Mr. G. Lewis on Japanese Silphidse. 339 



coxal cavities ; but to us it gives an appearance of great help- 

 lessness, as the insect lies on its back or side. 



What the special enemies of NecropJiorus are, or what the 

 conditions of its life most disadvantageous to it may be, I 

 cannot say. Acari often swarm on their bodies, but they do 

 not apparently hurt the imagos, although we may well con- 

 ceive that they are a source of intense discomfort to them. 

 Hasty flight is apparently of less importance than the covering- 

 up of the membranous surface ; yet after a minute or so the 

 beetles run away fast enough. Creopliilus maxillosus, Linn., 

 is a common English species which " feigns death " before 

 running, and the large larvae of Sphingidas, with retractile 

 heads, will remain stiff on their food-plants, although they 

 will jerk and sway their heads to and fro on the arrival of an 

 ichneumon. They will not crawl when first alarmed. 



Another benefit accruing from the closing of the harder 

 plates over the thin membranous parts is that when the insects 

 are hybernating or in repose desiccation is less, and the vital 

 capital of the beetle is longer retained. It would thus get 

 less hungry. It seems also that the chitinous part of the 

 epidermis is the only portion of it which is exposed to the 

 chemical action of the air &c. while the imago is yet soft after 

 transformation ; and this doubtless has always been an 

 important incident in the economic history of a species. 



1. Necrophorus concolor, Kraatz. 



Necrophorus concolor, Kraatz, Deutsche ent. Zeitsclir. 1877, p. 100. 



This species is abundant in South Japan and has been 

 taken in Sado. It measures 30-36 millim., and is black, 

 with a yellow club to the antenna. 



2. Necrophorus japonicuSf Harold. 

 Nec7-02Jhorus japonicus, Harold, Deutsche ent. Zeitschr. 1877, p. 345. 



The hind tibige of this insect are incurved in the male and 

 the internal spine on the trochanter is long and conspicuous. 

 The largest example in a series of fourteen specimens 

 measures 27 millim. 



Found at Nagasaki, Hiogo, and Yokohama. 



3. Necrophorus maculifrons^ Kraatz. 



Necrophorus maculifrons, Kraatz, Deutsche ent. Zeitschr. 1877, p, 101. 



Harold (I. c. p, 346) considered this species to be the same 

 as N. nepalensisy Hope (Zool. Misc. 1831, p. 21) ; but this 



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