274 INSECTS ACKhaD. 



between spikes, legs, and antenna. Its colour appears to be 

 jetty, shining black, but, when a strong light is directed upon 

 it, is seen to be the deepest purple, something like that of a 

 watch-spring, and having a similar surface. 



Each front angle of the thorax is armed with a long, slender 

 spike, straight and sharp as a needle. A similar spike 

 projects from each shoulder of the elytra, a large double, forked 

 spike occupies the disc, and another projects from the tip, so that 

 altogether there are ten long spikes, besides two short, sturdy 

 points at the upper angles of the elytra. The whole surface, 

 both of thorax and elytra, is very deeply granulated. Altogether 

 the insect reminds the readers of Bon Gualtier of " Slingsby of 

 the manly chest," the celebrated slayer of the snapping turtle, 

 with his suit of spike.armed mail. 



The antennae are long, and so are the legs, which are rather 

 curiously formed, the thighs being quite slender at their attach- 

 ment to the body, and then swelling out rapidly into a rounded 

 knob at the tip. The tibiae are long, slender, and slightly curved, 

 and the whole of the limb is the same shining violet as the body. 

 Altogether there is a very uncanny look about the insect, which 

 almost justifies the very expressive specific name which has been 

 given to it. This species comes from Borneo. 



There are many species of this genus, and a more extraordi- 

 nary set of insects it is not easy to imagine. Being small, they 

 only look grotesque ; but if they were about ten times their 

 size, they would appear to be among the most formidable of 

 the Beetle tribe. They are, however, despite their appearance, 

 perfectly harmless, and can only damage the fungi on which 

 they feed. 



Of the other species we will mention two. One is Arnphi- 

 stcrnus hamatus, which is deep violet, with six red spots, three 

 on each of the elytra. Another species, Amphistemus tuber? 

 culatus, is brown, with four yellow spots. It has no spikes, 

 these being modified into tubercles. 



