Bruchus. COLEOPTERA. 51 



Genus XIII. Bruchus. 



Linn. Syft. Nat. page 60.4. 



The antennas of the Bruchi are filiform, 

 growing thicker towards their extremity. 



Linnseus's definition of this genus is compre- 

 hended in thefe few words; and the two circum- 

 ftances from which the infect is to be difcovered 

 contradictory, as filiform antennse are through- 

 out of equal fize ; neither does he give fuch a 

 defcription of any one of the fpecies arranged 

 under it as can enable us to diftinguifh the 

 Bruchus from other genera. I have only feen 

 one fpecies, the Bruchus Pifi, in which the an- 

 tennse are placed exactly before the eyes, and 

 are compofed of triangular articulations growing 

 larger towards their extremity, with the laft one 

 of an oval form. It has four palpi feated at the 

 extremity of a probofcis which is rather broader 

 than it is long. The elytra are rounded at their 

 extremity, and a fourth part fhorter than the ab- 

 domen. Whether or no thefe are generical cha- 

 racters, by which the other infefts belonging to 

 the Bruchus may be diftinguifhed, will beft be 

 obferved by thofe who poffefs a greater number 

 of the fpecies defcribed by Linnasus. This in- 

 fect is arranged by Scopoli under the genus term- 

 Da ed 



