COLEOPTERA. 371 



We will divide the Sternoxi into two tribes. In the first, or that 

 of the BupEESTiDES, the posterior projection of the praesternum is 

 flattened, and not terminated in a laterally compressed point, that is 

 simply received into a depression or emargination of the mesoster- 

 num. The mandibles frequently terminate in an entire point, with- 

 out any fissure or emargination. The posterior angles of the thorax 

 are either but very slightly or not at all prolonged. The last joint 

 of the palpi is most commonly nearly cylindrical, hardly thicker than 

 the preceding; the others are globular or ovoid. Most of the tarsial 

 segments are generally wide or dilated, and furnished beneath with 

 pellets. These Insects never leap, a character which eminently 

 distinguishes them from those of the following tribe: they compose 

 the genus 



BuPRESTis, Lin. 



The generic appellation of Richard, g-lven to these Coleoptera by GeofF- 

 roy, intimates the richness of their livery. Several of the European spe- 

 cies, and many that are foreign to that countiy, besides their size, are 

 remarkable for a brilliant polished gold colour on an emerald ground; in 

 others, an azure blue glistens over the gold, or there is a union of several 

 other metallic colours. Their body, in general, is oval, somewhat wider 

 and obtuse, or truncated before, and narrowed behind from the base of the 

 abdomen, which occupies the greater part of its length. The eyes are oval, 

 and the thorax Is short and wide. The scutel small or null. The extremity 

 of the elytra is more or less dentated in many. The legs are short. 



They walk very slowly, but fly well in hot and dry weather. When about 

 to be seized, they let themselves fall to the ground. At the posterior extre- 

 mity of the abdomen of the females is a coriaceous, lamlnltbrm, conical ap- 

 pendage composed of three parts, the last annuli of the abdomen; it is pro- 

 bably an instrument with which they deposit their ova in dry wood, the 

 habitat of their larvae. Several small species are met with on leaves and 

 flowers; most of the others, however, are found in forests and wood-yards: 

 they sometimes appear in houses, where they have been transported, in 

 wood. In the state of a larva or chrysalis. 



B. gigas, L. Two inches long; thorax cupreous, mixed with brilliant 

 green, and two large smooth spots of burnished steel; elytra trldentate at 

 the extremity, cupreous in the middle, bronze-green on the margin, with 

 impressed puncta, and elevated lines and rugae. Cayenne. 



This beautiful and extensive genus is now divided Into four genera, viz. 

 Buprestis proper, Trachys, Aphanisticus and Melasis. Numerous species are 

 found in this country. 



The second tribe or that of the Elaterides, which only differs 



