LEPRALIA. 319 
deservedly admired by O. Fabricius. Mr. Hassall’s com- 
parison, though, except to an anatomist, not a pleasing one, 
gives a good idea of it. It is like “a miniature human 
thorax ; the cross-pieces representing the ribs, and the broad 
band into which these are inserted being analogous to a 
sternum.” We must suppose it the thorax of a pretty little 
fairy, for notwithstanding its skeleton-like aspect, it is very 
beautiful. It is rare in Scotland. The finest specimen I 
have seen I got on the shore opposite to Fort George, In- 
verness-shire. It was almost equalled by specimens I got 
from Miss Cutler, at Budleigh Salterton, the whole fabric 
of which had a metallic appearance; the tiny ribs seemed 
made of steel. ‘There are several varieties of it, for the 
aperture is sometimes unarmed, and at other times with a 
spine at each side; those | got at Budleigh Salterton had 
five long spines on the under lip. It is common on Fschara 
Joliacea in Devonshire. ‘“ When living, it is either a 
yellowish flesh-colour, or intermediate to a silvery white.” 
(Couch.) 
26%, Lepratia MELOLONTHA, Dusk. (Plate XVIII. 
fig. 70.) 
This cannot but be regarded as a remarkably beautiful 
species, seeing that it was for some time considered as what 
