THE INFERICORNIA. 393 



patches uporx each hemelytron, black ; the lower sur- 

 face is also spotted with black. 



The same colours, distributed in a very similar 

 manner, occur in the genus Lygceus, several species of 

 which are found abundantly on the continent of 

 Europe, although hitherto only one (the L. equestris) 

 has been met with in this country, and that very 

 rarely. These insects, however, in common with the 

 rest of their tribe, are easily distinguished from those 

 of the preceding group, by their antennae inserted 

 below the imaginary line drawn from the eyes to the 

 rostrum, and by the presence of only four or five 

 veins in the membrane of the hemelytra. These are 

 sometimes united by a transverse vein, so as to form 

 one or more cells at the base of the membrane. Oc- 

 casionally, especially in the females, the membrane is 

 entirely deficient, or only forms a small border across 

 the apex of the corium or hard part, and it is remark- 

 able, that under certain circumstances the insects 

 which generally exhibit this structure, will acquire 

 perfect hemelytra. 



The species of this tribe are all of small size, and 

 inhabit various plants, upon which many of them may 

 be found in great plenty. Most of the common spe- 

 cies belong to the genus Rluj^mrochromuSj distin- 

 guished by the absence of any transverse vein in the 

 membrane, which exhibits four simple nervures ; by 

 the anterior thighs being thickened, and armed with 

 spines beneath ; and by the body being of moderate 

 breadth and not greatly flattened. A nearly allied 

 species (the Platy g aster f err ugineus), measuring about 

 a third of an inch in length, which is remarkable for 



