216 BRITISH BEETLES. 



C. bilineatus (Plate XIV, Pig. 4) is elegantly banded; 

 it is found commonly by sweeping, etc., at Mickleham. 



The CHRYSOMELID^: (or " Golden -apple beetles") 

 have the head sunk in the prothorax, but more exposed 

 than in the last family; the antennae shorter, monili- 

 form, and slightly thickened towards the tips ; the legs 

 of equal size ; the palpi short ; no spurs to the tibiae ;^ 

 the thorax fitting closely to the base of the elytra ; and 

 the body hemispheric or oval. They are found on low 

 plants and shrubs, for climbing on which their broad 

 tarsi are eminently adapted. 



We possess several genera and species of this family, 

 many of which are conspicuous for their beauty. 



The only large one, Timarcha lavigata, sometimes 

 known as " the Bloody-nosed beetle," on account of its 

 habit of distilling a drop of clear red fluid from the 

 mouth when handled, is common in grassy lanes : it is 

 very convex, dull but smooth in texture, and of an uni- 

 form blue-black colour, with exceedingly wide tarsi, 

 especially in the male ; which, as usual, is rather smaller, 

 not quite so dull, and has longer legs. Its larva is also 

 frequently to be seen clinging to low plants in lanes and 

 on commons : it is of a shining bluish-green colour, very 

 convex, and elevated in the middle. 



Chrysomela distinguenda (Plate XIV, Fig. 5) is not 

 uncommon near London, in grassy places, on the flowers 

 of Antirrhinum, etc. ; the contrast of colour afforded by 

 its dark blue-black elytra, broadly margined with orange, 

 being very effective. 



C. menthastri and graminis, two of the largest, are 

 especially conspicuous from their somewhat oblong form 

 and uniform rich green metallic hue, which, in grami- 

 nis especially, runs to blue and coppery reflections; but 



