354 Mr. H. Donisthorpe on 



Histerim:. 



All the species of this family are protected by their 

 oval shape and hardness. They also " feign death," when 

 the legs and antenna? are packed close to the body, being 

 withdrawn into cavities fitted for their reception. 



Hister quadrimaculatus, L., H. purpurascens, Herbst., 

 and H. bimaculatus, L. 



These species, which are spotted with red., are probably 

 protected by their resemblance to Coccinellidm. Of course, 

 as in many other examples of mimicry, they may also* be 

 distasteful on their own account, affording instances of 

 Mullerian mimicry (Synaposematic Resemblance). 



Saprimcs virescens, Payk. 



This beetle bears a strong superficial resemblance to the 

 Phytophagous beetle Ph&don cochleariw, F., on the larvae 

 of which it feeds. The Phuedon is very common and lives 

 on mustard, watercress, etc., the Sa/prinvs is much rarer. 

 It is probably an advantage to the Saprinus to mimic a 

 distasteful Phytophagous beetle and so be passed over by 

 birds, etc., whilst it feeds on its prey. This example is 

 beautifully shown in a show-case in the Natural History 

 Museum. 



SCAPHIDIDvE. 



Scaphidium quadrimaculatum, 01. 



This beetle has four red spots on the elytra and is 

 probably protected in the same way as the red-spotted 

 Histers. 



COCCINELLID^E. 



All the lady-birds are very gaily-coloured, red and yellow 

 spotted with black and white. They boldly walk about 

 without any attempt at concealment, as do also their 

 larvae. Both their larvae and pupae are also brightly 

 spotted. The distastefulness of the perfect insects was 

 proved by Jenner Wier, and has since been confirmed by 

 both Poulton and Wallace. 



Endomychtm:. 



Dr. Sharp says (Camb. Nat. Hist., Insects, Pt. ii. p. 237) 

 that many Coccinellidse are mimicked by Undomychidie. 



