244 & r - Afzelius'j Obfervathnron the Genus Paufus. 



But whether this etymology and explanation be right or wrong, I 

 cannot find any better ; and thus I am induced to follow Thunberg, 

 Gmelin, and Herbft, in their mode of fpelling Paufus with oneyj 

 being as to my idea the moft rational. 



Linne knew but one fpecies of this genus, from which he took 

 the generic character, and which he called (from fii*pos and *£<?«**) 

 micro-cephalusy on account of its head being very fmall in proportion 

 to the other parts of the body. It is fhortly defcribed in the dif- 

 fertation above-mentioned, and five figures of it fubjoined, reprefent- 

 ing it in different views, two in its natural fize, and three in a 

 magnified one. 



After this original account of Linne, there have been very few 

 authors that have publilhed any thing concerning Paufus. Thofe 

 I have had an opportunity of feeing, and I think I have ken 

 all, arc the following ; and whofe writings I (hall mention in the 

 lame chronological order as they have appeared. 



Thunberg, during his travels in the country of the Hotentots, in 

 the year 1772, having met with two unknown infects, defcribed 

 them as conftituting a new genus in the clafs of Coleoptera. But 

 having returned to Sweden, and being then acquainted with the 

 Paufus of Linne, he thought his two fpecies might be referred to 

 this genus, eftablifhed during his abfence ; and accordingly he 

 wrote a paper on the fubject, which he delivered to the Royal Aca- 

 demy of Science at Stockholm, and which is printed in its Tranf- 

 actions for the year 1781. — Here he defcribes and fpecifies his two 

 infects, calling the one Paufus ruber, and the other Paufus Uneatus ; 

 annexing two figures of the laft mentioned, one fhewing it in its 

 natural fize, and the other reprefenting it magnified. He alfo makes 

 fome few additional remarks on the genus itfelf, and gives the 

 ipecific difference of P. microcephalus, 



Fuefsly, 



