358 



is the entire absence of the Hespei^iadae, the absence of 

 Cladium no doubt being responsible for such. Another 

 notable peculiarity is the large number of single stragglers 

 which I secured from time to time; nearly all the world-wide 

 species have been taken here, introduced no doubt through 

 agency of merchandise which finds its way here from every 

 portion of the globe. Especially is this applicable to 

 DeilephiJa euj)liorh'me,2. living specimen which Mr. J. Fairhead 

 secured in the mail-room of our local post office. The prin- 

 cipal area from which the collection has been made does not 

 extend beyond five miles of the town itself, and doubtless 

 many more interesting species remain yet to be discovered, 

 especially along the river district. 



In forming the collection I encountered at once the 

 difficulty of having no scrub or undergrowth within fifty 

 miles of the town, and the continuous devastation of the 

 remaining scrub and low herbage by grazing, etc., and the 

 removal of street trees — mostly Eucalypti — have added to the 

 difficulties of collecting. A large proportion of those enumer- 

 ated were taken at light, but the advent of the electric street 

 lights, with the lamps fully 15 to 20 feet from the ground, 

 have not made the acquisition of specimens any easier. The 

 result of my labours, however, has been more than com- 

 pensated by the discovery of so many new forms. I think 

 I can claim the unique distinction of having compiled the 

 first authentic list of species distributed in Central Australia, 

 and although I have the advantage of my critics by being on 

 the spot, I sincerely trust that those who in due course add 

 to the catalogue will find nothing to cavil at in its contents, 

 but prove its utility to be of such importance as to justify 

 its publication. The types of the new species are in my 

 collection. 



Family AMATIDAE. 



The name Amafa, Fab., having priority over Syntojnis,, 

 Ochs., the name of the family is altered accordingly. The 

 three undermentioned species of the family are only; 

 stragfoflers. 



1. Amata xanthosoma. Turn. 



Two specimens near Tibooburra, in January. 



2. Amata Clements i, Hmpsn. 

 One abraded specimen at light, in February. 



3. Amata magistri, Turn. 

 Four specimens, in January. 



