Illustrations zoology of south Africa

.

[Price

No. Ill]

INVERTEBRATE

ILLUSTRATIONS

\100L0GY

ZOOLOGY OF SOUTH AFRICA;
CONSISTING CHIEFLY OF

FIGURES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THE OBJECTS OF NATURAL HISTORY
COLLliCTED DURING

AN EXPEDITION INTO THE INTERIOR OF SOUTH AFRICA,
THE YEARS 1834, 1835, AND 1836;

IN

FITTED OUT BY

"

THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE ASSOCIATION FOR EXPLORING CENTRAL AFRICA
TOGP.THER WITH

,

A

SUMMARY OF AFRICAN ZOOLOGY,
AND AN INQUIRY INTO THE GEOGRAPHICAL RANGES OF SPECIES
IN THAT QUARTER OF THE GLOBE.

BY

ANDREW SMITH,

M.D.,

SURGEON TO THE FORCES, AND DIRECTOR OF THE EXPEDITION.

^ublisIjtU uitBer

ti)e

auti)oiiti) of

tl)c

ILorTJd Commt^sliontrfi of ffitr iBajeitv'i

Wvtaimv.

ANNULOSA.
BY W.

S.

MACLEAY, ESQ.

HIS LATE majesty's COMMISSIONER

SMITH, ELDER

M.A., F.L.S.,

AND JUDGE IN THE MIXED COURT OF JUSTICE
k^^Hf HAVANA.

AND

CO.

CORNHILL.

MDCCCXXXVIII

LONDON

;

PRINTED BY STEWART AND MURRAY, OLD BAILEY.

:'

]tis.

•

i

B R a i T

ILLUSTRATIONS

ANNULOSA OF SOUTH AFRICA
nail iTMiil—ajijM

BEING A PORTION OF THE OBJECTS OF NATURAL HISTORY
CHIEFLY COLLECTED DCRIXG

AN EXPEDITION INTO THE INTERIOR OF SOUTH AFRICA,

UNDER THE DIRECTION OF
IS

DR.

ANDREW

SMITH,

THE YEARS 1834, 1835, and 1836;
FITTED OUT BY

THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE ASSOCIATION FOR EXPLORING CENTRAL

BY W.

S.

MACLEAY, ESQ. M.A.

HIS LATE majesty's COMMISSIONER

AND JCDGE

IN

AFRICA.'

F.L.S.

THE MIXED COURT OF JUSTICE

ESTABLISHED AT THE HAVANA.

33ublisl;cl3

uiiDcv

tlje

autljoritu o£

tljc

itoiHij

£ommi£lStonn-£i of ^.tx IflajcStu'S CrcaSiirp.

LONDON:
SMITH, ELDER AND CO. CORNHILL.
MDCCCXXXVIII.


:

LOy DON
FEIXTiD 3T slKWAaX ASD SfUBSiT,

OLD BALLET.


,^A^^

TO ZOOLOGISTS.

At

the request of

my

friend Dr. Smith, I have undertaken to lay before the

him

public such Annulose forms collected by

most worthy of

notice.

lately acquired,

It

mav

be well that

I

South Africa, as appear to be
should mention here mv havinoin

by purchase, the very extensive

by M. Verreaux during

collection of

Anmdosa made

and also his manuscript notes on the species collected.
Perhaps therefore no naturalist is
better provided than I am with those materials which are necessary to enable
us to form accurate notions of South African entomology.
Upon this subject
also,

my

his long residence at the Cape,

personal acquaintance with the habits of

degree be brought

to a certain

many

exotic senera,

may

to bear.

In his descriptions of the vertebrated animals of the Cape, Dr. Smith has

adopted a plan of publication, which
for his readers.

ralists,

once convenient for himself and
The subjects which he brings under the notice of natu-

by reason of

are

their

at

is

size

and importance

in

the

economv of

nature, sufficiently interesting to entitle each species to a distinct plate and

a long description.

He

that

convenience, reserving for the conclusion his seneral

best

suits

his

can, therefore, publish each animal in the order

arrangement, when his readers can either adopt it or bind up the work
according to that system which may most please their fancv.
I need
scarcely say that the expense which would inevitably result from the
adoption of any such mode of publication in the description of insects,
renders

impossible for

it

me

to

follow

plate devoted to a single species of annulose animal,

inconvenient
this

work.

one plate

A whole
would be obviously

Dr. Smiths example.

all parties, and to none more than to the purchasers of
becomes therefore necessary to place several figures in
the only valid objection to which plan is the difficulty of

for

It

:

finally arranging the plates according to system, since

each of them must

necessarily contain figures of species that belong to very difierent groupes.

This

evil,

however,

I

shall

endeavour
B

to

avoid,

by describing as

far

as


TO ZOOLOGISTS.

2
convenient,
as

much

my

species in small natural groupes, and

by confining each

plate

as possible to the representation of species that are nearly allied

Such a mode of proceeding, like that of Dr. Smith, will
allow of the work, when concluded, being bound up according to that system
of arrangement which may appear to the reader most advisable to follow.
I could wish that it had been in my power to describe these insects
according to the general plan commenced in the Ammlosa Javanica. Several
circumstances, however, prevent such a scheme being followed, among
which is the necessity in a work of this kind of each number possessing
considerable variety. But although I am about to describe the Annulosa of
South Africa in a miscellaneous order, I trust no one Mill detect symptoms
of my being tormented by that morbid thirst for naming new species
which makes so many modern works in entomology, rather magazines of
undigested and insulated facts than harmonious histories of nature. It is
to

each other.

really distressing to see the philosophy of our science lost sight of in a

made

puling passion for that miserable immortality which

is

the invention of some barbarous technical names.

We

to

depend on

cannot even say

that the best entomologists are free from it, when we find the laborious
author of the " Genera Curculionidmn," whose fame has arisen from his

The preshewing utter contempt of its laws.
duty
much
to
name
as to
not
so
the
is
a

servation of the earliest name
the science
yet M. Schonherr has in 1833, attempted to alter the names
of many genera published in 1825 in the appendix to Captain King's voyage.
but as far as my humble
I shall not follow so mischievous an example
means will allow, I shall endeavour to be rigorously observant of that
leading principle of nomenclature which is the right of priority. This right,
in my opinion, is so necessary to be sustained, if we have any regard for the
interests of natural history, that I shall never for one moment Avait to
consider whether the first namer of a species be an author of reputation
study of nomenclature,

;

;

or not.

W.

S.

ML.


;

I._ON THE CETONIIDiE OF SOUTH AFRICA.

In 1819

I

name

distinguished a family of Petalocerous insects, under the

of CetoniidcB, that

Scopoli, as consisting of " Scarahai Anthophili."

I
marked out by
the
characterized
and
families,
shewed their affinity and analogies to the other Petalocerous
groupe by that membranaceous texture of the labrum and mandibles, which proves that these

had been

originally

on vegetable juices

insects in their perfect state are intended to live

known

general construction being

to exist in the family.

I

many

groupes belonging to the CetoniidcB, but since that time
characterized, particulariy

by

MM.

Lepelletier

very few exceptions to this

;

also described

and Audinet de

two or three new

others have been

named and

10th volume

Serville, in the

Mr. Kirby
of the Entomological part of the Encyclopidie, which was published in 1825.
of
the Zoonumber
in
a
and
also, in a paper read before the Linnean Society, in 1824
logical Journal, published in 1827, has given to the worid some valuable remarks on certain
;

groupes of the family. But the work, which above all others, claims our present attention, is
the " Monographie des Cetoines," commenced by MM. Gory and Percheron, in 1833, and

now,

I

work a complete
as

1

These gentlemen had the admirable intention of giving us

believe, concluded.

description, with figures, of all the species of Cetoniida

circumscribed

it

in the

Hora

carelessness in the descriptions, in dates,

was necessary

for their

undertaking

and

me, they do not seem

to be acquainted with

nay, not even with that erroneous and somewhat

1834 was printed

in Paris,

under the

are entirely ignorant of his labours

of his name,

it

is

;

title

this

own

now

and although they often

any of

the Monographie des Ciloines

book, with

all its faults,

which has a right

Although con-

my

from

I

have wntten

works, which in

As for Mr. Kirby, they
like manner make mention

French monograph

in

on the Cetoniidw.
which are only on

his instructive papers

consists in the figures,

when we

in the course of publication in

country by Mr. Curtis.

is

to have scarcely ever

any thing

piratical extract

a level with those of Olivier, and unaccountably bad,
entomological plates

monograph

of Annulosa Javanica.

clear that they never read

Another great defect of

me

but these authors appear to

;

is,

Considerable reading and research

names.

in

—that

defect of their

work than Count Dejean's Catalogue.

consulted any other entomological
stantly referring to

The grand

Entomologica.

in this

of the family

call to

mind the

beautiful

France by M. Guerin, and in our

In short, the most praiseworthy circumstance connected with
is

the intention of

a most useful work.

to be called

a monograph;

its

authors.

This

It is truly the first

as

it

is

it

is

which makes the

entomological publication

not either a local catalogue, or the

catalogue of one or two collections of a countiy, but professes to contain descriptions of

all


ON THE CETONIIDjE OF SOUTH AFRICA.

4

the species which the authors could procure a sight
continent.

