COLEOPTEROUS INSECTS. 
213 
MACRASPIS FUCATA. 
PLATE XV. Fig. 2. 
Cetonia fucata, Fair . — Cetonia quadrivittata, Olivier. 
The most obvious character in this genus is that 
which has suggested the name,* viz. the great size 
of the scutellum, which equals at least a third of 
that of the elytra. The projecting point of the 
sternum reaches to the insertion of the anterior 
legs, and in many instances extends beyond that 
point. The form of the body is in general shorter 
and more rounded than in Rutela. The species 
amount to near thirty, and they are confined to the 
tropical regions of the New World. The most com- 
mon in the interior of Brazil is M. clavata , which 
is often observed in the morning, suspended in 
great numbers to the leaves of trees, around which 
they fly during the day, and consume the flowers. 
The species figured has the same habits, but it is 
much rarer, and appears later in the year. It is 
about ten lines in length,. of a deep black colour, 
very highly polished on the surface, and thickly co- 
vered with very minute punctures. The thorax is 
margined with deep yellow, and there are two broad 
stripes of the same colour on each wing-case, which 
unite behind. 
* From noiK^ot) long , and cco-ms, a shield. 
