194 INSECTS ABROAD. 



they belong. Their variety in form and colour is quite as re- 

 markable as is that of size. 



Many of them are among the soberest of Beetles, clad in dull 

 browns, blacks, and greys, while others are gorgeous beyond all 

 powers of description, and look as though they had been clothed 

 in mail formed of diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and opals, set in 

 a network of gold. People in general do not know it, but we 

 have in this country many Weevils which to the careless eye 

 appear to be nothing more than little dull green Beetles, but 

 which, when placed under a microscope and viewed in a strong 

 light blaze out with so intense a radiance of many-coloured 

 refulgence that the eye can scarcely endure its splendour. 



As to form, they exhibit the most extraordinary shapes, many 

 of them being absolutely grotesque. Some of these Beetles are 

 round, short, and squat, while others have their bodies, heads, or 

 elytra elongated to the most extraordinary extent. Generally 

 the antenme of the Weevils are short, but there are some groups, 

 examples of which we shall presently describe, that have the 

 antenna drawn out to as great a length as can be seen in any of 

 the Longicorn Beetles. Some are smooth, while others are covered 

 with spikes, knobs, and sharp edges. As to their number, I 

 can best convey an idea of it by mentioning that in the British 

 Museum there are one hundred and eighty drawers full of 

 Weevils, so that to make a moderately comprehensive selection 

 from such an array is no easy task. I have endeavoured, how- 

 ever, to choose from them those species which fairly represent 

 the principal groups into which the Weevils are divided. 



The word Rhynchophora is Greek, signifying "beak-bearing.*' 

 and has been given to the Weevils because in most of the species 

 the head is elongated into a beak-like form of greater or less 

 Length. Some of them have the beak but slightly indicated, 

 while in others the head is drawn out to a length that really 

 seems incredible. 



The family of the Bruchidae are well known in England, better 

 perhaps known than liked, except by professed entomologists. 

 One of them, the Pea Weevil (Bruchus pisi), whose little white 

 larvae are so plentiful in peas, is a member of this genus, but 

 is supposed to be one of the many Weevils which have been 

 imported from other countries in cargoes of grain. The Red- 



