538 INSECTS AT nOME. 



But the ' pronotum,' or first portion of the ujjper part of the 

 thorax, is developed in the most extraordinary manner into a 

 horn-like projection at each side, while the centre bears a long, 

 sword-like appendage, which reaches over the whole of the 

 body and very nearly reaches to the tip of the abdomen. The 

 whole of the upper part of the thorax, the two appendages at 

 the side, and the sword-shaped horn, are covered with tubercles, 

 which give the surface a glittering aspect when the light 

 shines on it. A magnifying-glass is necessary in order to detect 

 these tubercles. The only colour in the upper wings is 

 restricted to the base, where there is a little patch of circular, 

 eye-like spots, each having a solid black centre, then a white 

 ring and then a narrow black ring or outline. There is also a 

 slight clouding of chestnut brown. 



This curious insect has the upper wings shining and rather 

 yellowish, and the under wings transparent and iridiscent, with 

 brown nervures. The thighs are rusty red, and the rest of the 

 leg pitchy black. It is tolerably common in woods and gardens, 

 and can be taken in the sweep-net by passing it over laurels, 

 thistles, and the herbage of the hedge-side. It appears in May 

 and June. The first specimen of this insect that I ever 

 possessed was given to me in 1850 by the late Eev. F. W. 

 Hope, with whose magnificent collection all entomologists are 

 familiar. 



On Plate XVIII. Fig, 1 is represented an insect which is 

 called by the name of Ledra aurita. I do not know that it 

 has any popular name. Like the last-mentioned insect, it has 

 some curious projections from the thorax, which in this case 

 take the form of two flat projections from each side, looking 

 somewhat like ears, whence the specific name aurita, or eared. 

 The edges of these ' ears ' are notched or waved. It is not a 

 handsome insect in point of colour, its principal hue being dull 

 olive-green, which is apt to change after death to yellowish- 

 brown. The head is covered with a number of small reddish 

 tubercles. As to the rest of the insect, it cannot be seen 

 properly until the wings are spread. The upper pair are olive- 

 green, becoming transparent towards the tip, and the nervures 

 are brown. The under wings are pale grey-brown with dark 

 nervures. The abdomen is very wide, flat, and covered with a 



