5'2 LI^-^EAN system. 



Genus 13. Cassida. 



Anitniue munillform : thorax and clijtra marginated : licad concealed 

 under the thorax: body above gibbous, beneath fiat and margined. 

 Of this genus we have several species, some of whicii are very bril- 



hant in coloiu-s, which disappear when tiie insect dies, but are said to 



revive when put in warm water. 



The larva; of these insects are found under the leaves of the plants 



on which they feed : by means of the lateral spines and bristle at the 



end of the tail the}' form a kind of parasol with their own excrements 



to shelter themselves from the sun and rain, and probably to screen 



themselves from their enemies. 



Sp. 1. Cass. wncidaUi. The elytra vary in colour, the yovmg state of the 

 insect being green, and as it advances in age gradually approaching 

 fo red spotted with black: black on the under side. C. murrceu of 

 Marsham is only a variety of this. {PL '2. Jig. 10.) 



Genus 11. Coccixr.LtA. 



Antenna: clavated : the chd) solid : niavHlari/ pa//)/ terminated by a large 

 securiform joint : Oodj/ hemispherical : thorax and elytra margined r 

 abdomen Hat. 



The insects of this genus are commonly called in England Lady- 

 cows, or Lady-birds. The larva) feed chietly on the Aphides or plant- 

 lice, and are very scrviceal)le in clearing vegetables of tlie myriads with 

 which they are often inl'ested. -\lr. Marsham in his Kniomologia Bri- 

 tannica has described 50 species, two-thirds of which only are genuine. 

 So great is the variety in the species of this genus, that by a close ex- 

 aniiaation scarcely two specimens will be found alike: this shows the 

 necessity of collecting varieties, for by this means species may be de- 

 cided upon; I should therefore strongly reconunend the young ento- 

 mologist never to disregard them, as they tend greatly to the advance- 

 ment of the science, and certainly enrich a collection. Mr. Stephens 

 (the author of the continuation to the ornithological part of Shaw's 

 Zoology, and a most excellent entomologist,) for some years past has 

 paid great attention to this genus of insects; and it his intention to lay 

 his observations before the Linnean Society. 



Sp. 1. Cocc. H-guttuta. Elytra red: with fourteen white dots: antenna- 

 and eye.s black: the spots on the elytra form lour lines; the first line 

 contains two spots, the second six, the third four, and the last two. 

 Inhabits willows. (PL Q.Jig. 11.) 



Genus 1.5. Chrysomela. 



Antenme moniliform: palpi six, thickest at their extremity : thorax mar- 

 gined, but not the elytra: body for the most part ovate. 

 The insects of this genus are in general adorned with shining and 



splendid colours. They live on leaves, but do not cat the nen-urcs. 



