250 



one) absent. Tasmanian specimens frequently have the dark 

 elvtral markings, except the humeral ones, all conjoined (as in 

 fig. G), or even extended (as in fig. H). with all conjoined,, only 

 rarely are thev as in fig. I ; in fig. J is shown a form in which 

 the markings are irregularly broken up but black, on many 

 specimens, however, the markings are broken up into inde- 

 terminate brown specks and blotches, which gradually become 

 fainter till the elytra are entirely pale. In fig K the 

 markings are reduced to three clusters, and there are manv 

 specimens with other markings before rne. Although I have 

 only given patterns of the elytra it is to be noted that the 

 prothoracic markings are also very variable ; in the patterns 

 the elytra are drawn somewhat obliquely from the sides, this 

 causing the scutellar notch to appear smaller than it really is. 

 and the suture to appear somewhat curved. 



intricatus, Biackb. Blackburn thought this form was 

 possibly a variety of crassus, and this I think is the case : of 

 three specimens standing in his collection one has markings 

 approaching those of fig. J, but less sharply defined, usually 

 on the variety only the humeral spot (as in fig. F), is left, 

 and not always that. 



gravis, Biackb. This is an entirely pale form, which 

 Blackburn considered distinct by its colour, by the obsoletely 

 costate elytra and by the punctures. Although many speci- 

 mens appear to have each elytron obsoletelv tricostate, this 

 appearance is really due to three vague longitudinal pale 

 stripes on each; the punctures are subject to a certain amount 

 of variation, but their apparent size is considerably altered 

 by waterlogging (as on many specimens of Cord us hospes); 

 their real size may be noticed by looking at them obliquely. 



tasmanicns, Biackb. This is a fairly common form in 

 Tasmania. I cannot follow Blackburn in regarding its 

 antennae as essentiallv different from those of cra$sw$; com- 

 paring Xew South Wales and Tasmanian specimens side by 

 side with antennae in the same position, no such differences 

 as he denotes are distinct, but comparing a specimen with 

 antennae gummed to the card, and one with them free 

 apparent differences may be seen, this being partlv due to 

 matting of pubescence. 



niger, Lea. This is the extreme form on the dark side, 

 as gravis is on the pale side. The type was from King Island, 

 but there are specimens in the Museum from Flinders Island 

 and Tasmania (George Town and Sheffield). 



Macrohelodes moxtaxus, n. sp. 

 Head black; prothorax reddish, lateral and apical 

 margins paler, base narrowly infuscated ; elytra of a dingv 





