INSECTA. 117 



of a brilliant scarlet color. Is found in the flowers of 

 blooming hedges. 



The Cantharides or Spanish Flies (lytta vesicatoria), 

 plate 22, fig. 13, are ten lines long ; altogether of a bril- 

 liant golden-green color, with black antennae. Inhabit 

 the south of Europe, where they are found so abundantly 

 on the bushes of the elder, lilac, and ash, that they are 

 gathered by the bushel. In more northern climates 

 (Germany) they appear about the time of the summer 

 solstice. Their presence is betrayed by a most peculiar 

 and penetrating odor, emitted from their bodies, and 

 they consume the leaves of the young trees so closely as 

 to leave them altogether bare, thus causing great ravages. 

 These little insects contain a peculiar irritating matter, 

 which, when applied to the skin, has the property of 

 producing a blister, and are therefore considered valuable 

 on account of their great utility in medicine. 

 The May Bug (meloe proscarabeus), plate 22, fig. 8, 

 has a thick, cylindrical body ; more than an inch long ; 

 of a dark violet color, with a golden luster. Is found, 

 mostly in the mornings, on banks or ridges where violets 

 and the plant called the lion's-tooth grow, on the leaves 

 of which it feeds. The larvae subsist on flies. These 

 insects also possess the vesicating property, although in 

 less degree than the Spanish fly, and are used for the 

 same purpose. 



3. CARRION BEETLES. 



These beetles are nearly round, and mostly ha.ve on 

 their bodies small channels, into which they can contract 

 their limbs. Most of this tribe live on carcasses, or 

 other putrid matter. 



