39 



upon gum-leaves, this is not tlie case, or only slightly. Besides 

 these, I obtained once some specimens of a species (in the 

 Barossa Ranges) having the prothorax very conspicuously 

 marked with indentations. Another species observed at Mount 

 Gambier is distinguished externally by both sexes being of the 

 same colour — a golden leek-green — and nearly of the same size. 

 The TrogidcR are not very numerous, showing about three genera 

 with nine species, the majority living in putrid matter, one in 

 very moist manure. 



The Clavicorista, or club-horned beetles, are rich in forms, 

 but fortunately less so in individuals, for most are extremely 

 destructive to animal substances, comprising about 13 or 14 

 genera and 89 species. Histeridce are catalogued with 13, 

 Hololepa with 2, Nitidula with 3, Sylphce (Hemapliila) with 1 

 species. The last is of large size, above an inch ; but, fre- 

 quenting putrid carcases, manure heaps, &c, upon which it 

 and its larva? feed, possesses, though looking pretty, a perfectly 

 horrid odour. Conetelus and its allies number 17 ; Coccinella 2 

 species. The Dermestidcs (Anthrenus, &c, inch) are at least in 

 one species very numerous in individuals ; 21 species are in 

 the collection, and another was observed in a solitary spot 

 near Lyndoch, within the charred hollow of a large Eucalyptus 

 rostrata ; it is jet black and covered with numerous white dots ; 

 length one quarter of an inch, width less than one-twelfth inch. 

 PaussidcB are very rare ; three species were captured. 

 Cephalotes (?) are numerous in individuals ; 11 species (some 

 doubtful) have been obtained. The JPtiiiida and Anobii are also 

 mentioned here on account of their similarity of habit, and are 

 not very promiscuous in number. GiUbium appears in six and 

 one or two other genera in seven species. 



The Baculicorkta (Dr. ImhofE) appear to form about the 

 smallest group of beetles, Gollydium comprising four, and 

 Brentus one, perhaps two species. The latter I found rather 

 numerous on ferns at Mount G-ambier (which covers there 

 extensive parts of the country), but much less so at other places, 

 and general^ under lose bark. 



The Heteromera present a great variety of forms in about 

 fifteen or sixteen genera, with 113 species, among which 

 Tenebrio numbers six, Tentyria two, Akis six, Blaps four, 

 Opatrum eight species ; these latter are found generally 

 under loosely-adhering bark, where they and their larva? feed, 

 upon decaying substances, and are all of a dusky hue, but 

 while alive are covered with fine white dust, easily removed by 

 a touch, lending them a "purplish tinge. Saragtis adds eight, 

 Helops five (one of these, one inch in length, jet black, while 

 in the larval state, mines through and feeds upon the decayed 

 outer portion of very old dry gum-trees), Adelmm eighteen 



