DEFECTIVE NOMENCLATURE. 43 



parallel, longitudinal ridges interspersed with deep punctations. 

 The thorax is very shining, and on either side, near the base, 

 is a deep and large pear-shaped pit. A narrow groove runs 

 along the centre of the thorax between the pits. It is a native 

 of South America. 



I very much regret the name that has been given to this 

 insect, as nothing could have been more thoroughly inappro- 

 priate. The classical reader will remember that Enceladus was 

 not only a giant, but a giant among giants, the leader of the 

 rebellion against Jupiter, who was at last struck down by 

 Jupiter's thunderbolts and condemned to perpetual imprison- 

 ment under Mount Etna, whose flames were the angry breath of 

 the imprisoned giant. 



The name of Enceladus therefore carries with it ideas of 

 gigantic size, strength, and terror, and nothing can be more 

 absurd than to give the name to any insect, especially one that 

 is so slightly shaped as that which is shown in the illustra- 

 tion. It might with appropriateness be given to some new 

 species of whale, elephant, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, or any 

 large and terrible animal, but there is an absolute bathos in 

 calling by the name of the dead giant who could only be 

 vanquished by the thunderbolt, a pretty Beetle, several of which 

 would go in the waistcoat pocket. 



The Graphipterides are also represented by a single example, 

 Graphijitcrus varicgatus. 

 All the members of this 

 family have a rather curious 

 aspect, and have been aptly 

 compared by Mr. \Vestw< lod ^^^f&stJr 



to broad Tiger Beetles. jH HBr\ 



Their bodies are all short. I tfi^^ J 



and the abdomen is broad, -Jp \/\ U \„ 



oval, and much rounded, as <r . 



may be seen by reference ^ ) -- 



to the accompanying illus- 

 tration. * iG - 15 - — Graphiptems variegatus. 



„, i i •. /• ,i (Dead black and white. ) 



The habits of these 

 Beetles are rather unlike those of the Carabidse in general. 

 Usually these Beetles are nocturnal, hiding themselves by day 