If

reoret the

way

it

was a happy thought

to

whether in England, or on the

of,

undertake a catalogue of such extent, we the more
In

which the undertaking has been executed.

in

fact,

MM.

Gory and

Percheron had eveiy thing in their favor, except the acquirements necessary for the task.
The subjects of their monograph are large, handsome, and easily preserved. They were
The
therefore more likely to be brought from abroad than perhaps any other insects.
Buprestidce are also handsome insects, but as the

of this family often are very

species

minute, and always very active, so complete a collection of them is of more difficult
Indeed, we may fairly say, that with the exception perhaps of Central Africa, the
attainment.

world contains of Cetoniidcc few species unknown, at least in comparison with those which are
known. MM. Gory and Percheron appear never to have seen the noble collection made by my
father

;

and

if their

work had been more ably executed,

absence from England at the time they were studying- the museums
Nothing, however, affords

me

my

should have deeply regretted

I

of our Metropolis.

a better conception of the extent of their labours, than to see so

few generic forms, and even species in

my

collection,

which do not

find their portraits,

such

as they are, in the 3Ionographie des Cetoines.
It will

be easily understood,

the CetoniidcB of South Africa.

of

all

why

therefore,
It is

countries in the species of this beautiful

session of the 3Ionographie des Cetoines

in

which,

may,

I trust,

power of studying

to a certain degree, have the

and analogies which

analytically the affinities

manner

now commence with the description of
Good Hope is the richest
family, but because every person who is in posI

not only because the Cape of

I

am

about to explain, and of observing the

the whole of organized nature will one day be wrought out.

have also another object in commencing with the Cetoniida, which is, that having
been long sensible of the great confusion existing between the words genera, sub-genera,
I

sections, sidi-sections, kc. I
I shall in future use

am

naturally anxious to explain the

meaning of these words, as

them.

Every one knows that sometimes sub-genera, and at other times even sub-sections of
Too often we find every
oenera, are in the most unphilosophical manner published as genera.
thing a genus which some gnathoclast, with Scapula in hand, has thought proper, in his good
pleasure, to call so.

Some persons again

decide that this groupe

such clearness of vision

is

I

there are,

who on

a

a sub-genus, and that another groupe

can lay no claim

;

yet

I

first
is

inspection can oracularly

of "

full

cannot help thinking that there

discovering the true subordination of these several kinds of groupes

— nay,

I

is

mode

a

am

botanist,

described
sufficient

which says, " Omnis
the

number

of following up that aphorism of a distinguished

sectio naturalis circulum, per se clausum, exhibet."

Geodephaga of the Annulosa Javanica,

number of the

species,

of

sure this

discovery will ever be the result of calm patience, of keeping before our view a great
of the species of any family, and finally

To

generic value."

I

which was necessary to

When

I

had not that knowledge of a
enable me to work out my sub-

know

wliich were

If any one, for instance, were to publish
genera, and which were sub-genera.
monograph of the Linnean genera Carabus and Cicindela, after the manner which

a complete

ordinate groupes, and therefore

and Percheron have adopted

I

could only state that

I

did not exactly

for the Fabrician genus Cetonia,

it

MM.

might be possible

Gory

for the

entomologist to distinguish the genera, sub-genera, sections, and sub-sections of Geodephaga,
as well as to shew their reciprocal relations of affinity and analogy.

most tends to prevent young naturalists from taking

this,

That, however, which

the most honourable path

of


5

ON THE CETONIID^ OF SOUTH AFRICA.
entomological science,
of

affinities,

of

new

impatience.

is

which makes them

and

species,

impatience which makes them dislike the study

It is

tiiis

branch of natural history, indeed,

no royal road.

is

In

To

it.

insulated descriptions

exist in the creation, because, forsooth,

harmony does not

idly fancy that

they cannot immediately and intuitively perceive
there

making

deliglit in the grovelling task of

order

to

genera, and sub-genera,

I

cannot do better than

following words of an author:

genera, but which

"These

consider of

I

to have

is,

what was the

had some vague standard

writer's particular standard

mind,

his

in

by

the word genus any signification which

deemed

is

universally

a latent disposition of the

is

himself, or

3IammaUa ought

to be established

certainly seems

But

?

Nay, has

fear in all

such cases

any one

definite

human mind

?

to erect

I

else

an arbitrary standard,

Thus one person says that the

founded on the supposed value of some point of structure.
genera of

first

He

?

is,

question that

he talks of "full generic value."

for

has this value ever been accurately defined, either

of assertion, there

and the

;

raised to sub-

the dispute obviously

Here,

&c.

whether a certain groupe be a family, a genus, or a sub-genus
presents itself to the mind

late periodicals, the

from one of our

cite

— families,

expressions

the

which M. Wesm'ael has since

families

generic value,"

full

about

hangs

vagueness which

the

exhibit

on the difierences

in their

system of dentition

;

and yet there are some genera of Mammalia where almost every species varies in the number
and form of its teeth so that to adopt the rule, we must consider every species of such genera
;

to be a

genus

itself.

Another person

Linneus, that there are as

will tell us, like

as aogregations of different species present similar constructions of

some

many

genera,

arbitrarily selected

organs, such as those of fructification in phaenogamous plants, or the teeth in 3Iammalia.
this sense

it

is

evident that a genus

may

be made to signify any groupe whatever; as

In
its

The black and yellow Cetonice of
and so
South Africa will even form a genus, according to the Linnean definition of the word
Cuvier's definition of a genus is, that it is a certain number
also will all vertebrated animals.
extent will depend on the nature of the structure selected.

;

of beings so nearly allied, that they differ from each other only in the least important points of
their

conformation

— that

is,

specifically.

smallest natural groupe of species
prevails in the

A

we can

minds of most naturahsts.

can discover a character, immediately

genus
find.

We

is,

in fact,

according to this naturalist, the

Such indeed

see every

dubbed a genus

little
;

is

the idea of a genus which

groupe of species

for

the absurdity of which

which they
is,

that

we

often find these very same persons again sub-dividing their " genera," although, according to
their

own

definition, the

groupes were already in rank only immediately above species.

Cuvier himself calls Sus a genus,

or, in

of beings that only specifically differ from

proceeds to

name and

Even

other words, according to his definition, a collection

each

other.

characterize a part of Sus under the

Yet,

name

inconsistently

of Dicotyle, as a

enough, he
still

smaller

groupe of species, and repeatedly makes mention of sub-genera.

me

to giving the name of genera to

The word genus may be applied as by
Linneus to mark out all Petalocerous insects, or as by M. Dejean to designate only the
Dorysceles of Madagascar. To either proceeding I have not the slightest objection; if we

Let

be understood on

this

head.

I

do not object

sub-genera, nor that of sub-genera to sub-sections.

only understand each other, and that the word genus
It is

is

to have a similar value in all cases.

not to be defined the smallest possible groupe of species here, and in another place

considered as a groupe which contains
correct

mode of using

the word

;

many

although

it

other groupes of species.

This cannot be a

may, from our ignorance of created

species,


ON THE CETONIID^ OF SOUTH AFRICA.

6
appear sometimes

to

be consonant with what we observe in nature.

we

If

divide all animals

into sub-kingdoms, classes, orders, tribes, stirpes, families, genera, sub-genera, sections, sub-

any other names, we must not confound

sections, &c. &c. or

all

these groupes together, but

during our investigations, preserve each of them in that proper subordination which

may

But here some one may observe that all groupes are
they must depend on the selection and good pleasure

have been agreed upon by naturalists.
arbitrary

and

artificial,

since after all

To this I answer that affinities are natural and if all these affinities are expressed
by any mode of grouping, it follows also that the groupes must be natural although,
certainly, these last must in some degree have depended on our selection.
But in fact,
of man.

;

;

these groupes are only chosen because they coincide with the affinities which exist in nature.

Our grand
or analogy,

when we

object,

an arbitrary value
which

are trying to find out a natural arrangement,

to particular characters

may

exist in the

;

but to express

to the system, that in our pursuance of
set a value upon,

is

the relations, whether of affinity

branch of natural history we study.

indicated by the arrangement, our object

all

all

an

gained

is

;

eclectic plan,

at another time esteemed of

little

and

at times perfectly worthless.

Mammalia

teeth in the genera of

a character which at one time we
Indeed,

worth.

we

is

it

down

Comparatively constant as

generally,

If these relations are

can be no objection whatever

it

part of natural history, that the most important characters break

and become

obvious in every

in certain species,

the structure of the

is

some groupes, such

find in

not to give

is

as the Edentata,

or the genus Rhinoceros, that the dentition varies extensively in almost every species.
in Botany,

this

how

steady

most important

is

the dicotyledonous character of Exogenous plants

distinction breaking

down

One

in certain families.

animals according to their brain and nervous system

;

another

yet

;

naturalist arranges

us,

tells

Again,

we have even

he prefers their

osteology, and so on.

Each point of structure, being of the utmost consequence to animal
economy, is concluded by its peculiar partisan to be therefore infallible as a ground of arrangement. Very little experience, however, is sufficient to shew that each of these favorite hobbies
is unsafe to ride upon
and we are in our search for an accurate way of expressing the relations
;

which connect various beings, obliged to adopt another plan of calculating the value of
principles of arrangement.

