14 NATURAL ARRANGEMENT OF INSECTS. 



beneath the clypeus, and the tips of the maxillae more 

 obtuse. But the general aspect of these insects, and 

 more especially the construction of their feet, are so 

 much in unison with the Rutilince, that they carry the 

 appearance of belonging to the same natural division, 

 rather than of being types of a distinct sub- family. This, 

 at least, is the opinion acted upon in all the modern 

 works wherein these insects are mentioned. True it is, 

 that such opinions, unsupported by demonstration, can- 

 not possess a paramount authority ; and it unfortu- 

 nately happens, that every one of the sub-families of the 

 Cetoniadcs require to be analysed, their minor divisions 

 or genera defined, and their analogies worked out. 

 That there is, in many points of structure, a resem- 

 blance between the Anoplognathi and the Dynastidce, 

 cannot, for a moment, be questioned ; but this resem- 

 blance, as we shall subsequently endeavour to demon- 

 strate, is of a subordinate nature. 



(186.) The most conspicuous genera in this exceed- 

 ingly elegant family are, in the first place, Chrysina, 

 distinguished for its golden green vivacity, whence it 

 has derived its name; and to which genus the celebrated 

 ScarabcBus Macropus is to be referred as the male. 

 This name Mr. Francillon applied to it, in consequence 

 of its greatly thickened and elongated posterior legs; 

 thus exhibiting a strong analogy to the kangaroo, but 

 certainly in developement only, and not in function, as 

 the insect does not leap. This insect, which was so 

 long considered an inestimable treasure, has recently 

 become comparatively common, from the importation of 

 a great quantity from Mexico. The whole of this 

 family is, however, distinguished by the enlargement 

 of the posterior legs in the males, which is especially 

 the case in Repsimus, Anoplognathus, and Chrysochlora. 

 Anoplognathus, Mr. MacLeay surmises, may constitute, 

 in its larva state, a considerable article of food to the 

 barbaric natives of New Holland, where the type of it 

 must occur in great profusion. Geniates, which has 

 been referred to this family, we consider as belonging 

 rather to the Melolonthidce ; and where, consequently, we 



