312 NATURAL ARRANGEMENT OF INSECTS. 



doubtful. However this may eventually be decided, 

 it is quite clear that Hispa is a representation of Lycus, 

 with which, but for its obvious affinity, as we think, 

 to Alurnus, we should have placed it. Hattica appears 

 a subordinate division,, or sub-family, among the Chryso- 

 melidce ; but that which is held by the Cleri of La- 

 treille must also be left for future investigation.* A 

 rapid survey of the chief groups, which probably enter 

 into each of these families, will now be given. 



(278.) This is doubtlessly the least elegantly diver- 

 sified, in the forms of its contents, of any of the divisions 

 of the Coleoptera : a great number of genera yet uncha- 

 racterised exist in it ; and it also contains many very 

 abundant in the species. A more than adequate com- 

 pensation, however, for this uniformity and inelegance 

 of shape, is made by the remarkable brilliancy of the 

 insects incorporated in this group, which contains some, 

 perhaps, more dazzling than any in the whole circle of 

 beetles. In confirmation of this assertion, we need but 

 mention the single genus Lamprosoma, some of the 

 species of which sparkle more vividly than even the 

 most lustrous gems, and are equally fitted, as they have 

 also been used, for personal decoration. We will first 

 treat conjunctively the Cassidida and Hispida, the first 

 and last members of our circle, and, consequently, where 

 it is confluent. The structural differences between the 

 two families are but slight, and consist chiefly in the 

 form of the thorax and the developement of the head, 

 which, in the Cassididee, is concealed by the enlargement 

 of the anterior portion of the thorax ; whereas, in the 

 Hispidce, it is entirely exposed. The South American 

 genus Imatidmm appears to connect the two forms, in 

 which the head is less exposed than in Hispa, and the 

 thorax less developed than in Cassida. The insects of 

 the latter group are usually of small size, and the typical 

 genus itself is of universal distribution : they are much 



* Mr. MacLeay conjectures they belong to the same tribe as Meloe and 

 Mordella,tha,t is, to the Malacodermes ,- a supposition which scenes to sn* 

 highly probable. 



