THE SAME [NSECT IN TWO STAGES. 



721 



the thorax, the abdomen, and sometimes the whole body, are as 

 flat as if they had passed between rollers. 



In the genus Metapodius, of which the present insect — a 

 native of Brazil — is a good example, the hind legs are the 

 portions affected. The colour of the insect is a dull red-brown, 

 much like that of a cockroach, the former line predominating 

 in a line along the middle of the hind legs. In those limbs the 

 thigh is round, while the tibia is quite fiat, except a narrow red 



ridge which traverses the centre. 



All the legs are armed with 



"3L-'- fori '> - ~ r "- r >^= 



Fi i; 4i52. — Metapodius latipes. 

 ( Reddish brown ) 



many spikes on the inner edge. It is a very odd-looking insect, 

 and when the large hind legs are stretched at right angles 

 with the body, its aspect is absolutely ludicrous. Below, it is 

 brown flecked with white. 



In the two following illustrations the same insect is repre- 

 sented in the perfect and larval stages. This is a Mexican 

 insect, and in either stage of existence is very handsome. The 

 principal colours are scarlet and black. This bold contrast of 

 colours is well shown on the flattened portions of the antennas, 

 one half of which is scarlet and the other half black. The 

 wings are velvet-green, traversed with shining yellow stripes, 



3 A 



