LIBRARY OF

I885_IQ56

THE

ANIMAL KINGDOM

ARRANGED IN CONFORMITY WITH ITS
ORGANIZATION,

BY THE BARON CUVIER,

MEMBER OF THE INSTITUTE OF FRANCE, &c. &'c. &c.

SUPPLEMENTARY ADDITIONS TO EACH ORDER,

EDWARD GRIFFITH, F.L.S., A.S.,

CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES
OF PHILADELPHIA, &C.

AND OTHERS.

VOLUME THE FIFTEENTH,

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR WHITTAKER, TREACHER, AND CO.
AVE-MARIA-LANE.

MDCCCXXXII.

LONDON :
GILBERT & RIVINGTON, TRINTERS,

St. John's-square.

THE

CLASS INSECT A

AKKANGED BY THE

BARON CUVIER,

SUPPLEMENTARY ADDITIONS TO EACH ORDER

EDWARD GRIFFITH, F.L.S., A.S., ^^c.

AND

EDWARD PIDGEON, Esq.

AND NOTICES OF NEW GENERA AND SPECIES
BY

GEORGE GRAY, Esq.

VOLUME THE SECOND.

LONDON

PRINTED FOR WHITTAKER, TREACHER, AND CO.
AVE-MARIA-LANE.

MDCCCXXXII.

THE

ANIMAL KINGDOM,

THIRD CLASS OF ARTICULATED ANIMALS,

AND PROVIDED WITH ARTICULATED FEET.

THE INSECTS.

SECOND FAMILY

OF THE

HETEROMEROUS COLEOPTERA.

The Taxicoenes

Have no corneovis claw at the internal side of the jaws, and
are all winged ; their body is for the most part square, with
the corslet trapezoid, or semi-circular, and concealing or re-
ceiving the head ; in some, the antennas, usually inserted
under a marginal projection of the sides of the head, are
short, more or less perfoliate or grained, thicken insensibly,
or terminate in a knob. The feet are proper only for run-
ning, and all the articulations of the tarsi are entire, and
terminated by simple hooks. The anterior legs are often
broad and triangular. Many males have the head provided
with horns. The majority of these heteromera are found in
the mushrooms of trees^ or vmder the bark. Some others

VOL. XV. B

2 CLASS INSECTA.

live on the ground under stones. M. Leon Dufour has ob-
served in some sub-genera of this family, such as the hypo-
phloei, diaperis proper, and the eledona? or boletophagus, an
apparatus for excrementitious secretion, and in the second,
some salivary vessels. The chylific ventricle of these hetero-
mera is bristling with small papillae in the form of hairs.
These characters, and the conformation moreover of the organs
of generation, indicate to us that this family is connected with
the preceding.

Some have the head uncovered, and never entirely engaged
in a deep and anterior notch of the corslet. This last part
of the body is sometimes trapezoid or square, sometimes
almost cylindrical ; its sides, as well as those of the elytra,
do not out-edge the body remarkably.

This division will form the tribe of Diaperales, having
for type the genus

Diaperis.

Sometimes the antennas are generally thick, almost straight,
for the greater part perfoliate, or terminating abruptly in a
thick knob. The body is smooth, or but slightly striated on
the elytra. The two anterior feet are triangular, and dilated
externally at their extremity, in a great number.

Sometimes the antennae thicken insensibly, or at least do
not terminate abruptly in an oval or ovoid knob, and the
majority of the articulations are much larger than the pre-
ceding.

Some, and these form the greatest number, have the body
oval or ovoid, sometimes even hemispherical, with the corslet
almost square or trapezoid, most frequently transverse, but
never long and narrow.

Phaleria, Lat. Uloma, Phaleria, Dej., have the last
articulation of the maxillary palpi larger, in the form of a
reversed triangle or hatchet, and the anterior legs broader,

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 3

dilated in the manner of a reversed triangle, and often den-
ticulated, or provided with small spurs on one of its sides.

Some, from their elongated form, approach Tenebrio.
The intermediate articulations of the antennae are almost
abconical, and the last four form a perfoliated knob. The
head of the males is horned.

Others have the body oval, depressed, and the antennae very
much perfoliated. Such are the tenebrio cidinaris, retusus,
chrysomelinus, impressus, nitidulus^ of this author.

The species of these two divisions form the genus Uloma,
of MM. Megerle and Dejean. Those whose body is shorter,
and more rounded, in the form of a short or even hemisphe-
rical ellipsoid, in which the six or seven articulations of the
antennae are almost globular, are, with M. Dejean, Phaleria.
The tenebrio cadaverinus of Fabricius is of this number.

One species (bicolor) of the Cape of Good Hope, and of
this division, is distinguished from the preceding by the
maxillary palpi terminating in an articulation proportionally
larger, in the form of a hatchet, and by its antennae, the
last four articulations of Avhich alone are globular.

