304 The Insect Fauna of Van JDiemen's Land. 



thougli so different in vegetation. The peculiarities of the 

 Faunas of these three continents are most distinctly shown 

 in the Mammalia. Africa andAmerica have little in common 

 with each other, and Australia is unlike all other countries, 

 although the order of pouched animals is not confined to 

 it alone ; the genus Phalangista extends over a part of the 

 Indian Archipelago, hut is not found in Africa : it is 

 America that in this respect presents so great an affinity 

 with New Holland. The insect world presents numerous 

 similar examples ; among the most extraordinary is that of 

 the genus Thjnnus (Hymenoptera) , which is peculiar to New 

 Holland and both the coasts of S. America, and is rich in 

 species on both continents. The Coleojoterce furnish further 

 proofs of the prevailing affinity of South America to New 

 Holland. The genus Julodis (BujyrestidceJ occupies an im- 

 portant position in the Fauna of South Africa ; answering 

 for, if not analogous to, the genus Stigmodera of South 

 America and New Holland, which, though rich in species, 

 is confined to these two continents. Of the Materce the 

 genus Ilonocrejndius presents numerous species in America, 

 but elsewhere is to be found in New Holland only. Of the 

 MJiipiceridce is Rhipicera common to both continents ; of the 

 Telepliori, the genus Chaidiognathus (Callianthia Dej.), is 

 characteristic of America, and only known besides to New 

 Holland. Of the Liicanida, the LawjorinuB are characteristio 

 of New Holland, and similar only to the FJiolidoti, which 

 are peculiar to South America ; thus also the small genera 

 llexajihyllum, South America, and 81/ndesus, New Holland, 

 present the highest degree of analogy : in New Holland 

 the Passali are almost as numerous in species as they are on 

 the eastern coast of America, whereas in Southern Africa 

 they are entirely w^anting. Of the Stag-beetles (BocJcIcdfer) 

 the numerous group of Stenocondm are equally characteristic 



