COLEOPTEROUS INSECTS. 2 27 
Although now much restricted in its application, 
the genus Curculio still contains a great variety of 
species. In all of them the penultimate joint of the 
tarsi is deeply bilobed, and the antennae are com- 
posed of eleven joints, of which the three last form 
a club. The grooves on the sides of the rostrum, 
for receiving the antennae, are oblique, and converge 
towards each other on the under side. Many of 
the species are of large size, and such as frequent 
the foliage of trees are often adorned in the most 
sumptuous manner. This is particularly the case 
with several South American kinds, which are co- 
vered with a coating of scales of the most sparkling 
brilliancy, equal to the “ illumination of all gems.” 
These are accordingly highly prized by collectors, 
a single specimen of C. regalis having been once 
sold at Paris for L.23 sterling. The British weevils 
that present most analogy to these favoured crea- 
tures belong to the genera Phyllobius and Polydru- 
sus; but though of great beauty, their comparatively 
small size renders them less striking. 
CURCULIO CUVTEJRIL 
PLATE XXI. Fig. 3. 
Geonemus Cuvierii, Guerin , Voyage de la Coquille. 
Of a fine green colour, with a stripe of black 
down the middle of the rostrum and thorax. The 
elytra are suddenly narrowed at the apex, and have 
