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Genus IX. — Cajfidct . 
Jn this tribe the antenna: are nearly filiform, thickening 
a little towards their extremities : The elytra have a 
broad margin, and the head is entirely concealed under 
the thorax, which is flat, and forms a kind of Ihield to 
it * ; a peculiarity from whence this genus takes its 
name. 
The caflidae that are found in Britain have, in their 
larva flate, two prongs projecting from the extremity of 
the abdomen, with which they form a kind of umbrella 
of their own excrements, to fhelter them from the fun 
and rain. When the umbrella becomes unfit for that 
purpofe, it exchanges it for another, which is fabricated 
of the fame materials f. Thefe infects, which in their 
larva date tire diftinguifhed by manners as difgufling as 
thofe of the Hottentots , are afterwards transformed into 
the mod elegant of die beetle tribe. Before they under- 
go their Jaft change, they call the dun feveral times $ 
their food all the while being different kinds of tliiftlcs, 
and verticillated plants. 
There are thirty-one fpecies of the caffidse already de- 
feribed ; of thefe the green oval fliaped caflida % is the 
moft remarkable for its beauty. Above, the elytra are 
wholly of a green colour, variegated with fmall ftriae, and 
projecting from the body like the fliell of a tortoile ; un- 
derneath, the body is entirely black, and fupported by- 
pale coloured feet ; It inhabits the gardens and fields. 
* Syft. Nat. p. 574. -j- Reaumur, Tome III. Mem. vi;. 
J Rai Inf. p. 107. 
