A SINGULAR THORAX 



339 



effect, and sooner or later the lovely hues vanish, no matter 

 whether the insect be kept in a light or a dark place. 



The general colour of this insect is bright green, mottled 

 with black. The elytra are pink, covered with a fine black 

 network, and even the very legs are of the same brilliant green 

 and black as the body. The chief beauty, however, lies in the 

 wings themselves, which are almost wholly of a blazing scarlet, 

 the only exception being an edging of deep black, widest in 

 front, and rapidly narrowing as it proceeds towards the base. 

 In order to see the insect to its full advantage, its wings and 

 elytra should be spread, and it should then be held up against 

 a strong light. And, if the magnifying glass be also employed, 

 the exquisite structures of the wings and elytra will well repay 

 the trouble of examination. 



This insect is a native of South America. The generic name 

 Ehomalea is taken from a Greek word signifying " strength ;" 

 and the specific name centurio is probably given to it on account 

 of the brilliant scarlet of the wings, which gives to the insect a 

 sort of military air. 



The insect which now comes before us has an equally strange 

 look, whether its wings be closed or open. Its name is Teratodes 

 monticollis. It is a native of Hindostan. 



Fig. 169. — Teratodes monticollis. 

 (Green.) 



In the structure of this creature the most conspicuous point is 

 the singular development of the thorax. We have seen many 



z 2 



