134 EUPODA. CYCLICA. 



and very common upon willows. The genus Acanthocinus is re- 

 markable for the spiny projections 

 from its antennae ; and the species 

 represented in the accompanying 

 figure, derives its specific name 

 (which means mirror-bearing) from 

 its having a bright burnished disc 

 on each of the elytra. 



658. The succeeding family 

 EUPODA, is composed of Beetles, 

 which are chiefly remarkable for FIG. 356. ACANTHOCINUS SPBCULIFER. 

 their habit of feeding upon the 



stems and leaves of aquatic plants, and upon those of the Lilia- 

 ceous tribe. One species, the Crioceris Asparagi, which is of a 

 blue colour, with the thorax red, and the elytra 

 yellowish- white, with blue markings, feeds in the 

 larva state, on the young sprigs of asparagus ; and 

 * s some ^ mes so abundant, as to do considerable 

 damage to the gardener. 



659. The sixth family of the Tetramerous sec- 



Fio. 35/. CRIOCE- 

 RIS ASPARAGI. tion, that of CYCLICA, presents many points of 



interest, on account of the singular forms, and 

 remarkable habits, of many of the species which it includes. The 

 name of the family is derived from the circumstance that, in its 

 typical forms, the body is of a circular or oval shape ; the insects 

 composing it are usually of small size, but are often ornamented 

 with metallic and brilliant colours ; they are generally slow in 

 their motions, timid, and fall to the ground when an attempt is 

 made to seize them, folding their antennae and legs beneath the 

 body ; many species leap well. The larvae have six feet, and a 

 soft body ; they feed, like the perfect insect, upon the leaves of 

 different vegetables, where they ordinarily affix themselves by 

 means of a glutinous secretion ; and they frequently undergo their 

 change into the pupa state in the same situation, the cast-skins 

 of the larvae being crumpled up at the extremity of the body of 

 the pupae . The first tribe of this family consists of the Cassi- 

 daricE, or Tortoise Beetles ; these have a flattened body, sur- 



