13 
nid®, or March-fly, a notorious blood¬ 
sucking family) was observed in quanti¬ 
ties on tlfe Coles' Bay side of the Hazard 
Mountains. The blood-sucking habits of 
the Leptidic are apparently, not generally 
recognised, although they are recorded 
from several parts of the world, and t 
regret 1 did not take the opportunity to 
settle the point on the spot whilst I liad 
the chance. 
One species of Anfhomid®, and one 
Hexidie, wore also captured. 
Hemiptera,—Five species, belonging to 
five families, were taken, but all belong 
to common species around Hobart. 
Taken as a whole, the entomological 
aspect of Frcycinet's Peninsula was very 
poor indeed, but; there were signs, in the 
form of larva 1 and ovie (eggs), that pro¬ 
mise tlie district haring happier times at 
some other portion of the year. Heview- 
ing the families that should be in evi¬ 
dence at this time of the year, together 
with those that were actually observed 
and taken, I was rather struck with the 
lack of grass moths, the commoner bush- 
flies, and many families of parasitic and 
predaceous habits. 
Three days in one district, however, is 
not long enough to form a definite opinion 
concerning its entomological aspect, but 
73 insects only collected iu three days, 
even at this time of the year, is very 
small. 
Since writing the above, 1 have heard 
from Mr. Tattler about the two species 
of mosquitoes sent to him, and he in¬ 
forms me that one of the species (Nys- 
sorhynclius aunulipes) lias only been 
taken by himself singly on two occasions. 
He has, however, subsequently had a few 
more sent to him, and therefore, although 
rarely taken, it seems to have a wide 
distribution. The other species is com¬ 
mon. 
Referring to the caterpillar in the 
grass-tree seed-heads and stems, lie in¬ 
forms me that ho has met with a species 
of Nocture having this food-plant, but 
was not successful in rearing it. 
From Mr. White, to whom I have sent 
full particulars, I have received a reply 
to my queries concerning the blood-suck¬ 
ing Leptid®, and the following extract is 
of general interest:— 
“1 am much interested by your letter 
of yesterday, more especially as I have 
now nearly finished a paper giving a revi¬ 
sion of the Tasmanian Leptid® and the 
related families. The species that you 
have discovered is quite new to me. . . . 
As to the biting habits, you are probably 
quite correct In your observation; al¬ 
though rare in the Leptid®, it is not 
unknown. In the Palaco-Arctic region 
the only genus accused of blood-sucking 
is Leptis, and even this is open to con¬ 
siderable doubt. In North America the 
females of some species of Syniphoromyia 
are undoubted blood-suckers. Coming 
to Australia, two undescribed species of 
Leptid® that are blood-suckers occur in 
New South Wales. Air. Austin states 
that they are allied to Syniphoromyia. 
I am not acquainted with these myself. 
"As to the systematic position of the 
species, the venation of the wings, as 
shown in your sketch, does not (with one 
possible exception) agree with any of the 
23 genera of Leptioie of which 1 have 
particulars. It is almost certainly a 
new genus, and. from what you say of 
the habits, probably nearly allied to the 
two undescribed New South Wales spe¬ 
cies.” 
Mr. Austin, mentioned above, is a 
great authority on blood-sucking Diptera 
ac the British Museum. 
Mr. White will describe this species in 
his forthcoming work on the Tasmanian 
Leptid®. 
Searching amongst my collection of 
Tasmanian bees 1 find the bee taken at 
ITeyeimit’s Peninsula is new to the col¬ 
lection. It. will come as a surprise to 
many lo hear that my collection of bees 
shows that well over sixty definite dis¬ 
tinct species of bees occur in Tasmania. 
I have a further dozen or more doubt¬ 
fully distinct species. Only 37 species 
of bees have as yet been recorded from 
Tasmania. (This number dues not in¬ 
clude the honey bee, an introduced 
species). 
