204 



INSECTS AT HOME. 



are rather rare, the Donaciffi are, beyond comparison, the most 

 common of water-frequenting Beetles, and the leaves of reeds, 

 water-lilies, and other plants are often studded with these 

 beautiful insects, whose polished and variously-coloured bodies 

 glitter in tlie sunbeams like living gems. As many of tlie 

 species are exceedingly variable iu colour, it will be us well for 



XKll. 



1. DoTiaria Jrenyanthidis. 2. Crioceris merdigera. 3. Chrysomela Staphyln'n- 4. Cryp- 

 tocepUalus coryli. S. Tiniarcha IfBvigata. a. Chrysomela, antenna. 0. Cryptocoiibalus, 

 anti'nna. c. Cryptocophaliis, labial palpi. d. Cryptocephalus, maxillary palpus. e. Uonacia. 

 antenna. /. Crioceris, antenna. 



the entomologist to procure a considerable number of speci- 

 mens, many, which at first sight appear to be different species, 

 being, when closely examined, seen to be nothing but varieties 

 of the same species. There is scarcely a colour of the rainbow 

 which is not exhibited by one or other of the Donaciae, and in 

 some instances the same species exhibits an astonishing variety 

 of colour — one being perhaps almost black, another blue, 



