ON SOME AUSTRALIAN TERMITES. 389 



[b) Gross appearance similar to that of (a). Labrum very short, exposing the 

 two apical teeth of both mandibles. Antech^peus invisible. Eyes and ocelli as in (a). 

 Antennae 15-jointed. Fontanelle a large cone-shaped projection. Wing-pads of 

 metanotum extending to the base of the second abdominal tergite. Styli absent. 

 (This is evidently an abnormal form.) 



Measurements : Total length, 7-25 ; abdomen, 2 wide. 



Soldier very similar to H. perplextis. Labrum slightly more rounded ; clypeus 

 rather narrow-er and more deeply emarginate ; antennae inserted nearer the outer 

 margin of head, first two joints not so long and slender ; mandibular teeth rather 

 more hook-like ; gula as seen in dotted line (fig. 21). 



Fig. 21. Hamitcrmes perplexus 



var. victoriensis, nov., head of 



soldier. 



Measurements : as in H. perplexus. 



Worker. — As in H. perplexus. 



Victoria: Preston {F. E. Wilson). 



The differences between the Victorian and Townsville specimens are very sHght 

 indeed, but appear to me to be sufficient to justify one in separating the former as 

 a variety of the latter. 



Biology. 



This variety is described from two small colonies found imder stones. The first 

 colony was taken on 14th November and comprised a few' larvae, soldiers, workers, 

 n\-mphs of the second form and the neoteinics described above. The e^-es of the 

 nymphs are small and very little pigmented, the ocelli are rudimentary, the antennae 

 15-jointed as in the imago, and styli are present in both sexes. Worker-like indi- 

 viduals of whitish colour and slender form I consider to be immature reproductive 

 forms in the stage prior to the development of the wdng rudiments. 



The second colony was taken in September and comprised larvae, soldiers, workers, 

 nymphs of the second form and a true king. Neither a true nor a neoteinic queen 

 was found. It appears to be a rare form and the first of the genus to be recorded 

 from Victoria. There are no termitaria of anv kind in the district. 



