C I C A D A L I M B A T A . va r.
W H IT E -W A X IN S E C T .
G E N E R I C C H A R A C T E R .
lioftrum bent under the breail. Anteiin* fetaceous. Wings four, membranaceous, declining along the
lides o f the body.
S P E C I F I C C H A R A C T E R .
Wing cafes deflexed, green, margin red. Interior cafe fpotted with black. —Far. whitilb, margined with
black : a row of black fpots on the pofterior edge.
C ic a d a L im b a t a : elytris deflexis viridibus, margineiubro, interiori bali nigro pundato.
Fah. Sfe. Inf. 2. p. 322. 3.
C ic a d a L im b a t a var. Aliam fimillimam vidi, a t totam ex albidamfutura bafi nigro p u n d ata roarginequc
elytrorum poftico nigro. Fah. Spe. Inf. ihid.
This fingular infed, and the plant on which it is reprefented, have an equal claim to attention, both as
objeds o f natural curiofity, and importance in domeftic economy. T h e Larva is an elegant and beautiful
creature, and China is indebted to its labours for the fine white wax fo much efteemed in the Eaft Indies.
The plant is not lefs interefting, as it produces the vegetable tallow, in general ufe throughout the Chinefe
empire.
The novelty of tliefe produdions could not fail attradting the notice o f thofe learned Europeans who
were firft permitted to refide in China, and whofe objed was to promote fciences and arts, as well as the
chriftian knowledge. Both the Wax-infed, and Tallow-tree, are fpoken o f in their writings, as extraordinary
and peculiar advantages to the country. Du Halde, efpecially in his fplendid work L ’H i s t o i k e d e