-jointed antennae and truncate labrum, but differs in having markedly more slender mandibles and wider gula, and, generally, shorter, narrower and shallower head. Measurements . — Head, to apex of frontal process, long ,, wide • • „ deep ,, with mandibles, long . . Gula, at narrowest paat, wide Five nest-series (without imagos) from Mundaring. mm. 1- 48 G-85 G-68-G-74 2- 62 G-2.5 [ 95 ] TEKMITJ5S FEOM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Variety “ B.” Soldier . — Aj>Tees with \hiriety “ K ” excejiting in size of head. M easurements . — imn. Head, to a])ex of frontal jirocess, long . . IdiO „ wide .. .. .. .. 0-90 ( !nla, at narrowest part, wide .. .. 0’20 Three nest-series (without iniagos) from near Perth. Variety C.” I mayo. in Variety “ E.” Soldier.- Agrees with Variety “ E ” in liaving very slender mandibles, but fliffers in having a wider head and mucdi Avider gula, labrum not deeply notched anteriorly but truncate except at antero- lateral corners wliich are j)roduced into short, tine points, frontal process shorter and thicker at base. yieasurementH. — mm. Head, to ajiex of frontal process, long . . 1-59 wide . . . . ' . . . . 1 *14 deep .. .. .. .. 0-85^0 -91 (lula, at narrowest part, wide . . . . 0*25 One nest-series from Denmark (taken in January). Variety “ D.” Soldier (Eigs. Ill, 112). Agrees with the typical form m having stout mandibles, but differs in having a noticeably larger head, Avider, s])reading and deeply-notched labrum, relatively much narroAver gula and stouter frontal process. J / easvrements . — mm. Head, to apex of frontal process, long . . 1 *99-2 '16 ,, wide .. .. .. .. 1-14-1 -24 ,, f^eep .. .. .. .. 0-97-1 -02 Gula, at narroAvest part, wide .. .. 0-13 One nest-series (Avithout imagos) from DAA^ellingup. Variety “ E.” Imago.- Differs from the typical form in having the postclypens and antennae paler, fontanelle slit-like, eyes generally smaller but sometimes as large, i.e., 0-221 x 0-238 to 0-238 x 0 - 255 . Soldier (Mg. 113). Differs markedly from the typical form in having the mandibles more slender, labrum deeply notched, Avider gula, generally narroAver head and shorter jointed antennae. 1 96 1 I’ERMITKS FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Measuremeihts . — mm. Head, to apex of frontal process, long . . ! -53 1 -70 (nirely) ,, with mandibles, long 2-85 2-9() ,, wide (P96 1 -OO (rarely) deep . . . . 0-80 0-85 Hula, at narrowest part, wide d-20 0-17 (rarely) Fifteen nest-series from Albany and Bunbury. Mirotermes melvillensis (Hill). Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., \’ol. xl, 1915. Plate ML, fios. 114-119 ; Plate VI., %. 204 ; Plate IX., fig. 205 ; IdateVlI., figs. 221, 222. I MAGO. Colour. I4ead and dorsum of thorax auburn ; postclypeus and abdominal tergites argus brown ; under surface, legs and antennae clay coloui', sternites of abdomen suffused laterally with Brussels brown ; wing membrane a little, lighter. Head (Kig. 114). Moderately setaceous, broadly rounded behind, fiat on summit. Lyes large (0'204 diameter), jirominent, coarsely facetted, separated from the lower margin of head by a space equal to one-third their diameter. Ocelli large, broadly oval, close to eyes. I’ostclypeus moderately convex, half as long as wide, markedly convex behind, truncate in front. Labrum narrow at base, widest in the middle. Fontanelle long and narrow, situated midway between the base of head and clypeofrontal suture. Antennae 14- jointed ; 3rd joint smallest of all ; 4th and 5th equal. Thorax (Fig. 115). Pronotum a little narrower than head, slightly concave and bent up in front, anterolateral angles broadly rounded, sides sloping to the rounded posterior margin, the surface densely setaceous, the setae on the margins longest, golden. Meso- and inetanotum deeply emarginate posteriorly, clothed as in pro- notum. Wings (Figs. 204, 205). Wing margin very setaceous except on proximal one-third of hind border ; radial sector very stout, well separated from radius, setaceous throughout its length ; the base of the media and the first five or six tiranches of cubitus distinct, but all discernible to their extremity. Wing membrane densely covered with micrasters and liearing numerous setae. Legs. Moderately stout, very setaceous. Abdomen. Nearly parallel on the sides, apex pointed, clothed densely with, short, pale setae ; cerci short and stout. I()08.— 7 TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Measurements. mm. Length with wings . . 7 *50-8 -00 ,, without wings 4 *00-4 -25 Head, from base to clypeofrontal suture, long . . 0-44 ,, to apex of labrum, long 0-88 ,, at and including eyes, wide 0-76 Wings, forewings, long 6 50 „ „ wide 1-76 ,, hindwings, long 6-25 wide 1-82 Pronotum, long 0-42 ,, wide 0-68 Tibia iii, long 0-73 .\bflomen, wide 1 -08 ()rEKN. Total length, 17 mm. Soldier. The following figures and measurements (from ty])e) are supple- mentary to the original description : — Measurements- - nira. Head, to a}>ex of frontal })rocess, long . . . . 1'42 „ wide .. .. . .. ..0*80 ,, deep .. .. .. ..0-68 Pronotum, long . . . . . . . . . . 0'20 „ wide .. .. .. ..0*49 Antennae, long . . . . . . . . . . 1‘82 Tibia iii, long .. .. .. .. ..0*68 Log Northern Territory : Melville Island (type locality for soldier and worker), 8tapletoir((}.F.H., 4.11.14, type locality for imago), Bathurst Island, Darwin, Koolpinyah, and other localities within 70 miles of Darwin on Darwin Pine Creek railway. Biology. The termitaria vary a good deal in size and shape, but are invariably built on or around a stump (Figs. 221, 222) or over a large surface root ; in the latter case the mass is conical or bemi- spherical, with a maximum diameter of about 20 inches. The material used in tlieir construction is a black or dark grey composition of earth and vegetable matter. The nymjdis pass through their final moult about the middle of October and are capable of flight early in November. Apterous or brachyjherous kings and queens have not been found. This species is not of much importance as a pest owing to its rarity, but there are instances of it having done con- siderable damage to fence-posts and house-blocks. It has not been found in the mounds of other terndtes. TEKMITES KHOM THE AUSTRAJ.IAN EEGION. Affinities.^ A very closely related s])ecies occurs on Magnetic Island, N.Q. ((I.F.H., 9.7.21), and near Torreiis (reek, X.(). ((1. K. Cook, 4.2.22), find another at Koolpinyah, N.T. (C.F. M., 20.4. IB). All th ree colonies were found under logs and comprise soldiers and workers only. Descriptions of these sfiecies are withheld until further material is to luind. 4’ypes (imago, soldier and worker) in the National Museum of Adctoria. Mirotermes tayeori (Hill). I’roc. Linn. Boc. N.B.W., \d)l. xl, 1015. Plate IV., fig. 120. Boldier. The following additional measurements are from a soldier from the type colony : - Measurements. Head, to apex of frontal process, long wide „ deep Pronotum, long . . ,, wide Tifiia iii, long Localitu. — Northern Territory mm. 1-14 0-62 0-51 0-17 0-42 0-48 Ivoolpinyah. Mi R OT ERM ES F ROG G ATT I (Hill). Proc. Linn. Boc. N.B.W., Vol. xl, H)15. Plate TV., fig. 121. Boldier. The following additional measurements are from a soldier from the type colony : - M easurements. — mm. Head, to apex of frontal process, long .. .. 1*15 ,, wide Pronotum, long . . ,, wide Tibia iii, long The queen is described as having LCjointed antennae; the correct number cannot be stated, :is ithe terminal joint is wanting in the type (unique). Locality.- Northern Territory : Darwin. I 99 J 0-90 0-23 0-47 0-78 TEKMITES EEUM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Mirotermes harrisi Mjoberg. Arki\'. for Zoologi, Vol. xii, No. 15, 1920. Locality . — North Queerislaml. Mirotermes maideni xMjoberg. Arkiv. for Zoologi, Vol, xii. No. 15, 1920. Locality. North (Queensland. Mirotermes cheeli iVljdberg. Arkiv. for Zoologi, Vol. xii, No. ]5, 1920. IMate IV., figs, 122 124 ; Plate VI., fig. 200 ; Plate IX., fig. 207. Imago. Colour. Head, thorax and dorsum of abdomen dark chestnut ; postclypeus lighter than head but darker than antennae, legs and under surface ; anteclypeus hyalin? ; ivings fuscous, veins dark and distinct to their extremitv. ' Head (Fig. 122). Sinall, hemis[)herical behind the eyes, very setaceous, hontanelle elongate, narrowed anteriorly, in line with the middle of the eyes. Antennae (Fig. 123) 15-jointed, the 3rd joint shortest aiul narrowest, 1th equal t() or a little longer than 5th. Postclypeus small, hemispherical behind, Avith indistinct suture. Fyes huge (0 -250 diameter), prominent, situated as far above the loAver margin of the head as their inner margins are from the ocelli. Ocelli large, o\'al, one-third longer than wide, separated from the eyes by a S]>ace erpial to one-half their width. Ihora.j' (I4g. 124). - Large, nearly as wide as head, very setaceous, concave in frotit, anterolateral angles broadly rounded, posterior margin slightly sinuate. Posterior margin of meso- and metanotum deeply emarginate. 11 hiys (Mgs. 206, 207).— Small, slender ; radial sector and margin (excepting proximal one-third of posterior inaigin) very setaceous ; forewing with twelve, the hindwing with nine branches from the cubitus, the eighth in forewing and seventh and eighth in hindwing generally forked. Membrane densely covered with micrasters and ivith few setae. d I easurenients . — Length with wings . . .. 8 -00- 8 -50 ,, without wings .. .. .. 4 -25-4 *50 Head, base to clypeofrontal suture, long . . Q-65 ,, base to apex of labrum, long , . .. 14)8 ,, at and including eyes, nude . . . . 0 •85-4) ‘88 [ 100 ] TEP.MITES EKOM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Measurements . — mm. Auteimae, lono’ Wings, foreAvings, long ,, ,, wide ., hindwings, long ,, „ wide I’ronotum. long ,, wide 1-50 7 '00 1- 97 6 -50 2- 06 0 -474) '51 0- 74-0 -80 Locality.— Queensland: Kollingstone ((4.K.H., 21.2.21), all castes ; Mareeba (U.F.H., 23.5.21), soldiers and workers : Meringa (P\ H. Taylor, 9 19.12.24), all castes ; Houth dolmston (F.H.T., 9.11.24), soldiers and workers. Identificatio'ii. In response to a request to compare the Kolling- stone s])ecimens with the type imago (a queen) Professor Hjiistedt very kindly ])ointed out certain diflerences and, at the same time, forwarded both the type series and a variety from Laura for examina- tion. flompared with my specimens the type imago is somewhat narrower across the head, has eyes '01 smaller in diameter and has the pronotum slightly shorter and more narrowed posteriorly, l)ut all of these differences are within the range of variation found in the long series of individuals examined. The soldiers agree more closely with the Laura specimens than with the typical form, but tlie latter occurs also at .Meringa witli imagos which appear to lie (}uite typical. In the description the thorax of the type imago is stated to be 0'29 long ; this is evidently a typogra])hical error, the actual length being 0'44. Hiohx/i/.— The termitaria are built, as Mjdberg states, on the base of a tree-trunk or direct on the ground, the nest illustrated by him lieing tyjiical of many found in the vicinity of Rollingstone. One isolated nest measured 2 feet in height by 2 ft. b in. through its long axis (north and south) by 1 ft. 3 in. through its short axis, thus it resembled in form some of the nests of Haniitsnnes ivilsGui Hill described in an earlier paper (Hill, 1922). There is no well-defined division between the hard, blackish outer wall and the more woody interior, such as exists in the nests of Coptotermes .sqi/i., but the formation of the middle portion is not unlike that found in the nests of the latter groiqi, although the design is not nearly so bold. When opened on 21st February the nest contained an immense immlieT- of eo-o's and voung in all stages of development, but alate imagos were^not plentiful, and it appeared that tlie main colonizing flight had taken place some days earlier during or following heavy falls of rain. 'J'he soldiers are pugnacious and, like most of their congeners, crepitate when alarmed. As is well known in other species of this oenus this action is followed instantly by a spring backwards or & [ 101 I TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. sideways whicli carries the insect a distance of | inch to (in this species) 2 inches. Examples from tlie above-mentioned series are in the National .Museum of Victoria. iMiROTERMES ALLENi Mjbberg. Arkiv. for Zoologi, Vol. xii, No. 15, 1920. L oca It ty . — North (lueensla nd . .Mirotermes rroomensis Afjbberg. Arkiv. for Zoologi, Vol. xii. No. 15, 1920. -North-west Australia. 5Iirotermes .\licensis Mjoberg. Arkiv. for Zoologi, Vol. xii. No. 15, 1920. Locality . — N orth Qrieensla nd . Mirotermes septentrionalis, n. sp. Plate IV., figs. 125-127. Soldier. Colour.- Head and antennae orange rufous, labrum yellov' ochre, thorax and legs cream buff, remainder of insect whitish. Head (Ifigs. 125, 126). Large, parallel on the sides, truncate behind ; frontal jirocess short and wide, without lateral jirocesses ; antennal carinae large and heavily chitinized. Antennae (Fig. 127) 14-jointed, 2nd joint a little longer and much narrower than 3rd ; 3rd longer anrl wider than 4th, shortest of all ; 5th and 6th equal. Labrum very long and wide, spreading markedly to the deeply notched apex, (hda narroAv, 0 •228-0 ’255 at its narrowest part. J horar.- Pro)iotum narrowed and sharply bent iqi in front, anterior margin rounded and slightly emarginate, anterolateral angles bluntly rounded, posterior margin rouiuied and emarginate as in anterior border, the entire margin with a scantv fringe of short and moderately .stout .setae. Leys.- Moderately short and stout, with few setae. Abdomen. Elongate, Avidest in the middle, pointed toAvards the apex, AAuth scanty^ long and short pale reddish setae ; cerci large. [ 102 ] TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Measurements.— nini . Head, to apex of frontal process, long . . . . 1 "83 'Pliorax and abdomen, long .. .. 3 '19 Head, wide . . . . . . . . . . 1 '36 ,, deep . . . . . . . . • • 9 ”94 Ib'onotum, long . . . . . . . . . . 0'42 ,, wide .. .. .. . 0‘84 Tibia iii, long .. .. .. .. .. 1 diO Aoca/d,y.- -Northern Territory: Darwin, (l.P'’.H., 24.1.17 (type locality), Stapleton, (I.F.H., 1.5.13 (two series). Affin ities. Closely allied to M. orhns, n. sp., M. quadratus, n. sp., M. tmideni Mjdb., and M. broomensis Mjiib., from all of which it is distinguished by differences in the frontal process, labrum, antennae and contour of the head. Biolorjy. The type series was collected from a dilajiidated tennitarium of Kutermes pasti'iuitor Hill from which the original occupants had disappeared. 