Cerocomae, Mylabres and Zonites 



abdominal segments. The secondary larva 

 and the pseudochrysalis also have a very 

 small stigma on the penultimate segment of 

 the abdomen. This stigma has disappeared 

 in the tertiary larva ; at least I cannot detect 

 it with the aid of a good magnifying-glass. 



Lastly, we find the same strong mandibles 

 as in the secondary larva, the same feeble 

 legs, the same appearance of a Weevil-grub. 

 The movements return, but are less clearly 

 marked than in the primary form. The 

 passage through the pseudochrysalid state 

 has led to no change that is really worth de- 

 scribing. The creature, after this singular 

 phase, is what it was before. The Meloes 

 and Sitares, for that matter, behave similarly. 



Then what can be the meaning of this 

 pseudochrysalid stage, which, when passed, 

 leads precisely to the point of departure? 

 The Meloid seems to be revolving in a circle : 

 it undoes what it has just done, it draws 

 back after advancing. The idea sometimes 

 occurs to me to look upon the pseudo- 

 chrysalis as a sort of egg of a superior or- 

 ganization, starting from which the insect 

 follows the ordinary law of entomological 

 phases and passes through the successive 

 stages of larva, nymph and perfect insect. 

 The first hatching, that of the normal egg, 

 i57 



