Goleoptera, Part I. 129 



Head densely punctate, median line not traceable. Antennae 

 terminated before base of prothorax, first joint stout, the length 

 of second and third combined, third to tenth transverse, the 

 ninth and tenth noticeably wider than the preceding ones, 

 eleventh briefly ovate, not much longer than tenth. Prothorax 

 and elytra as in the preceding species. Length H mm. 



Hab.~^.S. Wales : Sydney. 



In general appearance very close to the preceding species, but 

 smaller, head differently coloured, eyes larger and elytra much 

 paler. From brightensis its differently coloured elytra and non- 

 carinated prothorax should readily distinguish it. 



Lucanidae. 



Neolauiprima niaiidihularis, Macl. 



This beautiful insect is common at Kuranda and in several 

 other parts of North Queensland, and it varies to a remarkable 

 extent in the mandibles of the male, and the colours of the 

 female. Mr. Henry Hacker first informed me of the great 

 variability of the species, and I have since heard from. Messrs. 

 Edmund Allen and J. A. Anderson to the same effect. From all 

 three, also, I have received numerous specimens, sent as belong- 

 ing to one species. 



In sending a series Mr. Hacker wrote: — "With regard to 

 Neolamprima mandihuJaris. The series sent is selected from 

 over 80 specimens which I took near the Clohesy River, about 

 12 miles from Kuranda. I caught them all in two days in the 

 same locality, i.e., in a clearing in the scrub. They were all 

 taken either flying in the hot sunshine or copulating on rotten 

 logs. I could have taken a hundred more at the same time, 

 had I wanted them. On examining a series of males there seem 

 to be three well-defined forms of mandibles, long, medium and 

 short, rather more than a gradual merging from long to short. 

 The males do not vary much in colour, but the females vary 

 from a deep blue, through various shades of green, to brassy 

 red. I am perfectly convinced in my own mind that the above 

 series represent but one species." 



To judge from the examples sent by the three entomologists 

 named, the commonest form of the male has the mandibles 



