APPLE-TRUNK BUPRESTIS — THE BEETLE. 29 



killed from some other cause, and were almost invariably on the 

 south side of the trees. We have since found occasional marks 

 of these insects in other orchards, but never where the trees ap- 

 peared to have been in perfect health previous to their attacks." 

 This beetle, however, is by no means limited to old and decaying 

 trees, as the observations of the editor of the Ohio Cultivator 

 lead him to infer. The sections of wood sent me by Mr. Barry 

 are from young and thrifty Apple trees; and it occurs in Oaks, 

 also, of this character, as well as those which are aged and 

 perishing. 



Like other species of its family, the Thick-legged Buprestis is variable in 

 size, measuring from four to five-tenths of an inch in length, and about two- 

 tenths in width. It is of a black or greenish black color, polished and shining 

 with the surface rough and uneven.' The head, and sometimes the thorax, and 

 the depressed portions of the elytra, are of a dull coppery color. The head is 

 sunk into the thorax to the eyes, is densely punctured, and is clothed in front 

 with fine white hairs, which are directed downwards. Upon the middle of the 

 top of the head is a smooth, raised black line, with a narrow impressed line 

 through its middle, a mark which serves to distinguish this from some of the 

 other species which are closely related to it. The thorax is much more broad 

 than long, and is widest forward of the middle. Its surface is covered with 

 dense, coarsish punctures, which run into each other in a somewhat transverse 

 direction. It is also somewhat uneven, with slight elevations and hollows, but 

 has not two smooth raised lines on its middle and anterior part, which are 

 met with in another species very similar to this, the Tooth-legged Snapping 

 beetle, (Chrys 6 Ahris dentipes, Germar.) The elyra or wing-covers present 

 a much more rough and unequal surface than any other part of the insect. 

 Three smooth and polished raised lines extend lengthwise of each wing-cover, 

 and the intervals between them are in places occupied by smaller raised lines, 

 which form a kind of net-work; and two impressed transverse spots may also 

 be discerned more or less distinctly, dividing each wing-cover into three nearly 

 equal portions. These spots reach from the inner one of the three raised lines 

 nearly to the outer margin, crossing the two other raised lines, and interrupt- 

 ing them more or less. They are commonly of a cupreous tinge, and densely 

 punctured, but are more smooth than the other portions of the surface. A 

 smaller and more deeply impressed spot may commonly be found in the space 

 next to the suture, and forward of the anterior spot, of which it is, as it were 

 a continuation. The wing-covers are rounded at their tips, so as to present a 

 slight notch at the suture when they are closed; and the outer margin, towards 

 the tip, has several very minute, projecting teeth. When the wing-covers are 

 parted the back is discovered to be of a brilliant bluish-green color, and thickly 

 punctured, with a row of large impressed spots along the middle, one on each 

 segment, and half way between these and the outer margin is another row of 

 smaller impressed dots, having their centres black. The under side of the body 

 and the legs are brilliant coppery, the feet being deep shining green, their last 

 joint and the hooks at its end black. Here also the surface is everywhere 



