432 Extract from Note Book regarding the Genus Paussus. [No. 138. 



allied genera, when they are similarly treated, and which I have had 

 hundreds of opportunities of verifying. From these facts I presume, 

 that there is a greater connexion betwen Paussus Carabus than is 

 generally believed, and perhaps they might be removed with advantage 

 to the vicinity of each other. It was only when I commenced setting 

 my specimen for the cabinet, that I observed that it differed slightly 

 from my No. 4. I may therefore give the description. 



The principal points in which it differs are : first, in the thorax, the 

 cremelations which cross its centre being more deeply sculptured and 

 foliated ; secondly, the antennae instead of leaving their upper margins 

 in the form of a screw, are dentated, having four rather large scallops 

 on each side, one between each tooth ; and lastly, the abdomen, though 

 provided at its posterior extremity with the brushes noticed in No. 4, 

 wants the spines beneath the abdomen, which latter organ instead of 

 being of one breadth throughout, is narrowed as it approaches the 

 thorax. In length it is the same, being 7 -20th of an inch long, 

 including the antennas when placed at an angle with the body, 

 and of the latter organs the last joint is the largest, of an irregular 

 form, or nearly boat-shaped, with dentated margins above, which ter- 

 minate at the posterior and superior angle in a tooth. The excava- 

 tion on the head is very deep, at the bottom of which, the two vesicles 

 similar to those noticed in No. 4 are very apparent, and highly resinous 

 in lustre. The palpi are somewhat more salient, but at the same time 

 more attenuate than in that insect. In its markings, there is also a 

 strong resemblance, but the abdomen is slightly darker, and the pink- 

 ish brown patches at the posterior and anterior margins of the elytra 

 are broader and better defined. I should notice, that in each experiment 

 on the detonating power of this insect, I have used a different finger 

 in giving the small degree of pressure required to induce its crepitating ; 

 all of which have been well marked, but those of the last two trials 

 are not quite so dark as the stain left on the three first, and I am 

 anxious to see how long they will remain on my hands. Although I have 

 for some time past suspected the fact, that the Paussus had the curi- 

 ous property observable in some of the Carabici, and which (I imagine) 

 is believed to be inclusively attached to them, it was not till the cap- 

 ture of the present specimen that I determined to try the truth of my 

 surmises. The present insect having been taken by a lady in com- 



