THE CHEYSOMELIANS. 131 



them, it is thought that "the careful and systematic use 

 of lime will obviate, in a great degree, the danger which 

 has been experienced" from this insect. From this and 

 other statements in favor of the use of lime, there is good 

 reason to hope that it will effectually protect plants from 

 the various kinds of flea-beetles, if dusted over them, when 

 wet with dew, in proper season. Watering plants with alka- 

 line solutions, it is said, will kill the insects without injuring 

 the plants. The solution may be made by dissolving one 

 pound of hard soap in twelve gallons of the soap-suds left 

 after washing. This mixture should be applied twice a day 

 with a water-pot. Kollar very highly recommends watering 

 or wetting the leaves of plants with an infusion or tea of 

 wormwood, which prevents the flea-beetles from touching 

 them. Perhaps a decoction of walnut-leaves might be equal- 

 ly serviceable. Great numbers of the beetles may be caught 

 by the skilful use of a deep bag-net of muslin, which should 

 be swept over the plants infested by the beetles, after which 

 the latter may be easily destroyed. This net cannot be used 

 with safety to catch the insects on very young plants, on 

 account of the risk of bruising or breaking their tender 

 leaves. 



The Chrysomelians, Chrysomelad^e, properly so called, 

 form the third family of the tribe to which I have given the 

 same name, because these insects hold the chief place in it, 

 in respect to size, beauty, variety, and numbers. These leaf- 

 beetles are mostly broad oval, sometimes nearly hemispherical, 

 in their form, or very convex above and flat beneath. The 

 head is rather wide, and not concealed under the thorax. 

 The latter is short, and broad behind. The antennae are 

 about half the length of the body, and slightly thickened 

 towards the end, and arise from the sides of the head, be- 

 tween the eyes and the corners of the mouth ; being much 

 further apart than those of the Galerucians and flea-beetles. 

 The legs are rather short, nearly equal in length, and the 

 hindmost thighs are not thicker than the others, and are not 

 17* 



