58 
CHRYSOMELA. 
Linnieiis observes that this larva dilliisc.s, on hand- 
ling, a highly fetid, and even insupportable smell. 
In general, on touching the larva, a small drop of 
white fluid instantly appears from a pore on the 
tip of each of the lateral tubercles, and after 
some time, again disappears. It is this white fluid 
which diffuses the odour above-mentioned, and 
which is of so penetrating a nature, that* on hand- 
ling the animal, the smell will often remain on the 
fingers throughout the whole day. Even when 
recently hatched these larvas possess the power of 
discharging the fetid fluid. In the month of June 
the larva changes to a short brown chrysalis, so 
fastened as to hang by its extremity from the foot- 
stalk of a leaf or twig; and from this, in the 
space of a fortnight or less proceeds the complete 
Chrysomela. 
Chrysomela Asparagi is an insect of peculiar 
beauty: it is often seen feeding on the Asparagus, 
and is of an oblong or subcylindric shape, witli 
red thorax, and yellow wing-shells marked by 
blackish-blue bands. 
Chrysomela Graminis is a common, but liighly 
elegant insect, measuring about the fifth of an 
inch in length, and being of a most vivid but deep 
golden-green colour : the male, wbich is some- 
what smaller, is often tinged with copper-colour : 
this species is of an extremely convex shape. 
Chrysomela Betake is one of the richest of the 
genus, being entirely of the most brilliant and 
beautiful grass-green: it is found on Birch-trees. 
Chrysomela merdigera is of an oblong form, and 
