BY ARTHUR M. LEA. 
285 
The colour of this species will at once distinguish it from any 
of its described congeners; in shape it comes closest to the preced- 
ing. 
MOEDELLIDiE. 
Many of the species of this family are difficult to satisfactorily 
describe, as almost the only characters that can be given are the 
size, colour and pattern of the markings. So far as I have 
noticed, the colour of the derm (with very few exceptions) appears 
to be reliable; the legs (especially the four anterior) and the 
antenme are subject to sexual variation of colour; the pattern is 
not always to be relied upon, especially in old or greasy specimens 
(without reckoning abrasion); the colour of the pubescence is very 
apt to be affected by age or immersion in spirits (especially the 
white markings of the abdomen). I have fresh specimens of M. 
multiyuttata and M. leucosticta, in which the macula? are decidedly 
white, and older specimens in which they are as decidedly yellow; 
and similarly with other species. Many species are sexually 
constant as to size, but others are very variable. We have many 
species that are almost entirely black; they are moderately easily 
distinguished in the cabinet, but their specific distinctions are 
very hard to point out; in consequence I have delayed describing 
a number of uniques. 
Many of my species were obtained from the flowers of tall 
Eucalypts, felled for the purpose of obtaining flowering, and after- 
wards dead-leaf beetles; and I believe there are many more species 
which can only be obtained in this manner; a few specimens were 
taken at night-time while crawling over old logs and stumps. 
Mr. Masters, on a recent trip to Blackheath, captured many 
hundreds of specimens by beating bushes into a sheet before 
sunrise; they were then very torpid, and were easily captured. 
MORDBLLA DlJMBRELLI, n.sp. 
(J. Black; tarsi piceous-black, base of antenna?, palpi and 
posterior spurs piceous-red. Head with pubescence which in some 
lights appears whitish, in others — especially at the base — having 
a piceous look; from some directions apparently with a white 