44ie same nest was also occupied by a colony of each of the following s]>ecies : M k<)termes sunte/n n. sj)., Rhinotermes sp., and Eutermes sp. The Stapleton series were found in the old tennitarium of Euterrnes palmersto^ii Hill described and illustrated in an earlier paper (P.L.S., N.S.W., xl, 1915, p. 93, pi. 17 and 18) in association with Coptoterm.es acinaeiformis (Frogg.) and Enterm.es sp. Type in the National Museum of Victoria. Mirotermes inprequens, n. sp. Plate IV., figs. 128-131 ; Plate VI., fig. 208 ; Plate IX., fig. 209. Imago. Head dark bay, clypeus much lighter; mouth ])arts, antennae and legs snuff brown ; coxae, pleura and sternites of abdomen darker ; pronotum ami tergites of abdomen a little lighter than head (auburn) ; wings light fuscous. Head. - Very setaceous, like thorax and abdomen ; short and wide, broadly rounded behind, narrowed sharply between the eyes and posterolateral angles of clypeus, a large hairless area of jialer colour than remainder of head in the anterolateral angles between ocelli and posterolateral angles of cly})eus. Fyes relatively large (0-187 X 0-187) and very prominent, close to lower margin of head (0-050). Ocelli large, oval, twice as long as wide (0-034 X 0-068), oblique, about half their width from eyes. Postclypeus twice as wide as long (0-170 X 0-340), markedly convex, hemispherical behind, truncate in front, with a distinct dark brown median suture. Anteclypeus large, half as long as postclypeus, sides short and ex- panding anteriorly, anterior margin obtusely augulate. Labrum 1 103 ] TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REOION. moderately large, narrowed at the base, widest in the middle, broadly rounded in front, yellow, witli numerous setae. Antennae (hig. 129) 14-]ointed ; 1st joint large, nearly twice as long as wide ; 2nd half as long as 1st ; 3rd shorter than 5th ; 4th shorter and narrower than 3rd ; 6th to 14th very long ; 3rd rarely shorter than 4th. hontanelle linear, nearly as long as postclypeiis, very narrow. Thorax (Fig. 128). Pronotum nearly truncate in front, Avith the extreme margin slightly raised, sides rounded, posterior margin broailly roundeil and without emargination. Posterior margin of meso- ami metanotum deeply and acutely notched. Wha/H (Figs. 208, 209). Padius and radical sector dark broA\m ; only base of media dark, remainder \mry imlistinct but discernible to its extremity by a row of minute setae along its course ; cubitus Avith about nine branches in the foreAving ami from nine to twelve in the hindAving, all but the six or seven proximal ones very indistinct. Membrane Avith numerous minute setae, chiefly on A^eins, and densely covered Avith micrasters. Fore and himlAvings of about equal size. Legs. Slender ; claws long and slender. Abdomen. Short, })arallel on the sides, bluntly ])ointed at the apex ; cerci small. M eas ur erne Ids . - - mm. Length AAuth Avings . . . . . . . . 7'50 ,, Avithout AAungs .. .. .. . . 4*00 Head, to apex of labrum, long . . . . . . 0’86 ,, to clypeofrontal suture, long .. .. 0'52 ,, Avide . . . . . . . . . . 0 *76 Pronotum, long . . . . . . . . . . 0‘34 ,, Avide . . . . . . . . 0 *59 Wings, long . . . . . . . . . . 6‘40 ,, Avide . . . . . . . . . . 1 •70 Tibia iii, long .. .. .. .. .. 0’74 Abdomen, Avide . . . . . . . . . . 0'85 ()UEEN. Total length, 6 ‘50 mm. ; abdomen, Avide, 1’40 mm. Soldier. Colour. Head raAV sienna, clypeus and irons Sanford's broAvm ; labrum hyaline Avith ochraceous area in middle. Head (Fig. 130).— Shagreened, with scattered setae aboAm and on sides, more numerous on irons and especially near fontanelle ; short and Avide, truncate in front, Avidest behind antennal fossae, slightly narroAveil posteriorly to the nearly truncate hind margin ; frontal process dark, very small, hardly projecting beyond the irons ; 1 101 1 termitp:;s from thp] Australian rpxuon. fontanelle situated midway between clypeo frontal suture and frontal piocess. Labium with anterolateral angles produced into acute })omts. Antennae (Fig. 131) 14-jointed ; 1st long and stout, rather more than half as wdde as long ; 2nd as long as 1st is wide, narrowest ah base ; 3rd one-fifth shorter than 2nd, widest in middle ; 4th shortest and narrowest of all ; 5th a little longer and wider than ord ; 6th to 14th progressively longer ; 14tli as long as 1st, one- third as wide as long. Llypeus nearly quadrate ; ' anteclypeus whitish, loiinded m front ; frons concave, shagreened, rugose. Thorax.- Pronotum very small, less than half as wdde as liead, sharply bent up in front, anterolateral angles prominent, sides sloping t() the slightly emarginatc rounded posterior margin, entire margin with scanty fringe of moderately stout reddish setae. Legs.- Moderately stout, wdth few' setae. Abdomen.- Elongate-oval, ])ointed tcnvards the apex, wddest in middle, with scanty long and short setae. Measurements. - 211111 . Total length . . . . . , , . . . 3’29 Head, to apex of frontal process, long . . . , 1 -08 ,, at wddest part, wdde . . . . . . ()*87 ,, at narrowest part, w'ide .. .. . . 0‘75 Pronotum, long . . . . , . . . . . 0-23 wdde .. .. .. .. 0-40 Tibia iii, long .. .. .. .. .. 0*56 W'ORKER. Colour.- Head, thorax, legs ami antennae straws yellowL Head. Slightly longer than wide, posterior half hemispherical, antennal fossae large, frons flattened, clothed wdth moderately large reddish setae ; postclypeus large, markedly convex and arcuate behind, twdce as wdde as long, wdth scattered reddish setae ; ante- clyjieus very short and broad, anterior margin obtusely angulate. Antennae 14-jointed ; 4th joint shortest, about half as long as 3rd. Thorax.- Pronotum tw'o-thirds the wddth of head, similar in shape to that of soldier, wdth scanty reddish setae as on meso- and metanotum. HWowcw.-- Elongate-oval, wddest in the middle, tapered to the pointed apex. Lomlitg. South-west Australia ; Wongong (type locality), Lud- low', Armadale. Collected by Mr. 3. Clark. Affinities. The small size of the imago and the shajje of the head of the soldier distinguish this from any other knowm Australian species. Types (imago, soldier and worker) in National Museum of Victoria. TEEMI'rES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Mirotermes quadratus, n. sp. Plate IV, fig. 1-^2. Soldier. Wry closely allied to M. hroommsLs Mjdb., from North-west Australia, a co-type of wldcli 1 have liad for comparison. It dift'ers in Imvino markedly smaller antenmil joints, more deeply notched la brum "tuore prot'uiueut and elevated frontal process and more prominent lateral processes (Fig. i:52). The head and bo< I y measure- ments are ap])roximately the same, d'he antennae arc 14-]omted , 1st joint very long, narrow at the base, widening towards tlie apex, vvdiere it is half as wide as long ; 2nd, 2rd and 4tli equal in lengtli, al)out half as long and wide as 1st ; 2nd a little narrower than drd and 4th ; bth longer and wider than 4th ; bth to 14th inc leasing in length progressively ; 14th one-third longer than oth. Local It I/. Northern 4'erritory : Strqileton ((n.b.ll., 2d. 12. 12). Described from a single specimen found in a termitarium of ^llcnvcerote■rmes nerrosus, n. sp., whiidi contained also one soldier of an undescribed species of 1 1 ami tenues -dod numerous ants {Camponotus novaeMlamlae Mayr. and Kuponera latea Mayr., var. clam t'rawley). Type in the National Museum of Victoria. Mirotermes sunteri, n. sp. Plate IV fio's. Idd ldb ; Plate VI., fig. 210 ; Plate IX., fig. 211 ; Plate VI 1., figs. 222, 224. Imago. Colour. Head, pronotum and anterior one-third of meso- and metanotnm and first three abdominal tergites dark chestnut, re- maining tergites shading to antique brown ; under surface antique brown, '"pleura and sixth sternite of abdomen (9) darkest, the first five sternites buckthorn brown with lateral dark areas. Wings fuscous, as in M. cheeh Mjfib. Head (Fig. Idd). Broadly rounded behind, flat on summit, setaceous. Fyes large (0 -205 0 -272), circular, rather coarsely facetted, not prominent, separated from lower inargin of head by a space equal to one-fifth their diameter. Ocelli large, broadly oval, seiiarated from the eyes by a space nearly equal to that seqiaiating eyes from lower margin of head. Fontanelle linear. Postclypeus convex, less than twice as wide as long, semicircular behind, truncate in front ; antecly{)ens short and slightly produced anteriorly. Babruin narrowed' at the base, wide in the middle and bluntly pointed in front. Antennae (Fig. 135) 15-jointed ; 3rd joint shortest and narrowest ; 4th and 5th equal. Mandibles (Fig. 134u and h) with very long apical tooth. 1 100 I termites from the AUSTRALIAN REGION. Thorax (Fig. 136). -Pronotum very large, nearly as wide as head, anterior margin slightly concave and elevated, sides sloping shar])ly to the rounded posterior margin, which is not emarginate, the margins densely Iringed with long ])ale setae, remainder of surface i-ather densely clothed with shorter setae. Posterior margin of meso- and metanotum deeply notched. Wings (Figs. 210, 211). -Similar to those of M. melviUensis (Hill) ; densely covered with micrasters. Legs. Moderately short and stout, densely setaceous. Abdomen.- Nearly parallel on the sides, tapered to the bluntly pointed apex ; tergites and sternites densely clothed with h)ug and short setae ; sixth sternite in the female very long. Measurements . — Length with Avings . . ,, without wings Head, to apex of labrum, long ,, to clypeofrontal suture, long ,, wide Wings, forewings, long ,, wide ,, hindwings, long ,, wide 5 ) >’ Pronotum, long ,, wide Tibia iii, long Abdomen, wide mm. 9 *25-9 -50 5 -GO 0-98 0-59 0-88 7 -50 2 -GO 7-3G 2-G5 G-61 0-85 G-76 1*12 SonniER. Very closely allied to M. alieensis Mjbb., but differing in the following characters : Frontal jn'ocess wider at the base, and i)roccsses at tlie side of it smaller, lalnaim distinctly narrower antennal carinae more pi'ominent, mandibles more slender, liead (Fig. 137) deejier and of different shape. The antennae (tig. 138) are similarly segmented. Measurements . — Total length Head, to apex of frontal process, long ,, wide „ deep Pronotum, long ,, wide Tibia iii, long mm. 6-15-6-3G 1-59 1 -71 1 -G2 G-8G-G-85 G-34 G-68 G-88 Locality.- Northern Territory : Darwin (type locality) and other localities southward to Stapleton, 7G miles from Darwin. 1 107 ] 'l’I<:iliMlTKS THE AITSTKAI.IAN KK(JION. TliirtV'thrce newt-series examined (colleeted by (I.K.H.), of wliicli number sixteen were from tlieir own termitaria and seventeen from tlie termitaria of species in otlier yenera. HioiofUj. Small communities are cotnmotdy found in raml)liny t)assayes in tlie walls of occu|)ied or abandoned termitaria of otlier species, in wliicli tliey b.nd sidlicient accommodation until the jiro- duction of alate forms commences, when they jiroceed to build tor tliemselves. The result may lu^ a, rounded excrescence on the side of the original termitarium or a low dome-shajied mound at the foot of it (see bhy. 224) ; iu either case it is a cons|)icuous object on account of its dark yrey or blackish colour. Isolated mounds are common and are invai'iably built on a stump or upon the yround overlyiny a stum[), root or loy. 4 he termitarium illustrated in Kiy. 222 is also a commou type and indicates the extent of daniaye that may be done to fencc'-posts, house-blocks and other wooden objects. 4'he following field notes refer to this species : (1) 24 miles soutli-east from Darwin, 14.1.12. Soldiers and woi'kers from an abandoned mound of ExtermeH /lahinrsfovi Hill, in 'wliich was found also a colony of each of the following species : llamitermes {Ih'epano- fermes) se])fen/rioiial is Mill, M irotennes iiiclrilleiisis (Mill), /laniifermes sj). and Eiilernies sp. (2) Same locality and date. (,)ueen, soldiers and workers from nest resembling .1/. nielrilletfsis (l^dy. 222) built over and around hardwood pile supporting sheetiny at foot of railway embankment ; pile almost completely destroyed ; (pieen in small flattened cell about 20 mm. in diameter by 5 mm. liiyli. (2) Jiatchelor. 17.2.12. ()ueeu. soldiers and workers from a mound similar to that illustrated by Fiy. 222, built around trunk of dead Kucah/pfifs ti'ei' iu forest ; ipieeu in small cell at yround level in centre of mound. (4) Same locality and date. Soldiers and workers from bia(4e termitarium built at the fiase of a MeUilomt tree. 'File middle of the mass contained a large colony of Coptotennes acinavifonhis (Frogg.) completely envelo])ed in a dense coveiing of black earthy material 12 inches or more in tluckness, wliich contained three distinct coloi\ies of T//ro- fernies, eacli with a fully developed first-form (]ueen, alate imagos, I 108 I ^’lORMri’KS RHOM 'I’ll 10 AUSTItALIAN KKAaoN. soldiers and workers. Other parts of the mass contaiued a larL>e colony of ants {Opiailiopsis haddom Km. atid (drmjionoliis iiorae- hoUavdae Mayr.). (D) Same locality and date. .All castes, inchidiipu,' alate imagos and a (jneen, Irom a ternntaruim similar to that illnstrated hy Kio'. from the base ol a mound ol hiile.rnie.s loHt/i pe/HHis Mill. (10) 40 miles west from Stapleton, 2.10.14. .Alat(‘ imagos, soldiers and worker's from a blackish irreynlarly-shapr'd mound brrilt over' a, loy lyiny upon the o;round. (11) Dai'win, ,40.10.14. Soldiers and workers in termitai'ium of ^l im>cemfernie.s nmm.s (Hill). (12) Darwin, -b.lO.bb. .Alate imayos, soldiers and workers from a dome-sliaped earthy mound 12 inches high on rail- way embankment ; most of the colony in a tree trunk lying 0 inches below the surface. (14) Darwin, 14.'l0.1,b. .Mate imagos, soldiers and workers fi'oin a ty])ica! mound built jrartly on ground and jrartly on stem of MacTozain la plant ; the majoT'ity ol the imagos wru'C seen to leave the colony during heavy I'atn. two days earlier. (D1) Da.rwiii, 19.9.10. All castes, including alate inragos, frortt a |)arallel-sided, round-topped mound 12 inclies higlt and built over' a large root several inches Irelow the surface. 4’y[res (inrago aird soldier) in the National Museum of Victoria. MiRO'I’KRMEvS KANKSIENSIS, n. S[). Plate IV., figs. 1.49-144 ; Plate AH., fig. 212 ; Tlate IX., fig. 214. 1 MAGO. Colour. Head and pronotum very dark cliestnut ; postclypeus and labrum distinctly lighter, a little darker than antennae, legs atid mouth-])arts ; anteclypeus whitish, hyaline ; ventral surface same colour as legs, the sternites dark brown laterally ; wings dark fuscous. Head (Idg. 149). Very hairy; fontanelle lanceolate, nai'rowed anteriorly; antennae (Kig. 14 1) 15-jointed. \'ery closely related to M. cheeli Mjbb., from which species it may be distinguished by the lollowmg characters; Head moie setaceous, postclypeus much ligliter ; wings smaller, lighter and with different micrasters ; head and body lighter coloured (iTiore reddish) ; ocelli larger (0-080 X 0*112, as agaiiist 0*004 X 0*00-4 -75 (>•85-1 -19 0 •45-0 -62 0-85-1 -08 0-28-0 -80 0-57 0-62 0-85-0-91 Described f?'oni two irnagos, one soldier and two workers from near the ground in the clayey wall of a termitarium of Coptotermes aci/iiaciforna.s (Krogg.), which was itihabited also by a colony of ^! ioroceroferine.'i fufiax, n. sp. (D.F.H., 21.12.12). Ty|)es (imago, soldier and worker) in tlie National .Museum of \4ctoria. .Mikotermes octa’LTUS, n. si). IMate IV., figs. 147 149 ; Idate VI., fig. 215. I MA(!