CASSIDA. 27 



many of the exotic species are adorned, dis- 

 appear, it is true, when the insects are dead 

 and kept in cabinets, but which may be made 

 to re-appear by soaking the insect in hot water, 

 about a quarter of an hour. The larva is often 

 found on the same plant by the side of the per- 

 fect insect. It eats the under side of the leaves, 

 and is often, as it w r ere, hid under a cover of its 

 own excrement. This larva is of a very singular 

 appearance, and has been described and figured 

 by Reaumur, Goedard, Roesel, Geofiroy, De- 

 geer, &c. It is soft, of an oval shape, and yel- 

 lowish brown colour. It has six scaly feet, 

 and the body is edged with spines, of which the 

 two last are the longest. When it is at rest 

 the head and feet are entirely concealed under 

 the body ; and when in motion the two termi- 

 nal spines, or fibres, are carried in an upright 

 position. Previous to the change, it fixes itself 

 to a leaf by a glutinous exhalation, which exudes 

 from its body for the purpose, and then becomes 

 a chrysalis of a very unusual appearance. It 

 is shorter than the larva, of a flat oval figure, 

 with an ample fringed corselet, beneath which 



D 2 



