The Cetonise are most nearly allied to Trichius (pi. 286 ), 
but are distinguished by their oblong and depressed form, by 
the elongated scutellum, by the developed scales between the 
thorax and elytra, and the thickened projecting and acute sides 
of the metasternum. Latreille says these beetles do not attack 
the essential parts of flowers, that they only suck the honey at 
the bottom of the corolla. They fly during the heat of the day 
with the greatest ease, making a harsh noise with their wings. 
It is remarkable, that the larva and pupa of the C. aurita often 
live in ant-hills without being attacked by those hostile little 
animals ; whence in some countries they are called king of the 
ants . It is said also, that many German cattle-dealers attri- 
bute to them supernatural powers, that they feed this insect in 
boxes, so that their cattle may prosper as well as their fortunes. 
The larvae are nourished by the earth in which they live, and 
DeGeer is convinced that they are blind. They do not walk, 
but roll themselves on their backs, and by contracting the annu- 
lations of their bodies they move forward. They are supposed 
to be 2 or 3 years in arriving at their perfect state : they change 
to Nymphae about June, when they form of the earth &c. 
which surrounds them a rough oval cocoon, smooth and black 
inside. 
Of this extensive and beautiful genus two species only have 
been found in England. 
1. C. aurita Linn . F. S. 138. 400. — Panz . 41. 15. 
This beetle, well known by the name of the 6 Green Rose 
Chaffer,’ is abundant in the gardens round London, where it 
is seen reposing and revelling in the bosom of the rose, or 
gaily sporting in the bright sun-beam. It also inhabits the 
Peony, Elder flowers, the Mountain-ash, &c., and appears in 
May, June, and July. 
2. C. stictica Linn . — Curt. Brit. Ent. pi. 374. — Panz. 1. 4. — 
Greenii Don. 12. 418. 
Is extremely rare in Britain. The specimens we possess, Mr. 
Gould, A.L.S. informs me, were taken at Windsor in Apple- 
blossoms, 7 or 8 years since; and about the same time others 
were captured at Chichester. There is no doubt that Dono- 
van’s S. Greenii is one of our insects rubbed. 
Towards the South it is abundant : we did not visit a garden 
in France from Rhennes to Toulouse, without finding them in 
the Roses and Thistles. The C. liirta [Scop.,) a kindred species, 
is very destructive in Malta to the Apricot blossoms in March, 
as appears by a letter from Mr. St. John, and transmitted to 
me by the Horticultural Society, with specimens of the insect. 
The Plant is Rosa canina (Dog-rose. Wild Briar. Hep-tree). 
