BY W. MACLEAY, JUN., ESQ. 201 



Rostrum brevissimum crassissimum basi trausversira siniiatim 



canaliculatiim. 

 Mandibulce latissimas valde convexaj margine interiore rectaB. 

 Oculi subplani subovati. 

 Caput breve gula incrassata. 

 Thorax antice supra late lobatus subtus sinuatus postice truncatus, 



lateribus medio ampliatus. 

 Scutellum parvum triangulare. 

 Abdomen oblongum apice late rotuo datum, masculo forfice anali 



instructo segmento anali ultimo excavato. 

 Pedes simplices sublongi tibiis subarcuatis. 



The most remarkable feature of tliis genus is the strong anal 

 forceps with which the male is armed. It is attached by strong 

 muscles to the under side of the last dorsal segment of the 

 abdomen, and seems to enclose the organs of generation ; in 

 most of the species also there is a sharp knife-like process on 

 the inner side of each blade of the forceps near its base. The 

 large excavation of the last ventral segment of the abdomen 

 in the male is remarkable, but this is also a characteristic 

 of the next genus. The sculpture of the rostrum and the wavy 

 transverse impression which seems to separate the rostrum from 

 the head are characters, I believe, peculiar to the genus. There 

 are two other remarkable characters, viz., the widely rounded 

 sides of the thorax, and the width of the apex of the abdomen ; 

 the first of these, however, is sometimes found in the other 

 genera of the group, while the last is not unfrequent in the next 

 genus Talaurinus. 



Very little is knowu of the habits of these insects. They are 

 found in dry rocky' or sandy places under logs or stones, always 

 feigning death when touched. Their food in the perfect state 

 is evidently dried grass or wood, or vegetable substances of any 

 kind, if dry and dead. Of their larvas I know nothing. These 

 remarks indeed may be said to apply to the whole sub-family. 

 The group generally seem to occupy the place here that the 

 Brachyceri do in South Africa. Species of the present genus 

 have been found in all parts of Australia, but they are decidedly 

 most numerous in N'ew South Wales and Queensland. 



