THE INCAS BEETLE. 



143 



taken in the hollows of trees, those being evidently the spots in 

 which they have passed their larval existence. 



a rule, all its members 



Next comes the remarkable insect called Gymnctis hiero- 

 glypKiea, a native of Brazil. The insects of this genus may be 

 easily distinguished by the peculiar formation of the thorax. 

 The scutellum is wanting, but in its stead the thorax is pro- 

 longed in the middle into a sharp point, which takes the place 

 of the scutellum so completely that at a hasty glance that por- 

 tion of the insect is not missed. 



This is a very large genus, and, as 

 are very boldly marked. The present, 

 species is bright " king's yellow," with 

 a slight mixture of red. It does not 

 shine, but has exactly that appearance 

 which is produced in water-colours by 

 laying on a thick coating of body- 

 colour. The marks are deep black, so 

 as to give the insect a sort of zebra- 

 like appearance. These marks are 

 exceedingly variable, so that after 

 examining a long series of individuals 

 it is scarcely possible to find two 

 specimens exactly alike. Underneath 

 it is wholly black. 



The insects of this 



genus, 



though 



Fio. fit. — Gymnctis hieroglyphica. 

 (Yellow, black marks.) 



they are true Cetonias, partake some- 

 what of the nature of the Goliath Beetles, in that they 

 frequent the young leaves of trees rather than flowers. There 

 are very many species, differing little in size, though considerably 

 in colour. All, however, whatever may be their ground colour, 

 yellow, chestnut, brown, or grey, are covered with black marks. 

 One of the most striking of them, Gymnetis holosericca, has the 

 middle of the body and elytra black, with boldly curved edges. 

 Most species are black on the under surface. 



We can only find space for one more example of the Cetonias, 

 namely, the splendid insect called Inca Sommerii, the former of 

 the names being given to it as being the Inca, as it were, or 

 king, of the South American Cetonias, and the latter in honour 