(). Colour. Head chestnut ; [lostclypeus clay colour ; labrum liglit orange yellow ; thorax and abdomen a little lighter than head ; under surface, wings and legs ochraceous tawiry. [lead (Fig. 147). Small, bi'oadly rounded beldnd, moderately setaceous, hairs short. Fontanelle long and narrow, obscurely forked anteriorly, its anterior end in line with the middle of the eyes. Eyes relatively large (0-187 X 0-187), prominent, finely facetted. Ocelli large, broadly oval, separated from the eyes by a s])ace equal to their breadth. Fostclypeus small, about one-third wider than long (0-204 X O-.'lOb), truncate in front, moderately convex, median suture not very distinct, with scattered, moderately long setae ; antec'lypeus large, nearly half as long as iK)sti‘lyi)eus, slightly pro- duced in front. Eabrum long and rather narrow, narrow at base, I'ounded in front. Mandibles (Fig. 148) with the a[)ical tooth markedly longer than the succeeding one. Antennae 14-jointed ; 2rd joint very little smallei' than 4th ; 5th to Kith increasing in size progressively. TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Thorax (Fig. 149). - l^roiiotum wide, nearly as wide as head and similarly clothed ; anterior margin slightly sinuate, with extreme edge elevated and with indistinct emargination ; sides sloping to the markedly sinuate posterior margin ; a deep impression on either side of the median line just behind the upturned anterior border. Posterior margin of meso- and metanotum deeply emarginate. Wings (Fig. 215). Wing-stumps covering about two-thirds of their respective nota, base of veins distinct. Wings small ; radial sector noticeably darker than other veins ; inedia traversing the wing above the middle and joining the margin at the apex, simple or with two or three branches ; cubitus with ten to twelve branches, the first five to eight moderately distinct, all discernible to the border, the last sometimes with one or two branches. Membrane with or without mmute setae, generally present on forewdng and absent on hindwing ; micrasters very small and quite distinct from those of other species. Legs. — Short and moderately stout, rather densely clothed wdth long setae ; claws long. M easurements . — Length with wings . . „ without wings Head, to apex of labrum, long „ to clypeofrontal suture, long ,, wide Pronotum, long ,, wide Wings, long ,, wide Tibia iii, long Abdomen, wide mm. 7 •50-8 00 3 •70 4 15 0 ■80 0 90 0 •42 0 47 0 •08 (1 71 0-34 0-59 6*75 1 •65 1 •76 0-44 0-90 Locality. — Northern Territory : Koolpinyah. Described from specimens collected on the wing at sundown (G.F.H., 23.11.13). A few specimens of M. froggatti (Flill), or a very closely allied species, were associated with them. Affinities.- Distinguished from M. taylon (Hill) by slightly larger eyes, oval ocelli, 14-jointed antennae, much shorter and wider pro- notum, and from M. froggatti (Hill) by its smaller size, smaller eyes and ocelli and distinctly different pronotum. Type in the National Museum of Victoria. 1608.— 8 I 113 I TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. UTP]RATURE. Desneux, J. (1905). Isoptera of New Cluiiiea. Aim. Mus. Nat. Huiif^arici, Vol. iii. Froggatt, W. W. (189t)- 7). Aii.straliaii Tennitidae. Proc. Liim. Soc. N.S.W., VoLs. xxi and xxii. Frocjgatt, W. W. (1915). Whit' Ants. Department of Agriculture, N.S.W., Pdirmers' Bulletin No. liO. Hh.l, G. F. (1915). Northern Territory Termitidae. Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., Vol. xl. Hill, G. F\ (1921). White Ant Pe.st in North Australia. Commonwealth In.stitute of Science and Industry, Bulletin No. 21. Hill, G. F. (1921). New and Rare Australian Termites. Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., Vol. xlvi. Hill, G. F^. (1922). On Some .Australian Termites of the Genera Drepaiiotermes, Hamitermea and Leucotennes. Bull. Flntom. Re.s., ITil. xii. Hill, G. F. (1922). Descriptions and Biology of Some North Australian Termites. Proc. Idiin. Soc. N.S.W., Vol. xlvii. Holmgren, N. (1909). Termitenstiidieii. Kungl. Sv. vet. Akad. Handl., Bd. 44, No. :l Holmgren, N. (1911). Neu-Guinea Termiten. Alitt. aus dem Zool. Mus. Berlin, Bd. 5. Holmgren, N. (1912). Neue Termiten aus dem Deutschen Entom. Mus. Flntoni. Mitteiluogen, Bd. 1, No. 9. Holmgren, N. and K. (1915). Termiten aus Neu-Caledonien und den benachbarten Inselgruppen. Sarasin and Koux, Nova Caledonia, Zook, Vol. ii. No. 6. Mjoberg, E. (1920). llesults of Dr. E. Mjoberg’s Swedish Scientific Flxpeditions to Australia 1910-13. Arkiv. for Zoologi, Bd. .xii, No. 15. Hidgway, R. (1912). Colour Standards and Nomenclature. Washington. SiLYESTRi, F. (1909). Die Fauna Siidwest-Australiens, Isojitera, Vol. ii. No. 17. Tillyarj), R. ,1. (1919). Studies in Au.stralian Neuroptera, No. 7. Proc. Linn Soc. N.S.W., Vol. .xliii. Snyder, T. E. (1924). Descri])tions of New S])ecies and Hitherto Unknown Castes of Termites from America and Hawaii. Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., Vol. 64, art. No. 6. TEEMITES FROM THE AUSTKAEIAN EE(J1()N. EXPLANATION OK Pl.ATES. Ki.si. 1. 2. o O. 4 . 5 . (i. 7 . 8 . 9 . 10 . 11 . 12 . 13 . 14 . 15 . ](). 17 . 18 . 19 . 20 . 21 . 22 . 23 . 24 . 25 . 2G. 27 . 28 . 29 . 30 . 31 . 32 . 33 . 34 . 35 . 3 ( 1 . Plate I. Caloterme^i (Neolenjies) papun liiuvsio ; Desn. ,, ,, „ Soldier 5 5 5 5 {Crijptolermeti) gulosus, n. sj). IiuaKo Soldier ,, [Cry plot er me a) Imago primuH, Hill ■ ) (Cryptotennefi) ,, repentinus, n. sj). Voptotermes reiHotus, ii. sp. . . Soldier „ inic/iaelseHi Silv. ,, oldrahi.s, ii. ,s]>. ., Rhinolenncfi umbraticut-, ii. .sp. ,, Kulennes rujiroRris, n. sp. . . ,, 5 ? 55 ■ ■ -> 5 .'< 5 5 • • 5 5 yandwiends, n. sj). Imago ; 55 55 55 ,, Soldier ,, kaewienyetids, n. .sp. Iimigo : 1 ,, Soldier 5 5 5 5 Microcerotcrmeii hiroi (Desm) Imago : ,, umbritarsus, n. s]>. ,, Soldier 5 5 5 5 rep uy nans, n. s[). ,, head. mandihlcs. antenna. ])ronotum. head, ])ronotum and posterior margin of me.so- and metanotnm. antenna, basal joints, antenna, a])ical joints. : head in profile. Iiead from above. pronotnm and i)osterior margin of meso- and metiuiotum. antenna, pronotum. ])ronotnm and posterior margin of meso- and metanotnm. : head. pronotum and po.sterior margin of meso- and mefanotum. head in ])rofile. head from above, antenna, head. pronotnm and posterior margin of meso- and metanotum. head in profile, head from above, antenna. lead, jironotnm and posterior margin of meso- and metanotum. head in jirofile. ]ironotum ami jiosterior margin of meso- and metanotum. head, pronotum and posterior margin of meso- and metanotum. antenna, head, antenna. head and pronotum. mandibles. antenna. 1 15 'rERMrrKs from 'phe austraman jiegion. Fig. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 4(). 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66 . 67. 68 . 69. 70. 71. I’l.ATE II. Leucnlermes paradoxus (Frogg.) vnlidus (Hill) oceiduus, ii. ,s]). vagus, 11 . s}). „ vcnusfus, 11 . s]). M icroceroi ermes serratiis (Frogg. disfincfus Silv. van us (Hill) 5 5 55 Imago : head and jironotiim. Soldier : head in profile. ,, head from above. ,, pronotum and posterior margin of mesonotum. Imago : head. ,, pronotum and posterior margin of me.so- and metanotum. Soldier ; a.ntenna. ,, mandible. ,, pronotum. Imago ; head and pronotum. ,, antenna. Soldier : antenna. ,, head. ,, antenna (14-jointed). ,, antenna (13-jointed). Imago : head in profile. ,, antenna. Soldier ; mandible and labrum. „ palpus. „ antenna. Imago : antenna. ,, ])ronotuni and jiosterior margin of me.so- and metanotum (two forms). Soldier ; head (Townsville, N.Q.). ,, heail (type locality). ,, head (Townsville, N.Q.). „ gula. ,, antenna. Imago : head. ,, pronotum and posterior margin of meso- and metanotum. ,, antenna. ,, head. ,, pronotum and posterior margin of meso- and metanotum. Soldier : head (showing two forms of antenna). „ head (var. from Banks Is.). ,, gula (var. from Banks Is.). 72. 73. 74. 75. MicroceroterniPs lead, n. s}>. 55 55 *' 55 7(). 77. 78. 55 nervosus, ii. sp. l’l..\TE III. Imago : head. „ antenna. „ pronotum. posterior margin of meso- and metanotum. Soldier ; head. Imago ; antenna. pronotum and posterior margin of meso- and metanotum. I 116 I TERMITES EROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. P LATK HI. -contiuved. new)nani^ ii. sp. gladius, n. «p. boreus, n. sp. J) fug ax, n. sp. Fig. 79. Micfoceroternies, nervo.sui^, n. sp. 80. 81. 82. 83. 84. 85. 86 . 87. 88 . 89. 90. 91. 92. 93. 94. 95. 96. 97. 98. 99. 100 . 101 . 102 . 103. Mirotermes hisiformis (Frogg. taylori, n. .sp. mendicus, n. sp. 104. 105. 106. 107. 108. 109. no. 111. 112 . 113. 114. 115. 116. 117. 118. 119. kme-pelini Silv. melvillensis (Hill) Imago Soldier Soldier ; head and pronotum. „ mandibles and labruin. „ antenna, antenna. pronotum and posterior margin of meso- and znetanotum. head. head, pronotum and gula. ,, antenna. ,, head and pronotum. „ mandibles, labruin and antenna. Imago : head. „ pronotum. ,, posterior margin of meso- and metanotum (two forms), antenna. head, pronotum and gula. antenna, head, gula. antenna. pronotum and posterior margin of meso- and metanotum. antenna, mandibles, head, antenna. pronotum and posterior margin of meso- and metanotum. mandibles, head. mandibles, antenna, thorax. head in profile, head viewed obliquely. Soldier ; ?? fj )J )J Imago : 5 5 Soldier : Imago : 53 Imago : 33 35 33 Soldier D viewed ■D.” ’ E.” Imago : 35 Soldier head, var. obliquely, antenna of var. antenna of var. head. pronotum and posterior margin of meso- and metanotum. head in profile, head from above, labrum. antenna. 120. Mirotermes taylori (Hill) 121. ,, froggatli {H\W) 122. ,, cheeli Mjbb. 123. Plate IV. Soldier : head. „ head. Imago : head. ,, antenna. [ 117 1 TKKMITKS FROM TJHF AUSTRALIAN REGION. Pi.ATio IV. continued. lOg. 124. M t niteniies cheeli Jlilib Iiiiago : proriotuni ami posterior margin 12.5. septeutriomdifi. ii. sp. , . of meso- and metanotuin. Soldier : head in profile. I2t). ,, 33 ■ • „ head from above. 127. 33 • • ,, antenna. 128. 5 5 iufrei/ueiiti, n. sp. Imago ; thorax. 129. 5 ’ 33 ,, antenna. J.30. J > ’3 Soldier : head, pronotum and labrum. 1.31. ) ‘ ,, antenna. 1.32. ’ J fjundratu.s, n. sp. ,, head. 1.3.3. > 5 ,‘ointeri, ti. sp. Imago : head. 1.34. J ? 3 3 ,, mandible.s (“a” left, “b” right). 13.5. ; ? 33 ,, antenna. 1.36. 3 3 • • ,, pronotum and po.sterior margin 1,37. 5 > >3 of meso- and metanotnm. Soldier : head. 1 .38, 5 5 3 3 ,. antenna. 139. ; ? Imul'sienftis, ii. sp. Imago ; liead. 140. y ? J, ,, pronotum ami posterior margin 141. >> of meso- and metanotuni. ,, antenna. 142. 143. 33 • • Soldier : head viewed obliquely. 33 • • ,, antenna. 144. >> orhn.'i. n. sp. Imago : jironotum and posterior margin 145. 3 3 of meso- and inetanotum. Soldier ; head in jirofile. 146. 5 5 3 3 ,, head frpm above. 147. ? ? ncc.ultufi, Ti. sp. Imago : Iiead. 148. J * 3 3 • • ,, mandibles. 149. 3-1 ,, thorax. 1,50. Plate (Udoteymes {Neoiermes) papna J)esn. V. Forewing. 151. (Cryptotermefi) ytdo.'ius, n. sp. . . . . ,, 1,53. {(rhjptotermefi) sranfhokdrrum , n. sp. . . Wings. 155. ) 1 (Cryptotermeif) (dtripe.‘i Flolm gr. . . . . Forewing. 157. Etilermes yandvniensi», ii. sp. 1.59. 5> kaeivienyensis, ii. s]>. • • • • 53 161. M icroceroterme.^ hiroi (Desn.) • . . . J, 163. ; ! wiihritars'HS, ii. s);. . . Wings. 165. }? froyyypti, n. sp. Forewing. 167. Leucotermey fero.r (Frogg.) 169. J5 paradorm (Frogg.) • . . . ,5 171. ; J (dnrki Ffill ■ * • ■ 33 173. validu.f (Hill) . . 175. 5 5 occiduus, 11. s]). • • • • 33 177. 3 5 venu.stus, ii. sji. • • • • 53 179. M icroceroterme.fi serratuft (Frogg.) Wings. 181. 3 5 dutinctus Silv. Forewing. f !18 1 TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Plate VI. Fig. 183. Microcefotermes nwnuft (Hill) 181). ,, leai, n. ,sj). 188. vervosufs, ri. sj). 190. 192. 194. 196. 198. 200. Mil' 202 . 204. 206. 208. 210 . 212 . 214. 215 . „ ‘newmani, n. s]). „ boreus, n. sp. .. laylori, n. sp. ., mend'icus, n. sp. otermes hi'isifonuis (Frogg.) ,, kraepelini 8ilv. ., melvilk'Hnis (Hill) „ cheeli Mj(')l). ,, lufmjiK'Hs n. s]). ,, .mnteri, ii. sp. . . ,, h(mkfii.eiisi,s, n. sp. ,, oi'bus, n. sji. ,. occultus, n. s[). Forewing. Wings. Forew ing. Wijigs. Forewing. ■) 5 Hind wing. Forewing. Plate VI 1. 218. 219. 220 . 221 . 222 . 223. 224. 4'erinitarium of M icrocerolermes nervosus, n. sp. „ „ boren.% n. s]). n. sj). Miroterme.s iiielvillevsis (Hill). Bathurst Island, Northern Territory. MirotermeK inelvilleiidfi (Hill). Darwin, Northern 4'erritory. MirolermeH .sviileri, n. .sp. at Base of fence post. Darwin, Northern Territory. Mirolermes sunferi, n. ,sp. partly on ground and partly on wall of terniitariuin of Coptotermes acinacdformis (Frogg.). Stapleton, Northern Territory. Plate Vlll. 152. Cahtermes (Cryptotermes) yulusus, n. sp. 154 _ „ [Glyptotermes) xan/holahnim, n. s]>. ] 56 _ ,, (Cry plot e,rmPs) alhipes Holmgr. 158. Eiitermes ymidinieiisi.i^, n. sp. 100. „ Imewieiiyeiifiiii, n. 162. Micrncerolerwcs bi'i'oi (Desn.) 1(54^ n. s]). 166. „ fru(jfpiUi,n. 168. Leucotennes ferox (Frogg.) 170, /M/Y/dorus (Frogg.) 172. ,, darki (Hill) 174^ ,, vididus (Hill) 17fp occ.idmis, n. up. 17P_ vemislus, n. sp. 180. Microcerotermefi serratus (Trogg.) lo.T disiinclus \ J5 I 119 1 Wing membrane TERMITES FROM THE AUSTRALIAN REGION. Plate IX. Fig. 184. Micmeerolermes (Hill) Wing meinbranp. 185. ? 5 pannceps Mjob 187. leai, n. sp. 189. 5 5 nervosus, n. sp. 191. 5 ? ufiivinanl, n. sp 193. J5 imreus, n. sp. 195. 5 J fufiax, u. sp. 197. > ? laylori, n. sp. 199. J > niendicu.‘t, n. sp 201. Miro/fliinen h'i-nformis ( hXogg.) 203. ? 5 l-mepelini Silv. 205. ; 5 rnelvUletmft (Hill) 207. j ? clieeli Mjob 209. 5? infrerpuens, n. s]>. 211. ,, mnteri, n. sp. 213. 5 5 hanl’siensis, n. sp. f 120 I ilEM. Nat. Mus., Melbourne, 7. J’late I. Mem. Nat. Mus., Melhoiirne, 7. Plate IT. ^Iem. Nat. Mus., Melbourne, 7. Plate III. Mem. Nat. Mus., Melbourne, 7. CDtxd^cd /35 Mem. Nat. Mus., Mulbourne, 7. IN.ate V. j()08. 9 Mem. Nat. Mus., Melbourne, 7. Plate VI. .Mem. Nat. Mi's., Meehoukne, 7. I’LATE VII. zia 222 219 221 220 22S Mem. Nat. Mus., Melbourne, 7. Plate VIII. % V. i ■C /52 9% fciK*** • % 160 4 ^ * 4 **f \ tea /54 t "••ir 162 170 /56 % Jk jL ‘or •f jy. /64 * * ^ f* - - f » nz 158 ^ 'I M 166 ■%.: ^ * 1 . *#, 1 ■■•" ‘ ? la. * 774 * .f> IL /76 4^ 41^ ■# /52 r !■ '■‘i !• Mem. Nat. Mus., Melbourne, 7. Plate IX. 1 ^' /84 /8S ^ '* . - W '^' '$> M i “k M, 41 19/ /S3 f , %|| # y ..M ••®. if ^■’, ■ e ■' JL. 1 J||^ .-^ y ♦ fltr 199 2£)/ 1 #■ # X u 207 ^ ' 4^ * 1%. 20 $ 10 187 I i ' U ^ ^ , 4 f 1 * /S5 #n.. k M 1 , <«il *1 W f - * .-r a 2 // /83 ■> •a^» /57 # ■/ 2^?5 I, 2/J TRIASSIC FLORA OF BALT) HILL. MONOGRAPH ON THE TRIASSIC FLORA OF BALD HILL, BACCHUS MARSH, VICTORIA, By Frexlerick' Chajmia)h, A.L.S., F.R.M.H., Palaeontohyist to the National Mnsewin, Melboimis. (Plates X.-XIIT. and text figure.) I. — Introduction II. — Previous Keference.s III. — Description of the Plant Remains IV. — Range, in Time of Genera and Species V. — Geographical Relationships of the Fossils VI. — Conclusions VII.- -Bibliography 1. INTRODUCTION. 