My

plan, as

is

well

known, has ever been not

any arrangement

to estimate the value of

by the value in animal economy of the structure upon which this arrangement is founded, but
to make the importance of every organ or structure for purposes of anangement, rise in inverse
proportion to

its

The consequence

degree of variation.

the birth of an arrangement which

is

of this rule of procedure, has been

And

universally applicable.

even

yet,

tliis

rule is

nothing more than an abstract measure of the importance of some individual character in the

arrangement of that particular groupe, where we
rule,

to

may happen

moreover, that we cannot always with safety put

arrangement,

it

is

all

for
it

use of

it.

It is

a

although with respect
is

sometimes also a

Indeed, in discovering natural arrangement, we can never safely

swerve from the Linnean axiom, which although

groupes;

use of a process of tatonnement.

We

it

alludes

more immediately

"Scias characterem non

characterem, et characterem non esse ut genus

such and such

;

ever an admirable instrument of correction,

dangerous one of discovery.
holds good equally of

make

to

in practice

fiat

to

"genera,"

constituere genus sed genus

sed ut genus noscatur."

We

truly

make

do not argue that such must be the groupe, because

are, in our opinion, good and distinct characters
but we say, such happens to
be the character, of no matter what importance, which prevails throughout the groupe, and
;


7

ON THE CETONIIDiE OF SOUTH AFRICA.
which serves

some degree

in

must previously have

to insulate

watching of the variation of

the series of natural objects returns into

It is

itself.

only one.

study, and that

more

the relations which

all

any of these are

if

when we have

particularly

we ought

satisfac-

to look out for its natural

clearly

in
I

our arrangement, there must be

repeat, that the process is one of

some kind of

Insectivorous Ferce, to Edentata, and also to Glires.

these relations, and at the same time

between the various objects of our

exist

unrepresented

left

The marsupial animals have

tatonnement.

Now,

if

relation to

about the importance of

to talk

this organ,

Primates, to

a naturalist cannot express

the various relations wliicli exist

all

groupes of Mammalia, he ought to be convinced that his arrangement

among
wrong.

is

or of that other,

all

the other
It is

of

the structure of

in

we were right in any such comparative estimate of the importance of
economy, we ought not to forget that the true question under consideration

If even

these animals.

organs in general

the natural arrangement of the animals themselves

is,

we

close

;

latent error, in the formation of our groupes.

no use

by a

;

system ought to express

some

;

evident that

is

it

this is effected

we may be wrong we may sometimes imagine a groupe to return
when it does not or we may consider wliat in reality are two groupes, to form
The best way I know of correcting such evils, is to recollect that the natural
after all,

Still,

into itself,

and

and by considering the groupe to be complete only when

affinity,

torily applied this test of the groupe's completeness, that

character.

But

from other groupes.

it

knowledge of the groupe

arrived at the

;

and that

this is to

be attained only

by the expression of every affinity, and every analogy that can be detected. The unnatural
groupe Testacea, was founded on the important character of the presence of a shell and we
;

among

shall see

because they \vanted
certain parts of the
I

when

that

itself,

mouth.

mode

theoi-y

known

first

But,

if

some

the

Now,

if

followed,

is

we

start

such

series,

owing

for

;

observed

it is

from the principle

combine

particular character, they

into a series

so forming a circle

Yet

natural assemblage of species.

first

this will

to the rarity of its species, the first

species of Cryptodinus, for instance,

sub-genera

into

is

circular grouping of the species of CetoniidcB

is

;

be an

known
whereas

into certain sub-sections.

the above hypothesis were true, the sub-genera of one genus would be equivalent

only sub-sections of the other.

to

accuracy

in the distinction of groupes,

investigate the subject.
all

In the

this groupe.

Now

natural groupes, forming a circle.
itself into five others,

first

I
I

and so down,

;

we must proceed in a totally different manner
we must commence from some given point

names given

is

the animal kingdom.

observe the animal kingdom to resolve

to
in

Every one

itself into

five

observe again, each of these circular groupes to resolve
until
I

I

arrive

may

the word given as a

convenience, and being

propriety of the

conceive, therefore, that in order to attain

place,

term the animal kingdom a genus, or

Mammalia a kingdom

I

Such a point undoubtedly

naturalists agree.

acknowledges

for

of affinity

shall probably imagine every

in value

which

series

form a closed groupe.

to

of viewing the matter

circular grouping of the

the

we

itself,

practice, to be in

when a

to the fact, that

and thus

a few species ^rsi agree in

that will return into

incorrect

leading characters, which consist in the membranaceous texture of

its

have before alluded

to return into

in

Cetoniidw, that genera were erroneously separated from this family

the

at species.

call the

name

merely conventional.

Now

it

is

clear that

I

may

groupe Vertehrata a sub-genus, and

to the class of groupe, being adopted

My

aim

is

not to dispute about the

to these various groupes, but merely

to express the proper

subordination of one groupe to another, even supposing that they had no names.

If,

therefore.

;;

ON THE CETONIID/E OF SOUTH AFRICA.

8
I

say that

the

I will call

first five

divisions of the animal

kingdom, sub-kingdoms or provinces

the second 25 divisions of these, classes; the third \2b, orders

3125, stirpes or races

fifth

the eighth sub-genera
shall obtain

the sixth 15625, families

;

and the ninth

;

for the

one general rule

of understanding definitively what
as this view of the matter

artificial,

may

It

;

Annulose creation, and at

we

be,

it

will

genera;

circles,

least obtain the great

and

Theoretical,

are talking about.

may

number of

the seventh

and the tenth subsections, kc. &c.* we
advantage

to a certain degree

assuredly tend to clear up our practice.

more insulated than a Cetoninns, and an Hippopotamus than a
but then I understand that the genus Cryptodinus, were it more

Cryptodinus

This

mouse.

true

is

is

;

many

ought to contain as

perfect,

;

indeed be urged that difliculty occurs with respect to what are called insulated

A

species.

sections

the fourth 625, tribes; the

;

comprehend

groupes of species as Cetoninus

perfectly the affinities

many

surrounded with as

is

known

of a Hippopotamus, we must suppose

sections, sub-genera,

to do,

and that to

be immediately

to

it

and genera, as are known immediately

to

surround the mouse.

Thus, when the naturalist talks of any anomalous structure,

many

so

that

links,

would connect

Hipqjopotamus forms a

known

and

;

that,

genera to connect

many

so

is,

this singular

being with some other and better

by

stirps

itself,

I

only

mean

that

it

it

well with the

or whether

wanting, in order that

Hippopotamus bears
will

It

be

seen

differing

I

may

stirps

of no consequence

It is

merely suppose them to be

I

Pachyderms.

and that

the

in

still

following

on

observations

smaller groupes,

if

the

any such can be

genera are found to contain sometimes a few beings only specifically

if

To

those persons

in

it

all

cases.

who may choose

call sub-sections,

I

They have no

right to

call

Gory and Percheron, a genus, and also that which

" Dicheros."

to give

the groupe
is

name of

the

have only to say that they

I

named Cetonia by

termed by those gentlemen

have avoided this confusion in entomology,-t by invai'iably considering genera

I

to be that sub-division of the animal

kingdom which

is

the seventh in degree

downwards

to be the first sub-division of families.

way

In the same

which

its

from each other, this results from our ignorance of certain sub-genera, sections, and

ought to do

is,

say that the

on a review of the preceding remarks, that Cuvier's definition of a

sub-sections that are wanting.

that

I

obtain something like a just notion of the relation which the

to the other

genera to the entomological groupes which

MM.

If

theory to be wanting, have

this

they have never been created.

CetoniidcB I shall call sub-sections, or even to
;

form.

the sole species of

is

other tribes of Pachyderms.

genus above given, most truly answers to what

pointed out

known

speaking theoretically, four families are wanting, or rather twenty-four

whether the families and genera supposed according to
disappeared,

understand merely that

I

groupes, of the great plan of creation are wanting, as

asserts

them

we

that

discover confusion to proceed from that definition of genera

to be the next class of groupe above species,

we

shall also find a certain

degree of confusion to proceed from the definition of the word Family, as depending on
*

Some persons have imagined

that

I

only assign five species to the lowest groupe in nature

evidently proceeds on the assumption that

if

we knew

all

the species of the creation, their

or in other words, that they would pass into each other by infinitely small

sometimes

in nature

;

and as yet

I

difterences.

;

but the above theory

number would be

infinite,

This actually takes place

do not know any good distinction between a species and what

is

called " a

permanent

variety."

t

I suspect that

genera

among

the Vcrtebrata may, from the comparative paucity of species, conveniently be considered as

standing one degree higher in the scale, or in other words, that

we may in that sub-kingdom,

neglect the use of the

word stirpes.


ox THE CETOXIID.E OF SOUTH AFRICA.
the above
in

awkward one of

rank above genera

What,

the word genera.

adopted

A

?

A

genera.

as, indeed,

;

I

famili/, in entomology, is held to

myself consider

consequence

for instance, is the

calls

it

out,

differ

Gnorimus,

be the next groupe

from others in the value of

Cuvier's definition of genera be

if

and distinguished under the name

In process of time some naturalist discovers within

groupes which he considers genera, because, so
of species.

only

I

it.

most natural groupe has been marked

of Cetoniidce.

