On the Melolonthine Beetles of Ceylon. 429 
end. So, too, with the feet. The protruding claws, hard, 
pointed, digital pads, ridged plantar pads, deeply emarginate 
webs, and wide hind feet are all better fitted for securing a 
firm hold upon hard or sandy ground and for traversing it 
swiftly and surely than are the softer more pliable feet of other 
members of the cat tribe ; and I think it is probable that the 
long, rigid, and sharp carpal pad, when jammed against the 
soil, aids in arresting the headlong rush when a rapid turn 
after the pursued quarry is required. The long heavy tail, 
too, probably acts as a balance in wheeling at full speed. 
Similarly, the great enlargement of the posterior narial orifice 
must be regarded as a modification serving the end of 
admitting an abundant supply of air to the lungs to maintain 
the maximum of speed over the comparatively long distance 
that often has to be trawersed before the fleet-footed quarry is 
overtaken *. 
Reverting once more to the feet, it is interesting to note 
that of all the species of Felidz the caracal (7. caracal) comes 
nearest to the hunting leopard (Accnonyx) in the structure of 
the hind feet, and the caracal is the only other species of the 
family, so far as | am aware, which is trained in much the 
same way in certain parts of India for hunting game f. 
XLIX.—The Melolonthine Beetles of Ceylon. 
By Givpert J. Arrow. 
(Published by permission of the Trustees of the British Museum.) 
In a pamphlet (‘ All about Grub,’ by R. C. Haldane) pub- 
lished in Ceylon in 1881 the enormous amount of damage to 
the coffee-plantations of the island due to the root-destroying 
larvee of the Melolonthinze was described, and a rather un- 
successful attempt made to distinguish the various species of 
cockchafers (as they are collectively called) responsible for 
the injury. In an appendix the statement is made that “ It 
* According to Major F. G. Alexander (‘ Harmsworth’s Natural His- 
tory, i. p. 414, 1910) the hunting leopard can keep up its speed for 
500 yards or more. 
+ Blantord (‘ Mammals of British India,’ p. 89, 1888) :—“ Some Indian 
princes are said to have kept a large number of varacals for the purpose 
of hunting. Vigne, who saw them used, says that their speed is, if 
possible, greater in proportion even than that of the hunting leopard.” 
Ann, & Mag. N. fist. Ser. 8. Vol. xviii. 29 
