250 XATTJRAL HISTOET OF 



ACROCINUS LONGIMANUS, or HARLEQUIN 

 BEETLE. 



PLATE XXV. Fig. 1. 



Cerambyx longimanus, Linn — Prionus longimanus, Fab. 

 —Olivier, iv. No. 66, pi. 3, fig. 12, pi. 4, fig. 12. 



It is distinguished generically by having a move- 

 able tubercle on each side of the thorax terminating 

 in a spine. This is certainly one of the most singular of 

 coleopterous insects, whether we regard the propor- 

 tions of its parts, or the curious colouring and variega- 

 tion of the body. The figures on the elytra, formed 

 of strongly contrasted colours, are so regularly drawn 

 that they may be conceived to be the result of some 

 artificial process. As the wings of several moths 

 and butterflies are inscribed with characters repre- 

 senting with great accuracy letters of various lan- 

 guages, and figures corresponding with several dates 

 of the Christian era, these grotesque delineations in 

 like manner seem to resemble, as has been remarked 

 of them, certain hieroglyphic symbols pourtrayed by 

 the mysterious hand of nature. Its party-coloured 

 dress has caused the insect to be very generally 

 known by the name of Harlequin Beetle. 



The ground colour is black, and the whole sur- 

 face is clothed with a dense silky pubescence. The 

 antennae are about twice the length of the body, and 

 of a black colour, except the base of the joints, which 



