137 



deal (but irregularly) run together, those near the suture a little 

 behind the scutellum coalesce into a kind of common cluster, 

 and two or three coalesce near the api'^al part of the lateral 

 margins, the larger spot thus formed being isolated on one 

 elytron and on the other sending out an extension (i.e., running 

 into another spot), which is almost connected with a spot close to 

 the suture. The pubescence of the head, legs, and undersurface 

 appears to be black or whitish, according to the point from which 

 it is looked at. 



This species is probably near J/, pii/rerulenta, Macl., from N. 

 Queensland, which seems to be the only other described Austra- 

 lian species with the markings of the upper surface consisting of 

 a great number of small white spots (M. muJtigutfata, Waterh., 

 is described as having only seven spots, and those yellow, on each 

 elytron). M. pulverulenta appears to be a nuich smaller species 

 (long., 2 1.), and is described (its white pubescence excepted) as 

 entirely black, saving the front legs, piceous. As the front legs 

 of the present species are of the same blackish color as the other 

 legs, and the mouth and base of the antennae are bright red, it 

 may be assumed that these characters, together with the very 

 different size and habitat, point to specific distinctness. 



X.S. Wales; on flowers near Sydney. 

 J/, cava, sp. nov. Nigra ; dense nigro-pubescens ; capite pro- 

 thorace postice et ad latera, elytrorum basi (hac anguste) 

 sutura antice macula ovali discoidali (hac paullo pone basin 

 posita) macula antemediana (hac V reversam simulanti) et 

 macula transversa ante apicem posita, laite aureis ; jorporis 

 subtus lateribus abdominis maculis parvis lateralibus tibiisque 

 posticis argenteis. Long., 2 1.; lat., -f 1. 



It seems impossible to find any distinctive characters for many 

 of the very numerous Australian syjecies of Mordella apart from 

 colour, markings, and size, all of which, however, as far as my 

 observations go, appear to be fairly constant. Of the present 

 species I have seen several examples all quite identical. Their 

 distinctive characters appear to be (a) strongly contrasted silvery 

 pubescence of the under surface, and golden of the upper; (h) 

 conspicuous golden colour of the front one-fifth part of the 

 suture; (c) the sharply-defined brilliant golden spot near, but not 

 joined to, the base on the disc of each elytron; (d) the entire 

 absence of any rufous colouring of the legs and antennae, even 

 the latter scarcely tending to a piceous tone — this, however, being 

 possibly only sexual. 



N.S. Wales ; near Sydney. 



M. sydneyana, sp. nov. Nigra ; dense nigro-pubescens ; capite, 

 prothorace (linea media et macula utrinque exceptis), 



