46G 



INSECTS ABROAD 



behind. It is covered with a moderately thick coatiug of long 

 hairs. The abdomen is quite small, and is joined to the thorax 

 by a rather short and very slender footstalk. The head is large, 

 and carries a pair of very powerful jaws, jetty black and 

 shining. The legs are long and spiny, and in the male the end 

 of the thigh is thickened into a knob, which is curiously bent 

 inwards, and armed with several strong but blunt teeth. The 

 name Stetlioredus, which signifies " lengthened breast," is given 

 to the insect in consequence of the great length of the thorax. 

 The wings are shining brown, glossed with blue, and are singu- 

 larly beautiful. 



The female Stethorectus feeds her young upon spiders of 

 various kinds, and so fierce and powerful is she that she will even 

 attack the enormous Mygale, or Bird Spider, and carry it off to 

 her nest. This is a most remarkable feat, for the Mygale, when 

 its legs are spread, covers as much space as a man's extended 

 hand, and it is powerful enough to attack and destroy the 

 humming-birds. It is not, however, a match for the Stetho- 

 rectus, which darts upon it and paralyzes it with its sting, so 

 that it can offer no resistance. The Mygale does not die at once 

 from the sting, but lingers for five or six days, thus giving time 

 for the egg of its captor to be hatched. If it cannot obtain a 



suitable spider, the Stetho- 

 rectus makes use of cater- 

 pillars or grasshoppers. 



The genus Chlorion de- 

 rives its name from the pre- 

 vailing colour of the insects 

 belonging to it. Chlorion 

 is a Greek word, signifying 

 " green," and shining green is 

 the colour of nearly all the 

 species. There are several 

 blue species, but even in 

 them there is a decided gloss 

 of green. 

 The species which is here represented is an Asiatic insect, and 

 is spread throughout India and China. It is a very pretty 

 insect, the body being always polished and shining, and mostly 



24o. — Chlorion lobatuin. 

 (Shining green.) 



IN. 



Male. 