9

other combinations of

it

he knows, they are the

far as

first

groupes

Our naturalist forthwith
number of such genera combine to form another
Of course, he makes this combination of " genera" a family
such a groupe of species.

for instance, is

a genus: and he observes, that a

groupe, which he calls TrichiidcB.

and knowing that

it

;

cannot possibly be of the same rank as the original family of which

only fonus a part, he

name of

obliged to change the

is

families "

we have now every day such "

It is thus that

it

from Cetoniida to Melitophila.

this

formed as

Sericidce, Diplotaxidce,

excellent groupes perhaps in themselves, but which their authors have been led

kc,

away by a mere

love of changing names, to consider as equivalent in rank to true families, such as Trogida

Any

and Rutelidce.

employ

The

person gifted with a pair of eyes can analyse.

difficulty is

to

manner been

In botany, every fraction of the ancient families has in like

synthesis.

also called a family, and the consequent confusion arrived at such

a pitch, that Bartling

and Lindley have

may

lately

been obliged to attempt the re-grouping,

modern small "families" of

of the

plants.

have

1

in

if

I

so express myself,

the following observations on the

Cetoniidd, also endeavoured to avoid this confusion, and to preserve consistency;
considering such new-fangled families, as the

'^

Trichiadce," " Sericida,"

first,

by

" Diplotaxidcs,"

" GoUathidcE,'" &c. to be only genera or sub-genera, containing minor groupes of species

;

and,

secondly, by keeping them in proper subordination to their original families, the Cetoniidce, 3Ielo-

These

lonthidce, &c.
I

last,

as families,

also agree to be the next groupes above genera, once that

I

have conveniently defined families to be the sixth degree of groupe downwards from the

Having

animal kingdom.
fond of imposing

said this

new names on

much,

forms a part,

—

viz.

called

is

follows, that the next

it

ready to allow in behalf of those

the science, at whatever expense of confusion, that

a sub-section of Goliathus like that which

be considered a genus,

am

I

the groupe which

groupe above

call Smithii,

I

Mecynorhina, by
it,

my

who

are so

if,

for instance,

friend

Mr. Hope,

and of which Mecynorhina

may, without blame, be called a family.

But then such a family would be the ninth degree of groupe downwards from the animal kingdom.

In order to exhibit clearly the place of the Cetoniidce in nature,

I

shall

now

give the

following series of groupes.

ANIMALIA.

Regnum,
1.

ANNULOSA.

Suhregnum,
2.

Classis,
3.

aiANDIBULATA.
Ordo,

COLEOPTERA.

4.

Tribus,
6.

CHILOGNATHOMORPHA.
Stirps, PETALOCERA, THALEROPHAGA.
Familia,

6.

Although

I

observe

CETONIID.E.

that of late various entomologists

of great reputation

designating families without venturing to give characters to them,

example
attached

name

;

since
to

it,

designates.

I

consider

no

name

of the

enabling us to discover the
It

may

be true that

least

been

shall not follow their

weight that has not some character

accurate limits of

we have not always
c

I

have

the

the

groupe

good fortune

which that

to alight

on the


ON THE CETONIID.^ OF SOUTH AFRICA.

10
real character

naturalist

is,

which insulates the groupe, but

at times, liable to

among

the natural groupe of Insessores

this

Mr. Vigors,

fall.

birds

is

a venial

into

defect,

for instance, discovered

which every

and pointed out

but their true characteristic was not

;

known

observed that these are the only birds which have " callow" young.

until I

CETONIID^, 3mi.

Fam.

Antenna: of ten joints (very rarely nine), terminating in a triphyllous club composed of the
three last joints.

Luhrum compressed,

generally membranaceous, often emarginate, with rounded corners, and

always concealed under the clypeus.

Mandibles

in general

compressed, and furnished on the inside at the base with a subquadrate

membrane, while the base and produced outer

side are corneous.

Maxill(Z corneous, and rather of a prismatic form, having their inner side often

membra-

naceous, and fringed with hairs, but sometimes corneous, and armed with teeth.
Ma.viUari/ Palpi of four joints, the

first

joint being often evanescent,

and the

last

never

compressed.

Lahium and Mentum more

or less confluent,

sometimes completely so; and the mentum

is

anteriorly truncated or emarginated, but never trilobed.

Head

Body always

often subquadrate.

general slender, with the fore
the

in

tibiaj for

the most part dentated, more

Tarsi pentamerous, terminating in two equal

females.

Feet in

winged, and in general depressed.

particularly

sharp undivided

claws, between which often intervene a plantula and pseudonychia.
1.

my knowledge, of more than 600 species, of which only five are
The groupe has been most erroneously characterized by MM. Gory

This family consists, to

natives of Great Britain.

and Percheron.

These gentlemen distinguish the " Scarahees Melitophiles,"

observed, which although
or even

Latreillian,

is

by these organs of the mouth being altogether absent.

of Cetohiidce, in a work entirely devoted to them,

as entomologists

;

since

I

;

but sometimes again, as

doxus, M'L.,

tkc.

The Cetoniida pass

the other.

the

in

it

A

description so

anomalous

not very creditable to these gentlemen

is

True

it is

and often even extremely thin and membranascvtellaris, G. P., and Cryptodus para-

Macroma

the mandibles and maxillae

Melolontliidous insect of equal
2.

name, be

need scarcely say, that the mandibles are never absent.

that in general these organs are compressed,

ceous

—a

very erroneous, — by the mandibles being rudimentary,

are

as solid, thick, and corneous, as in any

size.

the GlaphjridcE on

to

off

one

Tliose species of the sub-genus Tricldus, which

side,

and

to the

Rutelida on

Mr. Kirby has called Archimedii,

shew us that by the Trichius lineatus, Fab. {Lepitrix lineatus, Lp. Sr.) an insect of the Cape,
we may arrive among the Glaphpida; ; and Mr. Kirby has, by the description of his genus
Cnemida, explained to us how we

While on

this subject, I

Dejean, and

may

may

express

who has merely named

them, should have endeavoured
given with a description.

also pass from

my

to the family of Ituielida-.

M.

this and other species in his catalogue without describing

to set aside the

The

Macroma

regret that an entomologist so distinguished as

name Cnemida

right of priority in

Curtisii,

entomology

is

which Mr. Kirby has

usually held sacred, yet

Cnemida Curtisii, K. is called C. crassipes by Dejean without any assigned reason.
nate for Mr. Kirby that he should so often have.set the example of reckless change

It is

unfortu-

to foreigners.

ON THE CETOXIID.E OF SOUTH AFRICA.
Mr. Kiiby,

3.

in the

11

14th vohime of the Linnean Transactions, following perhaps an opinion

had thrown out on the Hora Entomologicte, appears to consider Chasmodia, AI'L.,
But the relation of Chasmodia to Lomaptera, G. P.,

I

Both

of analogy: the two groupes being corresponding points of contiguous families.
ienivorous groupes, agreeing in brilliancy of colour, and in their cleft clypeus
tial

;

be

to

close in affinity to the Cetoniidce.

is

one

are pol-

but in no essen-

respect are they so constructed that they can be brought close together in atfinity.

In some species of the Cetoniidcs the tergum of the prothorax (which shall, in

4.

my

obser-

vations on this family hereafter, be generally called thorax, for convenience and in conformity to

the vulgar notion)

is

apt to have the middle part produced behind into a laminar lobe, which
In proportion as this structure occurs,

covers the scutellum in a greater or less degree.

we

always find the insect to be

more sluggish and

Thus the

inactive.

which compose

insects

the American subgenus Gt/mnetis are incomparably more sluggish in their habits than our

European Cctonuc.

M. Dufour has

5.

given us the anatomy of the perfect insect of the well-known English

species Cetonia aivata, Fab.
larva.
is

I

and Professor Dehaan has favoured us with the anatomy of

;

shall in this place only observe, that the internal

anatomy of the

anatomy

subject to greater variation than their external

distrusted in classification, according to the principles

I

;

and

must

it

its

insects of this family-

therefore be

have ventured to lay down

more

in the 14th

volume of the Linnean Transactions.
In the following enumeration of the various groupes into which the Cetoniidcc have been

6.

broken up,
verers.

name

shall

I

From

endeavour to be

the respect due to the labours of

that has been pubhshed

;

but

I

them

strictly just in assigning

would have

my
it

predecessors,

I

to their proper disco-

shall try to retain every

here clearly understood, that the

name

of

the author annexed to a technical word does not always signify that he invented that name,

but rather indicates the particular value given by that person to the groupe.
instance, yric/tintw. Fab., will indicate the groupe called Trichiushy Fabricius

M'L.

;

the value given to the Fabrician

may have some
therefore, I

merit, but the

have generally acted

from sub-genera,

I

name by

myself.

The

mere inventor of a name has
;

Thus,

for

and Trichius,

discoverer of a natural groupe
really none.

and more particularly when,

have given the former a termination always

;

On

this principle,

in order to distinguish

genera

in inus.

(gniera.
r Terminal process of maxillae always furnished with a brnsh

r

1

Trichinus, Fab.

Aberrant Groupe.

<;

(^

but not with teeth.

