THE MELOLONTHIN^. 217 



Claviger ; Megasoma, type Sc. ActcBon; Megaceras, 

 type Sc. Chorinceus ; Chalcosoma, type Sc. Atlas ; 

 Strategus, type Sc. Alceus ; Temnorynchus, type Sc. 

 Coronafus, &c. &c. We may further notice the 

 excessive elongation of the anterior tibisE and tarsi in 

 the genus Eucheirus Kirby, the type of which is the 

 Sc. longimanus, and the semi-metallic Agacephala with 

 its deeply furcated head. [W. E. Sh.] 



(I89.) The Melolonthince, or tree beetles, gene- 

 rally called chafers, appear to follow the last, whose 

 lengthened and slender tarsi (so different from that of 

 the Rutilmce and the Cetoniance) prepare us for the 

 great developement of these members universal in the 

 present group. Notwithstanding that a contrary opi- 

 nion has been expressed, we consider the Melolontha 

 vulgaris of Britain, or the chafer of the country 

 people, as one of the true types, to which that of Serica 

 is subordinate. The chief distinction of the Melo~ 

 lonthincB MacL., is their very convex or sub-globose 

 form, — " in which respect they exhibit an excellent 

 parallel to the Trogidce." Great stress has been laid on 

 these insects possessing a transverse suture, " which 

 divides the clypeus into two parts, just before the eyes;" 

 but as it is also admitted that this character is likewise 

 common to the whole of the Anoplognathi, and the 

 greatest part of the RutilincB, we do not perceive how 

 it can be selected as any peculiar character of this 

 group. So far as we have yet proceeded in our analysis, 

 it appears to us that one of its most typical distinctions 

 is found in the lengthy developement of the legs, — a 

 structure admirably suited to the arboreal habits of the 

 insects. The Melolonthinne, for the most part, are 

 duU coloured, being dark brown, or assimilating to the 

 colour of the earth. It is said that they mostly frequent 

 sandy soils — probably in the larva state, for the beetles 

 themselves, as it is well known, are invariably met with 

 in trees : the structure of the feet, in short, is by no 

 means adapted for walking upon an even surface ; hence 

 the perfect insects are strictly arboreal; the tarsus is 



