Australian and Tasmanian Malacodcrmidae. 187 



it, is not really a female Balanojjho'nis. This uncertainty, 

 however, only applies to those species having subpectinate 

 antennae. 



The head of the male is usually smooth, or with but 

 shallow impressions ; sometimes, however, it is just as 

 largely excavated as in many males of Helcogaster. In 

 both sexes it is usually transversely strigose at the base, 

 but this position is quite commonly concealed by the over- 

 lapping prothorax. Great variation occurs in the antennae, 

 in some species these organs being almost cylindrical, in 

 others strongly dentate, whilst in a few they are even 

 subpectinate ; the terminal joint is often obtusely rounded 

 and indistinctly notched at apex. In a number of species 

 the elytra are armed in the males, the prothorax is nearly 

 always transversely impressed towards the base and more 

 feebly towards the apex, but as I consider this character 

 absolutely valueless, as an aid to identification, I have not 

 described it in any of the new species. 



The clothing in all the species consists of long straggling 

 griseous hairs, frequently intermixed with shorter ones on 

 the elytra, and appears to be easily abraded ; I have 

 seldom considered it necessary to mention it ; nor that (as 

 is invariably the case) the tips of the mandibles are dark. 



Some of the species, especially those of the armipeimis 

 group, are variable in their colours. 



In addition to fasciipennis and basipenoiis, which are 

 commented on below, the following species are unknown to 

 me : — 



Xantliochroiis, Fairm, — A pale species with the scutel- 

 lum, parts of the legs and apex of antennae dark, and with 

 the summit of the head sometimes infuscate. The head is 

 stated to be punctulate, but its sculpture is not otherwise 

 mentioned. 



TachypoToides, Fairm. — Close to but more convex than 

 the preceding species, according to Fairmaire. 



Scgmentarius, Fairm. Described as close to cristatifrons, 

 but with the head and elytra simple, although the head is 

 said to be " inter oculos profunde excavato et utrinque 

 compresso elevate." The type was apparently a male. 



Nubipennis, Fairm. — Described as close to margini- 

 ventris. 



TelephoToides, Fairm. — Apparently allied to altcrni- 

 ventris, hasiventri^, etc. ; but with the legs entirely pallid. 

 The type was apparently a male. 



