{ Ixxvii ) 



were only 2 without any trace of median black, ttere was the 

 most gradual transition in the development of a central black 

 band which, if complete, would have divided the orange 

 zone into two bands, one anterior and one posterior. Nine 

 examples exhibited a very faint trace of this median black 

 band, especially developed, and often only developed in a 

 very slight degree, in the median dorsal region or at the lower 

 margins of the closed elytra, or in both these situations. In 

 the remaining 17 specimens the development was stronger, 

 and, in many, the median dorsal mark extended to a varying 

 distance downwards over the surface of the elytra. In some 

 individuals this lateral extension was in part represented by a 

 detached spot. In none was the central black band complete. 



The dark section. — The pattern of these examples might be 

 explained by so great a development of the central black 

 band that only traces, more or less distinct, of the orange 

 zone were left, indicating the position of its anterior and 

 posterior border or one of these. In 2 examples the posterior 

 border of the zone was represented by a roundish orange 

 spot on each side of and near the middle line, in one by a larger 

 spot and a detached curved orange mark rather lower down 

 on the surface of the elytra. In these 3 beetles there was 

 no trace of the anterior border of the orange zone. In a 

 fourth specimen, otherwise similar to that last described, the 

 anterior border was represented by a small spot on each side 

 near the mid-dorsal line. In the fifth and sixth specimens 

 these anterior spots were larger than the posterior, which 

 latter were minute in one, and small in the other. A minute 

 lateral spot was seen below the anterior marking on the right 

 side of one specimen and two on its left side, where the small 

 posterior spot was also double. In the seventh and eighth 

 specimens both borders of the orange zone were represented 

 by well-marked bands, which, however, did not reach the 

 lower border of the elytra. 



There was thus great and transitional variability at each 

 end of the scale, although there was no transition connecting 

 one end with the other. Interesting results might be obtained 

 by observations directed to test the existence of selective 

 pairing. 



