210 INSECTS ABROAD. 



whereas tliose scales are placed with much regularity, all 

 radiating from a common centre, these seem to be scattered 

 without the least pretence to order. They cling tightly to the 

 surface of the elytra, but, although they are partially protected 

 by being sunk in their shallow pit, there is scarcely a spot in 

 which several of the scales are not missing, and others quite 

 loose and evidently ready to fall. 



On the imder surface of the abdomen and on the sides of the 

 thorax, similar scales are scattered in patches, making the insect 

 look as if a brush had been dipped in vermilion and dashed 

 carelessly against it. The legs are very strong and thick, and 

 are profusely granulated, the tibise especially being so rough that 

 their surface, when rubbed with the finger, feels just like that of 

 a file. The hind thighs are curiously curved, so as to suit the 

 rotund body, and, when the Beetle moves its hind legs back- 

 wards and forwards, the leg passes over the rounded elytra, just 

 as if the thigh had been moulded on the elytron. The middle 

 legs are also curved, but not nearly so much, as they only have 

 to pass over the shoulder of tlie elytra. 



As the legs of this species are thick and sturdy, they afford a 

 good opportunity for examining the rather peculiar construction 

 of the tarsus. To the naked eye, and even when viewed through 

 an ordinary magnifier, the tarsus consists of only four joints. In 

 reality, however, there is another joint ; namely, the true fourth. 

 This, however, is exceedingly minute, and is quite hidden in the 

 third joint, the front part of which is widened and swollen 

 into two lobes. I mention this fact because it will explain two 

 terms by which these insects have been mentioned. One is 

 Tetramera, i.e. " four-jointed," which was given to them because 

 the tarsus was thought by the earlier entomologists to have only 

 four joints. Mr. Westwood, however, when he discovered the 

 existence of the missing joint, very properly altered the name to 

 Pseudo-tetramera, i.e. "false four-jointed." The only way of 

 seeing this tiny fourth joint is by taking the tarsus to pieces. 



The present species is in great favour with the Bechuana 

 tribe, who use it as an amulet. They pull off the head, legs, and 

 thorax, cut away the lower portion of the abdomen, and remove 

 the whole of the interior, so as to leave only an empty shell. 

 Several of these hollow bodies are then strung on strips of 

 leather, and hung round the necks of children. They are sup- 



