CH. IX,] COLEOPTEROUS INSECTS. 149 



dilated, convex beneath, and serve as a sucker; 

 while all the feet of the female are similar to one 

 another, and the v^^ing-cases are deeply impressed 

 with a series of longitudinal furrows. 



On mint, and other verticillated plants, v some- 

 times find a very singularly formed larva of the tor- 

 toise beetle, Cassida viridis, which is yellowish 

 brov^^n in colour, and of an oval shape, and has the 

 sides of the body edged with a fringe of projecting 

 fibres ; the two terminal ones are longer than the 

 rest, and generally carried over the body towards 

 the head, while the animal is in motion. On these 



filaments, it is said, the animal collects its own ex- 

 crement, and thus forms itself a canopy of it over 

 its back, probably for the purpose of defending it- 

 self from the attacks of its enemies. When it ar- 

 rives at maturity, it fastens itself to a leaf, casts its 

 skin, and commences the pupa state, which is also 



of a very remarkable shape, and is peculiar for the 

 breadth or dilatation of the forepart ; from the 

 chrysalis, in the space of three weeks, proceeds the 

 insect in its complete state, when its length is 

 nearly a qunrter of an inch ; its body is of an oval 

 shape, and its colour bright green above, with the 

 under part black. 



N2 



