518 



Mr. 0. A. K. Maisl.iill 



on 



to be foviiul on tlie heads of grasses. In habits they are 

 very shigglsh and have a slow heavy flight; when handled 

 tliey usually emit from their limbs a very strong-smelling 

 Avhite liquid, and they frequently feign death. The 

 Molyrid Prionoccriis has somewhat similar characteristics, 

 but is found only feeding on grass seeds. Among the 

 Phytophaga it is possible that the Pcecilomorpha is a 

 Batesian mimic, for the species of this genus are nearly all 

 more or less scarce, and moreover exhibit marked mimetic 

 tendencies in very different directions. The Diacantha, to 

 which I), dimidiata might also have been added, is a very 

 ])leutiful insect with a nauseous smell ; it causes much 

 damage to garden plants such as cucumbers and pumpkins. 

 The Pcploptera is likewise abundant, frequenting acacias. 

 All the species of Lngriadye and Cantharida3 mentioned 

 are flower-feeders, and are certainly protected by distasteful 

 qualities. The significance of the colouring in the Longi- 

 corns is still a matter of doubt, as I have obtained no 

 experimental evidence with regard to them; probably 

 most of them are pseudaposeniatic, but Philagathcs may 

 be a Miillerian mimic. Of the Hymenoptera the quick- 

 flying Notogonia is the only scarce species with us; the 

 other Aculeates all visit flowers more or less commonly. 

 The Braconids ai'e slow and very conspicuous fliers, being 

 evidently protected by their very strong smell. The 

 species of Hemiptera also occur commonly on low plants 

 and bushes; the position of the Reduviids is not quite 

 certain, as experimental proofs are lacking. The Asilid fly 

 appears to be a very rare species and is doubtless a Batesian 

 mimic. 



D. Miillerian [Synaposcmatic) Groups in South, African 

 Cokoptcra. (G. A. K. M.) 



a. Cantlmrid Group (Represented on Plate XIX). 



COLKOl'TEltA 



Hemipteii.i. 



Cantharidm 



Lmujicornia 



Fhi/fopJuiga 

 Lygmidx 



'Mylabris tlicincta (fig. 1) ; M. tettonsis 

 (figs. 2-3) ; M. tricolor (fig. 4) ; JI. 

 oeulata (figs. 5, 6, 13); M. liolose- 

 ricea (fig. 9); Acteiiodiachrysoiiu'liiia 

 (figs. 7, 8, 11) ; Decatoma luiiata 

 (figs. 10, 12). 



I Cymatuia bitasciata (fig. 14) ; Ceroi^e- 

 sis caller (fig. 15) ; Anubis mcllyi 

 (fig. Iti). 



Clytbra \valill)ergi (fig. 20). 

 Oiicopeltiis I'aiaclicu.s (fig. 17). 