'Hie existence of a Triassic flora in tlie Bacclius Marsh District was suggested and tentatively field by geologists for many years, but the evidence luid been obscured by the confusion of two horizons. Thus, Sir Kredk. Mct'oy was always impressed with tlie 'Priassic aspect of the Bacchus Marsh flora as a whole ; and the earlier mistaken view, that the “ Fchizoneura bed occurred beneath the (Fmgamopteris sandstone of Bacchus Marsh, only added to the difficulty. Writing in 1892, McCoy^ said that he recognized Lower Triassic rocks in specimens obtained by W. H. Ferguson “ from a newly discovered bed just under the famous Gmigamopteris sandstone of Bacchus Mar.sh,” in which he identified Schizoneura and Zevgo- phyllites. Apjiarently the error of inverting the relative positions of these two beds arose through a slip in draiving the preliminary sketch, though Mr. Ferguson correctly represents in sketch-section Xo. 1, sent to the National Museum on 29th July, 1891, the (FinganiopterF beds underlying the adjacent rocks that contain the ScJuzoneura flora (see text-fig. pi. 128). In some notes on glacial de[)osits of Bacchus Marsh, Messi's. OHicer and Balfour^ refer to xMcCoy's determination of Schizoneura and Ftilophyllum from this locality, and state They all come from the Sehizoneti'm bed a thin clayey band about 4 inches in width. TTe horizon is appareiitly above that of the Ganyamopteris beds. 1 McCoy, F. 1892, p. 30. (Fill! references are given at tlie end of tliis work.) 2 Officer and Balfour 1894-, p. 143. I 121 ] TIUASSTC KLOKA OF BALD HIBL. Since tliese references to a Triassic flora were made, 1 aemoptens Sweeti has been discovered, and the present writer has reviewed this and other forms of the flora in later papers, notes on winch are made in the next section, on the literature. Ouite lately other fossils have been collected by Mr. F. A Simdeton, uA, and myself. These, together with the ori^nal exainples collected by Mr. Ferguson in 18^1 many of which ^lav" never been referred to, seem to fairly establish the claims of this interesting bed as a re|)resentative of the Triassic system m Victoria. i • • The classic section in which these plant remains are found is in a trench in the (’oiincil Paddock at Bald Hill ; and it may be useful for future collectors to refer to the a])])ended notes, which were made by Mr. Singleton and myself, of the exposed beds. It may be remarked that Messrs. Officer and Balfour gave details only slightly differing from those now furnished, in their jiaper on the Bacchus Marsh glacial beds.^ (Ienerali/ed Section seen in the Paddock, Bald Hill, .Pcly, (Mapman).^ Trench at the Cocnctl 1919. (Singleton and Bed. 8. Sandy shale . - ■ • • • _ _ • • 7. Pebbly conglomerate, grits and chert, with ferru- ginous cement (circ.) 6. Plant remains in fine siliceous sandy shale ^ _. . .0. Friable, curient-bedded sandy shales with seiicite 4^ Shaley siliceous mudstone wdth ])lant remains . . 3. ( ’urrent-bedded sandy shales . . 2. Parting, with pebbles 1. Current-bedded sandy shale (circ.) ft. 9 1 0 0 0 4 0 10 in. 0 6 5 8 6 0 1 0 Base of trench. ir PREVIOUS REFERENCES TO THE BALD HILL. LATER FLORA OF Ferguson, W. H., 1891.'- -This was the first notice by the discoverer, Mr. Ferguson of the Ceological tSiirvey of Victoria, of the higher horizon wdth plants, at Bald Hill. The desciiption runs as follows : “ At the Bald Hill a shallow^ cpiarry has been excavated aiong the crest of a ridge for about 150 yards ; a bed of very fine-grained siliceous sandstone outcrops here, and in it are numerous fossils new' to the Bacchus Marsh Sandstones. They are c[uite distinct from the fossil fern, (janfimnofteris, which up^to tdie present wais the only fossil jilant found in the for mation. I he '1 Furthl'^somaraphic noi.mients on this section will be nnulc in u purer to l,c publushcd by Mr. r. A. singleton, who will deal with the relationsliips of tlie liods nt this loealitr. ') Ferguson. W. H., 1891. |*p. 31-32. 1 122 ] TEIASSIC FLOEA OF BALD HILL. fossils are generally casts, but are occasionally preserved as a film of carbon. The layer that contains the fossils thins out and thickens most capriciously, and is replaced by a conglomerate, which consists of an ironstone matrix thickly studded with small quartz jiebbles, and differs in general appearance from the glacial conglomerate of the district. The new fossils have been sent to Jhofessor McCoy for identification. The deposit is covered by Miocene sands and ironstone layers containing dicotyledonous leaves. The fossil iferous siliceous sandstone rests on 10 feet of ironstone conglomerate, and below the conglomerate in sandy and earthy layers, stained by oxifle of iron, fossil leaves resembling (kvhAjanio'pteris may be obtained and also pieces of wood. About 300 yards to the north of this cj^uarry showing the siliceous rock, a quarry has been opened up in massive sandstone. This foundation lies between glacial con- glomerate and yields various sjiecies of (km(i(i'ino]iteris.’’ Feegilson, W. H., 1891. A manuscript report (in the Xational Museum), not hitherto published, was forAvarded by A. W. HoAvitt, Secretary for Mines, to McCoy on 29th July, 1891. These are notes to accompany a box of fossils from Bacchus Marsh, sent to Professor McCoy : — Leaves •►x (roestone CO Fine St Hr Uviert, niAq uj'irh»X'^C»'OU.S fossU leaves . BdccNos , hortC- (Or Q,i^a.rric<< far~ ’ ' b-u. 1 1 07 O Qua-r-rv/_q / , : ! 1 r oA'i Fqne •• lof-t , we 'Pro denied . / - - — - -AT] tieds vs/iFV^ |-osscyrotaeniopteris) wianamaUae h’eistmantel, and Ptilophgllum Officeri McCoy is identified with Ptilophgllu'm oligoneurmn T. Woods, now a synonym of Ptilopliylhmi {WiJliamsonia.) pecten Phillips sp.^* 111.— DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT REMAINS. Series PTERIDOPHYTA. Class— EQUISETALES. Genus- Phyllotheca, Brongniart, 1828. Phyllotheca indica Bunbury. Plate X., figs. 4, 6, 9. Plate XI., fig. 15. Phyllotheca indica Bunbury, 1861, ()uart. lourn. Geol. Soc., vol. XVII., p. 335, pi. X'., figs. 6-9. Schirnper, 1869, Trade de Paleont. Veg., vol. 1., p. 289. Feistmantel, 1876, Journ. Asiatic Soc., Bengal, vol. LXV., pt. 2, p. 346. Idem, 1880, Mem. Geol. Surv., India- Pal. Indica, ser. XII. Flora of the Gondwana System, vol. HI., pts. 2 and 3, p. 67, pi. XI Ia., figs. 3-9. Oldham, 1893, Manual Geol., India, pi. opp. p. 162. Seward, 1898, Fossil Plants, Cambridge Univ. Press, vol. 1., p. 287, fig. 680. Arber, 1905, Cat. Foss. Plants, Brit. Mus., “ The Glossopteris Flora,” ]). 20, text-fig. 6. 10 McCoy, F„ ISas, p. 285. 1] Arber, E. A. X., 1905, p. 128. 12 Chapman, 1’., 19H, p. 68. 13 Chapman, 1’., 1919, pp. 149-50. 14 AValkom, A. B. 1917, p. 14. [ 125 ] TRIASSIC FLORA OF BALI) HILL. Obsef vat ions. - l^lie plaiit-steins in the present series, referred to Phijllotheca indica, have the characteristic short internodes seen in the Raniganj fossil remains. The slender filamentous leaves found attached, or in close association with the stems, show their relation- ship to the ahove s])ecies rather than to P. au,s'tra/is, which has the leaf-whorls more closely adherent to the stem. This conclusion is further supported by the form of the interjiodes, which tend to widen distally and also bear strong, linear, superficial grooves. The stem in one example (fig. 4) consists of about eight segments, whilst the other (fig. 15) has seven ; it is slender and closely comparable with some of l^Tistmantel s figures of this species. Di'mensions of the Yictonan Spectweas. — The stem here figured (fig. 4) measures at its widest j)art about 2 ■ 3mm. ; the second specimen (fig. 15) has a stem diameter of only l‘5mm.^ Indian s])eciniens figured by Feistmantel measure from 2 '5 to 5mm. in diameter. As a contra-comparison, a ty])ical e.xani])le of Phijllotheca australis in the Xational Museum collection has a stem-diameter of 14mm. Leaves.- Although com])lete leaf- whorls have not been ])reserved in the jiresent instances, the ocwasional leaves are similar to those of P. ittdiea, both in sha])e and habit. 44ie leaves are of moderate length, acicidate, and are bent outward or upward from their point of attachment, and often strongly recurved near the extremity. Rhizowata u ith Tubers. — Portions of straight or flexuous rhizomes, bearing sac-like bodies appended by a filamentous attachment, are not uncommon on some of the slabs of cream-coloured, porcellanous mudstone from the trench on .Bald Hill, two of which are figured (figs. 6 and 9). The coarse sclerenchymatous texture of the rhizome is shown in strong relief, whilst the attaching filaments and tubers are of a more tenuous structure. The latter are represented by a thin imj)ression or mere stain on the rock. T liese sac-like bodies are not so well-rounded as in moderJi Eqiusetaceae, or the fossil Equisetit.es figured elsewhere.'® This irregular form of the tubers may therefore be ])eculiar to the allied genus Phjllotheca , to which, up to the present, no rhizomes or tubers seem to have been assigned. Since these tubers are here associated in the same horizon and on the same slabs, their probable relationship to P. indica seems to be fairly strong. Eodal Diaphrajms. In fig. 15 can be seen two nodal diaphragms, and since they are dis])osed at right angles to the surface of the stem-nodes, seem to point to their having been the nodal attachment of branches ; otherwise to account for their present position on the stem would necessitate their displacement to a plane at right angles to their original position, and this could hardly have taken place If) See E. Bnn-hurdU Danker, figured by C. Hewartl, 1898. p. 279. fig. (55 ; or E. i,ol'oh(imne Sewiird, ibid, j>. 280, flg. 00. Also E. Kontlitim/ieiixin nuipmim, 1912, pi. XII., fig. 1. [ 126 ] TRIAS, SIC FLORA OF BALT) HILL. witlioiit a great amount of distortion in tlie stem. These nodal diaphragms, although small, are not comparable in detailed structure with x\rber’s New Zealand sy)ecies, Phyllotheca nmmta,^^ unless it could be ])roved that these a])parent nodes of the branches differed from the nodes of the stem, to which x4rber's figured specimens seem to belong. Distfihulwn. Phyllotheca bidica Bunbury, has not before been recorded from Australian rocks. It is found in India in the Raniganj sub-stage of the Daniuda stage (Upper series of Lower (fondwana). Divisions of the Lower Gondwana (for reference above) — - Stage Stage Daniuda Talchir • Ironstone Shales [Barakar \ Karharbari ( Talchir proper. Phyllotheca australis Brongniart. (Plate XI., fig. 16.) Phyllotheca australis Brongniart, 1828, Prodr. LTist. Veget. Foss., p. 152. McCoy, 1847, x4n,u. Mag. fshit. Hist., vol. XX., p. 156. Phyllolheca ramosa McCoy, 1847, ibid., ]). 156, pi. XL, figs. 2, 3. Phyllotheca Hooker i McCoy, 1847, ibid., p. 157. ])1. XI., figs. 4-6. Phyllotheca concinna T. M^oods, 1883, Proc. Linn. Soc. X.S. W ales, vol. VI IL, pt. 1., p. 75. pi. IX., fig. 2. Phyllotheca australis Brongn., Feistmantel, 1890, Mem Geol. Surv., N.S. Wales, Pal. No. 3, p. 79, pi. XIV., figs. 2-5. Arber, 1905, Cat. Foss. Plants, Brit. Mus. — The Glossopteris Flora, p. 17, pi. IL, figs. 6-8. Walkom, 1915, Queensland Geol. Surv., Publ. No. 252, “ Mesozoic Floras of Queensland," pt. L, p. 32, pi. 1., fig. 5,^^ WAlkom, 1925, Paper, T., Proc. Boy. Soc. Tas. for 1924, p. 74. Observations. - From an examination of the type specimen in the xMuseum of the Geological Society of London, Prof. A. C. SewanP® was of the opinion that it is impossible to distinguish between P. indica and P. australis. So far as the present writer has been able to judge, from the Australian. exam])les and from the fuller drawings by Feistmantel of Phyllotheca indica, there are some notable points of difference between the two species, which were also remarked upon by Newell Arber. Ki Newc'll Arlicr, lillT. p. 2". |il. U., Hgs. fi and S). J7 l''or more comidele synonymy, see Ardicr. 190S, |i. 17. 18 Seward, 1898, p. 288. 19 Arber, 190,5, j). 21. 1 127 ] IG08. -10 TEIASSIC FLORA OF BALI) HILL. The almost perfect leaf-sheath here figured (fig. 16) shows its cliaracteristic contracted form. It can be matched with a stem of equal diameter in. the National Museum collection, having the whorls in position, and which was obtained from the uppermost coal seams at Newcastle, New Soutli Wales. The figured sjiecimen referred by Dr. Walkoni to this s])ecies, from the Ipswich Series (Trias.), of Denmark Hill, Ipswich, Queens- land, has more distinctly separate leaves than usual ; their shortness and nan'omiess makes them referable to Phi/Uotliem rather than to NeAjmkrmiteff, as Walkom has remarked. Phyllofheca cmiertma T. Woods, from the Hawkesbury Sandstone of Sugarloaf Hill, New South Wales, represents a probable joint with indications of leaf-sheaths, and not unlike the specimen here fiyured (fig. 16). Dmieii'SKms. The leaf-whorl, as preserved in the Bacchus Marsh specimens, has a maximum diameter of 26mm., whilst the lieight of the whorl, that is, the length of the longest leaves, is 35mm. Distribution. Plnjllutheca australis is confined to Australia and lasmauia. It is commonest in the Middle and Uj)per Coal Measures (Permian) of New South Wales, but is occasionally found in the 1 riassic. ^ I he Ipswich Series, in (fiieensland, of similar age, contains this species, as recorded by Dr. Walkoni ; and there is a sjiecimen from Brisbane in the National Museum. Feistmantel recorded Phijllotheca australis from the Mersey Coal-field and the Jerusalem Basin of Tasmania.^” ^ The record of Phyllothpea australis in the Progress Kejjort (No. III.) of the A ictorian Ceological Surv'ev, p. 60, as occurring in the .lurassic of Cape Patterson, a,|)))ears to be open to some doubt. The specimen has not been found in the collection of the National Museum ; there is, ho-wever, an example from the Albeit River, Cippsland. labelled by McCoy as P. australis, but this identification seems open to question, as only the denuded stem is seen, with traces of joints, and might more justifiably be referred to Equisrtites which is not uncommon in those beds. The Cippsland Coal-measures, have generally been acTejited as the equivalent of the upper Mesozoic of (fiieeiLsland (Walloon Series), but there are a few interesting occurrences of exceptional plant species which may, wdth further study, jirove the existence of a Triassic flora as w^ell, and wdiich, from the already kmnvn evidence, must be the case in Tasmania. The w'orking out of the exact succession of floras, in both areas is much to be desired. That for Tasmania has already been com- menced by Dr. Walkom, wJio has recentlv published a paper ou J5ismanian Mesozoic Plants, and the 'writer, in collaboration wnth Miss I. (Mokson, hopes shortiv to undertake the descritition of the Victorian Mesozoic Flora. 20 Feistmantel, 1890. pp. 59-60. 21 Walkom, 1925. [ 128 ] TRIASSIC FLORA OF BALD HILL. (JemiS' -ScHizoNFFRA, 8c]iini{)er and Miigeot, 1844. Hchizoneura microphylla s]). nov. Plate X., tios. 1-3, 5, 7, 8, 10-12. Idate XL, 13, 14, 17, 18. Plate X 1 1 ., fto-. 35. Plate X 1 1 1 ., figs. 43, 48. Description - Steins long, straight, moderately slender ; surface fluted ; pith-casts strongly grooved. Jointed at distant intervals. Leaflets apparently forming a loose sheath and numbering about 7 to 10, small, acicnlate or pointed ovate, sometimes with blunt apices and traces of fission. Bases of leaves inserted in depressions at the nodes. Nodal diaphragms present, resembling those of Equisetites, but radially grooved to the centre. Vestiges of diaphragms seen attached to the stems in the fossils, jirobably representing in some cases the junction of branches. Evidence of Fruitinfj Cone.