32 UNNEAN SYSTEM. 



Genus 13. Cassida. 

 Antenn<F moniliform : thorax and elijtra marginated : head concealed 



under the thorax : body aho\e gibhous, beneath tiat and margined. 



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

 liant in colours, which disappear when the insect dies, but are said to 

 revive when put in warm water. 



The larvai of these insects are found under the leaves of the plants 

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

 end of the tail they 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. 7nacidatu. The elytra vary in colour, the young state of the 



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



to red spotted with black: black on the under side. C. iimrTaa of 



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



Genus 14. Coccinella. 

 Antenna clavated : the club solid : maxiUarii palpi terminated by a large 



securiform joint: iw^/j/ hemispherical : thorax and tli/tra margined: 



abdomen flat. 



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

 cows, or Lady-birds. The larvae feed chiefly on the Aphides or plant- 

 lice, and are very serviceable in clearing vegetables of the myriads with 

 which they are often infested. Mr. Marsham in his Entomologia Bri- 

 fannica 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- 

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

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

 cided upon ; T should therefore strongly recommend 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 

 Zoologii, 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 obsen'ations before the Linnean Society. 

 Sp. 1, Cocc. 14-guitafa. Elytra red: with fourteen white dots: antennjt 



and eyes black: the spots on the elytra form four lines; the first line 



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

 Inhabits willows. {PL 2.Jig. 11.) 



Genus 15. Chrysomela. 



Antennre moniliform : palpi six, thickest at their extremitj' : thorax mar- 

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

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



splendid colours. They live on leaves, but do not eat the iiervures. 



