REVISION OF THE NYCTOZOILIDES— GENERA 
AND SPECIES (Fam. TENEBRIONIM!). 
By H. J. CARTER, B.A., F.E.S. 
REVISION OF THE AUSTRALIAN NYCTOZOILIDES 
(TENEBRIONID^). 
Lacordaire divided the Helaeides into two groups — 
(i.) Prothorax and, generally, the elytra 
foliated laterally ... ... ... Heleides vrais 
(ii.) Prothorax and elytra not foliated 
laterally Nyctozoilides. 
The second of these contain aberrant forms, sometimes! little 
related inter se, and are, according to the above, degraded 
Helseides. The prothorax is in general moderately widened and 
channelled within, with a more or less thickened raised border; 
the head is less enclosed by the anterior angles of the prothorax 
than in the true Helaeides, while the posterior intercoxal process 
is much wider, diverging behind and rounded in front, and strongly 
bordered ; the epimera are more or less posterior, so that the 
episterna generally reach the sides of the mesothorax. The 
prosternal process is wide, strongly produced and more or less 
rounded at the apex. The antenna? are generally longer than in 
the true Helaeides, while the form of the body is usually more 
elongate and convex. 
The genera and species are widely distributed over the whole 
continent of Australia, and probably form relics of its most ancient 
fauna, occurring, often as rare species, in the driest and least- 
explored districts; so that it is not remarkable that hitherto 
comparatively few examples are found in the older collections. 
Isolated forms of great interest, the prehistoric remains of a dying 
race, are still being brought to light, and it is probable that a 
large number of species will be discovered as the vast interior of 
Australia. — now in process of desiccation, according to Professor 
Spencer — is more systematically visited by the naturalist. 
