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that it is quite harmless, having no power to bite, and cannot 
It is probable that in a natural state the beetle will live 
several years, as it belongs to a tribe of coleopterous insects 
of sluggish habits, concealing themselves in dark and damp 
places and shunning the daylight. 
The whole of this tribe of beetles (Melasoma) is usually 
uninteresting to coleopterists, being nearly all of dull black, 
brown, or greyish colours, ugly in forms, and of bad repute 
for their habits and odours. This particular beetle is 
oblong, flattish, an inch and half long by half an inch broad 
(looking much like a large Elater), the thorax and elytra 
ashy white, a black cross on the thorax, the scutellum and 
tips of the elytra black, with raised oblong black spots, 
sparingly on the elytra which are united together under- 
neath, black with numerous ashy pits. 
The beetle is Heteromerous, coming 'under the family of 
Melasoma (Latreille), in which the British Blaps Mortisaga 
is included, but I have not at present been able to find any 
authority for the genus and species. 
It is an interesting instance of reverence and superstition 
attached to an insect, and coming from Yucatan, may be 
one that has descended from the ancient people who built 
those marvellous cities and temples. 
Annual Meeting, May 1st, 1876. 
John Barrow, Esq., in the Chair. 
Mr. Thomas Hornby Birley, of Somerville, Pendleton, was 
elected a member of the Section. 
The Treasurer s account, and[report of the Council were 
read and passed. 
