78 MODERN CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 



species, which are very widely distributed. Their explosive proper- 

 ties have been already described, to which may be added, that both 

 sexes possess this power. M. Solier has published a memoir upon 

 this and the allied genera in the Annals of the Entomological Societi/ 

 of France, vol. ii., to which M. Brulle has published a reply in the 

 fourth volume of the same work. 



In addition to the genera enumerated above, Mr. MacLeay has 

 suggested that the genus Plochionus Dej. may be expected to occur 

 in the south of England or Ireland, particularly Plochionus Bonsfilsii 

 Dej. [Annul. Javan. No. 1.); but, from the observations of M. Bar- 

 thelemy, it is evident that the insect last named is imported into 

 France from the island of Martinique, with Cassia bark. (Arm. Soc. 

 Ent. France, vol. iii. 429.) 



The following are amongst the most remarkable exotic genera be- 

 longing to this subfamily : — 



Anthia, Weber, comprising some of the most gigantic species in the 

 whole family ; in some of which the males have the mandibles of an 

 immense size, and the thorax, as it were, divided into two parts. M. 

 Lequien has published a monograph upon this group in Guerin's 

 Magasin de Zoologie. The large East Indian species, Anthia sex- 

 guttata is found, according to Mr. Westermann, at the roots of the 

 Banian tree. The majority of the sjiecies are from Southern Africa ; 

 there are some observations on the habits of these insects in Burcliell's 

 Travels in the Interior of Southern Africa, 1824', by whom one of the 

 species is named A. effugiens. 



This genus, with Helluo and its allies, exhibits a peculiarity in the 

 clothing of the under side of the anterior tarsi. (Jig. 3. 13. Helluo.) 



The species composing the allied genus Graphipterus have some- 

 what the appearance of broad Cicindelae. They have been gene- 

 rally considered to be nocturnal in their habits ; but M. Lefebvre, 

 whilst in Egypt, observed the habits of one of the species, which 

 was discovered by him running about in the hottest part of the day, 

 at the commencement of March near the confines of the desert. He 

 likewise observed that it produces a very distinct noise, by rubbing the 

 posterior femora against the margins of the broad elytra. (Ann. Soc. 

 Ent. France, No. 3.) 



The beautiful South American genus Agra is distinguished by its 

 long narrow body ; the thorax being conical ; the maxillary palpi 

 filiform, and the labial terminated by a securiform joint. According 



