86 



to be subtriangular, with its hind part vertical, and front 

 part curving to the apex, from other directions the whole, 

 joint appears like a thick, barbless hook; the apparent second 

 joint is large, convex on the lower-surface, and irregularly 

 concave on the upper; the second joint of its front tarsi is 

 stout, and longer than the two following ones, which from 

 some directions it entirely conceals, it is also tipped with 

 black. It is certainly close to the male of L. tarsalis, but the 

 head is without the interrupted ridge between the eyes which 

 causes the head of that species, when viewed from behind, to 

 appear conspicuously notched in the middle; the head of the 

 present species, when so> viewed, appears to have a gently even 

 incurvature between the eyes. 



Laius cinctus, Redt. 



A male, from lownsville, is much below the average size 

 of this species, has shorter antennae (the three apical joints 

 are notably stouter than on the typical form), and front 

 femora pallid, but as the distorted joints of the antennae are 

 almost exactly the same, and the front femora are foveate, 

 it should probably be regarded only as a variety of the species. 



Laius armicollis, Lea. 



A male of this species, from Sea Lake (Victoria), in Mr. 

 Goudie's collection, has the pale parts almost scarlet, no doubt 

 the normal colour of living specimens. Two females, from 

 Leigh Creek (South Australia), evidently belong to the species; 

 they differ from the male in having the head green, except 

 for the flavous muzzle, and without excavations, the pro- 

 thorax unarmed and immaculate, and the second joint of the 

 front tarsi normal. 



Laius effeminatus, n. sp. 



3 . Metallic purplish-blue, prothorax, three spots on 

 elytra, under-surface of basal joints of antennae, and part 

 of abdomen reddish. With rather dense, erect, blackish hairs. 



Head gently convex, with two feeble-depressions in front; 

 punctures small and sparse. Antennae obtusely serrated, 

 apparent second joint simple, almost as long as two following 

 combined. Prothorax widely transverse, sides strongly 

 rounded, base feebly bilobed; with fairly large, scattered 

 punctures, becoming numerous on sides. Elytra slightly 

 dilated to near apex, sides and suture thickened; with 

 crowded, rugose punctures, becoming sparser (but still dense) 

 and more sharply denned near scutellum, and at apex. Front 

 femora simple; second joint of front tarsi large, lopsided, 



