EXTERNAL ANATOMY OF INSECTS. 709 



&c, interrupted in the middle*. In many Lamellicoms 

 this joint is concealed under the posterior coxae, and with 

 the anterior part of the second forms a hollow cavity for 

 their reception ; this last joint is what is properly the 

 Epigastrium, the former, especially when distinct, being 

 called in the table the Hypochondria. In Sagra and 

 Brentus the epigastrium is particularly conspicuous for 

 its size, in the former occupying half, and in the latter 

 nearly two-thirds of the under side of the abdomen; but 

 in general it is distinguished from the remaining segments 

 only by the- central mucro or point that terminates it 

 towards the trunk b , and which is received by a sinus of 

 the metasternum ; this point is generally minute and tri- 

 angular, but in Sagra it is large and rounded at the 

 extremity, and in Calandra it terminates nearly in a 

 transverse line somewhat waving. It is most remarkable, 

 however, in some species of the Heteropterous genus 

 Edessa F. ,• for in E. nigripes and affinities it is a sharp 

 stemiform conical horn, which passing between the four 

 posterior legs covers the end of the promuscis. In fact, 

 this part appears a kind of abdominal sternum. In the 

 Cetoniad<£,&c, the Hypochondria unite before this mucro, 

 and form a ridge which articulates with it, and dips 

 towards the abdominal cavity ; in Scolytus the epigas- 

 trium is much elevated from the rest of the ventral seg- 

 ments, so that the under side of the abdomen appears as 

 if it were suddenly cut off, whence Herbst's awkward 

 though not inexpressive name, Ekhoptogaster ; this part 

 in this genus has something of a posterior mucro. 



The intermediate ventral segments exhibiting no very 



* Plate VIII. Fig. 6. C . * Ibid. B". 



