HIDDEN BEAUTIES. 



165 



viewed by the aid of a microscope, the surface both of thorax 

 and elytra is seen to possess astonishing beauty, the rich 

 shining-red being broken up into various shades by the rows of 

 punctures. 



I have often wondered whether the insects themselves are 

 capable of seeing and admiring these beauties without the aid of 



1. Attelabus curculionoldes. 2. Rhynchites Bacchus. 3. Apion carduomm. 4. Sitones 

 lineatiis. 5. Cleonns nebulosus. a. Attelabus, antenna. b. Rhyncbitrs, antenna. c. 

 Apion, antenna. d. Attelabu.s, tarsus. e. Rhynchites, tarsus. /. Apion, tarsus. g. 

 Rhynchites, maxillary palpus. h. Rhynchites, labium 



the microscope, as well as we do with its assistance. When view- 

 ing through a lens some tiny and apparently dull-coloured insect, 

 and noticing how magnificently beautiful the colouring really 

 is when we put ourselves under the conditions which enable 

 Cis to see the many details which were before concealed from us, 

 I cannot but feel that such beauties were surely intended to 

 delight some eyes, and most probably the eyes of its fellows. 



