PKOTECTIVE RESEMBLANCES. 157 



colour of the elytra is black, and that the white surface, which 

 looks just like paint, is only superficial. It is, however, stronger 

 and attached more firmly than is generally the case, and will 

 resist a moderate scratch of a needle. 



When the antennae and legs are tucked close to the body, this 

 Beetle scarcely looks like an insect, but resembles a piece of bark 

 covered with white lichen. I feel quite certain that if one of 

 these Beetles were to cling to the bark of an old lichen-covered 

 tree, the keenest eye would not detect it except by accident. Those 

 who are practically acquainted with our own Skipjack Beetles 

 know that there is one species, Lacon muriyius, which is in colour 

 so exactly like a piece of old bark, that if it flies to an elm or 

 oak trunk and settles there, it will hardly ever be discovered, 

 even though it were actually seen to settle. 



Fig. 73. — Alaus moerens. 

 (Black and white.) 



There are many species belonging to the genus, all of which 

 are dressed in the same sober hues, and some are marked in. a 

 manner which is almost grotesque. One of these is Alaus 

 oculatus, of Florida. The thorax in this insect is dark creamy 

 grey, and on either side is a large oval spot of jetty black, 

 surrounded by a narrow belt of pure white, so as to have an 

 eye-like appearance reminding the English entomologist of the 

 similar spots on the caterpillar of the Elephant Hawk Moth. 

 Then there is another species, Alaus lymphahis, with the 

 whole of the upper surface snowy white, relieved by a few 

 small black spots. 



The generic name Alaus is Greek, and signifies "dull" or 

 "obscure," and the specific name m(Brens is Latin, signifying 