Another {peltoides), proper to Senegal, approaches the
peltis of Fabricius, and the Cossyphus in its flatted form.
Its antennae are not almost perfoliate in the majority of their
articulations, and even the last, being in the form of an in-
verted cone.

DiAPERis (proper) J Geoff. Fab., whose maxillary palpi
terminate in an articulation scarcely thicker than the preced-
ing, almost cylindrical, and whose anterior legs, not at all
or but little broader than the following, are narrow, almost
linear, and slightly dilated at their extremity.

Some others, but in which the last five articulations alone
are perfoliate, and form a small knob, compose also a genus
proper, that of Pentaphyllus.

Other insects of this tribe, whose antennae proceed thicken-

B 2

4 CLASS INSECTA.

ing, and are almost entirely perfoliate, are distinguished from
Diaperis and Phaleria, by the linear form of their body and
their corslet, in a long or almost cylindrical square. Such
are, Hypophl^us, Fah. — Ips. Oliv. They are found under
the barks of trees.

In others, the antennae, the insertion of which is uncovered,
or very little concealed, terminate abruptly in a large oval or
ovoid knob, perfoliate, of four articulations at least, the
second of which, in those in which it is formed of five, is
very small. The body is ovoid or almost hemispherical and
convex.

Trachyscelis, Latr. Dej., have the antennae but little
longer than the head, terminating in an ovoid knob of six
articulations. All the legs are broad and triangular, and
proper for digging, and the body is short, and most fre-
quently hemispherical. They bury themselves in the sand
of the sea-shore.

Leiodes, Latr. Jnisotoma, Illig. Fab., whose body is
likewise short and gibbous, but whose antennae, of the
length of the head and corslet, terminate in an oval knob of
five articulations, the second of which is smaller. The legs
are narrow, elongated, or but little dilated. The four ante-
rior ones at least are spinous.

Tetratoma, Herbst. Fab., have the body a little more
elongated than the preceding, ovoid and less raised above ;
all the legs are narrow and without spines, and the antennas
of the length of the head and corslet, terminating in an
ovaliform club of four articulations.

Sometimes the antennae always terminating in a perfoliate
knob of five or six articulations, the preceding of which are
almost in the form of an inverted cone, or a little dilated at
the internal side in the manner of a tooth, are arched or a
little curved. The body is ovoid, very unequal above, or
deeply punctuated and striated on the elytra. The corslet is

ORDER COLEOPTERA.

depressed laterally, and the edges of this marginal border
are denticulated. It is separated posteriorly on each side by
a remarkable vacancy. The palpi are filiform, or but slightly
thicker at their extremity, as it is in Phaleria and Diaperis.
The head of the males is often horned. They are also found
in the mushrooms of trees. They form the genus

Eledona of Latr., or Boletophagus of Fabricius, and of
most other naturalists.

M. Ziegler, and after him, M. le Comte Dejean, compre-
hend here only the species whose antennae have a knob
formed by the last five articulations, the preceding to which
are a little serrated.

Those in which the last three articulations alone form the
knob, while the preceding are almost in the form of an in-
verted cone without internal projection, compose the genus
CoxELus. The els appear in a natural order to approximate
to these insects.

Our second tribe of Taxicornes, the Cossyphenes, is
formed of insects analogous in the general form of the body
to the peltis of Fabricius, and to many nitidulae and cas-
sidae. It is ovoid or sub-hemispherical, out-edged in its
circumference by the sides, dilated and flatted in the manner
of a border, or margin, of the corslet and the elytra. The
head is sometimes entirely concealed under this corslet, some-
times received, or as it were, emboxed, in an anterior emargi-
nation of this part of the body. The final articulation of
the maxillary palpi is larger than the preceding, and formed
like an axe.

This tribe is composed of the genus

CossYPHus, Oliv. Fab.

Some have the body flatted, in the form of a buckler, of a
solid consistence, and the antennae terminating in a knob of

b CLASS INSECTA.

from four to five articulations. They are proper to the
ancient continent, or at least to New Holland. Such are,

CossYPiius (proper), Oliv. Fab., whose corslet, almost semi-
circular, does not present anteriorly any emargination, and
entirely conceals the head ; whose antennae are short, and
terminate abruptly in an oval knob of four articulations, the
most part transverse. The second of all, and the following,
are almost identical.

Helceus, Latr. Kirb,, have the head engaged in a deep
emargination, or in a middle aperture of the corslet, and
uncovered, or at least, partly so, above. The antennae of
the length at least of these two parts of the body united,
terminate almost gradually in a narrow knob, elongated and
formed by the last five articulations, the last of which is
ovoid, and the preceding in the form of a top. The second
of all is shorter than the third. These insects are proper
to Australasia. {Helceus Brownii, Kirb. Linn. Trans. XII.
xxiii. 8.)

