THE CHRYSOMELIANS. 
131 
them, it is thought that “ the careful and systematic use 
of lime will obviate, in a great degree, the danger which 
has been experienced ” from this insect. From this and 
other statements in favor of the use of lime, there is good 
reason to hope that it will effectually protect plants from 
the various kinds of flea-beetles, if dusted over them, when 
wet with dew, in proper season. Watering plants with alka- 
line solutions, it is said, will kill the insects without injuring 
the plants. The solution may be made by dissolving one 
pound of hard soap in twelve gallons of the soap-suds left 
after washing. This mixture should be applied twice a day 
with a water-pot. Kollar very highly recommends watering 
or wetting the leaves of plants with an infusion or tea of 
wormwood, which prevents the flea-beetles from touching 
them. Perhaps a decoction of walnut-leaves might be equal- 
ly serviceable. Great numbers of the beetles may be caught 
by the skilful use of a deep bag-net of muslin, which should 
be swept over the plants infested by the beetles, after which 
the latter may be easily destroyed. This net cannot be used 
with safety to catch the insects on very young plants, on 
account of the risk of bruising or breaking their tender 
leaves. 
The Chrysomelians, Chrysomelad.®, properly so called, 
form the third family of the tribe to which I have given the 
same name, because these insects hold the chief place in it, 
in respect to size, beauty, variety, and numbers. These leaf- 
beetles are mostly broad oval, sometimes nearly hemispherical, 
in their form, or very convex above and flat beneath. The 
head is rather wide, and not concealed under the thorax. 
The latter is short, and broad behind. The antennas are 
about half the length of the body, and slightly thickened 
towards the end, and arise from the sides of the head, be- 
tween the eyes and the corners of the mouth ; being much 
further apart than those of the Galerucians and flea-beetles, 
dhe legs are rather short, nearly equal in length, and the 
hindmost thighs are not thicker than the others, and are not 
