The thorax is flat, and margined, forming as it were a shield for,
and at the same time entirely concealing the head.
The larvae of the Cassida feed on the leaves of plants, and conceal
themselves under an arched cover, formed of their own dung,
and supported on their forked tail.
GENUS X. COCCINELLA. Tab. 12 and 13.
Linn. Syst. Mat. page 579.
Their antennae are subclavated, or a little thicker towards the
end, the front of which is quite flat: the palpi are shaped like a
club, the last articulation in form resembling a heart.
The body is hemispherical: the thorax and elytra are margined :
the abdomen flat.
The genus of Coccinella is subdivided into sections, from the
following circumstances:
1. Those whose elytra are red, or yellow, with black spots.
2. Spotted with white on a red or yellowish ground.
3. With black elytra, spotted with red.
4. Black elytra, with white or yellowish spots.
The larvae of this genus devour the Aphides, and other small
animals which infest and injure plants.
GENUS XI. CHRYSOMELA. Tab. 14, 15, IS, and 17.
Lirrn. Syst. Mat. page 586.
The antennae of this genus are formed of small globular articulations,
which are enlarged towards the end, and in some sort resemble
a necklace of beads. The thorax and elytra have no margin.
The Chrysomela are subdivided into the following families, or
divisions:
1. Bodies of an oval form.
2. Bodies of a cylindrical form.
3. Bodies of an oblong form, and in whom the thorax is larger
than the abdomen.
4. Those whose hinder thighs are thicker than the others, and
formed for leaping.
5. Those which are of a long and slender make, with the thorax
of equal breadth with the abdomen.
Linnaeus observes, that the last mentioned family differ from the
preceding ones, only in their bodies being a little more oblong, and
elevated in the middle more than the sides; and that he had not
been able further to ascertain the limits whereby to distinguish them,
so as to assign them with more propriety to any other genus.
The larvae of this genus devour the pulp, but reject, the fibres of
leaves.
The insect called the Lady-cow, or lady-bird, belongs to this
genus.
GENUS XII. HISPA. Tab.
Linn. Syst. Mat. page 609.
The antennae are filiform, but rather increasing in thickness
from each extremity to the middle : they are placed between the
eyes, but so near to each other at their base, as seemingly to' grow
from one point.
The thorax and elytra are generally covered with small elevations,
or spines.