CLASS I. INSECTA: ORDER 1. COLEOPTERA. 
655 
THE PHYTOPHAGA. 
This term is derived from the Greek phytos, a plant, and phago, to eat. These insects rarely 
attain any great size, and many of them are very minute; their 
colors, however, especially in the larger exotic species, are often very 
splendid, in some cases, perhaps, exceeding in briUiancy those of any 
other beetles. They feed upon plants both in the larva and the per- 
fect state, and many of them do great damage to crops. The Euro- 
pean Tubnip-Fly, Haltica neinotum^ one of the most destructive 
species, belongs to a group in which the posterior thighs are much 
thickened for jumping. 
Among the American species, here called Leapers, are the H. ckahjbea, infesting grape-vines : 
the H. cucumeris, found on cucumber-vines, and the S. striolata, feeding on the horse-radish, 
mustard, and turnip. 
THE TTTENIP-FLT MAGNIFIED. 
THE POPLAR-TREE GOLDEN BUG. 
THE CASSIDA GIBBOSA. 
THE GARDEN LOUSE. 
The most singular insects belonging to this tribe are the Cassididce, or Helmet-Beetles, in 
which the body is rather flat, margined all round with dilatations of the thorax and elytra. The 
dilated portion of the former completely conceals even the head. They are slow-moving ani- 
mals, which always draw up their limbs and mimic death when disturbed. Their larvas are fur- 
nished with a caudal fork, projecting forward over the 
back. Upon this they collect their excrement, which 
thus forms a portable shelter. The Cassida gihhosa 
of Brazil, three-quarters of an inch long, is one of the 
larger species. The Tortoise-Beetle, Cassida clavata, 
is nearly one-fourth of an inch long, and a few years ago 
ravaged the locust-trees in Western Pennsylvania. 
The Galeruca o'ltstica is a common European species, 
called Garden Louse ; the G. vitiata, found in this coun- 
try, is called the Cap Beetle. The Poplar-tree Golden Bug, Chrysomela populi, of a bluish- 
green, has a strong odor, and on being touched discharges a yellow liquid : found in Central 
Europe. 
THE TEIMEEA. 
This term is from the Greek treis, three, and mera, divisions, and includes 
a single tribe, distinguished by having, apparently, only three joints in the 
tarsi, though, in fact, a small joint exists at the base of the last joint. Some 
naturalists call them Pseudo-trimera. 
THE COCCINELLIDiE. 
A well known example of this family in this country as well as in other 
parts of the world, is the Ladt-Bird, of which there are several species, 
the largest being the common European species, the Coccinella septem- 
pzmctata, or Seven-spotted Lady-Bird. In France these insects are 
called Vaches a Diezi and JBefes du hon Lieu — that is, Cotos of the Lord, 
and Lnsects of the Lord. The numerous species of Coccinellce feed upon 
Aphides, or Plant Lice, both in the larva and perfect states, and are often 
seen on fruit-trees, as the pear, peach, and plum, and on rose-bushes and 
THE LADY-BIRD. 
