ORDER I. BEETLES. 



61 



ative classes throughout the year. Hence in France, Ger- 

 many, Moravia, and Hungary they sow peas in gardens, 

 and cultivate them in extensive fields. 



Leaf Eaters (Chrysomelinae). 



The LEAF EATERS are another species of noxious Bee- 

 tles, who feed mostly on leaves or flowers. They are quite 

 small, from three to five lines long ; their antennae are fili- 

 form and granulated, and their legs generally short. Their 

 mouth does not terminate in a snout, like those we have 

 before described; but it succeeds in destroying leaves and 

 flowers in great numbers. Their body is oval, and beauti- 

 fully colored, either crimson or blue, golden-green, azure- 

 blue, or variegated. Their larvae, or grubs, have six legs, 

 and live mostly upon leaves, until they change into perfect 

 Beetles. 



This family contains a large number of genera, of which 

 one of the handsomest is 



The GILDED DANDY (Eumolpus auratus), which is found 

 throughout the United States upon the Dogs- 

 bane (Apocynwn androscemifoliwri), the leaves 

 of which are covered with them in July and 

 August. This Beetle is so brilliant that it is 

 impossible to represent its splendid metallic 

 colors in painting, changing as they do from 

 green to a golden yellow, and from purple to 

 crimson. Its wing-covers would form a beautiful orna- 

 ment for those fancy-boxes I have before described, as its 

 colors are pre-eminently brilliant and showy. 



