COLEOPTEROUS INSECTS. 237 



Although now much restricted in its application, 

 the genus CURCULIO still contains a great variety of 

 species. In all of them the penultimate joint of the 

 tarsi is deeply bilobed, and the antennae are com- 

 posed of eleven joints, of which the three last form 

 a club. The grooves on the sides of the rostrum, 

 for receiving the antennte, are oblique, and converge 

 towards each other on the under side. Many of 

 the species are of large size, and such as frequent 

 the foliage of trees are often adorned in the most 

 sumptuous manner. This is particularly the case 

 with several South American kinds, which are co- 

 vered with a coating of scales of the most sparkling 

 brilliancy, equal to the " illumination of all gems." 

 These are accordingly highly prized by collectors, 

 a single specimen of C. regalis having been once 

 sold at Paris for L.23 sterling. The British weevils 

 that present most analogy to these favoured crea- 

 tures belong to the genera Phyllobius and Polydru- 

 sus ; but though of great beauty, their comparatively 

 small size renders them less striking. 



CURCULIO CUVIERII. 



PLATE XXI. FIG. 3. 

 Geonemus Cuvierii, Guerin, Voyage de la Coquillc. 



Of a fine green colour, with a stripe of black 

 down the middle of the rostrum and thorax. The 

 elytra are suddenly narrowed at the apex, and have 



