On the Scydmcenides of New South Wales, by the 

 Rev. R. L. King, B.A. 



[Read 3r(i August, 1863.] 



The species described in the following paper were nearly all 

 captured in the immediate neighbourhood of Paramatta. Most 

 of them have probably a wide range ; but, owing to their very 

 nainute size, they generally escape the notice of collectors. 

 The genera Scydmcenus and Megaladerus are found under 

 wood in grass, in dry places, feeding upon the minute Acari 

 which frequent such situations. The other genera are found 

 under the dead bark of trees lying upon the ground, particularly 

 the species of " Ironbark " and Stringy Bark, (Eucalyptus resini- 

 fera and E. acervula ?) Two species, Heterognathus carmatus and 

 M. prlnceps, were found in an Ant's nest, running about among 

 the eggs, and apparently unnoticed by the ants. I cannot 

 discover whether there was any peculiar attraction which drew 

 them to so crowded a dwelling place. 



The Australian species hitherto detected naturally range them- 

 selves under six genera, two only of which have been hitherto 

 described. The three former of the new genera are remarkable 

 on account of the contiguity of their posterior legs. The minute 

 size of the terminal joint of the Maxillary Palpus, so characteristic 

 of the family (PI. VI. fig. A. 3.) is well marked in all the species. 

 All are winged. 



The following is a synopsis of the (Australian) genera : — 



A. — Posterior legs contiguous. 



a. labial palpi bi-articulate. 



aa. mandibles with two teeth and mem- 

 branous edge P/u((/(iHop/i(iiii). 



hb. mandibles with one tooth Scijdnimiilla. 



h. labial palpi tri-articulate Psepharobiini. 



B. — Posterior legs distant. 



c. the 4th joint of max, paljn conical Scydm^vims. 



(I. the 4th joint of ,, ,, globular. 



dd. mandibles alike Megaladerus. 



ee. „ unlike Heterognathus. 



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