1905.] 61 



Stephanocirciis, which, together with those of Mr. Eaiiibow, present, 

 in our opinion, all the important published facts in connection with 

 the present species. 



During the last few years we have described no less than three 

 new species of fleas belonging to this genus,^ but all from female 

 specimens ; and no male of any of the species belonging to the genus 

 Stephanocircus has as yet been described. Through the kindness of 

 Mr. A. Simson, of Launceston, Tasmania, we have received one male 

 and seven females of S. dasyuri, and one male and one female of a 

 second species closely allied to S. dasyuri, but quite distinct, which we 

 describe for the first time in the present article. 



The specimens of S. dasyuri were taken from the following 

 hosts: — Mus velutinus, Perameles gunni, and Dasyurus viaculatus. 

 The last-mentioned host also yielded one male and one female of 

 Geratophyllus hilli. The two specimens of 8. simsoni were taken off 

 Mus veJutinus and Dasyurus maculatus. 



1. — Stephanocircus dasyuri, 8kuse (PI. T, figs. 1. 4). 



The antennae have eleven segments, and the maxillary and labial palpi have 

 four and five segments respectively. The male is of special interest, as the 

 sexual organs show a close afEnity to HystrichojJsiiUa. The eighth tergite of the 

 male of S. dasyuri is narrow above, but gradually widens laterally. The eighth 

 sternite, which is very shallowly emarginate has a uniform breadth equal to that of 

 the ventral portion of the eighth tergite. This sternite bears a row of three bristles 

 and two additional hairs on each side. The clasper (PI. I, fig. 1) is large. It is 

 sinuate dorsally near the base, and bears one very long and two short bristles 

 proximally of the sinus. The irregularly elliptical distal flap-like process (P) of the 

 clasper bears one long lateral bristle and two apical ones, of which latter the upper 

 one is short. There are, in addition, a number of minute hairs near the edges. 

 The finger (F) is not quite so long as the clasper. It is slender and slightly curved, 

 gradually becoming narrower towards the apex, and bearing a number of small hairs 

 at the ventral and apical edges. The manubrium (M) is broader in the middle than 

 at the base. Its upper edge is nearly evenly curved. The external portion of the 

 ninth sternite is not divided niesially. It is slender and somewhat curved, bearing 

 on each side at the apex a short spine, and close behind this a long one. Further 

 towards the base there are two long bristles, and close to these several shorter ones. 

 Between the long bristles and the spines there are three thin hairs. The tenth 

 tergite (PI. I, fig. 4) bears only a very few bristles. 



2. — Stephanocircus simsoni, sp. nov. (PI. I, figs. 2, 8, 5). 



Head. — The head of the S is, unfortunately, missing. Our description is 

 therefore taken from tin- ? (PI. I, fig. 3). The helmet is rounded in front, especially 

 in the upper half. It bears a comb of fifteen spines on each side and a row of very 



5. S. mars, Novit. Zool,, v, p. 544, pi. xvl, fig. 11 (1898).*^ 



S. thomasi, Novit. Zool., x, pp. 318-319, pi. ix, figs. 4, 5 (1903). 

 6'. minerva, Novit. Zool., x, p. 319, pi. ix, figs. 6, 7 (1903). 