Epimeron never prominent between

angles of thorax and elytra.

TTerminal process of maxillae never furnished with a brush,
Larva having
unidentate

its

mandibles
^ 2

towards the

Crvptodincs, M'L.

«^

(^

estremitT.

Epimeron never prominent be-

but always dentated.

tween angles of thorax and

elytra.

fTerminal process of maxilla; generally furnished with a
l,.i

Mackominv's, M'L.

vj

1^

f4
its

Gymnetinus, K.

in

whole scutellum more or

Epimeron always

distinct

elytra.

the middle, and covering the
less

with the lobe.

mandibles

iThorax not

pluridentate towards the
extremit)'.

between angles of thorax and

fThorax lobate behind

Normal Groupe.
Lan-a having

brush and always with teeth.

l^.'j

Cetoninus, M'L.

<;

I

so lobate behind, and leaving the whole scu-

tellum always distinct.


ON THE CETONIID^ OF SOUTH AFRICA.

12
7.

term

I

because they are the

these genera,

They form a

Cetoniidcc resolve themselves.

them

sub-families, or give

to call

them genera,

This

may more

I

Some

series returning into itself.

them any other name.

in order that

of groupes

class

first

easily hereafter

each of them by the groupes of modern entomologists.

Of

shew the

may

persons

quite a matter of taste

is

which the

into

;

but

call

choose

I

relation borne to

these genera then,

Trichinus

appears to have been discovered by Fabricius, and to answer tolerably well to his genus
Trichius.

have therefore assigned the groupe Trichinus to him, because Trichius denotes,

I

with modern authors, a groupe of more limited extent.

groupes now,

I

believe,

for the

first

Cryptodinus and Blacrominus are

time, clearly pointed out, although the former nearly

corresponds with what Gory calls his genus Cremastocheilus.

Gymnetinus

to Kirby, because

answers very nearly

it

GymnetidiC, and by Gory Gymnetides.
until
8.

now been
I

am

when

may

am

not aware has ever

which have great
have attempted

affinity to

in the

as yet

is

known.

It

is

but

;

I

probable, however,

discovered, will be found to have the mandibles formed like

Osmoderma

those of the larvae of

I

I

acquainted with larva; of the genera TricJdnus, Gymnetinus, and Cetonimts

that the larvae of these last,

9.

a groupe which

is

sub-family called by him

properly distinguished.

no larva of Cryptodiniis or Macrominus

believe

insects

Cetoninus

have assigned the groupe

I

in extent to the

eremita, that

is,

unidentate at the extremity

each other in the manners of their perfect

above table to distinguish the normal groupe by

also be not badly distinguished

they are

for

;

state.
its

larva

but

;

it

by the imago, which has the terminal process of the

maxilla almost always without teeth, and, at the same time, the epimeron almost always apparent between the angles of the thorax

may

groupe

and

By

elytra.

the

first

of these characters the normal

be separated very nearly from the genus Macrominus, and by the latter very

nearly from the genus Trichinus.
section of GoUathus, which

There are exceptions

to the rule,

such as Philistina and a

have maxillte with corneous teeth, and Inca, which has the

epimeron not apparent between the thorax and elytra

;

but these are osculant groupes, the

former leading to Macrominus, and the latter to Trichinus.

10.

Of

the five British species that belong to the family of Cetoniida, three are to be

But no one who confines

assigned to the genus Trichinus, and two to Cetoninus.

above

tion to the

five

species can form

his atten-

any notion of the beauty and variety of form that

prevails throughout the family.
11.

I

do not venture to

alter the terminations of the sub-genera, in order that

agree with that of the genus to which they belong

genus apply

we have

to that of all the

it

;

nor can

contains.

I

make

may

the terminations of the

The consequence of

this

is,

that

often strange concords, such as Trichinus Platyyenia Zairica; but in such cases

have always made the
this last

sub-genera which

they

I

trivial

name agree

with the sub-genus rather than with the genus.

I

To

have given the termination, which corresponds with that of the majority of the

sub-genera.

Genus
12. This

genus

is

easily

I.

TRICHINUS,

known from Cryptodinus, M'L. by

provided with a brush of hairs

;

while from

having the epimeron prominent between

tlie

tlie

drawn from the mode

its

flat

mentum and

genus Cetoninus,

it is

separated by

maxillae
its

never

thorax and elytra, as well as by the anterior femora

having no spines at their junction with the
Latreille's character

Fab.

in

tibise.

which the

I

do not place so much confidence

labial palpi are inserted.

in


13

ON THE CETOXIIDiE OF SOUTH AFRICA.
In this genus, generally, the terminal brush of the maxilla

13.

orifice

inserted in the triangular

of a short triangular corneous process, which terminates the maxilla, and appears articu-

lated to

In some of the floral species, this pencil of hairs or brush

it.

calculated for sucking up the honey of flowers
for

is

example, the terminal brush

may

but

;

is

very long, and admirably

such as Platygenia

in other sub-genera,

rather be considered to hne the edge of the small trian-

gular corneous process which terminates the maxilla and appears articulated with
insects this process of the maxilla

The

14.

larva

is

and metamorphosis of the sub-genus Trichinus have been perfectly well

explained by Professor

Dehaan

who shews

of Leyden,

that they bear more similarity to those

of Glaphyrida and Melolonthidce, than to those of the sub-genus Cetonia.
fact,

and strongly

illustrative of the

mode

instead of following the
instance, appears

genus 3Ielolontha!

the metamorphosis changes,
is

we

rule,

we only

half of

But we proceed

and yet

;

Glaphyridte and

the

depressed and sides thin.

|'l

divide

and watch

variation,
e.

an aberrant

the typical

Cetoniidee,

(i.

latter.

Fabricius was not acquainted

to detail the various sub-genera of Trichinus.
first

we

if

for

contents along with the

tlie

arrive at the fact, that TricJnnus

intermediate between

with the singular insects which compose the

A.— Body

Certainly none

?

shall place

has the larva of the former, and the imago of the

it

a curious

is

for a natural division,

on the other hand, we follow the maxim of

If,

genus of Cetoidldcc)

inasmuch as

What groundwork

of variation.

tiiis

This

danger attendant on our assuming a method of division

more natural than metamorphosis

the family of Cetoniidce by

how

In such

it.

not so palpiform as in those Trichini which inhabit flowers.

of them.

Platygenia, M'L.

Anterior

tibia;

externally bidentate.

Campulipus, K.

Anterior

tibife

externally tridentate.

First joint of maxillary palpi"^
distinct.

I

"

E.

— Body

Body

f Anterior tibiae externally bidentate in general.
covered with Lhairs or scales.

,3 Trichius, M'L.

J.

.

,.

,

I

,

I

and

sides

thick.

First

r
1

Valgcs,

joint of maxillaiy palpi eva-
.

,

.,

.

Anterior

,,

.

,

,

,

<;

^

t>

^

externally multidentate.

tibiae

I

Sc.

Body

,

,

^.

j

spotted

with scales,

I

nescent.

r Anterior tibiae externally tridentate.

Osmoderma, Lp.

''S

Sr.

I

Sub-genus

Of

15.

this

1.

sub-genus only one species

a

new

is

is

certainly

Indeed,

belong certainly to the sub-genus.
structure to that of
is

in

fact,

the

is

known

may

I

so

named

have fallen accidentally upon

consider the Trichius

harhatus of Schonherr to

The mouth of Platygenia approaches very near

Osmoderma, however

mouth of an

I

although, to say the truth,

;

so unlike the insect which

almost inclined to believe he

species of the groiipe.

depressed,

without hair or scales.

Platygenia, M'L.

Gory's figure of what he calls Platygenia Zairica,

some years ago, that one

Body

•(

different

Osmoderma, with

it

all

may seem
the

parts

in external

flattened,

appearance.

and

is

It

excessively

widened, differing only in having the terminal lobe of the maxilte transversal and small.
imagine, indeed, that the true character of this sub-genus

in

I

founded on the comparative

evanescence of the palpiform terminal process of the maxillae.
16.

The general form of the thorax of Platygenia, and its very depressed body, make me
we can proceed from it to Campulipus, by means of some sections hitherto

think that


ON THE CETONIID^ OF SOUTH AFRICA.

14

M.

unknown.
ijenia,
it

know one

section of Platy-

and consequently, must reckon several forms wanting before we can closely connect

Both are sub-genera peculiar

with Campulipus,

Sub-genus
1

but we only

perceived this affinity;

Latreille

2.

to Africa.

Campulipus, Kirby.

last, and diflers from all the other sub-genera of Trichinus
The
body depressed, and the four joints of tlie maxillary palpus distinct.

This groupe agrees with the

7.

in having its

and the terminal process of the maxilla

elytra also nearly cover the podex,

These are most likely

so as sometimes to resemble that of a bee.

floral

is

very long,

insects.

Tlie

following sections appear to be known.

SECTIONS OF CAMPULIPUS.
A.

— Body

depressed.

Intermediate

incun'ated in

tibiae

Agenii, Lp.

f 1

one sex.

f'j *

have given the credit of

sub-genus to

this

bifid.

* ^ * *

Clypeus not simple.

ZEBRjii, M'L.

\J>

I

Clypeus

P.

^ 4 Myodermi, Dej.

