62 



Genus XXIII. BVPRESTIS. 



GENERIC CHARACTER: 



Antenna filiform, serrated, somewhat shorter 

 than the thorax. Palpi four, filiform, with 

 the last articulation truncated. Mandibular 

 short, horny, with cutting edges. Head half 

 buried beneath the thorax. Tarsi with five 

 articulations ; the four first heart-shaped ; 

 the last elongated. 



General Observations. 



Linnasus has divided these insects into three* 

 families. 



In the first, the elytra are raised at the suture. 

 In the second, they are serrated towards the 



apex; and 

 In the third they are entire. 



There is no genus of the order Coleoptera 

 that can boast of so many brilliant insects as 

 this. The species are, for the most part, enrich- 

 ed with such glowing and beautiful colours, that 

 in the same individual we may often meet with 



