SINGULAR ELYTRA. 



49 



such differently coloured creatures could be only varieties of one 

 species. Sometimes the band which edges the elytra is yellow 

 instead of white, and sometimes it disappears altogether ; while 

 there are many specimens in which there is not only no white 

 edge, but its place is taken by four large yellow spots. Most 

 down-bearing Beetles are liable to similar variations, which in 

 many instances are simply mechanical, the down getting rubbed 

 off the more projecting portions and remaining in those which 

 are hollow and therefore protected from friction. The present 

 species is a native of Southern Africa. 



The name of Anthia is scarcely appropriate when applied to 

 this insect, or indeed to any insect whatever, as it was originally 

 given by old Greek writers to some sort of sea-fish, and is there- 

 fore singularly unsuitable to an insect which loves dry and 

 sandy places. 



One of the most remarkable of the Anthiadse is Cypholoba 

 Ranzonii, a native of Southern Africa. 



Fig. 17. — Cypholoba Ranzonii. 

 (Shining black ; dull red inside the cells ) 



This singular Beetle has very short and powerful jaws, curi- 

 ously short antennas, and a bold collar between the head and 

 thorax and the thorax and abdomen. The colour is black, that 

 of the head and thorax being rather dull, in consequence of the 

 innumerable wrinkles with which it is covered, and which are 

 too small to be seen without a magnifying glass. 



The chief peculiarity, however, lies in the elytra. These 

 organs possess very strong longitudinal ridges, connected at 



