222 MODERN CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 



clypeus, with the anterior margin emarginate ; the mandibles are com- 

 pressed, slender, lanceolate, furnished internally with a somewhat 

 square membrane (^fig- 22. 16.) ; the maxillfe are horny subtrigonate, 

 with the inner margin membranous and ciliated ; the terminal process 

 entire, membranous, compressed, and setose {^fig- 22. 17.). The mentum 

 is large and pitcher-shaped, entirely concealing the labium (^^.22.18.). 

 The scutellum is distinct, although, in some species having the pos- 

 terior margin of the thorax lobed (Gymnetis) this part of the body 

 is concealed, the mesosternum is often produced into a point in front, 

 extending between the anterior legs, which are slender, and the tarsal 

 claws are entire and of an equal size. But a more important character, 

 which is found in a great number of the species, is the greatly de- 

 veloped epimera of the mesothorax, which are so large that they here 

 occupy the space between the posterior lateral angles of the pro- 

 thorax and the humeral angles of the elytra, which are pushed con- 

 siderably backwards to make room for the epimera. The elytra do 

 not conceal the extremity of the abdomen. 



In the perfect state these insects frequent flowers, upon the juices of 

 which they subsist, the structure of the maxillaiy lobes enabling the in- 

 sect to lap up the sweets. Other species are found upon the trunks of 

 trees, particularly such as are wounded, and from which the sap flows. 

 Rosel states that he kept a Rose Chafer alive for three years, feeding it 

 with fruit and moistened white bread. Hence Latreille states, that 

 in the perfect state they do no mischief to the essential parts of 

 flowers ; but in a communication by Mr. St. John, published in the 

 Mag. Nat. Hist., No. xxiii., a Maltese species (Cet. hirta), which is 

 called Bouzuff by the natives, and Botany Bay by the English resi- 

 dents, does much mischief to the flowers of the apricot, of which it 

 eats the nectary. This is not improbable, because, upon dissection, I 

 find the maxillary lobes of this species are armed v.'ith horny teeth. 

 There are many articles upon the Rose Chafer in the Gardener s 

 Magazine. See also Blot, in Mem. Soc. Linn, dii Calvados, vol. i. 

 on Trichius nobilis and Cetonia aurata. M. Westermann has men- 

 tioned a curious circumstance respecting the Cetonia carnifex and 

 pubescens (Cape G. H.), namely, that he never found them upon 

 flowers but always under dried cowdung (Silberm, Rev. Ent., No. 3.). 

 The Brazilian Yncfe repose, during the morning, in the plantations of 

 Zea Mays, sitting under the leaves. Tliey fly during the day round 

 the high trees, upon the leaves of which they feed : all the Brazilian 



