PLATE LXXXV. 



The whole of the very numerous tribe of Buprestldes, or at 

 least with very few exceptions, are remarkable for the glowing me- 

 tallic lustre of their tints, but there are few indeed that can vie 

 with, much less excel, in point of brilliancy, the species now before 

 us. The natural size of this curious insect is depicted at the bottom 

 of the plate ; that figure represents the inferior or abdominal surface, 

 and is denoted by a single star. The figure in the middle of the 

 plate, distinguished also by a single star, is that of the upper surface 

 considerably enlarged, in order to express with more advantage the 

 varied aspect of the insect when placed in a vivid light. Those 

 figures will, we trust, convey a pretty correct idea of the general 

 appearance of the insect, but we must confess it is beyond the effort 

 of the pencil to pourtray that flush of rich and changeable metallic 

 hues with which the insect is itself adorned. 



This splendid creature appertahis to the invaluable entomological 

 cabinet of Alexander Macleay, Esq. F. R. S. &c. &c. to whose 

 liberality we are indebted for the indulgence of aflPording it publicity; 

 and as, besides its being one of the most beautiful of its genus, it has 

 never been before described, we cannot dedicate the species to any 

 one with more propriety than to its very liberal and much respected 

 owner ; we shall for those reasons beg leave to announce it to the 

 learned world, as well as amateurs of science, as a distinctly new spe- 

 cies, and one worthy of the designation of Bupeestis Macleayi. 



This splendid acquisition is a native of Brasil ; and is the only 

 example of the species we are acquainted with. 