- In 1003 Mr. 11. Ktheridge, jun., figures a specimen of Echizoneura from the Ppper Coal Measures of New South Wales, having on the end of the leaf-bearing axis two strobils, 2 to 2 '5 cm. long. As Newell Arber remarks,"'^® “ the ])reservation is not sufficiently good to afford any details as to the morphological structure of the cone.” In this present instance we are more fortunate, since the smlace of the cone is beautifully preserved, showing a polygonal cellular strmture, probably the bases of sporo])hylls, which ap|)arently having shrunken, have been resolvecl into a series of subangulate areas, each with a central pit. To the sides of the fruit are attached sharply pointed uninerved, bracteate sporophylls, and these were in all' probability disposed over the surface and ivere detached before fossilization. The grooved pith-cast of the stem to wdiich the fruit is joined, leaves no doubt as to the relationship of this cone to Echizoneura microphyUa. This cone measures 6mm. in length : the width of the base of the body of the fruit being 2nnn., whilst the total width of the cone with the bracts measures 7. 5 mm. Leaves.— T \\q leaflets of the whorl are seen in figs. 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13 and 17. In figs. 1, 3, 8, 11 and 12 they are slender, aciculate to acutely pointed, or calamitean , whilst in 13 and 1 1 they are distinctly truncated. It is quite possible, however, that these latter may eventually be proved to belong to another species, especially since the venation is more distinctly parallel than in the other aciculate forms. The probable number of leaflets to the whorl in this species is about 5. In fig. 17 the nodal diaphragm forms an interesting feature betiveen the only two leaves of the whorl preserved. Figs. 2 and 14 evidently represent the a ctual Etheridge, B.. jun., 1903, p. 234, pis. XlWlil. and XLTX. 23 Arber, igo.l, jn 9. [ J TKIASSIO KLOKA OK BALI) HII.L. surl.ace impression of the stem, as the flutings are not deeply im- pressed ; in (iy. 2 the starlike a,ppearanee in tlie middle of the fossil may indicate the erackim; of tlie eoitex by pressure taking place over a newly forming branch. Xodal Pia phrafinis.- That seen in fig. 5 is so like the form in IdfmseUtes that one might pause before referring it to Xchizouevra, of which there have apparently been as yet no records in the jiresent assemblage. Hnt the discovery of other Schizoueura stems with the nodal diaphi'agms more or less in position, makes their reference to this genus certain. In Hchizoneura the radii of the diaphragm are })erha,])s less numerous than in Equis^etites, but the central papilla is well developed as in that genus as would be ex])ected from their similarity iu geueral structure. l)i)Neituslor.,s- Diameter of widest stem, 7 '5 mm. Diametei' ol an average stem, circ, b mm. Longest stem-fragment preserved. 10 '5 cm. .Vn a-ciculate leaf measures 1!) mm. by 2 '5 mm. at the base. luternodes often seven times the width of the stem. Ohservatioiks.- The stems of the above s})ecies of Schizoneura, as they are |)reserved in the Jlacchus Marsh silic'eous mudstones, are conspicuously sti’aight, and distinctly and deeply grooved in the pithcasts, or with parallel sulcations wlien the surface impi'ession is represented. ’^Phe nodes are very distant and not always (‘learly visible. It was undoiditedly the character of the straight and conspicuously grooved stems with distant nodes that led McC'oy to place these plant remains, apparently without hesitation, in the genus Evlnzoncura , for the leal remains associated with these stems are veiy indistinct. It was only by caiefullv scanning everv piece of material with a. lens, that the fi'agmentarv evidence here hgured was obtained. .\s regards the narrow, straight, and deeplv grooved stems with mconspicuous leaf-sheaths, these structural '('llaracters find their ueaiest rehitionship with the smaller foliaiceous varieties of l>chizon>euT(t . like S. iiiendn-i Schimper, of the Keu])er of Stuttgart. Coni pa.n, sou, s.- Species like Sehizouevm (/oudirauousis, h’eist- mantel, S. aiostrahs Etheridge, jnr.^^ and S. afrimua, Eeistmantel, have the leal-sheath typically developed from a basal sheath into a^ pair of large ol)long-ovate leaves, with occasional sheaths with narrow leaflets. I hese leaflets may numbei', as in S. i/oitid ivdueusis, as many as ten. In the [)resent species one of the distinctive characters is the apparently uniform, aciculate. leaf-like whoil. the 24 In passing it may 1 h* puintiul out {toiH supra cit.), regards 5. ati,stralis Eth. jnii. as tli.it \ewell Alber. in his Glossopteris Flora, pp. r> and a synonym of .S', ijondivanensis 1 130 J TRIASSIC FLORA OF BALI) HILL. separate components of which amount to about five. It would be unsafe to assume that the large paired ovate leaves did not exist in this form, but no evidence is seen in the ])resent series, whilst the leaflets are comparativelv abundant. It is just |)()ssible that the specimens figured l)v Keistmantel as Schizoneiira (loHdv'anetms^'' from the Damuda Series, and associated with a flora of Triassic affinities represent an undescribed form and more nearly related to the above. S', niwrophi/lla. In these figures the leaf whorls are shown to be more irregularly divided into several linear or wedge-shaped leaves, which ai‘e characderistically split at the apex. A comparison of this form with hgs, 1, d, and 7 of the ])resent series shows a close resemblance where the leaflets of the latter are obtuse, or with a slight cleavage. Class FILICALES. Kam.- Cyathaceae, (lenus — CoNiORTERis, Brongluart, 1849. CoNIORTERIS HELIOATULA Shirley sp. (Plate XL, figs. 24, 28.) Coniopterifi deUmtula Shirley. Coniopteris delicatula Shirley. 1898, ()ueens!and (!eol. Surv. Bull. 7, p. 18, pi. X., fig. 1. Tripln/llopteris hofrpoides Shirley, 1898, ibid., p. 20, pi. XVII., fig. 1. Coihiopteris delicMula Shirley sp., Walkom, 1917, t)ueensland (Jeol. Surv. (Dept. Mines), Piibl. Xo. 257, pt. I. continued (Filicales), ]). 6, [)1. IV., fig. 2 ; text fig. 3. ()bserv(dions. -The flexibility of the rachis and the almost ragged tips of the ])innules would preclude a reference of the above figured specimens to Shirley's H^phenopteris superba,^^ to which it otherwise bears some resemblance. It is difficult indeed to separate the two (i^enera on mere fragments, for the same type of venation occurs in both. The balance of evidence, however, seems in favour of a reference to Coniopteris because of the less rigid character above noted. Figure 28 re])resents the a])ical [lart of a {linnule with both acuminate anil blunted tips to the lobes. Figure 24 has the bases of the pinnules e.xjianded, and they are not .so deeply incised as in Walkom’s figure 2 on plate X. ; but this may be the result of des- sication before fossilization. Distribution. Comopteris delicatula was known only from the Ipswich Series (Trias.) of Shorncliffe, Sandgate, Queensland 25 Foistmanti'I, 11^79. p. 9, pi. Hi-'s. 2 ar.d :i. 2ti Shirley. 1898, p. IS, pi. JV.. fis. 8. I 131 1 TRIASSIC! FLORA OF 15ALO JIILL. Kam. Thinnfeldieae Walkom, 11)] 7. (iemis- Thinnfeldia EttinashaiLsen, 18o2. TtriNNLFLOiA Feistmantellt Jolinstoj).. (I‘late XI I., fig. 30). Tlivnnfeklia Feistniantelli Jolinston, 1805, Proo. Poy. Soc. Tasmania figs. 2, 16. 71nnnfeldin od onto pt era ides, var. triandnlata Sliivley, 1808, (Queens- land (leol. Surv., Pull, 7, ]). 22, pi. X., fig. 2. TJi I'H/nfeldia odontopferoldes, var. norinalis Sliirlev, 1808, ibid., p. 21. pi. XI. Thinnfeldia odon.topteroides, var. rJnteJiidis Hliirley, 1808, ibid., ]). 21. TJrinnfeldia odonto pferoid.es (j)ars.) Seward, 1010, Fossil Plants, vol. II., p. 538, fig. .356 (A, P, D), 357. Dicnndi.mn Feistmanfel i .lolmston s])., (fotlian, 1012, Abliandl. Xaturli. (iesellseli. Xiirnberg, vol. XIX., heft 3, p. 78, pi. XVL, fig. 1. Antevs, 1013, K. Svensk. Vetenskaps Akad., Plandl., vol. L., Xo. 5, |). 3, pi. I., figs. 1 7. Idem, 1014, ibid., vol. LI., Xo. 6, p. 52, [)1. 1., figs. 5, 6 ; pi. fig. 1. Thinnfeldia Feisfnianfeli (iothaii sp., Arber, 1017, X"ew Zealand (leol. Surv., Falaeont. Pull., Xo. 6, p. 40, j)l. V., fi.g. 4. Thinnfeldia Feisfmanieli .lolmston, Walkom, 1025, Papers and Proc. Hoy. Soe., Tasmania for 1024, p. 77, fig. 4. Ohserralion.s.— In, the absence of the distinctive feature of the branching iPachis of the frond, the above determination may be regarded as somewhat provisional : but the rhombic form of the pinnules and thickened rachis j)oints, however, in. the direction of the above species. The form of the i)innules and the odontopteroid venatioJi compare very closely with specijnen.s from the Trias of Leigh's Preek Coalfield, South Australia. The figui'cd specimen was collected by the late Dr. T. S. Hall, and is now in the Xational Museum. Distribution Mesozoic : Tasmania. Ipswich Series (Triassic) and Walloon Series (Jurassic) of (Queensland. Trias., South Australia. Phaetic : Argentine aiul New Zealand. Thiknfeldia lancifolia Morris sp. (Plate XL, figs. 20, 21). Vecopteris odontopteroides, var. lancifclia Morris, 1845, in Strze- lecki's Physical Description of X'ew South Wales, p. 240 pi Y1 4. ■ f 132 1 TRIASSIC! FLORA OF BALD HILJ.. Thinnfeldia 'media T. Woods, 1883, Proc. Linn. Soc., N. 8. Wales, pi. VT., %. 1. Thinujeldia odontoy ter aides Morris S])., var. falcata, T. Woods, 1883, ibid., pi. VIII., % 1. TJdnnfeldia odonto pteroides Morris, sp. var. superha, ,)olinston, 1885, Papers and Proc. Roy. Soc. Tasmania, p. 372. TJiimifeldia media 3'. Woods, Johnston, 1888, (leol. Tasmania, pi. XXIV., fig. 5. Pecopteris {ThinnfMia) odontopteris Morris, Johnston, 1888, ibid., ])1. XXV., figs. 1, 2, 4. Thinnfeldia superha Johnston, 1888, ibid., pi. XXVI., figs. 4, 5. Thinnfeldia lancifolia Morris sp., Szajnocha, 1888, Hitznngsb. d. A lead. Wiss. Wien, voL, XCVll., p. 231, pi. 1., figs. 4n, 5-7. Thinnfeldia odonto pteroides Morris sp. (pars), Feistmantel, 1890, Mem. Oeol. 8nrv. N.8. Wales, Palaeontology, No. 3, pi. XXIX., fig. 4 ('0- Thin,nfeldia odonto pteroides Morris sp. var., Etheridge jnr., 1892, (ieol. and Palaeont., (Jneensland, pi. XVII., fig. 7. Thinnfeldia media T. Woods, Etheridge jnr., 1892, ibid., pi. XVII 1., fig. 10. Thinnfeldia Imftoni Johnston, 1896, Papers and Proc. Roy. 8oc. Tasmania for 1894-5, p. 61, fig. 18. Thinmfeldia inxlica Feistmantel, var. aquilina, Shirley, 1898, ()neens- land (Ieol. Snrv., Bull. No. 7, p. 21, pi. VI., fig. 2. Thinnfeldia indica Feistm. var. media, Shirley, 1898, ibid., pi. \5, fig. 1. Thinmfeldia odontopteroides Morris sp. (pars.). Dun, 1909, Rec. (ieol. Snrv. N.k Wales, vol. VII I., p. 314, pi. XLIX., fig. 1. Dicroidinrn lane, folia Morris sp., Dothan, 1912, Abhandl, Naturh. (Jesellschaft Nnrnberg, vol. XIX., p. 78, pi. XVI., figs. 2-4. Thinnfeldia kmedfolia Morris s|)., Arber, 1913, Proc. Roy. Soc. Bond., Ser. B., vol. LXXXVI., p. 346, pi. \III., lig. 7. Dicroidvum laneifolimn Morris sp., Autevs, 1914, K.Svenska Vet. Akad. Hand!., vol. LI., No. 6, ]). 58, pl. V., figs. 6, 7. Thinnfeldia lancifolia Mori'is sp., Walkom, 1917, (Queensland (ieol. Snrv. Pnbl. No. 257, p. 21, pl. HE, fig. 3 ; pl. IV., fig. 1 ; pl. VII. fio-. 2 ; text-fig. 6. Arber, 1917, New Zealand (ieol. Surv. Palaeont., Bull. No. 6, p. 49, pl. \ .,figs. 1, 2, 6. Walkom, 1925, Papers and Proc. Roy. Soc. Tasmania for 1924, p. 78. [ 133 ] 'I'RIASSIC FLORA OF RALI) JOLL. ()l)srrr(iti(ms. 'Hie piuuiiles liere floured are (|uite typical as compared witli tliose seeii iu the median part of the frond of 7. I((nnif()l Id. 'Phe distinct and cliaracteristic tnidrib forks and dies out helore reacliinp' the a|)ex. d he al)sen.ce of the incurvation of the upper maroin. ot tlie pinnule near the f)ase precludes its reference to T. ivdica Feistmantel. Dihirihiit.ion. Found in both the Trias (Jpswidi (Series) and the Jurassic (Walloon, iSeries) iu Queensland, Mesozoic of Tasmaida. d he Khaetic of New Zealand and the Argentine. d’illNNFF^LDIA ODONTOPTEROIDES Morris sp. (Plate XL, fig. 19.) Pecopteris odontopfewides Morris, 1845, in Sti’zelecki's Descriptioii, of New South Wales, p. 249, figs. 2 and J. (,’arruthers, 1872, Lhiart. Journ. (leol. ,Soc., vol. NXYll., p. .‘355, i)l. XXVII figs. 2, :i. Tlnndfrldm ohtiisifolia (pars.) Johnstoji, 1888, (ienl. dasmania, i)l. XXV., figs. 7, J4 ; pi. XXVI., figs. 21, (Q 7, (?) 15. Tlnnu.fehliu odoiitopferoides Morris sp., Feistmantel, 1890, Mem. (ieol. Surv. N. S. Wales, Palaeontology, No. J, pi. XXVI., fig. 2 ; pi. XX^ III., fig. 8 ; pi. XXIX., figs. 1, 2, o, 5. Ktheridge, jnr., 1892, (Jeol. and Pah. (Queensland, pi. X^AI., fig. 1. Dun., 1909, Hec. (Jeol. Surv. N.S. Wddes, vol. VIIL, pi. XLIX., fig. 2. Seward, 1910, Fossil Plants, vol. II., ]). 5.‘38, fig. J358. I'lcro'kiimii odoiito/j/eroides Morris s])., (Jothan 1912, Abhandl, Naturh. (JesellscJi. Nurnberg, vol. XI. heft J3, p. 78, ]4. XVI.’ iig. 5. Antevs, 1914, K. Svenska Vetenskaps Hand!., vol. LI.’ No. (5, p. 55, pi. 11., figs. 2, :3 ; pi. IV., figs, (i, 7. Thhmfeldla odo)if()jiieroid"..s Morris sp., Walkom, 1917, Queensland, (Jeol. Surv. Publ. No. 257, p. 19, pi. 111., fig. 1. Arber, 1917,’ New Zealand (Jeol. Surv. Palaeont. Bull. No. 6, j). 50. Walkom’ 1925, Papers and Proc. Roy. Soc. dasmania for 1924, p. 78, fig. 5. ObserraftoH'H. ddie ])innules here figui'ed, r'epi'eHen,tin.g as they do the typical oval and bluntly pointed shape seen usually in T. odoiifopU-roides, is referred to that species, ddie venation is aletho[)fei'oid rather than odontopteroid as in most of the examjiles of 7'. odoi/fopfemides. .\rber-^ remarks, however, “ nerves all arising directly from the rachis, and spreading throughout the lamina with di(4iotomy, or a more or less welLmailced median nerve may TRIASSIC FLORA OF BALD HILL. be present, giving oii forked lateral nerves at an acute angle.” Thus, according to that author, both types of venation niav be |)resent. l)isfril>ution. Ipswich aud Walloon Series of (hieensland (d’rias and durassic). Hawkesbury Sandstone and Wdanamatta Shales of New South Wales; also at Dubbo, New South Wales; Leigh's (Veek, South Australia (Triassic); I’oit Phillip, near (Irice’s (’reek and South (lippsland (-lurassie). FEHN-MKE PLANTS. INOERTAE SEDfS. (lenus TAFLNionunos Krongniart, 1828. Taeniopteris wianamattae Peistmantel sp. (Plate XIII., fig. 51.) }facrotae)iiopferis iviaii/imaflae Feist mantel, 1878, PalaeouTographic'a., Suppl. vol. 11!., Lief. 8, Heft 2, p. 107, f)l. XIII., fig 2. Wilkin- son, 1870, Ann. Rep. Dept. Mines, N.S. W'ales, p. 215, pi. \^. 'r. Woods, 1882, Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S. Wales, vol \HIL, |>. 118, ])1. 10a. Feistmantel, 1800, Mem. (leol. Surv. N.S. Wales, Palaeont. No. 2., ]>. 