BUPUEST1S. fro 



the pure tints of the rainbow shining with the 

 brightest metallic lustre. 



The Buprestides are not numerous in the 

 North of Europe ; but they are common in the 

 southern provinces, and abound in the hot 

 climates of both hemispheres. From Asia and 

 South America, many beautiful species are ob- 

 tained ; among others, the largest of the genus, 

 the Euprestis gigantea, which is two inches 

 and a half long, and of a fine metallic bronze, 

 like polished bell-metal. 



The larva of the Buprestis is not known ; but 

 it may be reasonably supposed to live in wood, 

 since Olivier found the B. mariana dead on the 

 trunk of the Pinus maritima, and the JB. octo- 

 guttata dead in a hole made in the Pinus sil- 

 vestris. 



The Buprestides are sluggish on the ground, 

 but active on the w 7 ing, particularly when the 

 weather is fine and warm. They are generally 

 found on trees, bushes, plants, or flowers ; and 

 some will fall, as it were, dead to the ground* to 

 avoid being taken. 



G 2 



