ON SOME AUSTRALIAN TERMITES. 



373 



to the 3rd in D. silvcstrii, 5th about half the length of corresponding joint in 

 the latter species. The head very slightly redder than in the allied species. In 

 size it is intermediate between individuals of D. silvestrii from high stony localities 

 (Castle Hill, Townsville), and those from the low-lying country in the vicinity 

 (Townsville Common). 



Fig. 7. Drcpanotcrynes septentrioiialis, sp. n., 

 basal joints of antenna of soldier. 



Worker.— Yery like that of D. silvestrii ; head more reddish, median suture very 

 obscure, not widening in front to surround the fontanelle ; fontanelle hardly visible ; 

 antennae with 18 joints, stouter, but otherwise similar. 



This caste, like the soldier, is intermediate in size between D. silvestrii from the 

 hill-sides and from the plains, as shown by a series of measurements of antennae, 

 mandibles and tibiae. 



Biology. 



The imago was originally described under the name of Tcrmcs rnhriceps, Frogg., 

 from a de-alated female taken on 11th January 1914 (Hill, 1915), and is here re- 

 described from a perfect specimen of the same sex taken under similar circumstances 

 and in the same locahty on 3rd February 1918. 



From a very thorough knowledge of all the country on either side of the Darwin- 

 Katherine Railway within 60 miles of the coast, I am convinced that these termites do 

 not construct termitaria, but live in rambling underground galleries as previously 

 described (HiU, 1915). 



Drepanotermes daliensis, sp. n. 



Soldier. — Head very dark, nearly black ; front of head, clypeus, anterior part of 

 prothorax and mandibles a little lighter, clypeus yellow ; antennae, palpi and legs 

 ochraceous tawnv- 



Fig. 8. Head of soldier of (a) Drepanotevmcs 



daliensis, sp. n. ; {b) D. perniger, Frogg. 



Head (fig. 8,a) very large, widest behind, sloping in slightly to the base of the jaws ; 



frons flattened, a little rugose, median suture indistinct. Mandibles very long and 



slender, falciform, each with a large angular tooth nearer to the base than to the apex 



