380 MODERK CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 



segment ; the six thoracic legs of moderate length ; the body de- 

 pressed, tubercled at the sides, and attenuated behind, the anterior 

 segments being broadest : the transformations are undergone in the 

 leaves of various plants. My Jig. 4-5. 21. is a copy of the figure of the 

 pupa of H. suturalis. Dr. Harris refers to De Geer's figures 13 — 20. 

 of plate 12. vol. v., representing the larvae of some apparently coleop- 

 terous insects, which were found mining the leaves of the alder and 

 elm, but which died ; and which, from their resemblance, both in 

 structure and habits, to the larvae of Hispa, he considers may pos- 

 sibly be those of the European species. From Dr. Harris's account, 

 it is therefore evident that Hispa is more nearly related, in the pa- 

 renchymatous-feeding habits of its larva, to the Halticae, whilst its 

 larva is not very greatly unlike those of several of the Chrysomelidae. 



These insects are also subject to the attacks of various parasites. 

 Dr. Harris having described an ichneumon (I. Hispa?) which attacks 

 the larvae of Hispa. 



In the Linnaean system, this family was composed of the genera 

 Cassida and Hispa, which constitute the types of the two subdivisions 

 into which the family is divided by Latreille ; the first of which 

 (Cassidides) is distinguished by the orbicular or subovoid form of the 

 body; with the thorax semicircular, concealing the head; the antennas 

 gradually but slightly thickened towards the tips, and the mouth con- 

 cealed beneath the presternum. These insects are very widely distri- 

 buted ; but the most numerous and finest species are found in the 

 tropical climates, both of the old and new world. 



The second subdivision (Hispides) is distinguished by having the 

 body oblong, with the head disengaged, and the thorax Irapeziform ; 

 the antennas filiform, and advanced, and the mouth not concealed by 

 the porrected presternum. The insects of this subdivision are for the 

 most part exotic, one species only being found in England.* 



The Brazilian genus Alurnus Fabr., comprises some of the largest 

 Phytophagous insects. They are very handsomely coloured, the typi- 

 cal species, A. marginatus, being a very abundant species. Some 



* I have reversed the arrangement of Latreille, who places Hispa hcfore Cassida, 

 the latter agreeing in its habits with the Crioceridaj. Mr. Kirby forms Hispa into 

 a separate family, Hispidaj. Its general structure is, however, too near to that of 

 Cassida to warrant its establishment as a distinct family. Mr. Stephens places 

 Hispa between Lycoperdina and Sarrotriuni, with neither of which it appears 

 to me to possess the slightest affinity. 



