192 Prof. J. C. Schjodte on the Classification of Cerambyces, 



shows interferential colours, being covered with extremely close, 

 deep, and minute transverse strise. At the same time, the fore 

 end of the mesonotum presents a saddle-shaped prolongation, 

 somewhat longer than is required for the purposes of articulation. 

 But all Cerambyces do not possess a creaking apparatus on the 

 mesonotum. There are also mute Cerambyces, viz. all true 

 Prioni and some other genera, as Dorcasomus, Molorchus (ex- 

 cepting M. major, L.), and Vesperus ; and in this case the meso- 

 notum is punctated and hairy, sometimes smooth and depressed, 

 and the prolongation of its fore end is wanting. Of those 

 genera Dorcasomus differs from the Prionini by the structure of 

 its mouth, on account of which it must be ranked among Ceram- 

 bycini, Callidium being its nearest relative. Molorchus minor, L., 

 and M. umhellatus, L., are closely allied to Callidium', whilst 

 M. major has the mandibles provided with a molar tooth, and, 

 upon the whole, in all principal points conforms with the group 

 Lepturini. Vesperus, which has been classed with the Lepturini 

 by all systematic authors, on account of its contracted neck, 

 nevertheless differs from them in every essential point, and can- 

 not be united to any other group than the Prionini. I have, 

 however, given this remarkable genus a more isolated place in 

 the system, being guided by considerations which I shall next 

 proceed to explain, viz. the structure of its antennae. 



It is principally to Duges, Erichson, Lespes, and Claparede 

 that we are indebted for studies of the minute structure of the 

 antenna in Insects. I am quite of the opinion of Claparede 

 when this reliable and ingenious anatomist pronounces the 

 peculiar formations on the antennal club of the Cockchafer to 

 be merely hairs singularly modified*; and I would add that 

 anatomists might have arrived at this result much earlier if they 

 had at the outset taken into consideration other less extreme 

 forms than the antennal club of the Cockchafer; for these 

 remarkable forms of hair are far more commonly met with, and 

 there are many more different types of them, than has hitherto 

 been supposed. Amongst Tenebriones, for instance, there is 

 such an abundance of beautiful forms and rich combinations, that 

 the classification of this large family will come into quite a dif- 

 ferent groove when once these features are taken into due con- 

 sideration f. With regard to the occurrence of such hairs in 

 Cerambyces, the following remarks may suffice. 



* " Sur les pretendus Organes auditifs des Aritennes chez les Coleopteres 

 lamellicornes et autres Insectes" (Ann. des Sc. Nat. 1858, x. p. 243). 



t In a great many Melasomata (for instance, Erodius, Pimelia, Trachy- 

 derma, Tentyria, Elenophorus, Psammetichus) the last joints of the antennae 

 have their apex crowned by an elegant ring of spines surrounding like a 

 fence the tip of the joint, which resembles a cushion covered with 



