40 



species. Some of the last could once be taken in scores at 

 certain spots in the Barossa Ranges, where a few years later 

 very few could be found. They possess in common with the 

 two following genera a curious weapon of defence in one or 

 two hand-like processes, which they protrude from their anal 

 extremity, moistened with some adhesive fluid of disagreeable 

 odour. Titcena comprises ten species, some of which are among 

 the first beetles appearing in spring. The majority of the 

 ten species of Amarygmus are endowed with most beautiful 

 iridiscent colours when alive, owing to the extremely fine 

 crenulation of their upper parts. The largest and most beauti- 

 ful species lives upon mallee (Eucalyptus dumosa) and is three- 

 quarters of an inch in length ; the smallest scarcely a quarter of 

 an inch. There is only one species of Lagria found in the neigh- 

 bourhood of the large common fern, and one Bictomis under the 

 bark. Of Helceus and its near allies there are seven species 

 indigenous (three more besides were taken at Ardrossan), H. 

 princeps, Hope, the largest and commonest, occurring at New 

 Mecklenburg, Monarto, and Ardrossan. Lyctus (with perhaps 

 one or two other genera included) with seven, and Bostrichus 

 with two or three species, conclude the list. 



The family of the Meloid^e is sparingly represented. Of the 

 genus Meloe I only know one species, living upon a small shrub 

 in the hills about Williamstown and the South Para, but is not 

 in the collection. The Lyttae in three or four allied genera 

 muster twenty-seven species in all. In former years some species 

 were fairly numerous, but of late I find them all rare, or even 

 very rare. Some are arrayed in brilliant colours, in one the 

 male entirely different from the female. 



The Chrysomel:ed.2e are rich in species, but all small, none 

 exceeding one quarter of an inch. Their seven or eight genera 

 contain a total of 123 species. ChryptocepTialus comprises 

 twenty-six, Haltica nine, Eumolpus fourteen, Podontia, with its 

 near relations, thirty-two, Clilamys twenty-one, and the Cassidce 

 twenty-six species. 



The CiCLiciE are very numerous, are partly plant-feeders, 

 partly carnivorous ; some fly by day, others by night. The genus 

 Paropsis is the most numerous, furnishing with an ally seventy- 

 six species, some of which, while alive, exhibit brilliant red, 

 green, and blue colours, fading into a dull uniform yellow a few 

 hours after death; other species change their delicate neutral tints 

 into a bright brick red, within a few daj^s. Among the fifteen 

 species of PolyglypJia is one nearly approaching in colouration 

 the notorious Colorado Beetle, but it is rather rare and seemingly 

 harmless. Another species is clothed in resplendent golden 

 green, iridising in all colours of the rainbow. It is small in 

 size, but found at times in considerable numbers upon certain 



