176 



INSECTS ABROAD. 





of it. Their upper surface is covered with large knobs running 

 in longitudinal lines and very regularly arranged. These knobs 

 are, in fact, nothing more than partly developed ridges, and the 

 same can be said of any Beetle whose elytra are covered with 

 symmetrically arranged knobs. 



As in the last-mentioned insect, the hind legs are long, 



but in the Adesmia it is the 

 tibia and not the tarsus which is 

 lengthened. There are many 

 species of Adesmia, nearly all of 

 which are black, so that the 

 present insect, which is a native 

 of Old Calabar, looks quite hand- 

 some among its duller relatives. 

 The specific name variolaris 

 signifies "pitted with small-pox," 

 and is snven to the insect in allu- 



O 



sion to the knobs or pustules with which the elytra are covered. 



The family of the Zopherida; is represented by a member of 

 the typical genus Zophcrus Brvmii. Before proceeding further, 



Fig. 81. — Adesmia variolaris. 

 (Brown.) 



H " 



Fio. S2. - Zopherus Br< mil 

 (Yellowish grey, «itli black knobs.) 



I may remark that some authors spell the generic name Zop/wrus, 

 but wrongly. The word is Greek, signifying "gloomy," or 



