198 
NATCRAL HISTORY. 
rays, nothing can excel its infinity of fplen- 
dor. This moft wonderful infedl for beau- 
ty is the poor tenant of a decayed ti-ee, on 
which it may be frequently found, efpecially 
on an alder. 
The larvse are found with thofe of the 
preceding genus, which they greatly refem- 
ble in appearance and mode of cxiftence. 
CASSIDA, The SHIELD BEETLE. 
TH HIS genus, which Barbut ranks under 
the ninth clafs, is thus named, from concealr 
Ing its head under the margins of the thorax, 
as if it were defended with a helmet. Many 
of this fpecics are found in foreign coun- 
tries. Their larvae form for themfelves a 
kind of umbrella, which flielters them from 
the fun and rain., Thcfe infefts inhabit thif-- 
ties and knotty plants. One fpecies of them 
produce a chryfallis, refembling an armorial 
cfcutcheon* This brings forth- that fingular 
caffida, which is fo dilUnguiflied for its va- 
riegated beauties. Many are found upon 
the wild elec3pipanc, growing on the fide of 
ponds. 
Gknus 
