CASSIDA. INSECTS. 309 



shorter than the body, composed of eleven joints ; palpi fili- 

 form ; tarsi with tufts below, bilobed. 



The insects of this genus are found on flowers in gardens, and in the fields. They 

 are of small size. 



C. merdigcra, Lat. Body red above, black below ; thorax cylindri- 

 cal,, with a hollow on each side. Inhabits Europe, on the white 

 lily. Shaw, vi. pi. 18. 



FAMILY VI. CYCLICA. 



Labium thick, almost square or oval, entire or slightly notched ; 

 exterior and terminal division of the jaws cylindrical, coloured 

 black and brown ; body either oval or ovoid, globular or 

 nearly square ; antennae filiform or setaceous, sometimes thick- 

 ening into an elongated club, but never an oval or rounded 

 one ; three first joints of the tarsi spongy, or furnished with 

 brushes below. 



The insects of this family are generally of small size, often ornamented with bril- 

 liant and metallic colours, and with the body destitute of hairs. They are for the 

 most part slow and timid animals, allowing themselves to fall to the ground when 

 touched, or folding their antennae and feet against the body. Many species leap well. 

 All the larvae which are known have six feet, and a soft body, and feed, like the per- 

 fect insect, on the leaves of vegetables, to which they affix themselves by a gelatinous 

 matter. 



TRIBE I. CASSIDARI^E. 



Antennae inserted on the upper part of the head, approximated 

 at the base, short, straight, projecting, often almost cylindri- 

 cal ; mouth very low, sometimes received in part into a ca- 

 vity of the pre-sternum ; palpi very short ; tarsi short, flat- 

 tened, the last joint between the lobes of the preceding ; body 

 orbicular, flat below, margined by the thorax and elytra. 

 Gen. ALURNUS, CHALEPA, HJSPA, IMATIDIUM, CASSIDA. 



Gen. CASSIDA, Lat. Lin. 



Antennae inserted at the upper part of the head, approximated 

 at their base, filiform ; head concealed under the thorax, or 

 received into a notch at its anterior extremity ; body almost 

 circular or of a square form, and generally margined by the 

 elytra. 



The insects of this genus live on plants, and are rarely seen on the ground or 

 flying. The greater part of the species are finely tinged with shades of gold or silver 

 colour, which, however, fade when the insect is dead. The larvae are soft, broad, 

 and flattened in their form, margined on the sides with branched and spinous appen- 

 dages, have six scaly feet, and the tail, which is long and forked, curved upwards 

 over the body. 



C. viridis, Fab. Apple-green above, and black below ; elytra dot- 

 ted with some faint striae on the disk ; feet reddish, the lower 

 half of the thighs black. ^ inch long. Inhabits Europe, on ar- 

 tichokes and thistles. Shaw, vi. pi. 15. 



TRIBE II. CHRYSOMELIN^F. 

 Antennae inserted before the eyes, and distant from one another. 



