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COMMON BRITISH INSECTS. 



long. Our example of this family belongs to the 

 typical genus, and is known to entomologists by the 

 name of Donacia menyanthidis, a figure of which is 

 given in the accompanying woodcut. In this genus 

 the body is flattened, polished, and shining above, 

 thickly punctured, and having altogether a metallic 

 aspect. Below, it is covered with a very fine down. 

 The antennae have the fourth and following joints 

 elongated. 



All the Donaciae may be found on water-plants, 

 especially on reeds, from which they derive the generic 

 name, Donax being a Greek word, signifying a reed. 

 Although some of the species are rather rare, the 

 Donaciae are, beyond compari- 

 son, the most common of water- 

 frequenting Beetles, and the 

 leaves of reeds, water-lilies, and 

 other plants are often studded 

 with these beautiful insects, 

 whose polished and variously- 

 coloured bodies glitter in the 

 sunbeams like living gems. As 

 many of the species are ex- 

 ceedingly variable in colour, it 

 will be as well for the ento- 

 mologist to procure a considerable number of speci- 

 mens, many, which at first sight appear to be different 

 species, being, when closely examined, seen to be 

 nothing but varieties of the same species. There is 

 scarcely a colour of the rainbow which is not ex- 

 hibited by one or other of the Donaciae, and in some 

 instances the same species exhibits an astonishing 



Donacia menyanthidis. 



