THE HARLEQUIN BEETLE. 243 



This is not the only insect of the genus which possesses the 

 flattened tibiae. One in particular, Phyllocnema mirifica, has 

 them so large that each of the flattened portions would nearly 

 cover the entire body of the insect. Indeed, they are so 

 enormous in proportion to the size of the insect, that it is im- 

 possible to avoid a feeling of wonder at their use, and of surprise 

 that the Beetle can walk at all with such apparently unwieldy 

 limbs. 



One of the most striking examples of the Longicorn Beetles 

 is the Harlequin Beetle {Acrocmus longiinajius), which is given 

 on Plate IV., Fig. 1. It belongs to the group Acrocinides. Its 

 colours are black, red, and yeUow, disposed in a very singular 

 manner, so that they really do bear some resemblance to the 

 corresponding colours in the tightly-fitting dress of a stage 

 harlequin. 



The ground colour is black, of a velvety texture, warmed by 

 the very short but very dense down with which its surface is 

 covered. Upon the whole of the upper surface, head, thorax, 

 and elytra included, is drawn a complicated pattern which is 

 not easily described, but which can be understood by reference 

 to the illustration. The long antennae are black, and so are the 

 legs, with the exception of a broad scarlet band round the end 

 of each of the thighs. 



All the legs are long, but the first pair is enormously developed, 

 covered with very small teeth, and having ten long spines, one 

 at the base of the thighs and the others at the end of the tibias, 

 which are so boldly curved near tlieir extremities as to look 

 like hooks. 



These very long legs are employed in traversing the 

 Ijranches of the trees among which the insect lives, and those 

 wlio have seen the Beetle in motion say that its movements, 

 though slow, can almost be called graceful as it swings itself 

 from bough to bough. Indeed, these long fore-limbs very 

 stirongly remind the observer of the fore-limbs of the Spider 

 Monkeys which inhabit the same spots as the Harlequin Beetle. 

 On the ground, the inordinate length of limb seems to be very 

 much in the Beetle's way, and accordingly it crawls in a sluggish 

 manner, and, like the sloth on level ground, drags itself along 

 rather than walks. 



R 2 



