176 
any considerable quantity above the surface, nor do they appear 
to form an unobstructed tunnel, as a part of the dislodged soil 
appears to be pressed against the sides, while the remainder fills 
up the space behind the insect. A few seconds suffice them to 
get out of sight, reminding the observer very much of the modus 
operandi of the Australian Anteater (Hchidna hystrix). When 
turned out on a firm surface in bright daylight they ramble and 
run about actively without exhibiting any alarm or fear. As 
food they were offered earthworms, grubs, caterpillars, bread- 
crumbs, woodlice, and a Tenebrionid beetle (Pteroheleus, sp.). 
The first three disappeared successively, but the last were not 
touched, nor were some specimens of Julus molested. One of 
the three died after a few days, while the remaining two (a pair) 
were still alive more than three months after receipt, although 
for weeks they would not eat anything that could be procured, 
owing to the absence of worms in the dried-up soil. That in 
which they lived was, however, kept moist by being wetted at 
intervals. 
It is to be observed that neither these nor the species of Poly- 
zosteria and Anamesia as defined by Brunner and myself possess 
any odour, while Platyzosteria, &c., are notorious for evil smelling. 
GEOSCAPHEUS GIGANTEUS, spec. nov. 
Brownish red, convex, shining, very large and bulky. Body 
elongate oval. Head large, very smooth, flat, finely punctate, 
brown, anterior border blackish, remainder of face slightly 
excavated ; clypeus red, labrum varied blackish and brown, base 
pale ferruginous ; sides black, an oblique groove, and the sockets 
of the antenne pale ferruginous; palpi and antenne chestnut- 
brown ; basal joints of antennz obconical, curved, longer than 
the two following together; second and third joints subequal, 
more than twice as long as any of the succeeding ones, remainder 
very short, annular, diminishing in diameter. Pronotum trans- 
verse, subtrigonal, conspicuously and broadly hooded in front 
in the female, incrassated and raised into a short emarginate 
ridge in the male, deeply and rugosely excavated in the middle ; 
disk blackish, finely punctate, margin more distinctly impressed 
punctate, hindmargin nearly straight, angles much rounded, 
not produced. Meso- and meta-notum very shining hind- 
angles prominently produced, rotundate.. Wingless. Fore- 
legs similar to G. robustus ; femora with three spines, anterior 
ones shortest, median longest; dactile spines of tibiz very long 
and stout, base wrinkled, all black. Abdomen with afew minute 
distinct dots in the disk, margin with coarser, more numerous 
pits ; hindangles of segments triangularly but slightly produced, 
not acute ,those of seventh segment alone produced as an erect 
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