24 
Psyche 
[September 
typical form at Narromine. I have two reasons for considering it a 
distinct species. First, the size range given by Sloane (loc. cit.) for 
murrumbidgensis (1.75-2.75 mm.) is greater than expected in a popu- 
lation of one species. And second, my series from the Fitzroy River 
includes only the large form, which apparently therefore exists separ- 
ately. 
Tachys ectromioides group 
Tachys ectromioides Sloane is a very distinct, large, rare species. 
The reason for its rarity is probably its habitat. It, like the related 
species described below, probably lives in debris, loose soil, or rotten 
wood on the ground in heavy, damp woods, not associated with surface 
water. This is a habitat where (in southern Australia) one expects 
to find “Trechus” rather than Tachys , and in fact I mistook Tachys 
bolus for a trechine when I collected it. Small Carabidae in this habi- 
tat are rarely found by ordinary collecting methods. They can be taken 
by sifting, but this is laborious and must be done persistently in just the 
right place in order to get specimens. They can be taken more easily 
and in greater numbers by shoveling debris and loose soil into quiet 
water and catching the insects as they come to the surface. I have 
not found T. ectromioides itself, but I have collected series of 2 new 
related species by this method. The 3 species concerned may be con- 
sidered to form the Tachys ectromioides group. 
Important characters of the Tachys ectromioides group are: form 
broad with base of prothorax broad; color variable; upper surface not 
punctulate (but with reticulate microsculpture). Head rather long; 
frontal sulci not extending onto clypeus but produced posteriorly and 
vaguely joining depressed areas behind eyes, so latter on poorly defined 
ocular hemispheres; antennae varying in length, segment 3 not or 
slightly longer than 2; mentum with 2 deep impressions at base (but 
not perforated) and with entire median tooth. Prothorax with pos- 
terior angles costate. Elytra with humeri broadly rounded ; margins 
ending inwardly about opposite ends 6th striae, not serrate or setulose ; 
striation entire or nearly so but lightly impressed laterally and apically ; 
8th stria parallel to margin, deep posteriorly, lighter or irregular 
anteriorly; apical striole well impressed, long, approaching or joining 
end of 3rd stria anteriorly, with a fixed puncture on inner side well 
back; dorsal punctures present or absent, if present, 2 on each 3rd 
interval. Inner wings long and folded, probably fit for flight in bolus, 
perhaps not in bolellus. Lower surface almost impunctate, not (or at 
