is'.ii ] 203 



" Elytra always without smaller light double spots set colon-wise ou 

 their disc," he proceeds to say of the corresponding division — "Elytra 

 with double colon-like spots on their disc, which arc usually oblong 

 and often coalesce ; the first dots sometimes join the shoulder spots, 

 and cause the markings to resemble those of group 5 " (of the pre- 

 ceding division). It is obvious, therefore, that the distinction is not 

 of much practical divisional value, although it appears to be of service 

 in helping to distinguish certain species ; in others it appears to be 

 valueless. 



While, however, we must allow that the markings of the upper 

 surface are of but little value as definite characters, yet they must 

 not be ignored altogether ; and Dr. Hox-n points out in connection 

 with them that there is one point of considerable utility. " In a 

 number of species," he says, " there exists a pale spot at the middle 

 of the base of each elytron more or less prolonged backward. This 

 is very constant in the species to which it is known to belong, and has 

 as much value here as a similar white spot at the middle of the base 

 of the elytra in certain groups of Cicindela. In fact, the fully de- 

 veloped markings of Heterocerus are decidedly Cicindeloid in type." 



Kiesenwetter appears to have been the first who attempted to 

 monograph the species ; this he did without reference, for the most 

 part, to structural characters, and, as he based the descriptions chiefly 

 on colour and sculpture, and this in the case of small series, it is 

 not to be wondered at if his characters are misleading. Schiodte, in 

 18G6, attempted a division on the antennal characters, one of the 

 divisions, Augyles, having only ten joints to the antenna) ; this is, 

 however, a very difficult and uncertain point to determine, but must 

 be noticed in connection with tlie fact that the name Augyles was 

 wrongly applied afterwards to the division or subgenus now known 

 by the name of Littorimiis Des Gozis. 



In 1872 Mulsant and Key observed that in certain species the 

 elevated curved line on the first ventral segment extended from the 

 front angle by a broad curve towards the middle of the posterior edge 

 of the segment, and there terminated, while in others the line con- 

 tinued the curve forward towards the inner edge of the coxa. In the 

 former case the abdominal plates are called open (plaques abdominales 

 ouvertes), and in the latter entire (plaques abdominales entieres) ; for 

 the species with entire plates the name Augyles was erroneously 

 adoj)ted, but was changed by Des Gozis to Littorimus ; it is, however, 

 incorrect to speak of "abdominal plates " in this connection ; the only 

 point to be noticed is the ridges, which are really organs of stridula- 