11(5, pi. XXV'IL, figs, 1, 2. Ftheridge, jun., 1802, Deol. and Pal. ()ueenslan(l, p. 270. Dun, 1808, Austr. Asso(‘. Adv. Sci., vol. VI L. p. 207. Taeni.o})teris mreetl Mcl’oy, 1808, Proc. Roy. Soc. Viet., X.S., vol. X., pt. IP, p. 285, and text-fig. Maerotaeniopferis iroodsi Dun, 18i)8, Austr. Assoc. Adv. Sci., vol. VI L, p. 200. Taeniopterifi S]). Arber, 1005, (’at. Foss. Phmts (( Jlossopteris Flora), Brit. Mus., p. 128. Taeniojderis {.Macrotae-iuopferi.s) sp. (’hapman, 1014, Australasian Fossils, p. 88. Taeniopteris H'lanamaUae Feistm. sj)., W'alkom, 1017, ()ueensland (leol. Surv. Pub. No. 257, pt. L, p. 28. Taeii/io pterin {Macfotae/niojiteris) manamuttae, Feistm. ( lia})inan, 1010, \dctoria?i. Naturalist, vol. XXXV., Xo. 10, pp. 140, 150, 152. A’ote the T p pe-speciineii' nf T. Hu'ceti McCop. I have care- fully exatnined the type of Taeniopteris Sireeti described (ref. above) by McCoy, and find it to be idendical iir all the })reserved cl)aractM's, such as width of lamina, and s})acing and forking of secondary veins, with T. nnanamattae. This I have already stated in another place. In the original descri|)tion McCoy says that the specimeii came from the (ranpa.mo pterin Sandstone. The (diai'acter of the matrix, however, clearly shows its origin to be from the U{)pei', siliceous layer in the trench at Bald Hill (see remarks an, tea, p. 124). I 135 ] TJIIASSIC FLORA OF RALJ) RILL DistribntioH, of T. ivianamaUae. In (^lueensland tliis species occurs at Ipswich, where it is rare (T. Woods) ; and at the livoli (Wal Mine (K. Hitlierid«e, jui\.). Both ol tliese localities are in the r])swich Series, ol Triaasic age. In South Australia the Leigh’s ( 'reek coal borings luive revealed examples of 71 ivi(wu‘Wdff(te.^'^ A I'e-exaniination of jdants from that series, by Miss C’ookson and myself, show also the {)resence of ThmdfeMui Feistmavieli, Cladophlelns Albertsi, Taeniopteris Ditnstani.' T. ef. Teinson-iroodsi ajul Equimtiteii rotifenmi. ^ The balance of evidence, therefore, is strongly in favour of a Iriassicage for the series and may be compared with the lower part of the I pper Coal Measures in Tasmania. Series GYMNOSPERMEAE. (lass CYCADALES. (ienus Ptiloi’HYLlum (Morris, foliage, 1841). WTlliamsonia (Carruthers, flowers, 1870). Ptiloi'Hyllum (Williamsonia) pectfn lAiilli'ps sp. (Plate Xll., fig. 36.) Cycadites pecten riiillips, 1829, (Ieoh Yorkshire, p. 148, pi. VIL, fig. 22. Iddmphylluni pecten Philli])S sp. Lindley and Hutton, 1834, Fossil Flora, vol. 1 1., pk ('ll. Ptdnphyllum acntum Morris, 1840, Trans, (leol. Soc. Loud., ser. 2, voi. V., ]). 327, pi. XXL, figs. 1-3. PtilopJiqllum oli(/oneuru'm 4\ Woods, 1883, Proc. Linn. Soc. iN.S. Wales, vol. VI 11., p. 149., pi. VIL, figs. 2-4. Etheridge, 1892, (leol. and Palaeont, (hieensland, p. 382, pi. VIL, fig. 11 ; pi. XVI. , fig. 2. Ptihqdiylhuni Officeri Mcf'oy, 1894, Proc. Roy. Soc. Viet., vol. VL, p. 143. Wdliamsoiida pecten Phillips sp., Seward, 1900, Cat. Mesozoic Plants, Brit. M\is. Jurassic Flora, vol. L, p. 190, pi. 11., fig. 7 ; pi. III., text-figs. 30 35. Ptdophylhmi {Williamsonia) pecten Phillips sp. W’alkom, 1917, (hieensland (leol. Surv. Pub. No. 259, Mesozoic Flora of (Queens- land, pt. 1.. p. 14, 1)1. V., fig. 6. PtilophyllMm cf. oligoneurum T. WYods, Chapman, 1919, Victorian Naturalist, vol. XXXV., p. 150. 28 Chapman, 1919, p. 149. 1 136 ] TKIASSIC! FLORA OF BALI) TITLL. ()hservations- 'V}\Q present figui'ed specimen of the frond of IHIIophyll'um pecten in the Trias of Bacclms Marsh seems to bear out Nhnvell Arber's conchision that P. (watifolivm, wliicli tliat author lias floured from the Middle .lurassic of Southland, New Zealand,^*' is distinct from the present s])ecies. Tlie Bacchus Marsli specimens have the ])innae rather lono, slender, and acuminate towards the tip. Unlike those of P. acMijoliimi, they are rather crowded and ])arallel-sided for quite two-thirds of their lenoth. Dimensions of fiyured spemmeii.- Vi \dt\i of frond, 28 mm. ; length of frond, as floured, 66 mm. Lenoth of lon,^est pinna, 2 mm. No evidence was obtained from the present series of specimens of the floral elements with microsporophylls. It may be noted, however, that occasional ovoid bodies like small nuts, enclosed in siliceous mudstone, when broken ojien, show a distinct cortex and within a mass of little seed-like bodies (see posted). Previously known from the Jurassic of Knofand, (lermany, India, (fraham Land, and (Queensland ; and from the Lower Cretaceous of Creenland. ('Yf'AI)AC'EOlJS FRUIT. Plate NIL, fios. 40, 40a Description. Several specimens of large, apfiarently ovoid or subcylindrical fruits, contah'ing small seed-like bodies, are found in tiie jiresent series. From their more or less distorted lorm, they must have been of soft texture when buried in the sediment. There ap|)ears to have been, a fairly thick, spongy cortex, within which are crowded innumerable spherical bodies. Jhese fruits remitid one of the ovulate strobils of the Cycadoidea. The enclosed seeds closely resemble the megasporo])hylls seen in the figure of Cijcadeoidea {Hot melt ites) Gibson iana figured by Seward.'*" They measure about 1 mm. in diameter and are sul)spherical or ])olygonal. What a])pears to be a central vascidar strand is present, as also the thick cortex shown in Seward's figure. JJie strobil measures 23 X 30 mm. ^ 2!1 Arber, 1917. ]). .'13. pi. XI.. ligs. 1, 2. .I. :10 Seward. 1917, p. M92, fig. .'12111. [ 137 ] TRIASSIO FLORA OF BALD HILL. (lass GINKGOALES. (ieiuis ()iNK(;oiTFS SeAvanl, (JlNK(iOTTES OIOITATA Bi'on»ii.iart SJ). Plate XI., tig. 29. (Ujclopteris diyitata Brongniart, 1828, Hist. Veg. Foss., p. 219, pi. LXl. bis, figs. 2, 8. Liiulley and Hutton, 1883, Foss. Flora, vol. I., ])1. LX1\ . Hunker, 1846, Wealdenbildung, p. 9, pi. 1., fig. 8 ; pi. V., figs. 5, 6. ; ])1. VI., fig. 11. (Jiidyo dlgitata Brongn. sp. Heer, 1877, Fossil Flora Arct., vol. I\'. (1), p. 40, j)l. VIII., fig. \a ; pi. X., tigs. 1- 6. S(disbu.ria ddcptata ]dvo\\g}\. sp. Sa porta, 1884, Pal. Franc., vol III p. 294, pi. CLX., figs. 1-5. (nnkgo digitata Brongn. sp. Heward, 1900, durassic Flora, Vorksliire (Brit. Mus.), part 1, p. 254, pi. IX., figs. 1, 2, 9, 10 ; text-ftg. 45. Walkom, 1917, Queensland (leol. Surv. Pnbl. Xo. 259, pt. 1., concl. p. 8, pi. I., figs. 3, 4, 5. (dbdgoites dn/itata Br(mgn. sp. Seward, 1919, Foss. Plants, vol. I V., p. 14, text-figs. 634, 639. Walkom, 1925, Papers and Proc. Hoy. Soc., Tasmania, for 1924, ]). 84. Observations. One of the leaf-fragments in the present series is clearly referable to the above species. It represents about one- third of a leaf, together with the jietiole. The venation is characteristic in its simple dichotomy, the veins being spaced about 6 in 4mm. near tlie middle of the leaf. The margin is deejfiy divided. The type of leaf is exactly matched by Seward’s figure 9 on pi. IX. of his Jurassic Flora, pt. 1. Giukgoites digitata is represented in the Ipswich beds (Trias), (fiieensland, by a good series, figured by Walkom. Distribution. The remains of leaves of the G.digitata type are of world-wide distribution, and they range from the Trias to the Jurassic. They are more connnonly found in Jurassic strata as in the floras of Yorkshire, Franz-Josef Land, Turkestan, India Mongolia, Japan, and Victoria (Aust.). [ 138 ] TRIASSIC FLORA OF BALO HILL. (ienus Baifra Braun, 1848. Baiera darleyensis sp. nov. Plate Xll., figs. 82 84. Descri'ptioih. - \iQdii deeply incised, tlie extremities widely forked, either sharply truncated, as in H. I'psmcmms Shirley, or out- spread and laciniate. One specimen figured (fig. 84) shows a marked flexuosity or flaccidity of the lamina, but otherwise this agrees with the remainir)g types. The venation is rather c4ose, about o to the lamina in the terminal portion. There is some resemhlai'ce to the (Queensland species already mentioned, but the small size, about one-half to one-third the width, as well as the laciniate character ol the terminations, se])arate this sjiecies from those previously described. Ditmii-sions. -Length of leaf, circ. 18mm. Width of incised ])ortion of lamina, l.Smm. to 2mm. and 8mm. at the apices. Divergence of ti])s, circ. 10mm. from point to ])oint. Observations.- The above species is in some respects an extreme form of the genus, and recalls Zalessky’s genus GmJcfiopsis.^^ Hemains of B. darleyensis are fairly abundant in the ^ Irias of Bacchus Marsh. Our s])ecimens are suggestive of the B. ips- viciensis figured by Hhirley aud Walkom from (Queensland, but differ in im]>ortant details whicli seon to be specilic, as set lorfh above. 44ie related B. i'psviciensis has only been found in (Qut'ens- and, in the Trias (Ipswich Series) of Denmark Hill. (Ienus — Stachyopitys Schenk, 1867. (? Male Flowers of Oinkgoales.) Stachyopitys cf. annularioides Shirley. Plate XI., fig. 25. Stachyopitys annularioides Shirley, 1898, (Queensland Geological Survey, Bull. No. 7, p. 18, pi. XVIL, fig. 1. Walkom, 1917, ibid., Publ. No. 259, p. 18, pi. IV., fig. 6. Observations In fig. 25 is reiuesented an annulate arrangemeut of bracteate leaves, which is m all probability related to Shirley s Stachyopitys ammlarioides. These remains, in isolated fragments, are quite common on the slabs with (Jtnhyo and Baiera; this association would seem to be more than a (‘oincidence. 31 Shirley, 1898, p. 12, pi. m.) flg.S. .Wo Walkom, 1917, p. 11. p. IV., tigs, 1 ami 2. 32 Seward, 1919, |i. 77. [ 139 ] TEIASSIC FLORA OF BALD HILL. Genus- Antholithus Heer, 1882. (? Male Flowers of Ginkgoales.) Antholithus sp. Plate XL, figs. 22, 23, 26. cf. Antholithus, sp. Seward, 1919, Fossil Plants, vol. IV., p. 52, fig. 654. Observations. -The specimen above referred to is from the English Jurassic Series of Vorkshire.^® These forms were noted as “pollen sacs of Ginkgo by Seward in the earlier, British Museum, mono- graph ; the leaflets are more regularly ovate than those now figured, the latter being more or less truncated and arranged with some regularity along a straight axis and are often petiolate. Doubtful Ginkgoales. Genus- -Phoenicopsis Heer, 1877. PiioENicoPSis elongates Morris sp. I date XL, fig. 27. ZeugophylUtes elongatus Morris, 1845, in Strzlecki's Phys. Descr. of Xew South Wales and Van Dieman's Land, p. 250, pi. VI., figs. 5, 5a. Phoenicopsis elongatus Morris sp. Seward, 1903, Ann. S. African Mus., vol. IV., p. 67, pi. IX., figs. 1, 9, 10 Walkom, 1917, Queensland Geol. Surv., Publ. Xo. 259, p. 27, pi. IX., figs. 2, 3. Sewarcl, 1919, Victorian Xaturalist, vol. XXXV., Xo. 'TO, ])p. 151, 153. Walkom, 1925, Papers and Proc. Bov. Soc. Tasmania for 1924, p. 87. Observations.- "Ilie long linear leaves of Phoenicopsis are represented in the present series by poorly developed but undoubted examples, mostly fragmentary. An unusually complete one is that here figured. In passing, one may note that, in revising and placing the palaeontological collections at the Xational Vluseum, it was interest- ing to see that the former Director, Sir Fredk. McCoy, had labelled some^ Tasmanian examples of typical leaves of the above species as “ Zeuigophglites,'’ for we remember that in 1847 he had confused the leaves of Aoeggerathiopsis Hislopi with Morris’ ZeugophylUtes, as it was then termed. Dimensions. The figured specimen from Bacchus Marsh has a length of 32 mm., whilst its greatest width is 4.5 mm. 33 Hewanl. 1900, ji. 2C0, fig. 4.5. 1 HO ] TRIASSIC FLORA OF BALD BILL. Distrihution. -'Vxmfi : Tasmania (Morris). Eliaetic : Stormberg (8eward), and South America (Szainocha and Kurtz). Jurassic : Walloon Series : Queensland (Walkom) ; also Tasmania.®^ Thoenicopsis Feistmanteli, nom. mut. Plate Xn., figs., 31, 31a. Podozamites lanceolatus (non Lindley and Hutton sp.), PAistmantel, 1877, Palaeontologia Indica, ser. XI., vol. II., pt. 2, p. 91, pi. HI., figs. 7-14 ; pi. IV., figs. 1-10. Observations. The above form, described by Feistmantel as Podozamites lanoeolatus, Lindley and Hutton sp. cannot be referred to that species, as already ])ointed out by Prof. Seward,^® who further suggests its relationship to Phoenicopsis, in the following words : “ The specimens figured by Feistmantel from Upper (londwana rocks in India as P. lanceolatus (fig. 813), should, 1 a)n inclined to think, be assigned to Phoenicopsis.” Feistmantel records the sjiecies as pretty frequent in the Jabalpur group of India (equivalent of Upper Lias to Lower Oolite). The leaves are slenderer than in P. elongata. The apex is acuminate, and the venation parallel and rather closely spaced. In some instances there is a median ridging which is merely a longitudinal folding of the leaf. Fragments fairly abundant in the present series. Genus- -PsYGMOPHVLLUM Schim])er, 1870. PSYGMOPHYLLUM FeRGUSONI, Sp. 110 V. Plate XII., fig. 39 ; plate XHL, figs. 44, 45. Description.- The remains of these leaves are not complete, but there is sufficient to show that it was flabellate, with crenate to wavy margin. The veins are parallel for the most part, with occasional distinct anastomosing and also dichotomous branching. The veins are stout, and are seen in the negative condition as deeply incised lines with a ridge between. The lamina itself ivas finely lineated with secondary or merely superficial veins. Dimensions.-— Yhe veins are about "O mm. to 1 mm. apart. Width of lamina preserved, 21 mm. ; length, 31 mm. Comparisons and Observations.- “ Cycdpteris ” crenata of Brauns, which was described from the Rhaetic of Brunswick, Germanv, is a somewhat similarly flabellate leaf to ours, but the U In a letter- rerrolvod in 1912, tiro iatc .Mr-. W. H, Twelveti-ees wrote me tlmf rh,mkopsU ,-lon,julux i found aimndirntly tlrrougiiorit the Mesozoic in Tasmania. Srrrms’l862;’i.^52fpi. XIII.. flg. 8. ? Psy,j>nophyUum crenalum, Brauns, sp„ Seward, 1919. p. 88. [ 141 ] TKIASSK! KLOKA OF |}ALI) HIIA.. edge is more (listinetly erenate and the veins are nearly d ttnn. apart. Otlierwise it approaclies the present species more closely than any otlier described form. ddie leaves are distinct from tliose of t/cn/y/n/fes- and (ihdyopJryll/um, \vhi(‘fi liave divergejit and dichotomons veins and do not an.astomose. I he type species of Psyyniop/n/lhmi is “ Xoffiyeraf/n'o/tsis " llahellafa Lindley and Hiitt()n.*’’ I he rigidity of the leal and veins in tJie above s[)ecimens, and tlie acute dichotomy of the venation ai'c strong evidence in favour of its felationslnp with the (Jinhgoales and not witli (hiropteris, to winch genus Newell Arbei'^'^ lias referred a New Zealand species almost identical with the above. In the same report Newell Arber lias named the Soutli .Australian (Leigh s ( reek) specimen, wdiicli Ltheridge, jiin., described as Aiifhyopsis sp.,’*" Chimpteris Ktheridqei sp. nov. Another form .somewhat related to P. Feryusoiip from the Trias (Ipswich Heries) of (Queensland, was described by ('arruthers'*" as Spheti(>ptefi'< r,trnea/a. This has a shorter and broader leaf, as the name deludes. PsfifitnophulJum is known Irom rocks as early as the Devonian, and the genus persists into the Hhaetic, if Brauns and Newell Arber’s sjiecies are included. CONIFERALES. Fain. Cupressineae. Demis Bkachyphyli.i’.m .Brongnia rt, 1828 . Brachyphvllum ckassum T. AVoods. Blate XllJ., fig. 47. Ikachyphylhmi australe, var. cnisaimi 4\ AVoods, 188:1, Pro(‘ Linn Soc. N.S. AVales, vol. VI L, pt. L, p. 15‘), pi. Ah Hrachyphylhim emssum T. AVoods. H. Etheridge jun., 1892, Deol. and I’al. (Queensland, p. .