112 Mr. Arthur M. Lea's Revision of the 



SUBFAMILY TELEPHORIDES. 



Genus Telephorus,* Schaffer, Elem. Enfcom., Tab. 123; 

 Lacord., Gen. Coleop., IV, p. 353 ; Blackb., T. R. S., 

 S.A., 1886, p. 259. 



This genus is rather numerously represented in Aus- 

 tralia, and some of the species (nohilitatus and j^ukhellus 

 especially) are to be seen in countless thousands. The 

 species are all of large or medium size, but many are 

 subject to great variation, especially in the males. A 

 number of very small species have been referred to the 

 genus, but these are here referred to Hctcromastix. Little 

 reliance is to be placed upon the prothoracic impressions 

 as these are subject to considerable alteration on the 

 insects drying up, the irregular contraction even appearing 

 at times to alter the outlines. 



In the females of both this genus and Selenurus the 

 penultimate segment of the abdomen is semicircularly 

 emargiuate on each side, with a median (and sometimes 

 acutei}' pointed) lobe between. The male has a narrow 

 excavation only, but the preceding segment is also 

 widely emaiginate. 



The Rev. T. Blackburn thinks it possible that pulchellus 

 and other Australian species are really not congeneric with 

 the European species of Teleplioms. I am not prepared to 

 go into this question, but regard all the species here noted 

 or described as being congeneric with pulchelhis. 



It is remarkable that three of the species are apterous ; 

 of these one is from Lord Howe Island, and the theory 

 advanced that species inhabiting small islands are apt to 

 either become apterous or to develop very strong wings, 

 may hold good in this case ; but this theory will not 

 account for the two other species, one of which is distri- 

 buted over the whole width of the Australian continent. 



There are several species before me which do not agree 

 exactly with any of the published descriptions, but as they 

 are allied to masfersi and as that species and several of 

 its allies are variable in colour I have not ventured to 

 describe them. 



The position of Gantharis australis, Boisd. (appearing in 

 Masters' catalogue as a Telephorus), is very doubtful ; 

 I prefer to refer to it at the end with other doubtfu 

 species. 



^ For full synonymy of this genus see Lacordaire. 



