Nepharis and other Ants Nest Beetles. 381 



De}-mestidae. 



Mr. Goudie infoi-ms me that he has seen numerous larvae 

 apparently belonging to Anthrenus or Dermestes, in the nests ; 

 but as yet has taken no images of the family. I have myself, 

 however, recorded a species of it [Ti-ogoderma (Anthrenus) 

 socium, Lea] from ants' nests near Sydney. 



Ptinidae. 



Diphobia familiaris, Oil. 



This is a common insect in the Riverina districts and in some 

 parts of South Australia, where it may often be taken under 

 the bark of various species of Eucalypti, usually in the company 

 of ants. Apparently, however, it is rare at Birchip. 



Paussoptinus, n. g. 



Head rather small. Eyes small, ovate and lateral. Clypeus 

 large and triangular. Mandibles short and strong. Palpi not 

 visible with head in position. Antennae large and wide, their 

 bases almost touching, second joint almost entirely concealed. 



Prothorax longer than wide, towards base with a strong 

 foveate transverse depression, the sides dentate. 



Scutellum absent. 



Elytra ovate, soldered together. 



Mesosternum slightly notched in front. Abdomen wide, with 

 five segments ; third much wider but no longer than fifth, 

 slightly shorter than second, and about twice as long as first ; 

 fourth very short and distinctly curved. 



Coxae large, four anterior free, all largely excavated to receive 

 trochanters ; front pair moderately, middle pair more widely, 

 hind pair very widely separated. Tl-ochanters, especially the 

 hind pair, large. Femora grooved to receive tibiae, edentate. 

 Tibiae somewhat compressed, sides grooved to receive tarsi. 

 Tarsi linear and rather thin, all five-jointed, first moderately 

 long second-fourth diminishing in length, and, combined, as 

 long as fifth. Claws small and simple. 



Body apterous. /s^ 



ujIlibrar Y 



