— Beetles.— 



Thf-ir shape would make them, had they bulk and size. 

 More hideous foes than fancy can devise, 

 With helmet heads and dragon scales adorned, 

 The mighty myriads now securely scorned 

 Would mock the majesty of man's high birth. 

 Despise his bulwarks and unpeople earth. 



Insects (omitting mosquitoes) were scarce on the peninsula dur- 

 ing our visit. The absence of some of the most noticeable Coleop- 

 tera family was due most likely to the gums not being in flower 

 at the time. A small eucalyptus in flower was spied by Mr. H. 

 H. D. Griffith soon after landing from the steamer at Port Lin- 

 coln, and on searching he was repaid by capturing a pair of very 

 pretty Longicorns (Amphirhoe-decora). On close examination 

 it is found that these insects have most extraordinarily developed 

 "thighs" (femora). This capture is of great interest, because that 

 renowned entomologist, the Rev. Mi'. Blackburn, worked this 

 district thoroughly, and had never met this species within 10 

 miles of Port Lincoln. At Lake Wangary the ant-like Longicorn 

 (Zoedia-divisii) was found on de;id boughs, the minute Buprestid 

 (Germarica-casueriueae). on the foliage of the casuarina. and a 

 species of Belus on the leaves of the golden wattle. Along the 

 lower levels of Marble Range insect life seemed more plentiful. 

 The' "broom bush" (Mellaleuca-uncinata) attracted several specie."?, 

 and iimong them were identified a Paropsis (Chrysomelidae). Pe- 

 lororrhinus (Curculionidaei, nnd several species of Stingmodera 

 (Bui>restidae). Of the last-mentioned family I captured several 

 fine specimens of the species (Stigmodera-sanguinosa, Hope), fine 

 insects, with their dark-red wing cases pitted all over with metal- 

 fic green. Several of these brilliant insects were captui'ed by 

 other members of the expedition. An insect belonging to the 

 fnmily Curculionidae, namely Rhinotia hocmoptera (Kirby) was 

 taken in the vicinity of the camp, and so also were Stigmodera- 

 octospilotn, S.-oetomaculata. S.-amphichroa. and S.-simulata. 

 Some very small insects were taken, mostly Curculionidae, of thei 

 subfamily Erirhinides. A small dark Oarabid occurred under 

 stones, and in the creek were considerable numbers of Dytiscidae', 

 belonging to Copelatus, and allied Genera from the broom bush. 



• — ^Mammalia. — 



'Twas the Creator, 

 He sought in every volume open to him. 

 From the small leaf that hides an insect's web. 

 From which ere long a colony shall issue 

 With limbs and wings as perfect as the eagle's. 



