30 THE SKIN OF INSECTS. 



tinguished, on account of the intimate junction. The 

 fore part (') is generally concealed within the body. 



The fore back plate, front and side views; a, the first piece, 

 or collar ; b, the second piece. 



The mid back plate is, in like manner, composed of 

 four pieces. The second of these ( 2 ) is important, from 

 its always jointing, by means of side pieces, (very dis- 

 tinct in the ruby tail fly), with the wings. The third 

 is what may be called the back scale ( 3 ), and is usually 

 somewhat triangular in form. Jn some of the plant 

 bugs, this part extends over the wings, wing cases, and 

 the border of the abdomen. Another piece of the mid 

 back plate is usually quite concealed in the body, or 

 sometimes so intimately joined to the former, as scarcely 



(1) In Latin Prtescutum. (2) In Latin Scutum. 

 (3) In Latin Scutellum. 



