c 29 



Genus X. COCCINELLA. 



GENERIC CHARACTER. 



Antenna subclavated, i. e. increase a little in 

 thickness towards the end. Palpi club- 

 shaped, and somewhat heart-shaped. Body 

 hemispherical. Thorax and elytra margined. 

 Abdomen flat. 



General Observations. 



The Coccinellae, which are very pretty in- 

 sects, have their brilliant wing-cases so closely 

 applied to each other, that they appear like a 

 shining vault of one piece. They do not vary 

 much in colour, but they have for the most part 

 an agreeable and regular arrangement of spots 

 which serve to distinguish the species from each 

 other. A principal character in the insects of 

 this genus is their hemispherical figure, which 

 is at no time more apparent than when they 

 lower their head and draw in their legs on being 

 touched. Upon these occasions they distil from 

 the end of their thighs a drop of yellow muci- 

 laginous liquor, of a very strong and stinking 



D3 