‘185, pi. NA'IIL, tig. 2. (0 /V//^s^sy/nn^n7m/hsmA1c('ov, (liapman, 1908, Bee. Deol Surv Abet vol. II., ]d. IV., p. 218. pl. XXXAb, fig. 2. IkachyphylUvm cnustuim 'f. AVoods, AValkom, 1917, (Queensland Deol. Surv., Buhl. No. 2.59, p. 25, pl. IX., fig. 1. ObservatiOH.s. The specimen now figured ajipears to be a terminal slioid, which bears short, cordate leaves with acuminate :i" l.iiulley anil Huttnii, IS:i2, |ils., XXVIU , X\l\ :i8 Xcwell Arber, liU7, p. 27, pl.. III., Ila. 8.’ ;!!) Idem, 1917, ji, 28, 40 Cairutliers, 1872, p. pl. .X.WII., li.e:. .r), Sliirley, 1898, p. 24, pl. XXlll. L 142 J 'I'RIASSIC FLORA OF BALI) JIILL. and sometimes s])inose apices. Fragments of leaves in the sur- rounding Tuatrix suggests Klnfocla. McOoy, is another closely related form. Tfic materiai of all our Australian Mesozoi)' examples of this and allied genera is too meagre for an accurate des(‘ri|)tion, but in the advent of a more complete series, this would form an interesting group of fossil plants to deciphei'. On examinitig the figured type of T. Woods' />. Mr. H. Ftheridge, jun., found the leaves “ terminated u|)wards in a short mucro ’ In this character it agrees with the present specimen. Tenison Woods records />. crassam from the l])swich Series (Triassic) ; Tivoli Mine. It also occurs in the Walloon Series (Jurassic) of Clifton (V)lliery, Walloon and Rosewood (Ftheridge, jun. and Walkom). CONIFERALES, incertae sedes. (lenus FnATonLADUS Halle, 191J. HIlatocladus conferta Oldham and Morris s[). Plate XII., fig. .‘57 ; Idate XI II., fig. 4fi. Cuihniiu/hmnites coihfertiis Oldham and Morris, 186.‘5, Palaeontologia Indica, vol. I., pt. I., pi. XXXII., hg. 10. Palifisya cothfeiia PId. and Morr. S|)., Feistmantel, 1877, Ibid., ser. li., vol.’ II., pt. II., p. i:57, |)1. XFV., figs. 4 8, 8n ; pi. XFVIIl., fig. 4. Palissya auslmlis McCoy, in Stirling, 1000, Notes on the Fossil Flora of South (lippsland. Rep. on Vdct. ( Mal-fields, No. 7., Dept, of Mines, Vbct., pi. 111., figs. 8, 0. Chapman, 1008, Rec. Oeol. Surv. Viet., vol. II., pt. 4, p. 218, pi. XXXV., figs, 4, 5. Klatodudus eonferla Old. and Morr. sp., Newell Arber, 1017, New Zealand Oeol. Surv., Pal. Bull. No. 6, |>. 58., [)1. L., ftgs., 1, J ; ])1. V'l., fig. 4 ; pi. VIII., fig. fi. Descrijdioii.. 'riie present examples include a stem with three leaflets attached to one side (fig. .‘57), found in the red ironstone of the tremdi at Bacchus Marsh ; and also a, detached leaflet, highly carbonized, found on the softer, whitish ])ipe-clay bed. In fig. .‘57 the stem is thick and slightly imbricated as though the foliage had been strip])ed off, whilst there are three leaves still remaining, which 1 ( 508 .- 11 41 Ftlioridge, jun., 1892, p. 385, [ 143 J TRIASSIC FLORA OF BALD HILL. compare closely with those from the Kajrnahal beds of India, referred by Oldham and Morris to Cnnnvnghmnites confertus. Feistmantel has described further Indian specimens as follows “ Branches distichous, alternate, furnished with leaves ; leaves broader, shorter, at the base constricted, acuminated, on a decurrent cushion, sessile, spirally dis])osed, but imitatinp- the lorm of a comb (fructification unknown)." ()bsermtions.~ The generic name of Elatodadm was given by Halle to include sterile shoots of conifers like that of Palissya and Taxites. Halle included Palissya australis of McCoy in the same genus, as a synonym of Elatocladas conferta Oldham and Morris. iJistrihvtion - -The \hctorian forms referred to occur in the Jurassic of South Oippsland. Arber’s specimens are from the Bhaetic to Middle Jurassic of New Zealand. Oenus “Baritania Hollick and Jeffrey, 1909. (?) Baritania victoriae, sp. nov. Plate XII I., figs. 49, 50. Description. These examples consist of slender, dichotomously brancherl axes, which are gra(jefully curved, and at first sight re- semble the remaitis of Baiera {d eanpaalia) Lindleyana of Schimper. I he edges of the axes are seen, however, to carry what appear to be minute prickle-leaves. The (listinguishing feature of the present species is the graceful curvature of the branches and axis, which in Raritania yracdis, of the Cretaceous of New Jersev and Kreischer- ville, consist of straight, divergent branches thrown off from the main axis at an acute angle. 1 he shoot here figured is about 11mm. m length and the axis is .5mm. in width. The stem is very finely striate. Ohservalions.- On account of the unicpieness of the above species, the reference to^ the North American genus, Raritania, is here re- garded as provisional. Further examples may ])rove its relationship with Baiera rather than with Raritania. SEEDS, incertae sedis. Oenus — Miorotesta, nov. Microtesta triassica, gen. et. sp. nov. Plate NIL, fig. 38. General Characters.- -The minuteness, the ovate to subspherical form, and absence of keels or salient points of attachment prevents the reference of this fossil seed to any genus or group of uncertain position already described. [ 144 ] TRIASSIC FLORA OF BALL HILL. DescrijMon . — This type of small seed-like body is quite abundant in. the red ironstone shale of the Schizoneura bed. On one slab, from which the figure was taken, J counted eight separate specimens. This seed must have had a thin hut evidently tenacious covering, and the shrinkage of the mud during its consolidation caused the seeds to be now easily detached. Remains of Schizormirn are commonly associated in the slab examined. The seeds are very minute and average about .5mm. in their longest diameter. They are sub-ovate, depressed and slightly hollowed on one side, as if indicating a place of slight attachment. The surface is finely reticu- lated with a polygonal meshwork. FOSSIL WOOL), indeterminate. Rlate Xm., fig. 42. An interesting, though rather unsatisfactory specimen as regards preservation, is found in this series, ft has a wrinkled and fibrous structure, and the exposed surface is seen to be ])artially covered with small barnacle-like bodies. After sifting the evidence, one has to conclude that this latter structure is inorganic and may be referred to the cone-in-cone structure so often found in mud- stones originally rich in calcareous matter. Tn this specimen the weathering of the cones, gives the further illusion of sejiarate valves closely fitting together. The specimen of fossil wood measures about 12cm. in length and 4cm. in the Avidest part. The cones have a height of about 7 mm. IV.- LIST OF PLANTS HEREIN RECORDED; WITH THE RANGE IN TIME OF GENERA AND SPECIES. Genus. Species. llaiige. Phyllotheca P. indica Buiibury Permian (India, Soutli Africa, South America, Australia) Triassic (Australia) Permian (India) Triassi c (Austral ia — Victoria) /'. austmUs Brongn. Permian (.tustralia—New South Wales and Tasmania Tria.s.sic (Australia- New South Wales, Queensland and Tasmania) SCHIZONEURA Base of Permian (India) Top of Permian (South Africa, Australia — New South Wales) Triassic (Australia — New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria) Rhaetic (South Africa) 1 145 1 TRIASSIO FLORA OP BALJ) HILL. IV. — List of Plants — continued. Genus. Species. Range. S, micro'phyUa s}>. nov. Triassic (Australia — Victoria) (’ONIOPTERIS Triassic (Germany, AiLstrali.-.. — Queens- land and Victoria) .liirassic (England, Australia and New Zealand tVetaceous (North America and Greenland) C. delicatula Shirley Triassic (,\u.stralia — Queen.sland and Vic- Thinnfeldia sp. toria) Triassic (Australia — New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Queensland and Victoria ; South Africa, India, and South America) Rhaetic (New Zealaiul) Lias (Hungary) .lurassic (England, France, Germany, India, Italy, Australia — New South Wales and Victoria) T. Feisimaidelli John- Triassic (Australia- Queen.sland, Tas- ston mania. South Australia and Victoria Rhaetic (Argentina and New Zealand) Jurassic (New Zealand, Au.stralia — Queens- land and Victoria) T. tancifolm Jlorri.s Triassic (Au.stralia — Queen.sland, and Vic- sp. toria) Rhaetic (New Zealand and Argentina) Mesozoic (Australia — Tasmania) Jurassic (Australia — Queensland) T. odoniopte.roidps Triassic (Australia— (Jueensland, New Jlorri.s sp. South Wale.s, South Au.stralia, and Victoria ; India) Rhaetic (Argentina, China, South Africa, America aud Europe) Jurassic. (Australia — VTctoria and New South Wales) Taeniopteris Upper Carboniferou.s (France) Permian (Thuringia, Lebach, Alsace, Vir- ginia) Triassic aud Rhaetic (Germany, South Africa, Argentina, China, Australia and New Zealand) Juras.sic (England, Arctic Region, Poland, India, Japan, China, New Zealand and Australia) Wealden (North Germany and England) Ptilophyllum T. ivianamaUae, P'ei.stm Triassic (Australia, South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria) Triassic (Australia — Queensland [flowers], and Victoria [leaves]) L 146 ] TRIASSIC FLORA OF BALI) RILL. IV. — List of Plants — continued. (ienus. Species. liariKP. Ptilophyllum (continued) F. 2KCte.n Phillips s]). Jura.ssic (England, India, Grahainland, New Zealand, Au.stralia — Queensland and Victoria [lea\ es]) VN'ealden (North Germany). (Jretaceou.s (Greenland) Triassic (Ainstralia — Victoria) Jurassic (I'Ingland, India, Australia — Queensland and Grahainland) Lower Cretaceous (Greenland) Ginkgoites G. du/itaia, Brongn. sp.' Trias and Bhaetic (South Africa, Austra- lia— Queen.sland and Victoria) Jurassic (England, Scotland, Spitzhergen, North Germany, 'rurkestan, Jajian, Oregon, Australia- -Victoria) Cretaceous (Greenland) Tertiary- Eocene, Jlioceue and later. (I. of Mull, Greenland, North Italy, France, North yVmerica) Trias.sic (Australia — Queensland) Jurassic (Great Britain, Franz Josef Land, Oregon, Japan, Australia— Victoria) Mesozoic (Australia — Tasmania) G]). .liirassic nr Weahlen (Spitzbergen) Baiera B. darleytnsis sp. nov. Permian (France) Trias.sic (Switzerland. Sweden, Australia — Queensland) Rhaetic (Japan and New Zealand) Jura.ssic (England, S]iitzhergen, China, Australia Victoria) Lower Cretaceou.s (Dakota) Trias.sic (Australia —Victoria) Stachyopitys .S'. annularioides, Shirley Tria.ssic (Australia — Queensland and Vic- toria) Rhaetic (Franconia, South America, and South Africa) Tria.ssic (Au.stralia— Queen.sland and Vic- toria) .1 urassic (Grahainland) Antholithus Triassic (.Australia — ^'ictoria) Rhaetic (Scania) Jurassic (England) Phoenicop.sis F. elongatus Morris sp- Triassic (Australia) Rhaetic (South Africa) Jurassic (North Germany, Franz Josef Land, Siberia, India and .Australia) Triassic (Australia — Anctoria and Tas- mania) Rhaetic (South Africa) [ 147 ] TRIASSIC FLORA OF BALI) HILL. IV — ^.List of Plants conlinued . (ionu-;. Species. liimge. Phoenicopsis Jurassic (Australia— Queensland and Tas- {eont'imied) mania) P. Feistmanteli .S]>. Triassic (Australia Victoria) nov. Jurassic (India) PsYGMOPHYL- Devonian (Ireland. Norwav, and New- LUM found land) Carboniferous (England and Spitzbergen) Permian (France, Russia, Germany, Soiitli Africa, Au.stralia — New iSoutli Wales) 'I’riassic (Australia Victoria) Hrachyphyl- P. Fergusoni sp. nov. Triassic (Australia — Victoria) Triassic (Australia Victoria) LUM Rbaetic (New Zealand) Jurassic (England, France, India, Aus- tralia — Victoria) Lower Cretaceous (Portugal and North America) B. cmssxm Woods Tria.ssic (.Australia -Queensland and Vic- Elatocladus toria) Triassic (Australia— A'ictoria) Rhaetic (Scania and New' Zealand) Jurassic (F.ngland, India, Australia. Gra- hamland and New Zealand) Cretaceous (Westphalia. Moravia, Bohemia, Buloaria. Greenland and North .America F. conferta Oldh. Triassic (Australia — Ab'ctoria) Raritania and Morr. .s]>. Rhaetic (New Zealand) Jurassic (New Zealand, .\ustralia -A'ic- toria) Cretaceous (New .lerse\’) Rarilaina rictoriae Triassic (.Australia Wctoria) sp. nov. lu digesting the foregoing suimnary of occurrences, we find tliat. amongst genera older than the Trias, there are five counts. Of the Trias and Ehaetic, there are thirteen counts. file genera younger tiian the Trias have eleven counts (exclud- ing a doubtful record). I hus, the balance of evidence as to the age of the flora removes it conclusively from the Ganyamopteris horizon, and places it in the Trias, with a strong leaning towards the Jurassic facies. V.— GEOGRAPHICAL RELATIONSHIPS OF THE FOSSILS. A brief examination of our knowledge of the distribution of the various kinds of plants comprised in the present series, shows some striking points worthy of notice. [ 148 1 TRIASSIC FLORA OF BALO HILL. The equisetaleans, Sckizoneura and Phyllotheca are apparently confined to the old Gondwana continent. Thus, PcMzoneura appeared in Perniian times in both 8outh Africa and Australia, and persisted into the Triassic and Rhaetic in South Africa and Australia (Xew South Wales, Queeiisland and Victoria). Phyllotheca had a similar and even wider distribution, but still over the tract of Gondwanaland. Its habitats in Permian time extended from India and Australia to South Africa and South America. In the Triassic period it was apparently confined to Australia (New South Wales, (fiieensland, Victoria and Tasmania) : whilst the Rhaetic occurrence in New Zealand shows a later ]iene tration into that area. Although not found in this series, we may note that the related Equisetites is known from beds as old as the Trias in Europe, the older Permian and Carboniferous records being more or less doubtful calamiteans. The appearance of Equisetites in the Australian flora as early as the Triassic (Ipswich series) shows its universal distribution in the early Mesozoic ; though after remaining as a fairly abundant constituent of the southern flora until Jurassic times, it seems to have smhlenly retreated to Europe, with the exception of the remnants still found living in Java, the West Indies and South America (Buenos Aires and C'hili). The ferns include Coniopteris (presumably a tree-fern), which is a genus known to have lived in Europe during Triassic times ; in England, Australia and New Zealand during Jurassic times ; and in North America and Greenland, probably, in Cretaceous times; Thirmfelclia was a late Gondwanaland development, as it is well distributed throughout the Trias and Rhaetic of India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and South America. In Jurassic times it extended its range into Europe, aufl it also doubtfully lived on in the North American Cretaceous. Ihdike many other Australian types of fossil plants, Taenioptens had already established itself in the Euroj)ean and North American floras in Upper Carboniferous times, occurring in Erance and in Missouri. In the Permian it still flourished in those areas ; per- sisting in England, Europe and the Arctic regions, through Jumssic times and even into the Wealden. During the Triasso-Rhaetic period Taeniopteris was well established in the later Gondwana flora in India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa,, China and South America. It is a prominent genus in most southern Jurassic floras, in which period it suddenly