Bv U. .). TiI,l,^ .\i;i). 3l9 



brovn at each end of i)tei'o.stignia; in ^, IMi and the three 

 branches of lis above it are clouded with black for a short dis- 

 tance below the pterostigma; scales very numerous, black, causing 

 the hind wing to appear smoky. 



Types, (J9, in Coll. Tillyard (Kenthurst, N.S.W., January 

 •j;h-d, 191(5). 



JIab. — Rocky sandstone-clifts and gullies north and north-west 

 of Sydney, Murphy's Creek, Kenthurst, three males and three 

 females; Long Island, Hawkesbury River. Decembei'-February. 



This very peculiar insect was discovered by Mr. Luke Gallard, 

 of Epping, in 1914, at Kenthurst. My specimens were taken 

 A\hile on a visit to the original locality with Mr. Gallartl. The 

 insect rests with the wings in the usual Osmylid position, on the 

 fretted fac.es of caves and hollows in the sandstone-cliffs and 

 escarpments. It makes no attempt to escape, its colouration 

 rendering it absolutely invisible, unless one has previously marked 

 the spot where one of them alights. In company with it, but 

 less common, was the remarkable ghost-like Myrmeleontid, Xait- 

 fhoh'on hi'Initti, whose colouration is very similar. Mr. Gallard's 

 method of disturliing these insects was very ingenious, and I 

 found it most etiective. Using a thick, leafy branch about a 

 yard long, cut from some tree or bush, he rustled it ^ igorously 

 into every hole and corner of the cave. All the lacewings, which 

 were touched, \\ould flutter out from their hiding-places, and 

 settle a yard or two further on, when theyAvere easily pill-boxed. 



Several patches of the stalked eggs were found, there being 

 from thirty to fifty eggs in a patch, which closely resembled the 

 fructification of a small patch of moss. The eggs are very similar 

 to those of Chrysopa, but slightly rounder; both egg and stalk 

 are cream-coloured. My three females, confined in pill-boxes, set 

 to work almost at once to lay eggs, from twenty to fifty apiece. 

 The egg is an elongate spheroid, length 0-75 nun., and breadth 

 through middle 0-3.5 mm. (Text-fig. 10, n). It is supported on an 

 excessively fine stalk, varying in length fiom -5 to 5 nnn.. and so 

 delicate that it does not always support the egg firmly, but may 

 bend with the weij^ht of it. This stalk is hollow throughout 



