XYLOCOPA TEREDO. 269 



lead us to apprehend that several of the kinds of 

 Xylocopae, now regarded as distinct species, may ulti- 

 mately prove identical, when we obtain as correct 

 information regarding them as we possess in the pre- 

 sent instance. The male (fig. 1,) is entirely tawny- 



ellow on the upper side, and blackish beneath; 

 wings rather pale yellow, antennae yellow on the 

 under side, legs likewise tawny, the hairs of the 

 two anterior pair paler yellow. The female (fig. 2,) 

 is deep black, the wings broad and of a brassy hue, 

 with purple reflections. The difference between the 

 sexes is not confined to colour, but extends likewise 

 to form. The male is comparatively slender, the 

 thorax oblong, and the head small ; the female has a 

 very large head, and an orbicular thorax, the whole 

 body appearing short and massive. These differences 

 appear more conspicuous in Mr. Westwood's drawings, 

 from which the accompanying engraving is taken, 

 than in Mr. Guilding's figures ; but Mr. Westwood's 

 are carefully drawn from Guilding's own series of 

 specimens, which are now in the possession of the 

 Rev. F. W. Hope, so that no doubt can possibly at- 

 tach to the identity of the insects. It may be said 

 that the evidence from which they are inferred to be 

 the sexes of one species is not absolutely conclusive, 

 for no one has ever witnessed their union ; but Mr. 

 Guilding constantly found both of them in company, 

 frequenting the same holes, the dark individuals being 

 invariably females, and the other males, which affords 

 so strong a presumption in favour of the opinion 



he formed, that little doubt on the subject can 



