The Odonata or Dragonfli.es of South Africa. 419 



backward; oblong black spots at posterior half of segments 4 to 7, 

 fused to dorsal black at end of each segment, narrowly 4-5, broadly 

 6-7 ; eighth segment with sides wholly black, only cuneiform basal 

 lateral spots remaining yellow ; 9-10 wholly black ; dorsum of seg- 

 ments 2-4 bright orange to scarlet red. Wings slightly stained with 

 greyish vellow : broad, deep golden-yellow basal spot on second pair, 

 to basal side of t and anal angle ; smaller and not so deeply coloured 

 spot on first pair. Pterostigma whitish at both ends, diffusely greyish 

 ferruginous in middle ; membranule greyish ferruginous. 



9 . Very similar to Tiiale, but no red colour on face, frons and 

 dorsum of basal segments of abdomen. Colour of basal spot in hind 

 wings lighter yellow. 



$ , Abd 27,'hdw. 29, pt. < 3 mm. $ , 24, 30 < 3. 



Widely distributed in tropical Africa, East and West, also recorded 

 from Nossi Be and recently by Mr. Campion from Assumption Island, 

 of the Aldabra Group in 'the Indian Ocean. 



HELOTHEMIS (Karsch, 1890). 



The single species representing this genus is a very close ally to 

 Trilhemis. The absence of the incomplete last ante-nodal cross-vein 

 seems to be a regular character, and since great importance (evidently 

 exaggerated in some cases) is given to the presence or absence of this 

 vein, the genus may stand, though with doubtful rights. 



HELOTHEMIS DORSALIS (Eambur, 1842). 



S. Afr. Mus. : 1 <^ , 1 9 (old specimens, no locality) ; 1 9 Boksburg, 

 Transvaal ; 1 $ , Salisbury (24 . xii. 1911). Brit, Mus. : 1 , Cape; 

 1 , Transvaal ; 2 $ , 1 9 . Johannesburg (1903, H. Crawford -Cruger) ; 



1 , Boksburg, Johannesburg (C. H. Pead) ; 1 $, Willow Grange, 

 Mooi Eiver, Natal (i, ii . 1913, E. C. Wroughton). Mus. Stockholm : 



2 (J , Caff raria (J. Wahlberg). Coll. Selys : 1 $ , 3 9 , Cap de Bonne 

 Esq. Coll. E. B. Williamson : 1 , Salisbury (iii . 1900, Marshall). 

 Coll. Eis. : 3 $ , Botchabelo, 1200 m., Transvaal (17, 18, 19 . ii . 1914, 

 H. Junod). 



^ . Labium black, sides yellowish ; labrum, auteclypeus and frons 

 anteriorly black ; postclypeus and a narrow line at anterior suture of 

 froiis dark olivaceous. Frous above and vertex brilliant metallic 

 violet. Thorax and abdomen wholly blackish, turning to violet-blue 

 owing to a rather thin pruinosity. Legs black. Wings hyaline ; 

 small, deep golden-yellow spot at base of second pair, about half way 

 to Cuq and two cells at membrauule. Pterostigma blackish, in some 



