1920.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 17 



Of the new species described by that author, we regret to state 

 that a considerable percentage appear to be of doubtful validity. 

 In isome cases mere color variants have been described as new spe- 

 cies. Geographic racial differentiation is ignored. It is clear that 

 we here have another example of the specialist whose activities 

 have apparently been wholly, or in large part, limited to the study 

 of museum specimens. 



The situation shows the absolute necessity at the present time, 

 of the specialist, working on a particular group of insects, to have 

 a first hand knowledge of the forms in nature. The significance of 

 differences observed, whether due to individual size or color varia- 

 tion, or genetic factors, or to local environmental influences, or to 

 geographic distribution and in this respect whether or not of racial 

 value, or constituting valid diagnostic criteria of specific or generic 

 value, can otherwise hardly be fathomed. 



In making this statement the author is not influenced by preju- 

 dice, but is speaking from experience, acquired through many months 

 of field work in regions where a considerable number of species of 

 the Mantidse occur. 



Systematic Treatment. 

 I. PEELAMANTIKE2. 

 1st Group, Paraoxypili. 



Paraoxypilus verreauxii Saussvire 



1870. F[araoxypilus] verreauxii Saussure, Melang. Orth., I, p. 305. [cf, 

 Tasmania.] 



Townsville, Queensland, Australia, 2 cf . 



This remarkable little insect has been further recorded from 

 southern Australia by Saussure and from Peak Downs, Queensland, 

 Australia, by Sjostedt. The pronotum is figured by Giglio-Tos.^ 



2d Group, Perlamantes. 



Amorphoscelis borneana Giglio-Tos. 



1913. A[morphosceHs] borneana Giglio-Tos, Gen. Ins., Fasc. 144, Orth., 

 Mantidae, Perlamantinae, p. 9. [ ? , Borneo.] 



Jelabu, British Straits Settlements, Malay Peninsula, 1 9 . 



- The subfamihes and groups as given by Giglio-Tos are indicated throughout 

 the present paper. This does not mean that we indorse his system. We do 

 believe, however, that it is the most satisfactory to date and should be followed 

 pending further comprehensive revisionary work. 



^Gen. Ins., Fasc. 144, Orth., Mantidae, Perlamantinae, pi. figs. 2a and 2b 

 (1913). 



