THE DOG-BANE JEWEL 



June jotk 



HE only rival of the Cassida, just de- 

 scribed, the "green dandy" (Eumolpus 

 auratiis) is quite as common and even 

 more conspicuous, though he is to be 

 found only upon his single favorite plant, the dog-bane. 

 If the reader does not know the dog-bane plant (Apo- 

 cymini androsceniifoliuni), the accompanying sketch will 

 serve to identify it, with its bell -shaped pink and fra- 

 grant flowers and long pods. It is a quite common 

 plant, and favors the border thickets of woods and lanes 

 and old walls. 



During the coming week the dog-bane begins to deck 

 its jewels, and the botanist is quite likely to find himself 

 studying entomology instead of his favorite pursuit as 

 he plucks his specimen of dog-bane, and discovers its 

 leaves studded with glittering emeralds and rubies. For 

 the dog-bane beetle is not golden -yellow like the Cas- 

 sida, as its scientific name implies. It is not easy to 

 describe its brilliant, burnished hue, which is either shim- 

 mering green, or peacock-blue, or purplish-green, or re- 

 fulgent ruby, according to the position in which it rests. 



