POSITION OF THE LEGS. 



51 



hiolily polished, so that they look much like a number of ebony 

 cylinders laid side by side. As is often the case with Beetles, 

 a row of rather deep punctures runs along the outer edges of 

 the elytra. 



The most remarkable point in this insect is the mode in which 

 the legs are set on the body. A reference to the illustration 

 will show that the hind legs are placed so far from the middle 

 pair that they seem to be set quite at the end of the body. On 

 looking at the under-side of the insect, however, it is seen 

 that the tliorax is prolonged enormously, the lower and hinder 

 portion, called technically the mota-sternum, running under the 



abdomen almost to its end. It is to this portion of the insect 

 that the hind legs are attached, and thus the legs, which appear 

 from above to be actually set on the abdomen, are really in their 

 usual place. 



The tibia of the hind legs are boldly curved, and in conse- 

 quence of this peculiarity Mr. Westwood proposed a new generic 

 name, viz. Camjpylocncviis, or " crooked shin." Its name would 

 at all events have the advantage of being intelligible, whereas 

 the name of Hyj)erion gives no intimation whatever as to the 

 appearance, general form, or the structure of any part of the 

 insect. However, the name Hyperion has the precedence, and 



