May, '08] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 229 



animals. The nearly naked natives suffer badly, and I have 

 seen even a phlegmatic donkey become excited over them. One 

 sometimes sees a horse or mule with the side of its neck almost 

 literally covered with the tormentors. They will bite through 



thin clothing. 



28. 

 No. 63. Anthia calida Har. (Coleopt.) 



The commonest of a group of valiant Carabidae, some of 

 which are much larger than calida. When disturbed they eject 

 an acid secretion from the end of the abdomen, which, if 

 it reaches the eyes, causes pain and may induce inflammation. 

 A large ant shares the same habit. A small snake defends it- 

 self in a similar manner, spitting venom several feet. I was 

 once inclined to doubt the existence of the last named ani- 

 mal, but I finally saw the phenomenon with my own eyes. 



29. 

 No. 1156. Aulacaspis sp. (Hemipt.) 



A scale insect attacking the Grenadilla vine (Passiflora 

 edulis) and the "Ocimania" tree (Papaya vulgaris}. It was 

 probably brought here on a tree (Melia azedarach} im- 

 ported from Portugal and called by the colonists "Sycamore" : 

 or at least the scale seems to be very fond of this last species. 

 This Aulacaspis is typical of a large group of scale insects 

 which I have not yet been able to study carefully. . 



30- 

 No. 22. Diarnphidia locusta. (Coleopt.) 



This Chrysomelid beetle is by far the most startling insect 

 in the list ; for from its grub is extracted the lethal arrow poison 

 of the Bushmen and their neighboring tribes. On the occa- 

 sion of my first visit to Africa I had a specimen (larva) brought 

 me, but was naturally very skeptical as to the statements ac- 

 companying it. The blacks told me that the bite of either the 

 imago or the grub was fatal, and that either is used in pre- 

 paring the arrow poison. Correspondence with various savants, 

 however, has verified the local opinion of the deadly nature 

 of the beetle, and I have according described my larva in an- 

 other journal.* Various other substances are mixed with the 



*Deutsch Entomolog. Zeitschrift, 1907 p. 17. 