B.-^Body more convex.

18.

Clypeus entire,

Sr.

Stripsypueri, G.

2

i

INIr.

Clypeus simple.

Kirby, but in fact his C'amjmlipus

is

a groupe which only answers to the normal groupe of this sub-genus as above characterized.

Mr. Kirby

observed Trichius Umhatus of Olivier to be distinguished from

first

by the remarkable intermediate
thus as
in

my

if

tibise,

This character, however,

broken.

M.

collection, of

congeners

is still

more developed

in

an undescribed species

Gory's singularly-named genus* Stripsypher, which species

here call Camjmlipiis incurvattis.

It is black,

This incurvation of the intermediate

spots.

its

which are curved into an obtuse angle, and appear

I

shall

with yellow elytra, having four square black

tibiae

appears to be a sexual character, for

I

possess a specimen of Campulipus Umbatus, without this distinction being strongly marked.

Of the

section Agenii,

Sp.

1

.

(Tricliiniis)

we have the following

Campulipus limbatus,

fi'om the

Cape.

01.

Affcuucs llmhatiis, G. P. p. 95. tab. 11.

Note.

Gory
in

I

is all

may

here remark that the figure of the

wrong.

mentum and

The mentum comes much nearer

fig.

-i.

maxilla of Ajenius Umhatus as given

to that of his

by

groupe Strlps^p/ier, and the maxillse

both sections have a long pcnicilliform terminal process.
Sp. 2. (Trichinus)

Campulipus

Descr. Campulipus

Horsfieldii,

duobus

scutello punctis

albis, elytris puncto-substriatis vittis

culaque utrinque ad scutellum

flavis

Antenna; testaceae clava picea.

alJomcn quinque
ticis

?;. s.

atronitidus, punctatus, clypeo quadrato, thoracis lateribus albo-marginatis,

lateralibus et

:

duabus mediis abbreviatis ma-

punctis quatuor discaUbus quatuor que lateralibns albis.

Corpus

infra nigronitidiini.

Cjnmeron macula semicirculari

albis.

Poikw punctis quatuor,

Pedes

picei, tibiis

pos-

postice emarginatis.

Long.

Note. Campulipus
and Stripsypueri.

Horsfieldii

is

? lines.

a beautiful species which appears to connect the two sections, Agenii

Strlps>/pher ni
G. P. a Cape

insect, truly

belongs to the section Stripsypheri.

Yet, while the Agenii belong truly to Southern Africa, the Stripsy^Pheri arc found more in the intra*

What Gory

intends by this word I

know

not.


-

ON THE CETOXIID.E OF SOUTH AFRICA.
As

tropical regions of that vast continent.

corresponds

the genus

-w-ith

M^odcnna

15

have named JIyoderm, and vvhich

to the section wliich I

know

of Dejean's Catalogue, I only

by M. Gory's bad

it

figure

and worse description of " Stripsypher sordidm" which conies from Senegal.

Of the

section

Zebr^i we have one

species at the Cape.

(Trichinus) Campnlipus Zebra, Khoj.

Sp. 3.

Stripsi/phcr Zehra, G. P. p. 98. tab. 12.

XoTE.

may

I

G-maculaim

This

9.

may

3.

Valgus, as well

Great Britain.

by

as
It is

its

limacidatus of
G-f)uttatus.

it

may

shorter palpiform process to

more covered by the

in general

be distinguished from the sub-genus

may

Trichius haunts flowers, and

longer elytra.

»S'.

Trkhlus

Schb'nherr

much

by the podex being

maxilla>, as well as

tlie

by

called

in his text the

Trichius, M'L.

has also a more convex form, and thus

It

is

be known from CampuUpus by having a

the termination of
elytra.

It

neither.

is

Sub-genus
]

by Gory

here observe that the Slripsf/pher called

Schonherr, and in his plates S.

fig. 1.

be found

in

the sub-genus which passes off to the Glaphjridcc.

SECTIONS OF TRICHIUS.
fBody
'

'

"

'

"l

B.

— Terminal

lobe

of

the
.>

Aleurosticti, K.

-l

a short pencil of hairs.

(^

1^3

illary

rather

palpi

Geometrici, M'L.

of

the

j'4

•>
I

i

Under the name of " Legitimi,"

and Trichini, which

last

Europe and

Last joint of maxillary palpi

scales.

Inhabit America.

fCanthus almost bisecting the

15 Tetrophthalmi, K.

20.

max

Last joint of

Inhabit

* * * *

maxilla provided withJ
a long pencil of hairs,

side.

grooved.

North America.

J Body clothed with
not grooved.

lobe

Inhabit Europe and America.

T Body only hirsute on the under

maxills provided with<(

A.— Terminal

Last joint of maxillary

hirsute above and below.

palpi grooved.

.„

,

.

illary palpi

,

grooved.

,

Last joint of max-

eyes.

,„

,.^

,

.

,

Inhabit Atnca and Asia.

have included Mr. Kirby's two sections, " Legitimi"

I

he now terms

a sub-genus.

The evanescent

difference

between

these two groupes of the reverend gentleman appears to be of a very low order, and probably,
therefore,

only indicates

and seneous, and

nitid

shght difference
is

Indeed,

sub-sections.

his Legitimi not.

in the last joint of the palpi.

to be

and Enclidii, because there
entitle

them

to be

made

is,

in

I

my

Trichini

Mr. Kirby makes the type of
This last section

Trichius nobilis of Fabricius.

Under the name of Geometrici,

his

section I have termed

The type of the

with the groupe called Gnorimus in the " Encyclopedie," by
21.

in

However, Mr. Kirby thinks he can discover

the well-known Trichius fasciatus of Fabricius.

Aleurosticti

chiefly consists

it

MM.

is,

being

some

Legitimi

his section

therefore, identical

Lepelletier

and

Serville.

have included Mr. Kirby's two sections Archimedii
opinion,

no

sufficient

distinct sections of the sub-genus.

prove to be distinct sub-sections of the section

difference between

them

to

They may, however, ultimately

Geometrici.

I

consider

the type of the

Geometrici to be Trichius delta of Fabricius.
22.

Of the

collected

section

Tetrophthalmi, as distinguished by Kirby, we have among

by Dr. Smith, the following

species.

Sp. 4. (Trichinus) Trichius vittatus, Fah.

Trichius eittalns, G. P. p. 83. tab.

9.

fig. 5.

Sp. 5. (Trichinus) Trichius suturalis, G. P.

Trichius suturalis, G. P. p. 84. tab.

9.

fig. 6.

the insects


ON THE CETOXIIDiE OF SOUTH AFRICA.

16

Suh-genus

Valgus,

4.

Scriba.

23. This answers to the genus Acanthurus of Kirby, easily

I

know, there

ovipositor.

is

a mucro arming the anus in one of the sexes, and which

on flowers as

foot of walls, but never

Geometrici of the

Sp.

sub-genus

last

Indeed,

There

6.

is

covered with scales, and so

is

I

am

(Trichimis) Valgus Sniithii, w.

This species

is

trees, or at the

The

common

;

section

bat we

still

Trichius hemipterus

not aware that the present sub-geuus has ever been resolved into

one species at the Cape,

viz.

f.

Long. Corp. 4
Is'oTE.

probably the

is

sub-genus

this

is

Descr. Valgus thorace postico utrinque macula nigra abdominisque

cif

depressed form,

he has found them.

Latreille says that

sections of Valgus to connect the Geometrici with the

of Fabricius.
sections.

its

have always found the species of Valgus, either at the roots of

I

want some

known by

In the only section of this sub-genus which

long trapezoidal prothorax, and short elytra.

fascia alba.

lines.

scarcely distinct from the Valgus hemipterus of Europe.

It has the

same rugje

the thorax, the same size and geueral form, and only differs slightly in the disposition of the scales.

In V. hemipterus

abdomen

for instance, the

is

In V. Smith ii there

quite white with thickly set scales.

mark

V. Smilhii has also a white

merely a white band.

But

black lateral spot of the thorax.

in the

is

in

truth these species come very near to each other.

Sub-genus

5.

Osmoderma,

Lp. Sr.

24. This groupe has been hitherto described and figured with

have the terminal lobe of
in

its

maxillte corneous.

any of the other sub-genera of Trichinus.

short thick pencil of hairs.

hook which arms the

They have been

wood.

Trichius.

I

am

Trichinus,

name

These insects

is

Trichius Eremita of Fabricius,

is

in aspect

comes

from

part of his genus

to this sub-genus, alludes

II.

seen that none of the

CRYPTODINUS,

known

the

I

suppose the

scent of Russia

handled.

Mihi.

The sub-genus Osmoderma, was indeed sup-

Cryptodinus, of which the character

process of the maxilla, brings

it

has certainly a tooth at the

is

always to have a corneous tooth or

Indeed, that tooth which Osmoderma possesses on the inner

it,

of

all

the sub-genera of Trichinus, the nearest to the genus

may be always known by
mentum having a process, while

This genus

of the maxilla has no brush.

Europe excepted.

to

that,

species of the genus

This formation appears to prepare us for the maxillas of the

teeth on the terminal process.

the under side of the

have already said

species of the genus Trichinus have the terminal

posed to possess this structure, but erroneously; although
point of the inner process.

it is

I

Osmoderma.

in every essential respect exceedingly close to

of their maxillse furnished with teeth.

