152 DR. F. WOOD JONES ON THE [ Feb. 16, 
in myriads near to the sheds where the copra is stored. It will 
swarm to anything oily, and was killed in thousands on the 
refrigerator engines. It is very active, it flies by day, and has a 
habit of creeping beneath the clothing and biting rather sharply. 
It does not oceur on Christmas Island. 
SERRICORNIA. 
(9) MEGAPENTHES sp. 
Not a common insect. It does not occur on Christmas island, 
where MW, andrewsi Waterh. is the representative of the genus. 
(10) MELANOXANTHUS MELANOCEPHALUS Fabr. 
One specimen only, flying in the sunshine,@n March 2, 1906. 
Does not occur on Christmas Island, but the genus is represented 
there by JZ. dolosus Cdz. and M. litura Cdz. 
HETEROMERA. 
(11) Opatrum sp. (near simplex Fabr.). 
A common insect, found mostly under the bark of the coconut 
palms. Does not occur on Christmas Island, where the genus. 
is represented by O. dubiwm Arrow. 
(12) Ceropria inpuTA Wied. 
Very abundant on all the islands. Lives in rotting wood. 
The genus is not present on Christmas Island. 
(13) SESsINIA sp. 
Native name, “ Madu. 
A very common insect. Found on all the islands, and freely 
attracted to light. It is the subject of great variations in size. 
Well known to the inhabitants, Malay and European, as pro- 
ducing an acute dermatitis by contact, and an acute urethritis 
when swallowed in drinks; for this reason drinks are always 
carefully covered over to prevent the beetles from falling in. 
Concerning these properties of the insect there is no doubt, and 
although I have failed to produce the urethritis by swallowing a 
decoction of two beetles in a glass of whiskey and soda, I have 
met with several cases in which its development is definite, and 
have frequently seen the cutaneous lesions. 
This species would appear to be very similar to, if not identical 
with, S. andrewst Arrow, from Christmas Island; and of that 
insect Dr, Andrews says that it exudes an oily liquid, “ which is. 
considered by the residents to have most injurious properties ” 
(‘ Monograph of Christmas Island,’ p. 107). 
LONGICORNIA. 
(14) CerEstumM sIMPLEX Gyll. 
Rare. Not found on Christmas Island, but two representatives 
