5 



COLEOPTERA. 



me that it is identical with the insect here represented. There are two oblique white 

 spots at the base of the suture of the elytra, which gives the insect the appearance of 

 possessing a distinct scutellum. Olivier, however, correctly described the thorax as 

 being posteriorly lobed, which is the true character of the genus Gymnetis. 



BUPRESTIS (STERNOCERA) STERNICORNIS. 



Plate III. fig. 1. 



Tribe. Sternoxi, Latreille. 

 Family. Buprestid.e, Leach. 



Gentjs. Buprestis, Lirmceus. (Subgenus : Sternocera, Eschscholtz, Solier.) 

 Species. Buprestis Sternicornis : inauratus, punctis cinereis impressis ; elytris serrato- 

 tridentatis ; sterno porrecto conico. Long. Corp. 1-J- uno. 



Buprestis : shining green, with grey impressed spots; elytra serrated, and tridentate 

 at the tips ; sternum porrected and conical. Length of the body 1| inch. 

 Syn. Buprestis sternicornis, Linn. Syst. Nat. I. II: p. 610. Fabricius Ent. Syst. I. II. 



p. 194. Oliv. Ent. II. 32. p. 35. t. 6. / 52 a. Herbst. Col. IX. p. 16. 2 i. 



138./ 3. 



Among the insects of China is a beautiful species of the genus Buprestis, which 

 the natives of that country collect in considerable numbers, and employ in the various 

 ornaments of their dresses, arms, &c. The Buprestis sternicornis, and chrysis, are 

 collected in India for similar purposes, but being scarce, are esteemed more valuable 

 than the other kind, which they receive at a low price from China. 



Both species are brought from Madras and Bombay, but generally in a mutilated 

 state ; for the Indians perforate them at both ends, and string them like beads, when 

 they collect them. 



BUPRESTIS (STERNOCERA) CHRYSIS. 



Plate III. fig. 2. 



Species. Buprestis Chrysis : thorace viridi ; elytris serrato-tridentatis, castaneis Iambus ; 

 sterno conico porrecto. Long. Corp. unc. l\. 

 Buprestis : with the thorax shining green ; the elytra chestnut-coloured, smooth, 

 and terminated by three teeth ; sternum conical and porrected. Length 1^ inch. 