dies (uit, though still })ersisting in Europe into the Wealden. The only representative of the Cycadales, Phlophyllvm, is anothei' well-distributed genus, and appears first in the Southern Hemi- sphere, in Queensland, and now in Victoria. In New Zealand it is found in later, Jurassic, rocks, similar in its time occurrence in 1 149 ] TKIASSIC FLORA OP BALI) LULL. England, (xraliam Land and India. It persists also in southern areas in .Jurassic times, as it is found in tlie Walloon series in Queens- land, as well as in New Zealand. Its latest ap])earance is in the Wealden of Lpper (lermany and the Cretaceous of (Jreenland. This fluctuating distribution is at least ])u;5zling and suggests some curious ])alaeogeogra})hical questions. The Cinkgoales, re[)i'esented by Haiera as the older type, and Ginkgo or Ginkgoites, range from the Permian, till to-day. Baiera itself occurs in the Permian of France. In the Trias-Hhaetic it is fouml both in Europe and the later Comlwana areas. The -Jurassic period saw it exteiuling to North America, where it persisted till Lower Cretaceous times. d'he type ol the living Gutkgo dates from the Trias of Adctoria and the Hhaetic of South Africa. Amongst the genera of uncertain position, but allied to the Cyca- dales or Cinkgoales, are Phoenncojjsis and PsygmophijUnm. The genus BhoeHK‘Oj)shH, like several other generic tyf)es enumerated here, ap})ears to have commenced its existence in the Southern J^Iemisphere, as it occurs in the [iresent Triassic series and also in the Hhaetic of South Africa. It later made its aj)pearance in Europe, in the .Jurassic, at which time it was alsf) a well known. comj)on,ent of the Australo- Indian series. /Gip/niophijUimK The range of this genus (in, a less restricted form), is given as from Devonian to Permian. It is interesting to note the geographical distribution of the genus, wdiich in Devoniaii and Carlioniferous times was confined to Eurojje and North America. It then apparently S])read to ( londwanaland in. the Permian, where it is found in the South African and probably Australia (New South Wales) series of rocks. This ])resent occurrence, in the Trias of \dctoria, of examples (]uite typical of Idndley and Hutton's ( Arboni- ferous fossils from the English Newca.stle Coal Measures, is there- fore highly interesting as a record of persistence into the Mesozoic. Of the Coniferales, BmcJu/phglhnn has hitherto been confined almost entirely to the .Jurassic rocks of England, France, India and Australia ; but it has survived into the Lower Cretaceous of Portugal and the Dakota Croup of North America. The oldest record, that of the present, Triassic occurrence at Bacchus Marsh, is further confirmed by the discovery of the genus by Newell Arber in probable Hhaetic rocks of Otago, New Zealand, In Blatocladus, which accoriling to Halle‘S should include sterile Coruferous branches of the radial or dorsi-ventral tvpe, which do Tiot show any characters which permit them to be includeil in one of the genera instituteil for more jieculiar forms," we have a generic type similarly found in, the Bhaetic of New Zealand as 4:> Halle, 19l:l, vul. 111., ]t. XIV., p. 8:J. [ 150 ] TRIASSIC FLORA OF RALI) JIILL. well as in Sweden. Tlie presen, t occurrence extends the time range to the Trias. In Jurassic times it was a most im])ortant component of the later (londwana flora of India, Australia, New Zealand and (Iraham Land, and also persisted in the hiuropean flora of that time. In the (Vetaceous ])eriod it seems to have been restricted to North America and Europe. The genus Raritania, only provisionally recorded here, in the Trias, is a North American ('retaceous type. Airy further dis- coveries of this particular form in Australia will ])e awaited with interest. VI. CONCLUSIONS. From a consideration of the foregoing descriptions of plant remains from the ScJiizonenra bed of the trench in the C'ouTxcil Paddock at Bald Hill, it will be seen that the evidence is in favour of a Triassic age for this horizon. It is interesting to note McCoy's close determination of the age of the bed, in s])ite of meagre data, for he recognised its JTiassic affinities, even in the face of the inverted field relations as mis- understood at the time, that is to say, as regar-ds the sup])osition of these beds occurring iinder the (>er wmnt to jiress the present writer, in conjunction with Miss Cookson, B. Sc., has juiblished “ A Revision of the ‘ Sweet ’ Collection of Triassic Plant Remains from Leigh's Creek, South Australia Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Aus- tralia, vol. L. 1926, pp. 163-178, pis. XIX -XXIV. The species in common be- tween the two localities (Leigh's Creek and Bacchus Marsh) are as follows : - Thinnfeklia Feislmantelli .lohnst, ThimifeJdia Imwifolia Morris sji. Taeniopleris wmnamaltae Feistm. sp. Although the two floras have little in common, they both give the same chronological result, viz., Bacchus (upper flora), “ Triassic, with a strong leaning towards the Jurassic facies”, and Leigh’s Creek, “Triassic, the flora having a fair proporfion of jirecocious Jurassic types.” [ 153 ] TKIASSIC FLORA OF BALI) HILL, KXl’LANATION TO PLATK8. Platk X. PiiT. 1. Schizoneum mierophylla S]). nov. Cast of stem, witli traces of leaves. Paratv])e. Natural size. Fig. mk'nrphjUa s]). nov. External surface with attached leaflets. Paratv])e. Natural size. Pig.' 3._,S. microjihytht s]). nov. A slender stem, showinv; nodes and leaflets. Paratype. Natural size. hhii'. 4. PhylJolInca iiulica Eunbury. Stem with closely set joints and re- mains of wliorled leaflets. X A. Fiu'. [}.- -Pehizoiieura mia-ophijUa sp. nov. Nodal diaphra.gm. Paratyi)e. X 2. Fig. b. (f) Ph/jlJoIhrca iiulica Buidniry. Ehizome with attached tubers. X 3. Fig. 7. Schizoneum 'mierophylla s]). nov. Pith ('ast of stem, to ^the margin of which, at a node, remains of attached leaves are seen. Cotype. Natural si.^e. Fig. S.--)S. 'mierophylla s]). nov. Pith cast, with traces of folia, ge at the nodes. Paraty])C. X 2. Fig. 9. I^l) Phyllolheca iiulica Buid)vu'v. Khizome with attached tubers. X 3. Fig. - Schizoiicura micro ph'ijlla s]>. nov. Stem and part of two nodal dia- i)hragms. Paraty])e. X 2. Fig. 11.— N. mierophylla .s|). nov. Leaflet from slab, near specimen figure 10. i’araty])e. X 2. Fig. 12. S. mierophylla sp. nov. Short joint showing grooved and inter- lineated stem, with leaves attached. Paratv])e. X 2. Platk XL Fig. \?>. SchizoiK'iira microjih'ijlla s|). nov. Part of a c.yclet of leaves. Para- tv])e. X 2. Pig. mierophylla. sp. nov. External surface of stem, with node and basal leaf imprint-s. Paraty|)e. X 2. Fig. 15 . — Phyllothcca imlicu Enidniry. Stem with dis))laced nodes. X 4. Fig. lb. Phijllolhcea aimlirdis Brongniart. Base of joint and leaf-sheath. Natural .size. Fig. 17 . — SchizoHcura mierophylla, s]i. nov. Leave.s attached to nodal dia- i)hragm. Paraty])e. X 2. Pig. i8._cL Schkoiieiira. E])idermis of (?) rhizome, showing pits of rootlet attachment. X 2. Fig. B). Thiunfddia oiloufopkroiile.^ Morris s]). Raohis with three pinnules. X 2. Pig. 2{).—ThiU)ifchlia laneifolia Morris s]). A characteristic pinnule. X 2. Fig. 21. T. lauei folia, Morris sj). A pinnule, x 2. Fig. 22. A iilholilhac X 2. Fig. 23. — jlntholilhus 1 ^]). X 2. Fig. 24.-- (?) Poiiiojitirin delicalala Shirley s]>. x 2.1. Fig. 'lb — Slachyopilyn cj. a iiu ularioides Shirley. X 2. Fig. 2fi. -Aulholithus sp. X 2. Fig. 'll -Phoenicopsis eloiiyalus Morris sp. x 2. Fig. 2S . — (ioniopleris di liciilula Shivley ii]). .Apex of frond. x 21. Fig. 29.- (linb/oilcs diyilata Brongniart s]>. X 2. f 154 ] TRIASSIC FLORA OF BALU HILL. Explanation to Plates -continued. Plate XII. Fig. SO. -ThtunfeUlm Fei.slmu)ililh .lohnston. (T. S. Hall coll.) Rachi.s and pinnules, showing venation. X 2. Fig. .31. — Phamicojms Feutmantrli sj). nov. (Types as figured l.iy Feistinantel, Pal. Ind., 1877). Two fragmentary leaves. X 2. Fig. 31a. — P. FeiMmanleli sp. nov. A])ieal portion of leaf. ,X 2. Fig. 32. - Baiera darleyensis sp. nov. x 2. Paratv])e. Fig. 33. - B. darleyensis sp. nov. X 2. Paraty|)e. Fig. 34.— H. darleyensis sp. novn X 3. Holotype. Fig. 3.0. Sclmoneura ■nricrojdiylla sp. nov. Strobil at terminal of a shoot. Cotype. X fi. Fig. 3t).~ Ptilophyllnm { W illiamsonia) 'peclen Phillijis sp. A frond ; the original of McCoy’s PtiJophylimn- Officeri. X 2.1. Fig. ‘in . ^Elafocladns confciia Oldham and Morris, sp. Axis with three leaf- lets. X fi. Fig. 38. — Microtesla Iriassira gen. et sp. nov. Holotype. X 52. Fig. 39. — Psyymophylhim Ferynsoni sp. nov. An inpierfect leaf. X 2. Fig. 4(1.-- (?) Cycadaceous fruit. Natural size. Fig. 4()a. — Cycadaceous fruit. Enlarged view of one of the enclosed mega- spores. X 4. Pl.vte XIll. Fig. 41. — (?) Cycadaceous fruit in matrix. Photograjih. Natural size. Fig. 42.— Wood, indeterminate. Encrusted with concretionary cone-in-cone structure. Photograph. Natural size. Fig. 43.— Bchizonenra niierojd/ylJa sp. nov. Photogra])h of pith cast. I’aratype. Natural size. Fig. Psyymophyllum Ferynsoni sj). nov. Photograph of Holotype. Natural size. Fig. 45. P. Ferynsoni s]>. nov. Enlarged drawing of holotv])e, to show venation. X 2. Fig. 46. -(?) Elatocladns confirta Oldham and Morris sp. Leaflet, x 4. Fig. 47. Brachyphyllnni. cretssnm. T. Woods. Terminal shoot. X 4. Fiix. 48. Schizonenra. microphylla sp. nov. Slender stem with leaflets. Para- tv))e. X 4. Fig. 49. - ( ?) Earitnnia ricforine, sp. nov. Enlarged drawing to show the character of the foliage. X 4. Fig. 50.- (?) Raritania rUioriae. sj). nov. PhotogTa])h of lioloty])e. On the same slab are associated remains of Echizonenra. X :j. Fig r)\ . Taeniopten's irianinneitlae, Fiestnmiitel. Tyjie of Taeniojileris Eweeti, McCoy. Natural size. L 155 J Mem. Nat. Mus., Melbourne, 7. Plate X. JE Plate XL Mem. Nat. Mus., Melbourne, 7. 1608.— 12 Mem. Nat. Mus., Melbourne, 7. Plate XII. 1(50 8.— 13 jVIem. Nat. Mus., .Meijku'iine, 7. Plate XIH r.' 'mi IJYTHOTREPHIS IN VICTORIA. OX AN ADDITIONAL OCCUEKENCE OE BYTHOTREPHI8 IN VICTORIA. By A. H. 8. Lucas, M.A., B.8c. (Plate XIV.) 1 am indebted to the autliorities of the National Museum, Mel- bourne, for tbe opportunity of describing tlie following specimen. Presumably tlie primitive flora of the world was entirely algal. Other forms appear to have developed from different types of algae. Hence it is of interest and imjiortance to ascertain what types of algae flourished in the earlier times, how they were dis- tributed, and what was their elemental structure. The evidence is fragmentary, and owing to the soft entirely parenchymatous nature of the plants but little of the structure has been preserved and revealed. The occurrence, then, of a specimen of a well grown alga in beds so adapted to the preservation of soft parts that a jelly-fish is shown in nearly its entirety in them, gave hopes that information of value might be furnished as to early algal structure. Lhifortunately very little has been gained so far in this regard, but it is interesting to find an alga in the Melbournian Beds of Victoria, apparently identical with one from the Lower Ordovician of North America. The fossil consists of two main fronds of Dictyota habit wliich diverge as if proceeding from a common attachment. They do not lie flat in one plane but are extended freely as on an undulated surface, seemingly showmig that they were imbedded in rapidly accumulating sediment. One often finds recent ])lants like Dictyota dichotoma similarly half sunk in wet sand which has been pouretl over them by the tide succeeding that which deposited them on the beach. The fronds are com])ressed, repeatedly dichotomous, with acute axils, the segments not rapidly diminishmg in width. Length of frond 78 mm., while the spread of the two fronds occupies a width of 94 mm. Tlie width of the segments average about 3 mm. The length of the longest branch 60 mm. The substance is carbonaceous. A collodion film showed rounded cells loosely grouped with rather thin borders, 79-124/x in diameter (pi. XIII., f. 3). I venture to identify the form with Bytiiotmidiis ymcilis, James Hall, described and figured from the Trenton Limestone, in the upper part of the Lower Ordovician of New York.^ Hall’s description is as follows : — “ Form slemler, flattened, branched ; branches com- pressed, leaflike, subdichotomous, diverging, opposite and alternate ; no visible structure. 1 Palaeontology of Netv York, Vol. p. G2, Plate XXI., lig. 1, Albany, 1847. [ 157 ] BYTHOTREPHIS IN VICTORIA. A Carbonaceous film is all that remains of the fossil. It Avas ])robably a succulent marine ])lant, not unlike Fucus, but of a very slender form and habit.” The alga was obtained from Holfman's ('lay Fit, Brunswick, IMel- bourne, in the basal part of the Melbournian Beds of tlie Silurian Series (F. ('hapman). It is bedded in a pale blue pyritous sandstone, occurring in intermittent bands in tlie typical blue mudstone. The sandstone is very fine grained, but the bedding is not Avell developed, the irregular fracture indicating shallow water conditions. The Museum is indebted for its preservation to Mr. K. Eatius, one of the Avorkmen, who had previously found Trilobites and Brachiopods in the clay ])it, and aaIio took great care to gather and preserve as much as possible of the specimen. Mr. F. ('hapman has recorded other Victorian algae whicli he has identified with foreign s])ccies of Bythntre.jthis. I'hese are B. tev.uis -lames Hall, presetit in Silurian beds in the Botanical Cardens, South Yarra,“ B. intermedia -James Hall, in Silurian beds, South Yarra,^ both found in the Trenton Limestone of New York ; and B. divaricata Ividston, from the Tanjilian of Walhalla,'* described from the Wenlock of IVIalvern, England. The generic form B/itJiotre/dns then seems to have been dominant in Silurian and ()i'do\d(uan times in England, North America and \ictoria, and aa^c may suspect, throughout the seas of the AA^orld. By the apparent sini))licity of its structure it seems to liaAm been an elemental or generalised type. Hall compared it Avdth Facas, a name not so definite in his time as noAA^, but in the absence of any kind of fruit it is impossible to associate Byfhotrephis Avith any living genus, even AAuth Dictyota, AAdiich it resembles in form and habit and Avdiich has much simpler modes of re])roduction than the jnesent restricted Facas. It remains to me to acknoAvledge hoAv greatly 1 am indebted to ]\lr. F. Cha])man for the help he has given me in draAving up the present record. EXPLANATION OF PLATE XIV. Fig. 1 . — BythotrepJus gracilis, J. Hall sp. Frond, natural size. Fig. 2. — Portion of tlie same, twice natural size. Fig. -3. — Cell structure of tlie carbonised surface, from a collodion film. The arrow shows the direction of length in the frond. Magnified 104 diameters. 2 ll’ro(\ Uoy. Soc.,vol. xv. (X.S.), pt. I., ]90:i, p. 104, pi, xvi., f, 1. ti l(l('utifle(i by F. CliapiiiiUi, Nat. Mus., Coll. 4 liec. Geol. Siirv. Yict., vol. ill., pt. 2, 1912, p. 231, pi. xxxviii , f ] Ry All! Iioi’it y : II. J. (Ikkfx. (-ovoniiiuMit Priiitor. Aiolboiiviie, [ 158 ] Mkm. Nat. Mus., Melbourne, 7. Plate XTV. I f H ' X - sV