768 



INSECTS ABROAD. 



is almost exactly that of the Sentinel Crab {Podopthaltnus vigil), 

 in which the footstalks of the eyes are enormously lengthened. 

 This species is a native of Ava. The figure is slightly enlarged. 

 The head, with its projections, is dark brown ; the thorax is 

 very dark purple, variegated with streaks of silver-grey. The 

 ground colour of the abdomen is shining blue, changing to 

 purple in certain lights, and covered sparingly with soft brown 

 hair, so that it is handsome in colour as well as remarkable in 

 form. The wings are translucent, with a slight brown pattern 

 on them. There are several species of this genus, but this is 

 the largest and most conspicuous. 



Both names of the following species refer to the singular con- 

 formation of the head of the male. The Greek word Elaplwmyia 

 literally signifies " Stag Fly," and the Latin word alcicomis sig- 



Male. 



Fig. 516.— Elaphomyia alcicornis. 



(Keildiih brown.) 



Female. 



nifies " Elk-horn." For the insects of this remarkable genus we 

 are mostly indebted to Mr. Wallace, who collected them in the 

 East Indian islands. In the present species the head of the 

 male is ruddy brown, and has two horn-like projections spring- 

 ing from beneath the eyes. These horns are curiously like those 

 of the deer tribe, and have one long projecting tooth towards the 

 tip, and six smaller teeth on the rounded portion of the stalk. 

 A few yellowish lines run down the broad front of the horn 

 towards the teeth. 



