llic Bionviiiks vf South Ajricau Inserts. 381 



Four Protaitia amahosa and four Oxythyrca dysenterica 

 were refused by female at first but eaten rapidly by male. 

 Tlie female eventually ate one of the latter, but evidently 

 in doubt. 



The above experiments were conducted at Salisbury in 

 December 1808. 



1899. 

 Jan. 7. Psilopicrc'e are all eaten readily by baboons. 

 „ 28. ByUia ilithyia eaten by young baboon 

 {Pcqyio 'parcariiis). A Clythra vah/ berg i was 

 offered to baboon, but immediately refused 

 . on being smelt (it has a very decided 

 CoccincUa-like odour). The Coccinellid 

 Einlachna dregei was refused. 

 „ 20. Offered the Longicorn, Ccro'plcsis fallax, to 

 the baboon, which smelt it and shook his 

 head, showing evident alarm when the 

 msect stridulated; on my pulling off the 

 head he took the body and pulled it to 

 pieces, smelling each part, but would not 

 eat it. I then offered him a large brightly- 

 coloured Cetoniid, Ccdorrhina loricata; its 

 strong smell was clearly distasteful to 

 him, so I put the insect on his hand ; he 

 was much frightened and tried to shake 

 it off, but could not, owing to its long 

 claws, and was thori^ughly terrified by 

 the loud buzzing it made as it finally flew 

 off. Offered Piezia selousl to the baboon ; 

 I could tell by the way that he tried to 

 snatch sharply at it that he recognized it, 

 and when he did seize it he threw it 

 violently on the ground, rubbing it with 

 his hands (as is their custom with dis- 

 tasteful insects). I picked it up and gave 

 it to him again ; he tlien ate. the head, 

 took a bite out of the abdomen and threw 

 the rest away. 

 Feb. 1. Another young baboon ate two P. severina 

 and two B. mesentina with evident relish. 

 It then refused Onitis alcxis at sight and 

 would not even touch it. An example of 

 Anoiiiali^yus jjlehems was then taken, smelt 



