28 MIOCENE FAUNA. 



Of the Crioceridse only one species (Lema vetusta, Heer, 

 fig. 240) appears ; but this is of great interest, as it is allied to 

 the red lily-beetle (L. merdigera, Linn.), and its existence gives 

 a probability to the (Eningian flora having been adorned with 

 liliaceous plants. 



Four species of Hispidae occur at CEningen, whilst Switzerland 

 now possesses only one. The fossil species differ entirely from 

 the modern species, and belong to an American genus (Anoplites) . 

 One of them (Anoplites Bremii, Heer, fig. 241) is very abundant 

 at (Eningen, more than 100 specimens of that beetle having 

 been already obtained. It is very nearly related to a North- 

 American species (A. quadrata, Fab.), which appears in May 

 and June, and deposits its eggs upon the leaves of various Po- 

 macese (the apple-tree, Pyrus arbutifolia and Amelanchier ovalis) . 

 The larvae mine the leaves, and feed upon their cellular tissue. 

 An allied species (A. suturalis, Fab.) lives on the American 

 acacia (Robinia pseudacacia) . At CEningen the genera Pyrus 

 and Amelanchier have not yet been detected; but the genus 

 Robinia occurs there, and the Anoplites, which is so abundant 

 an insect at CEningen, probably lived upon it. 



The Donacidse are much less common ; only a few specimens 

 of two species have been found. This is very remarkable, as 

 at present these insects are met with in great quantities on 

 marsh- and water-plants, and they occur by hundreds in the 

 lignites of Utznach and Diirnten. 



Rhynchophora, which are characterized by having the head 

 prolonged into a beak, constitute the most numerous tribe both 

 in the CEningian and in the present European fauna. One 

 hundred and eight species are already known from CEningen, 

 24 of which belong to the Attelabidse (with straight anten- 

 nae), and 84 to the Curculionidse (with geniculated antennae). 

 There are therefore between one fourth and one fifth of Attela- 

 bidse in the whole number, whilst they are about one third in 

 the existing Swiss fauna. The Attelabidse at the present day 

 are relatively less numerous in the warm and torrid zones than 

 in temperate regions. 



The Rhynchophora live exclusively upon vegetable food ; and 

 indeed many of them confine themselves either to particular 

 species or genera of plants, and feed upon special vegetable 



