OF THE FABM AND GARDEN. 



10? 



The larva (fig. 72, a, natural size; Z>, enlarged with the 

 dung taken from the fork), is of a dark brown color, 

 with a pale shade upon the back. It carries its faecifork 

 immediately over the back, and the excrement is arranged 

 in a more or less regular trilobcd pattern. The loaded 

 fork still lies close to the back in the pupa, which is 

 brown like the larva, and cluelly characterized by three 

 dark shades on the transparent prothorax, one being in 

 the middle and one at each side, as represented at fig. 

 73, c. 



The perfect beetle (fig. 73, d), when seen in all its 

 splendor, is one of the most beautiful objects that can 



Fig. 72. LAKVA OF GOLDEN TORTOISE- 

 BEETLE, 

 a, Natural size ; b, Enlarged. 



Fig. 73. GOLDEN TORTOISE- 

 BEETLE, 

 c, Pupa ; d, Beetle. 



well be imagined. It exactly resembles a piece of golden 

 tinsel, and with its legs withdrawn and body lying fiat to 

 a leaf, the uninitiated would scarcely suppose it to be an 

 insect did it not suddenly take wing when being observed. 

 At first these beetles are of a dull deep orange color, 

 which strongly relieves the transparent edges of the wing- 

 coverts and helmet, and gives conspicuousness to six 

 black spots, two (indicated in the figure) above, and two 

 on each side. But in about a week after they have left 

 the pupa shell, or as soon as they begin to copulate, they 

 shine in all their splendor, and these black spots are 

 scarcely noticed. 



