A BEAUTIFUL GENUS. 



153 



the wing-cases is of the same colour. A very strong light is 

 needed to develop the full beauties of this splendid colour. It 

 is so deep that in a poor light it looks black, but when properly 

 illuminated the purple is so intense as almost to dazzle the eye ; 

 and as it is contrasted with its complementary colour, yellow, 

 it necessarily appears peculiarly vivid. 



If possible, the under surface is even more beautiful than the 

 upper. The head and thorax are of the same coppery carmine 

 as that which adorns the sides of the thorax ; and the abdomen is 

 shining violet, not quite so dark as the purple of the elytra. 

 The legs are violet. The generic name of Chrysochroa, or " golden 



feV 



Fig. 71. — Chrysochroa Buquetii. 

 (Yellow and deep violet.) 



surface," has been given to these insects in consequence of the 

 prevalence of golden yellow in their colouring. This is a large 

 genus, and is represented in the East Indies, China, &c. One of 

 the most startling in point of colour is Chrysochroa vittata of China. 

 The elytra of this insect are burnished green glossed with gold, 

 while down their centre runs a band (in Latin, vittd) of brilliant 

 carmine. Another species, Chrysochroa limbata, though small, not 

 an inch in length, and not shining, is yet a very beautiful insect. 

 It is deep olive green ; the elytra are boldly ridged, and round 

 their edges runs a broad belt of golden yellow. The specific 

 name limbata is formed from the Latin word limbus, wihch signi- 

 fies a hem, border, or frill, and refers to this yellow belt. 



