1905.] 267 



It is here possible to rcifer to only a few of the multitudinous 

 forms of beetles which hide, during the day, under the flakes of bark 

 on the Eucalypti. The most numerous individually are several species 

 of the Elaterid genera Monocrepidius and Lacon^ the latter varying 

 in size from that of a small Cryptohypnus up to nearly an inch in 

 length. Next in point of numbers come a very interesting series of 

 Garabidx, whose flattened bodies are admirably adapted to their some- 

 what conflned quarters. The smaller members of the genera Trigono- 

 thops, Xanthophcea, Sarothrocrepis, Ecfroma, Philophloeus, Agonocheila, 

 etc., are always to the fore, with more rarely a rather fine species of 

 Demetrias {brachinoderus, Chaud.) ; and in early summer the larger 

 and exceedingly beautiful blue Enigma iris, Newm., and Helluosoma 

 cyaneum. Cast., are met with rather sparingly. All these are remarka- 

 ble for their activity, especially the two last-mentioned, but in this 

 respect they are far surpassed by the species of the characteristic 

 Australian genus SiJphomorpha, v/hich. look like miniature cockroaches, 

 and run even faster ; and the yet more anomalous Adelotopus, almost 

 like a Oyrinits in facies, and with similarly divided eyes. A good 

 many interesting small Glavicorns are found iu this situation, with an 

 endless variety of Coccinellidcs, mostly of the genus Rhizohius, some 

 of them of relatively large size, and several species of the curious 

 and very sluggish Lamellicorn genera McBchidius and Epholcis ; various 

 interesting forms of CleridcB, of which the flat brown Nafalis porcata, 

 F., is the largest ; and a goodly number of Heteromera {JVycfobates, 

 Adelium, Menephilus, Fterohelceus, ApeUatus, Ananca, and the bril- 

 liantly metallic but evil-smelling species of Amarygmus and Ghalcop- 

 teriis). Our Tenebrioides maiir it aniens, L., more than once surprised 

 me by turning up under bark in the "■ bush " far away from any 

 habitation. A few Longicorns are also to be got in this way, including 

 several species of PhoracantJia, and the largest Prionid of the district, 

 Mallodon Jiguratuin, Newm., is sometimes to be found at the end of 

 summer. The very remarkable Paussid, Artkropterus brevis, Westw., 

 is common, even in the Domain, where 1 first had the satisfaction of 

 witnessing its well-marked power of "' crepitation ;" the volatile liquid 

 which it emits is deep yellow in colour, has exactly the same smell as 

 that given off by our familiar Brachinus crepitans, and stains the 

 fingers in the same manner. Two or three other Faussidce, one, Fky. 

 matoperus piceus, Westw., being a very fine form, occur sparingly in 

 the lilawarra district, but i have never found any of the species in 

 the company of ants. 



Thick bark, separating from the trunks of fallen trees and logs, 



