CHAPTER XVII. 



PHYTOPHAGA, OR PLANT-EATERS. 



There has been, and still is, some difficulty in the arrangement 

 of the Beetles wliich come next in order. As, however, this is 

 not intended for a work on systematic entomology, there is no 

 need for entering into any such controversies. As may be in- 

 ferred from their title, these insects feed upon plants, and are 

 mostly found on the leaves. 



The first group of these insects, the Sagrides, are almost en- 

 tirely exotic, being represented in England only by four small 

 inconspicuous Beetles belonging to the genus Orsodacna. Many 

 of the exotic Sagrides are, however, exceediugly beautiful in 

 their colours, though few of them run to any great size. 



They form a portion of the large family Crioceridse, of which 

 our well-known Asparagus Beetle {Criuccris asparagt) is a 

 familiar example. Other British examples of this family are 

 the lovely Donacia Beetles which stud the leaves of water-flowers 

 like living gems. The Sagrides are nearly allied to the Donacias, 

 though the splendid colouring of the former only belongs to the 

 exotic species. 



The species which is shown in the illustration on the next 

 page, Sagra Buquetii, is at once the largest and most splendid of 

 the genus. It is found in Java. 



In all the species belonging to the genus, the hind legs are 

 greatly developed, and in this species they are absolutely enor- 

 mous when compared with the body of the insect. The thighs 

 are thick, powerful, boldly curved, and armed with a series of 

 teeth on the inner surface. The tibiae are correspondingly 

 powerful, and continue the curve of the thighs near their tip ; 

 the inner surface is clothed with rather long and thick hair, 

 of a shining golden yellow. The tarsus is so small as to 



