154 INSECTS ABROAD. 



The group of Buprestides is represented by one insect, wliich, 

 however, looks as if it could do duty for many. Like most 

 foreign insects, it has no English popular name, but its scientific 

 title— and, as we shall presently see, a very appropriate one 

 —is Stigmodera variahilis. The generic name is formed from 

 two Greek words, the former signifying " a mark " or " a blotch," 

 and the latter " a back," in allusion to the bold markings of 

 the elytra. 



The specific name, variahilis, or "variable," is singularly 

 appropriate ; for whereas there are many specimens which are 

 perfectly plain, and have no marks at all on the elytra, tliere 



Fig. 72. — Stigiiiodera variabilis. 

 1 and chestnut, with purple marl 



are scarcely any two specimens which are precisely alike in 

 every respect. I have looked through a long series of this extra- 

 ordinary Beetle, and have not yet discovered two specimens which 

 are exactly alike. As to the various divergences from the 

 original type, whatever that may be, they are so numerous as to 

 preclude all description. Suffice it to say that examples of this 

 Beetle can be found which bear no more resemblance to each 

 other than does a Newfoundland dog to an Italian greyhound ; 

 and yet, just as we acknowledge the dog to belong to the same 

 species, so do we with regard to the Beetle. I should very much 

 like to give figures of some of the principal varieties of this 

 curious Beetle, but our space is far too limited. 



We will begin with the specimen which is figured in the 

 illustration, and which seems to be a fair example of the best 

 type of this insect. The head and middle of the thorax are deep,, 

 rich, shining green, profusely and finely punctated, while the 

 sides of the thorax are yellow. The ground colour of the elytra 