Cryptodinus.

with a

the strong corneous

is

known

the other

all

which the European species O. Eremita emits when

present genus

filled

with their larvEE in rotten

Ggmnodi by Mr. Kirby, and made by him

called

Genus

globe,

live

The type

it

more corneous than

an elongated hollow triangle,

Platggenia Zairica

We have

25.

lobe

inner side.

It is said to

care.

little

not, however,

true characteristic of the sub-genus
its

given by Lepelletier and Serville

leather,

It is

is

acquainted with two sections of Osmoderma, which are peculiar to Europe

and North America.
different as

The

maxillse on

This lobe

They

its

Cryptodini are found in
are

depressed elongated form, and by

the outer side of the terminal process

nevertheless chiefly

all

the principal divisions

intratropical

insects,

of the

which are

ON THE CETOXIID.E OF SOUTH AFRICA.
great lovers of sand on

Gory and Percheron, and
and broad.

triangular,

banks of

tlie

This genus

not authobious.

I

is

am

same

known by

easily

is

and so

rivers,

nearly the

far as

my

observation has gone, they are

genus Cremastocheiliis of

in extent as the

the

first

17

joint of the antennae being large,

acquainted with the following sub-genera.

Vertical pro-

fProthorax quadrate, with the angles acute.

r 1 CREM-iiSTOCHEILUS, Kn.

cess of

i

bidentate.

I

B.

— Clypeus

not

plain

<(

2

tibiae

North America.

mentum

Vertical process of

gular and hollow.

Cyclidius, M'L.

Fore

hollow, oval, pehaform.

f Prothorax orbicular.

and

not semicircular.

mentum

Fore

tibiie

trian-

South Ame-

bidentate.

rica.

["Prothorax subquadrate, with sides and angles rounded

3

J

Genuchus, K.

Vertical process of

Anus with

r.\ntenn8e ten-jointed.

A.

4

— Clypeus

plain

Cymophorus, K.

triangular

and

off.

Fore

flat.

Africa.

tibia tridentate.

I

mentum

Elytra with

spines.

lobate shoulders.

semicir-

[^

cular.

fAntennae with nine-joints. Anus without spines.
<
with parallel sides. New Holland.

Cryptohus, M'L.

Elytra

\

26. All the foregoing five sub-genera agree in the

They

front.

clypeus having a reflexed margin in

agree also in the curiously dilated triangular scape of the antennce,

epimeron not being prominently distinct between the thorax and shoulders of the

Sub-genus

1.

is

here reduced to

its

is

minute tooth surrounded with a few
in their

manners from the Cetoniida

the other sub-genera of Cryptodinus.

company with Dr.

Pickering,

and

mentum

bank of that noble

what they

find

good remarks on

in

the

this

river.

It

differs

in general,

The

found

new Jersey

C

giving any sufficient reason for so doing, he

am

tlie

a sharp
differ

common.

all

In

of Knoch, in

castaiiea

side, opposite to Philadelphia.

flying, like Cicindelce, over the

sand which

tliere

are certainly not flower-frequenting insects, and

sand to their taste

I

is

but probably agree in this respect with

I

but

from the other

species of Cremastocheilus are not

Mr. Titian Peale,

They

;

hollow, and basin-shaped, while

I

do not know.

Mr. Kirby has made some

sub-genus in the third volume of the Zoological Journal

has called the mentum.

may

and Kirby

Latreille,

These insects are North American, and

hairs.

These singular beetles are never found except
the

elytra.

a straight blunt tooth, and the inner process

June, 1836, on the banks of the Delaware, on the

lines

Knoch,

proper rank, that of a sub-genus only.

sub-genera in having the vertical process of the
terminal process of the short maxilla,

in the

Cremastocheiliis, Knoch.

27. This groupe answers to the genus Cremastochcilus of
it

and

lias

;

only without

termed that part the labium which Latreille

not acquainted with the sections into which Cremastocheilus

be divided.

Siih-genus 2. Cyclidius,

To

M'L.

groupe belongs C. elongatus of Ohvier, and C. axillaris of Dupont. I shall add
another species which stands in my cabinet as C. Nero.
It is as large as Platygenia Zairica,
28.

this

and of a velvetty black hue, with two large long

nitid

and blood-coloured spots

in the

middle


ON THE CETONIID^ OF SOUTH AFRICA.

18

and towards the apex of the smooth and perfectly

The sub-genus

Cryptodinus.

Sub-genus

MM.

29.

terised
It

To

it.

true

is

3.

I first

separated

it

Mr. Kirby, who

erroneously characterised
truly, nevertheless,

and

this groupe,

the giant of the genus

is

in their usual self-sufficient

from Cremastocheilus, and that

now, have

this I answer, that never until

that

It

Genuchus, Kirby.

Gory and Percheron do not adopt

way, state that

flat elytra.

Cyclidius, appears to be peculiar to South America.

the

instituted

I

I

liave erroneously

charac-

published a word on the subject.

sub-genus in the

Linnean Transactions,

by saying that the maxillae are membranaceous. But it is
differs from the North American sub-genus Cre-

it

a natural groupe, and

Gory and Percheron confound it, not only in having the mentum not
in having tlie maxilla composed of two sharp round claws, the larger

mastocheilus, with which

hollowed out, but also

one being exterior, and answering to the terminal process in the Cetoniidc£ generally.
truth

is,

French

that these

critics

know nothing

that in Dejean's Catalogue, apparently their only

of Olivier,
this,

is

work of

" Genucus of Macleay."

assigned to

and of a myriad of smaller

mixed up with

errors

Tlie

of Mr. Kirby's groupe Genuchus, except

am

I

Cetonia cruenta

reference, the

unacquainted with the cause of

my name

in Dejean's

Catalogue

;

but

MM.

Gory and Percheron copy the mistake even to the cacography of " Genucus ;" and thus
appear, when writing a monograpli on the Cetoniidce, to have never consulted any of
Mr. Kirby's writings on the subject, although some of them are printed in so well known
But to proceed.
The suba publication as the Transactions of the Linnean Society.
genus Genuchus

is,

so far as

always found on the ground

I

know,

like

entirely African,

and Afzelius says that the species are

Dr. Smith has brought two species to Europe.

Aphodii.

Sp. 7. (Cryptodinus) Gcnuclius crucntus, OUi\

Crcmastoidu'Uus crucntus, G. P. p. 115. tab. 10.
Sp.

8.

(Cryptodinus) GGnuclius sanguinolentiis,

Descr. Genuchus glaber, ater
bistriatis niaculis

elytris

duabus oblougis

striato-punctatis extern^ subsulcatis ad suturani utrinque
et apice subsanguiueis,

Long.
30.

I

am

of Klug,

Cremastocheilus capensis,

from Senegal, belong

to the

fig. 3.

n. s.

ano bimaculato maculis

rufis.

5 lines.

and

several

other

African

species,

particularly

sub-genus Genuchus, of which there are several sections known.

not acquainted with the C.

mastocheilus macidaius, which

I

Brahma

of

Gory and Percheron, but

I

know

their Cre-

suspect will be found eventually to enter the genus Macrominus.

Their bad figure and description of this last-mentioned species,
the Cetonia maculata of Fabricius, which insect, by the way,

make
is

it

come

far too close to

not a native of the Cape,

as they say, but of the Mauritius.

Sub-genus

4.

Cymophorus, Kirby.

which is the genus Cymophorus of
Judging,
I
do not possess.
which
Mr. Kirby. It is the only sub-genus of Cetoniidce
the
insect
undatus,
however, from Mr. Kirby's description and figure of the Cymophorus
appears to come into this place. We may, perhaps, associate witli it the Cremastocheilus
spiniventer of Gory, in which case it would appear to be an African form of the genus
31.

I

have never

Cryptodinus.

I

seen any

suspect

of Gory, belongs to

it,

it,

species of this groupe

nevertheless, to be

an Asiatic sub-genus, and that C. Brahma,

forming, perhaps, another section.


ON THE CETONIIDiE OF SOUTH AFRICA.

Suh-genus

When my

32.

description of a

New

Cryptodus jmroduxus, was published
Cryptod'unis, and

Cryptodus, M'L.

5.

Holland insect of considerable
1819,

in

that

when

antennse of nine joints, like those of 3Iiechidius, which

when,

my

in addition, it offered to

nated by sharp horny hooks,

I

and

it

difficulties,

while

I

gave

shall hereafter describe

I

and Oplostomus, or could have a semicircular clypeus like

The consequence was,

that of Cymophorus.

the

to the family of Trogida,

it

of

by

reflecting

name of Cryptodus paradoxus.

