I90 GovDiE, Coleopiera of Norlh-Western Victoria. \v!a^'xxx 



nized by their broad, strongly convex form, truncate elytra, 

 clubbed antennae, and dentate tibiae. The local species are all 

 contained in the latter sub-family, and, with the exception of 

 the genus Chlamydopsis, are energetic destroyers of decaying 

 animal refuse of any kind. They may be seen at times flying 

 on hot days or crawling on paths ; but generally you have to 

 search for them as indicated above. 



Sub-Family HISTERIDES. 



Carcinops i^-striata, Steph. 



This is said to be an introduced species. It is a small shining 

 black beetle, about 2 mm. in length, with seven distinct strige 

 on each elytron. 



Chlamydopsis carbo, Lea, Proc. Roy. Soc. Vic, xxiii. (new 



series), part i, p. 204, fig. 20. 

 C epipleuralis, Lea, loc. cit., xxv., p. 68. 



1914. C. formicicola. King. Originally placed by King in the 

 family Byrrhidae, under the generic name Byzenia. 



The little beetles belonging to this genus are very singular 

 in appearance. They are squarely built, with retractile legs 

 and antenna. In several species the " shoulders " of the elytra 

 are raised and thickened so as to form a sort of epaulette, from 

 which projects a thin membrane. Another feature common to 

 many species is a deep fovea-like depression in the elytra 

 behind the shoulders. They frequent the nests of various 

 species of ants, and when lying motionless, with the legs and 

 antennae tucked away, might easily be passed over on account 

 of their resemblance to the broken remains of other insects 

 that have formed a part of the menii of the ants. 



They are all extremely rare, most of the descriptions having 

 been drawn up from single specimens. C. carbo is a black 

 species, having a curious bifid, horn-like projection springing 

 obliquely from the apex of prothorax and overhanging the 

 head. It was described from a unique specimen found near 

 Sea Lake in a nest of minute black ants (Pheidole, sp.) Length, 

 2|- mm. 



C. epipleuralis and C. formicicola resemble each other con- 

 siderably. They are chestnut-brown in colour and about 

 2£ mm. in length. 



Saprinus ausiralasicc, Blackb. 



1703. 5. cyanetis, Fabr. 

 1706. S. Icetiis, Er. 



These are typical Histerides, so much alike in form and 

 colour as to render their separation very difficult. They are 

 brilhantly coloured, the elytra ])eing of a vivid metallic l^luc 



