ISt INSECTA. 



in the last this ligula is almost square or rounded, and analogous to 

 that of the Cyclica. 



The maxillary lobes, however, are membranous, or but slightly 

 coriaceous, Avhitish or yellowish; the external one is widened near 

 the extremity, and does not present the figure of a palpus, characters 

 which give these parts more resemblance to those of the Longicornes 

 than to those of the Cyclica. The body is more or less oblong, and 

 the head and thorax are narrower than the abdomon ; the antennse 

 are filiform, or gradually enlarge towards the extremity, and are in- 

 serted before the eyes, which, in some, are entire, round, and toler- 

 ably prominent; and, in others, are slightly emarginated. The head 

 is received posteriorly into the thorax, which is cylindrical, or forms 

 a transverse square. The abdomen is large, compared to the other 

 joints of the body, and forms a long square or an elongated triangle. 

 The joints of the tarsi, with the exception of the last, are furnished 

 with pellets beneath, and the penultimate is bifid or bilobate. The 

 posterior thighs are strongly inflated in a great many, and hence the 

 denomination of the family. 



All these Insects have wings, and are found on the stems or leaves 

 of various plants, but, so far as regards a great number of species 

 that inhabit France, on those of the Liliaceae particularly. The 

 larvae of some — the Donacise — attack the internal part of the roots 

 of aquatic plants, on which we find the perfect Insect. Those of 

 several others live exposed, but they cover themselves with their 

 excrements, which they form Avith a sort of case or scabbard, like 

 that of the Cassidss. 



We will divide this family into two tribes: 



The first, that of the Sagrides, is composed, as its name indicates, 

 of the genus 



Sagra. 



The mandibles terminate in a sharp point. The ligula is profound- 

 ly emarginate or bilobate. 



In some, the palpi are filiform, the eyes emarginated, the posterior 

 thighs very stout, and the tibiae arcuated. 



Megalopus, Fab. 



The anterior extremity of the head projecting in the manner of a 

 snout ; strong and crossed mandibles ; the palpi terminated by an 

 elongated and very pointed joint; the ligula deeply cleft into two 

 elongated lobes ; the body short, with a ti ansversal, square, or trape- 

 zoidal thorax. The antennae gradually enlarge towards the extre- 

 mity, or are terminated by an elongated club ; their third joint is 

 lunger than the second and fourth, and the four posterior legs are long, 

 slender, and arcuated. 



