742 Mr. Gilbert J. Arrow on 



specimen of /. Meclon is practically without any hairy cloth- 

 ing beneath, which is probably not entirely due to age. 



The general appearance of these insects strongly suggests 

 a position among the Dynastidse, but their anatomical 

 features entirely contradict this and unquestionably con- 

 nect them with Orjjhmis, Geotrupes, etc. Lansberge, in 

 describing Brepanognatliiis (Sissantohius), a genus of the 

 same group, has stated that the true relationship of these 

 insects is with the Dynastidfe, but this is to ignore the 

 most vital structural differences, such as the situation of 

 the spiracles, the development of the labrum, etc., in 

 addition to the entirely distinct stridulating organs, of 

 which of course he was ignorant. 



The remarkable genus OcJiodmus evidently contains a 

 large number and variety of forms and is very widely 

 distributed, but, no doubt owing to a peculiar and retiring 

 way of life, tliey are rarely found and our knowledge of 

 them is very scanty. It will probably be necessary 

 eventually to subdivide the genus, but this is not desirable 

 until we have acquired a completer knowledge of the 

 species. I have described the very curious musical 

 apparatus of certain new forms for which it has been 

 necessary to devise distinctive names, and these must be 

 characterized here. Representatives of the genus are 

 known from America, Southern Europe, West, East 

 and South Asia, North, South and West Africa and 

 Madagascar. Of about forty described species, however, 

 half are American, and these are all from the part of the 

 continent north of the Equator. The new species which 

 I have referred to by the name of Ochod^us campsognathtis, 

 however, inhabits Argentina, and it is possible that as 

 additional forms are found this apparent preponderance in 

 one region may prove to be only apparent. Although 

 scattered over such a large part of the world the genus 

 shows remarkably little variation in general form, size 

 or coloration. The Oriental species alone, of which few 

 have yet been described, seem to have revolted from the 

 general sobriety of their kind, and amongst these are 

 some of rather peculiar and striking appearance. They 

 are often distinguished by dorsal markings of red and 

 black, and some show a disproportionate development of 

 the front part of the body, probably signifying corre- 

 spondingly great burrowing powers. Ochod^us maculatus, 

 Waterh., one of these which inhabits Japan, is the finest 



