235 



spots on the pronotum are narrow and distinct on some speci- 

 mens, but scarcely (if at all) traceable on others ; the elytra 

 are without basal markings, although the white scutellum 

 gives them a maculate appearance there ; the spots across the 

 middle of each elytron are three in number, and have the 

 appearance as of parts of a zigzag fascia, there is a large 

 subapical spot that, with its fellow on the other elytron, gives 

 the appearance of an interrupted fascia ; the flanks of the 

 mesosternum are clothed with conspicuous whitish pubescence, 

 and there are distinct spots on the middle and sides of the 

 abdominal segments. 



MORDELLA ALPHABETICA, n. Sp. 



PI. xv., figs. 100-102. 



Black ; front legs and base of antennae usually obscurely 

 reddish. With silvery-grey pubescence on head and pro- 

 notum, but on the latter leaving a large median and a smaller 

 black spot on each side, on elytra, on suture to a fascia at 

 apical third, and forming markings about shoulders, and on 

 under-surface, but with transverse dark spots on abdomen. 



Short and compact. Scutellum semicircular. Pygidium 

 short, its tip truncated. Antennae not very conspicuously 

 serrated, and none of the joints transverse. Spurs to hind 

 tibiae very unequal, the longer about twice the length of the 

 shorter. Length, 2J-3 mm. 



Hab. — Queensland: Cairns district (F. P. Dodd). Type, 

 I. 5897. 



A minute species. On most of the specimens before me the 

 narrow sutural marking combines with the fascia to form a 

 very conspicuous reversed T, the pale pubescence is sometimes 

 continued along the base to join in with the humeral mark- 

 ings, the latter sometimes appear as oblique disconnected 

 (except at base) vittae, and sometimes almost like a hook 

 (much as on Kama t His J, although the other markings are very 

 different to those of that species ; on many specimens, 

 however, the sutural markings are broken up and discon- 

 nected with the fascia ; the three dark spots on the pronotum 

 are usually, but not always, conspicuous. 



Mordella norfolcensis, n. sp. (or var. of hamatilis). 



PI. xv. , figs. 103-105. 



Black ; palpi and parts of antennae and of four front legs 

 obscurely reddish. With whitish or dingy stramineous 

 pubescence on head, margining base, apex, and sides of 

 pronotum, forming obscure spots on under-surface and distinct 

 but variable markings on elytra. 



