368 Mr. H. Donisthorpe on 



appears to me that their refusal by so many insect-eaters 

 in confinement conclusively proves their distastefulness. 



Phytodecta. 



The species of this genus, especially the black spotted 

 P. rufipes, De G., and P. viminalis, L., much resemble 

 Ooccinellidse. I have found that my lizards will not touch 

 Phytodecta viminalis, and this is an instance, probably, of 

 common warning colours. 



Phyllobrotica quadrimaculata, L. 



This beetle is of a yellow colour with four black spots 

 on the elytra and superficially resembles a lady-bird. 

 With my friend Mr. Bouskell I have taken it in numbers 

 in Bradgate Park. It sits about on the skull-cap, and is 

 very conspicuous, and I should expect distasteful. 



Crepidodera transversa, Marsh., and C.ferrnginea, Scop. 



These species "jump" strongly. I think they are also 

 protected by resembling in colour and shape the brown 

 seeds which one sweeps up with them. I sent some of 

 these beetles, which were very abundant at Oulton Broad, 

 to Professor Poulton mounted on card with some of the 

 seeds. He was very much struck with the resemblance. 

 I also sent live specimens to the Zoological Gardens. Mr. 

 Beddard says, " They were eaten by Racket-tailed Drongo, 

 Shama, Pyed Mynah, and New Zealand Thrush. The 

 Chaffinch did not appear to notice the insect." It is 

 therefore probable that they are edible, as might be 

 expected if my conclusions with regard to their resemblance 

 to seeds are correct. 



Cassida. 



Most of the species in this genus are protected by being 

 green like the plants they frequent, and are indeed very 

 difficult to see when sitting on the green leaves, etc. The 

 margin of the thorax and elytra projects beyond the body 

 and forms a rim all round. On this account they are 

 called " tortoise " beetles. I would suggest that this 

 serves as a means of defence, acting like the wings and 

 especially the " tails " of hindwings of many butterflies. I 

 took a specimen of C. eqiiestris, F., in Wicken Fen with 

 what was evidently a bite out of the margin of the thorax 



