NOTES ON BEETLES. 



397 



Mesomphalia, Hope. 



conspersa, Germ. 



subreticulata, Boh. 



contubernalis, Boh. 



sp. 

 PcEcilaspis, Hope. 



sp. 

 Omoplata, Hope. 



aulica, Dej. 



271 species determined. 

 131 species undetermined. 



Omoplata dichroa, Germ. 



generosa, Boh. 



sp. 

 Selenis, Hope. 



spirifex, Linn. 



Fam . — COCCINELHD^ . 

 Several undetermined species. 



Total 402 species, besides twenty or thirty obscure species. 



Notes on a few of the above Coleoptera. 



It is extremely difficult, among many interesting groups, to 

 select a few for special notice; but I may mention the fireflies 

 {LampyridcB and Telepkoridce), and the genus Lytta {Cantha- 

 ridce), which are used medicinally. " The genus Cyphus, 

 peculiar to South America, is one of the finest of the family ; some 

 of the species, e.g. Hancocki, are the largest and most magnificent 

 of known Curculionidae." * 



" Four splendid species constitute the genus Entimus ; they are 

 imperialis, Fors., splendidus, Fabr., nobilis, Oliv., from Brazil, and 

 granulatus, Linn., from Cayenne. They have been known for a 

 long time, and are more or less common in collections. With the 

 exception of splendidus, which is adorned by patches — partly 

 confluent, of a brilliant coppery green, all are uniformly covered 

 with scales of a beautiful golden green. They are peculiar to 

 South America, and are generally found together in more or less 

 numerous bands. I have several times seen, in Brazil, mimosas 

 loaded with specimens of imperialis, so that their branches bent 

 under the weight." j 



The beautiful little metallic blue beetle, Compsocerus jucundus, 

 Dej., is worth mentioning, as it has curious black hairy tufts in the 

 middle of its delicate long antenna. Mr. Bates { refers to another 

 Longicorn, Corerfiia hirtipes, which has a tuft of hair on its hind 

 legs, and remarks, " It suggests curious reflections when we see 

 an ornament like the feather of a grenadier's cap situated on one 



* Lac. vi. 115. t Ibid., 283. J Vol. i. p. 209. 



