S2 
ON CANTHARIS VESICATORI A. 
with very long and flexible wing sheaths, marked by three 
longitudinal stripes, covering very thin membraneous trans- 
parent wings. The head is surmounted by several jointed 
antennae. 
Natural History. 
This class of inseets is a native of the continent of Europe? 
and the West of Asia. They are much more abundant in 
those countries which lie nearer the equator, than those 
which are farther north, and are possessed of much greater 
vesicating properties. 
We derive most of our supply from Spain, Italy, and the 
South of France. Considerable quantities are also exported 
to St. Petersburg, from the southern parts of Russia, but 
which rarely, if ever, reach this continent, They may 
be easily distinguished from the former by their larger size, 
and their color approaching to that of copper. 
Cantharides are generally gathered during the months of 
May and June, on the privet, ash, elder, lilac, white poplar, 
and a species of honey-suckle, in Spain, Italy, and France. 
The retreat of this insect is easily discovered, by reason of the 
peculiarly strong and fetid odor which fills the atmosphere 
for a great distance around, which is exceedingly offensive, 
and can be only compared to that of mice. Such numbers 
are sometimes congregated together in the air, that they 
appear like swarms of bees. The time appointed for their 
collection is in the morning before sunrise, on account of 
their being readily shaken from the trees, owing to their 
torpid state, caused by the coldness of the preceding night ; 
or they may be taken by smoking the trees with the fumes 
of burning sulphur, previously spreading a cloth beneath 
the trees to collect them in. 
The persons who gather them have their faces masked, 
and their hands covered by thick gloves. They are then 
packed, (previously being exposed to the vapor of boiling 
vinegar to destroy vitality, and carefully and thoroughly 