Oplostomus, the large

podex so

Cetoniidce,

mentum

merely stating

that

and that

it

Since that period,

its

doubts

have

I

to be analogous
It is

now long

of Cryptodus, the dilated triangular scape

Macroma and
its

naked

depressed body, and peculiar structure,

I

ought to have assigned this most curious insect to the family of

I

ought to have been placed

however, the insect well merits the

title

in the

immediate

oi paradoxus, smce

or any of the usual types of the family, as well

among

my

closing up the mouth, and concealing the palpi, with

from that of the Trogida,

different

became convinced
Still,

on the concealed labrum

and

and maxillje termi-

antennse, the horny mandibles and maxillee, similar in form to those of

its

with

also resembled in general form,

notice sharp arched horny mandibles,

assigned

me

a beetle was presented to

it

become acquainted with many Cryptodini, and have found their habits
to those of the Trogkhc, which they represent in the family of Cetoniida.
since that,

called

I

insect belonging to the family Cetoitiidee

could possess corneous mandibles and maxillse like the insects

under the names of Macroma

which

size,

species of the genus

had never seen any

I

was even ignorant that any

I

19

may be

vicinity of Cremastocheilus.

it is

as

and besides,

;

the Cetoniida that has not ten joints to the antennte.

is

unhke Cetonia aurata,
the only

known

insect

In short, this species serves to

demonstrate the difficulty of discovering rigid characters for any family

;

and ere we have

finished with the Cetoniidce, we shall find almost every character of this groupe to give

way

Yet no groupe of Coleoptera seems better marked

except, perhaps, the concealed labrum.

out by nature.

Without having any thing very remarkable in
the most singular sub-genus of all the Petalocera
33.

from the generality of

differs

depressed body,

Its flat

its

family, almost as

its

external facies, Cryptodus, perhaps,

in an entomological point of view.

much

as

Hexodon does from

broad mentum, and black colour, seem

its

in the

genus Cryptodinus

is

in the

genus Trichinus.

I

all to

is

It

the Rutelida.

indicate that

its

place

exactly analogous to that which the sub-genus Platygenia holds

am

now

well pleased

to

have an opportunity of correcting

my

original mistake as to the affinities of Cryptodus, since the correction will tend to enlarge the

characters

I

have given to the

quence

in

my collocation

and that even

this error

of the

But we

shall

now

many

to restrict those of the family of Trogidcc.

years, that this

new forms described

was suspected

of the genus Cryptodus, both from
34.

and

Ct'toniido',

is satisfactory also to find after so

its

It

almost the only error of conse-

in the first part of the liora,

at the time of

New

is

publication.

I

Entomologies,

possess two species

Holland.

return to the sub-genus Genuchus,

which alone of

all

the sub-genera

of Cryptodinus indicates a tendency to have the epimeron prominently intervening between the

thorax and shoulders of the elytra, and so we proceed to the next genus Macromimts.

Genus

III.

MACROMINUS,

Mihi.

35. This groupe differs from the last genus Cryptodinus, in having the epimeron distinct

D 2


ON THE CETONIID^ OF SOUTH AFRICA.

20

between the angles of the prothorax and elytra
antennae reduced to a more ordinary
hair,

among which occur

it

;

and

size,

also differs in having the scape of the

having the maxillse often furnished with

in

arm

those horny teeth which always

the terminal process of these

organs of the mouth, and thus form the distinguishing character of the genus, which however approaches near to the genus Cetoninus, by the affinity of transultation.

A.

3

I

B.

Mentum having a process on its under side.
Mentum narrow with its under side simple.

fl Oplostomus, M'L.
Anoplocheilus, M'L.

—Mentum not emarginate.
DiPLoGNATHA, G.

— Mentum

deeply

1^5

Note. The

cluded insects in

it

I

Macroma, K.

have given Gory

which do not belong

mentum,

many

Antenna of ten

Macroma, where

sub-genus Diploi/natha, although he

lias in-

to the groupe.

Oplostomus, M'L.

1.

of the characteristics of Cri/ptodmus, particularly in the

maxillse, &c. as will be seen from the following description, viz.
joints, with

the

scape sub-triangular depressed above,

next six joints taken together, or as

the

maxillEe clothed with a

distinct in all these sub-genera except in
credit of tlie

tlie

Sub-genus
36. This sub-genus retains

under side simple.

Outer side of terminal process of maxillse with no brush.

and pscud(3nychia are

plantulte

they are evanescent.

its

rOuter side of terminal process of
<
brush of hairs.

emar- J 4 Gnathocera, K.

gmate.

antennas,

Meutiim broad with

P.

r

the ovate clava,

and as long as

which consists of three

joints.

Mandibles corneous, with a blunted

point,

having the membranaceous part small.

Maxilla corneous, prismatic, hirsute at the back, with the terminal process composed of a
sharp hooked tooth, and the inner process armed at the point with a smaller

long

sharp tooth.

Maxillary palpi shorter than maxillae, with the
together, and having the

first

joints evanescent.

Labial palpi remarkably short, with the two

Mentum

first

joints evanescent.

sub-quadrate, forming a transverse triangular prism

sides

rounded

angle

;

off;

which appears at

Head

in the

at the sides there
first

middle
is

twice as long as the rest taken

last joint

;

in front

it

is

truncated with the

the transverse ridge, forming a prominent obtuse

is

a tooth, that projecting forms a sinus for the labial palpus,

sight to have only one joint.

small, with quadrate clypeus.

tellum large, triangular.

Epimeron

with shoulders slightly lobate.

Protliorax trapezoidal, emarginate behind.
distinct

Body

between prothorax and

elytra.

depressed like Cetonia morio.

narrow, blunt, not advanced between the legs.

Scu-

Elytra

Mesosternuni

Feet short, with the anterior tibias

externally bidentate.
37. Olivier has described an insect from Senegal, under the

MM.
It

Gory and Percheron, have, with some

may however

name of Cetonia fuUginea, which.

reason, assigned to their genus Cremastocheilus.

be easily separated from that groupe by the circumstance of the epimeron

being prominently distinct between the prothorax and the shoulders of the elytra.
following insect brought from the

At

least I

Cape by Dr. Smith,

I

believe the

to be identical with the Senegal species.

can observe no very important difference between the description of Olivier's insect

ox THE CETOXIID.E OF SOUTH AFRICA.

21

of the antennas, which are fulvous.

The whole insect is black, except the nine last
M. Gory only states that the three joints of the

are fulvous in the Senegal species

but, perliaps, this is a

and that of the present Cape

shall register our
Sp.

9.

Cape

species.

;

We

clava

mere omission, and therefore

I

insect as follows.

(Slacrominus) Oplostonuis

fuligineiis, Olii\

Ci\'miXstocheUitgftdi(jineus,G.V. p. 110. tab. 15.

38.

joints

fig.

1.

have to pass on now to the following sub-genus.
Sub-genus

Antenna: of ten joints, the

Mandibles having

2.

Anoplocheilus, M'L.

obconic, and the second globose.

first

their corneous external process very little longer

than the membranaceous

part.

Maxilla horny, prismatic, and long, having the terminal process not

Mentum narrow

Head

from the inner.

distinct

convex, with the anterior edge semicircular.

IBody convex and thick.

small, subquadrate.

thorax and elytra.

Feet short and strong, with the fore

Epiineron very visible between

Mesosternum blunt, and not produced.

Scutellum large, triangular.

and the posterior femora some-

tibiae tridentate,

times incrassated, as are also the posterior

tibiae,

which are always externally sub-

bidentate.

This sub-genus has a prismatic maxilla, something like that of Genuchus
in three equal

horny

teeth.

Genuchus has only two teeth

only terminating

;

to its maxillas.

But both sub-

genera agree with Oplostomiis in the outer side of the terminal process of their maxillee, having

no brush of hair.
!Sp. 10.

_(Macroniiinis) Anoplocheihis spinitarsis, n.

s.

Descr. Anoplocheilus nigronitiJus punctatus, clypco niinuto emarginato latoribus rotundatis,

^

sutura

prominente,

elytris

striato-punctatis,

vertice

pilis

flavis

hirsute,

corpore subtus

articulo priino tarsi medii et postici cxtiis in

thoraco sub-semicirculari

postice

sinuato,

hirsuto, femoribus posticis valde incrassatis,

pilis

spinam longam triangularem producto, psexido-

nychiis distinctis.
Lo>'o. 5i linos.

39. I

do not know whether

I

am

appear to agree in several respects, and possibly only
the sub-genus.
Sp. 11.

Cape insects
but they
have not dissected them

altogether accurate in placing the following

with indistinct pseudonychia in this sub-genus, because

In external appearance they are

(Macrominus) AnopIuchoiUis

setosus, n.

all

I

differ as

;

belonging to another section of

much

three very

alike.

s.

Descr. Anoplocheihis fuliginosus capitc quadrato clypco anticc

reflexo, elytris

supra foveolis scnii-

circularibus sotigeris impressis, corporo subtus pilis aurcis raris vestito.

Long. 5j

Note. This
first

lines.

species like the following, diftors from Anoplocheilus spinitarsis, in having

no spiues on the

joint of the posterior tarsi.

Sp. 12. (Macrominus) Anoplocheilus tomcntosus.

Cetonia tomentosa, G. P. p. 22G. tab. 51.

Note. The description and
it

Mexican

By

tosa"

Gory and Percheron answer

fig.

5?

so well to

my

insect, that I

to be a distinct species, although they say that the Cetonia tomentosa of

willing to believe
insect.

figure of

am

King

unis

a

the way, with their usual accuracy, these gentlemen have anotlier " Cetonia tomen-

from Mexico, which

is

probably a true Cetonia.

I shall merely

now

repeat that as the clypeus of