122 INSECTA. 
in the last this ligula is almost square or rounded, and analogous to 
that of the Cyclica. 
The maxillary lobes, however, are membranous, or but slightly 
coriaceous, whitish or yellowish; the external one is widened near 
the extremity, and does not present the figure of a palpus, characters 
which give these parts more resemblance to those of the Longicornes 
than to those of the Cyclica. The body is more or less oblong, and 
the head and thorax are narrower than the abdomon; the antennz 
are filiform, or gradually enlarge towards the extremity, and are in- 
serted before the eyes, which, in some, are entire, round, and toler- 
ably prominent; and, in others, are slightly emarginated. 'The head 
is received posteriorly into the thorax, which is cylindrical, or forms 
a transverse square. The abdomenis large, compared to the other 
joints of the body, and forms a long square or an elongated triangle. 
The joints of the tarsi, with the exception of the last, are furnished 
with pellets beneath, and the penultimate is bifid or bilobate. The 
posterior thighs are strongly inflated in a great many, and hence the 
denomination of the family. 
All these Insects have wings, and are found on the stems or leaves 
of various plants, but, so far as regards a great number of species 
that inhabit France, on those of the Liliaceze particularly. The 
larvee of some—the Donacize—attack the internal part of the roots 
of aquatic plants, on which we find the perfect Insect. Those of 
several others live exposed, but they cover themselves with their 
excrements, which they form with a sort of case or scabbard, like 
that of the Casside. 
We will divide this family into two tribes: 
The first, that of the Sacripgs, is composed, as its name indicates, 
of the genus 
SAGRA. 
The mandibles terminate in a sharp point. The ligula is profound- 
ly emarginate or bilobate. 
In some, the palpi are filiform, the eyes emarginated, the posterior 
thighs very stout, and the tibie arcuated. 
Mecatorus, Fab, 
The anterior extremity of the head projecting in the manner of a 
snout; strong and crossed mandibles; the palpi terminated by an 
elongated and very pointed joint; the ligula deeply cleft into two 
elongated lobes; the body short, with a transversal, square, or trape- 
zoidal thorax. ‘The antenne gradually enlarge towards the extre- 
mity, or are terminated by an elongated club; their third joint is 
longer than the second and fourth, and the four posterior legs are long, 
slender, and arcuated. 
