Cryplostomata. | PHYTOPHAGA. 395 
narrowed in front and widened behind, with the margins of the thorax 
and elytra not explanate, whereas in the latter the shape is round or 
oval and very convex, with the margins of the thorax and elytra much 
widened and extended to a considerable distance beyond the body; the 
head, moreover, is free in the Hispina, whereas in the Cassidina it is, as 
a rule, entirely hidden by the thorax ; the larvee of both tribes protect 
themselves with a covering formed of their own excrement; some of the 
species of the Hispina are large and conspicucus insects (e.g. Alurnus), 
and many are brightly coloured ; a considerable number are closely set 
with upright spines or bristles, from which the genus Hispa derives its 
name ; H. atra, which has been mentioned above as having been re- 
corded in error as British, has occurred in the Scandinavian region, and 
may possibly be confirmed as indigenous ; it is asmall dull black species 
25-3 mm. in length), of an oblong shape, which may easily be recognized 
by the large and stout oblong spines which cover its upper surface. 
CASSIDINA. 
According to the Munich catalogue published in 1876, this tribe 
contains thirty-nine genera and a large number of species, the three 
genera, Mesomphalia, Hope (Cyrtonota, Chevr.), Cassida, L., and Copto- 
cycla, Boh., comprising upwards of one thousand between them ; the 
chief characteristic of the tribe is found in the fact that the thorax and 
elytra have the margins much expanded, so that the under-side of the 
body is completely covered as though by a shield ; the legs also are 
short and retractile, and the head in most species is quite concealed 
beneath the anterior margin of the thorax ; from these peculiarities, as 
well as from the general shape, the species have received the common 
name of ‘ Tortoise-beetles ;” some of the exotic species are among the 
most brilliantly coloured of all the Coleoptera, but in most cases the 
colour very rapidly fades, and turns to a dingy brown ; if the insects 
are comparatively fresh, immersion in glycerine or spirits of wine will 
partially restore the colour for a time, as I have found by experience in 
the case of species received from my brother, Rev. F. H. Fowler, when 
in Assam; two of our British species, C. nobilis, L., and C. vittata, 
Vill. (oblonga, U1.), are furnished with brilliant longitudinal sutural 
bands, which very quickly fade ; no one who has seen them in life 
could recognize them in the dingy-looking insects that stand under their 
names in our collections ; the forms, as well as the colours, of the exotic 
species are very striking, some of them being provided with a long up- 
right pointed horn which rises from the centre of their backs. The 
larve, as above mentioned, protect themselves with a covering formed 
from their own excrement, which, according to Westwood, they bear 
over their backs by the assistance of an elongated forked appendage 
arising from the extremity of the body, and bent forwards, reaching 
