222 



with red, and the dilution occasionally extends beyond the 

 fascia ; on some specimens there appears even to be an oblique 

 vitta from each shoulder, and on looking at the specimens 

 from behind these reddish parts appear quite conspicuous. 

 The pubescent markings of the elytra vary considerably in 

 extent, and from silvery to golden ; on large specimens (fig. 

 66) close to the typical form there are usually two vittae 

 projecting backwards from the base, but these may be con- 

 nected together so as to enclose a dark spot; usually the 

 inner one is more sharply defined than the other, and occa- 

 sionally it is isolated ; the basal markings on this form are 

 usually connected with the median fascia, and the latter is 

 more or less abruptly deflected to touch each side. On many 

 small specimens (fig. 67) the basal markirjgs are widely ex- 

 tended and obliquely connected with the median fascia, the 

 latter being conspicuously less angular (its outlines are 

 usually distinctly curved), and not connected with the margins 

 (some specimens of this form approach bella). On many 

 small specimens (fig. 68) the two basal vittae on each elytron 

 are distinct, but the median fascia is very feeble. The sub- 

 apical spot or fascia on each elytron also varies considerably 

 in size. The patterns so gradually change (Mr. Dodd sent 

 54 specimens) that it does not appear desirable to pick out 

 and number certain forms ; but five patterns of the elytral 

 markings are given, and many more could have been added. 



MORDELLA GRAPHIPTERA, Champ. 



Typical specimens of this species have very little in 

 common with hamatilis, but I have seen several specimens 

 that apparently on good grounds might be ref erred to either ; 

 and both are very variable in the markings of the prothorax 

 and elytra. 



MORDELLA HAMATILIS, Mad. 



PI. xiv., figs. 71-77. 



Of the two specimens standing above this name in the 

 Macleay Museum but one (fig. 71) agrees perfectly with the 

 description. The other (fig. 72) has the hook-shaped mark 

 on each elytron broken up into two spots of unequal size, 

 and the four postmedian spots semicircularly instead of 

 transversely arranged, the two subapical spots are also much 

 smaller than on the type ; on the latter the black pubescence 

 has a purplish gloss, on the co-type it has a greenish gloss. 



A specimen from Northern Queensland (fig. 73) differs 

 from the type in having the hook-shaped mark on each 

 shoulder solid-white, the spots immediately behind the 

 scutellum conjoined to form but one, the four postmedian 

 spots conjoined to form but two, and the two subapical spots 



