118 NATURAL ARRANGEMENT OF I?x 7 SECTS. 



usually very beautiful insects, gaily decorated with 2 

 variety of colours and markings, and occasionally enli- 

 vened with metallic brilliancy. The Scutati are at once 

 characterised by their name ; for in this family, which is 

 of considerable extent, we observe, in the more typical 

 division of it, the scutellum so largely developed as fre- 

 quently to cover the abdomen. In these insects we de- 

 tect also many which greatly resemble the Coleoptera: 

 some, in the elongation of their form, and metallic co- 

 lour, are remarkably like Buprestis, instanced in Calidea, 

 Peltophora, and their allies. Sphcerocoris, again, is a 

 completely mimicking representation of , the Coceinellida, 

 both in form and markings ; and in Scaptocoris, in 

 which the scutellum is less developed, we have the re- 

 presentation of a lamellicorn beetle, wanting its poste- 

 rior tarsi. A convincing proof that these resemblances 

 are exceedingly strong, is shown by the circumstance that 

 describers have frequently given them specific names in 

 allusion to the particular analogy the insect offered. 

 We have Linnaeus, even, leacling the way with his Ci- 

 mex ScarabcBO'ides. These resemblances, also, are not 

 confined to this group only, but they likewise extend 

 into the two following. The genus Podops, of which 

 we possess a species in this country, is remarkable for 

 its pedunculated eyes. The reputed British Coptosoma 

 globus presents a unique instance in the Hemiptera, of 

 the folding of the hemelytra in repose ; for these organs, 

 being considerably longer than the body, could not other- 

 wise be brought, under the protection of the large scutel- 

 lum. Solenosthedium Spin., and Coleotichus White, are 

 conspicuous for having a deep channel, for the reception 

 of the rostrum, in the pectus, the sides of which have 

 singularly elevated ridges. The genera which have an 

 enlarged scutellum, from the protection this affords to 

 the hemelytra, or superior wings, of course dispense with 

 the coriaceous texture observable in those which are not 

 so formed; for otherwise it is only where these organs lap 

 over each other, that the membranaceous substance pre- 

 vails ; but in the Reduvii we frequently observe a nearly 



