176 Artltnr M. Lea: 



round, sides diluted to near apex, hind angles gently rounded ; 

 each with a distinct sutural stria, a fine but moderal distinct 

 discal one, and near base very faint traces of others ; with 

 sparse indistinct punctures. Abdomen slightly longer than 

 elytra, base transversely strongly impressed, thenoe regularly 

 and strongly convex, sides of depression stronglv margined, the 

 convex part with finer margins ; under surface with basal seg- 

 ment short, its middle subcarinated, second and third fairly 

 long and of equal length, fourth and fifth strongly incurved 

 to, and narrow across middle. Metasternum strongly convex. 

 Legs rather short ; femora not very stout; tibiae rather strongly 

 inflated to apex; tarsi thin. Length li mm. 



Hah. — N.vS. Wales : Wollongong — in a nest of ants (A. M. 

 Lea). 



From some directions the base of the elytra appears to have 

 numerous fine striae ; whilst from others the elytra appear to 

 be very finely strigose throughout. From the side the abdomen 

 appears almost globular. The type appears to be a female. 



Paussidae. 



All the species of this family recorded from Australia are 

 here noted, as although but few of them have been actually 

 taken from ants' nests, it is practically certain that they all 

 do resort to the nests of ants or termites. Nearly all the species 

 are extremely rare, and nuvny, so far, have only been taken at 

 lights. 



Arthrupterus brevis, Westw. 



I have taken this species in a nest of Ectntnmma iDetallicum, 

 in the spongj' bark of a species of Eucalyptus near Sydney, and 

 under stones and loose bark of living trees. 



Artliropterus nigrirnrnis, Macl. ? 



Two specimens (from Narromine in N.S. Wales and Cunna- 

 mulla in Queensland) probably belong to this species ; they are, 

 however, larger (Hi and 12 mm. respectively) than the type 

 (5 lines). The dark antennae are opaque (except idong the 

 middle), and densely covered with minute granules. The hind 



