BY R. J. TILLYARD. 45l 



from Natal), it is the iirst record of a true Agrion from the 

 Southern Temperate Zone. 



22. ISCHNURA HETEROSTICTA Bumi. 



This common species is variable, both in size and colouration. 

 The type-form is that of the mainland, from Melbourne to Sydney; 

 further north to Brisbane, the species becomes slightly smaller 

 but scarcely differs in markings. In Tasmania, this species is 

 common, and appears to reach its highest development in a form 

 that seems to me to deserve a racial name, and is shortly described 

 below. 



If one examines the appendages of the male under a lens, one 

 is confused by the extreme thickness of the end of the abdomen, 

 and by the variability in position of the appendages. Usually 

 the inferior prolongation or tooth of the superior appendages can 

 only be seen by actually forcing these appendages upwards out of 

 place, or by depressing the inferiors. From one male in my 

 collection, however, I obtained an excellent profile-drawing showing 

 all the parts, and this is figured in Plate xlviii., fig.4, with the 

 corresponding dorsal view (left half) in fig.3. These figures are 

 needed for comparison with the appendages of /. torresiana, n.sp. 



Race tasmanica. — Differs from the type by its more robust 

 build, very hairy thorax, thick pterostigma, which in the forewing 

 of the male is very black basally and inferiorly; and especially 

 by the brilliance of the blue colouration, which is more widely 

 spread also in the colour-pattern. Antehumeral bands of both 

 sexes very distinct, often of a rich violet-blue colour. Segment 

 2 of male, instead of being black as in the type, is rich blue 

 above, with a very variable black pattern, the most usual form 

 being that of a black u, somewhat square at its base, and con- 

 nected to the apex of the segment by a more or less thick black 

 stalk. In the female, the basal two-thirds of segment 2 are 

 brilliant blue. 



Hab. - Tasmania(Launceston, Cressy, Hobart; January, 1909, 

 taken by myself). 



[Note : — J. senegalensis Rambur, reported from Australia, does 

 not occur, to my knowledge, anywhere on the continent]. 



42 