The others, whose head is always uncovered, and received
in a deep emargination of the corslet, have the body almost
hemispherical, gibbous, soft, or of not a very solid consist-
ence ; the corslet very short, and the antennae almost of the
same thickness throughout, and grained. They are proper to
South America, and resemble, at the first glance, the coc-
cinellae, and divers species of Erotylus. Such are, Nilio,
Latr.

SUPPLEMENT

TAXICORNES.

The insects of the first tribe of this family, the Diape •
RALES, live for the most part in mushrooms, or under the
barks of trees. The insects of the first sub-genus of this
family, Phaleria, entomologists, deceived by general simi-
litudes of form and colour, have confounded with tenebrio ;
but a deep, and comparative study of the antennae and the
parts of the mouth in these heteromera, will speedily evince
the viciousness of this classification. The phalerige have no
scaly claws at the internal sides of their jaws, and their an-
tennas are more or less perfoliate at their extremity. These
coleoptera also appear to be removed from tenebrio in their
habits. They remain under the barks of trees, and in the
sands on maritime coasts. They are much more near, in a
natural order, to Diaperis, but they differ from them by the
characters which the reader will find in the text. As well as
in this last mentioned genus, many species of Phaleria pre-
sent very remarkable sexual differences. Their males have
sometimes two eminences in the form of horns upon the head,
and sometimes an excavation on the corslet.

The genus Diaperis Avas first distinguished by Geoffroy,
who gave it this name in consequence of the singular form of
its antennas, composed of lenticular rings, threaded from

8 SUPPLEMENT

their centre, one following the other. Linnaeus had placed
it with chrysomela, the only species with which he was ac-
quainted. Degeer placed it with tenebrio. Fabricius had
also ranged among the chrysomelae, the species of Linnaeus,
and two other species among the hispce. But in his latter
works he adopted the genus Diaperis.

These insects are found in agaris, &c. which they gnaw,
as well in their final form as in the larva state. Many spe-
cies are remarkable for two horns, more or less long, which
the male carries above his head.

The larva of Diaperis holeti has the body soft, smooth,
and divided into twelve distinct rings. The head is scaly, a
little flatted, provided with two small antennae, divided into
three or four articulations. These larvae are usually found in
great numbers in the agaries, which are on the point of being
decomposed. When they are desirous of changing into
nymphs, they construct a shell, from which they issue forth
imder the form of the perfect insect.

We insert a new species of Diaperis, named nigro puncta-
tus. Ferruginous, with some black spots on the thorax ;
elytra, with the breast and legs black. Inhabits Brazil.

Many of the insects of the genus Hypophlosus, had been
put along with the Ips of Fabricius. This author has formed
them into a separate genus under the former title.

The hypophloei have such great relations with Diaperis,
and Phaleria, that, on the first glance, they seem to differ
only in the linear or cylindrical form of their bodies. They
are found in spring and summer under the barks of different
trees. They are tolerably agile. The larvae of these insects
are not known ; but it may be presumed that they live in the
trunks of carious trees.

Fabricius, who established the genus Tetkatoma, men-
tions four species of it, but the last of which must be sepa-
rated from it, and perhaps, the second and third. The

ON THE TAXICORNES. 9

Tetratoma fungoricm is found in mushrooms, in different
parts of Europe.

The insects of the genus Elkdona, approximate very
much to Diaperis in the characters taken from the number of
articulations in the tarsi, and in those of the different parts of
the mouth, and in the habits.

This genus, formed by Latreille, is composed of several
species taken from the genus Opatrum. Illiger, in recog-
nizing the existence of this genus, has given it the name of
BolitophaguSj which all the German naturalists have adopted.

These insects are in general small, and of an obscure
colour. They are found in rotten mushrooms, and appear to
feed upon their substance. Their larva is unknown. One
species (BoUtophagus cornutus) was brought f*om Carolina
by M. Bosc, who discovered it in mushrooms.

Cossyphus depressiis, the type of the genus Cossyphus,
had been confounded by Fabricius with Lampyris. But the
number of articulations of the tarsi, the antennas, and other
characters, remove it from Lampyris, and Olivier has justly
formed it into a separate genus. These insects are found in
the most southern parts of Europe, in Bombay, in Egypt,
and the East Indies.

Hel^eus is peculiar to the Australian islands, and NiLio
to South America. Their habits are unknown.

THE THIRD FAMILY

HETEROMEROUS COLEOPTERA.

The Stenelytea

Does not differ from the preceding but in the antennae,
which are neither grained nor perfoliate, and the extremity
of which, in the greater number, is not thickened. The
body is most frequently oblong, arched above, with the
feet elongated, as well as in many other insects. The
males, with the exception of the antennas, and of size,
resemble the females. Linnaeus has referred the greater
number of them to his genus Tenebrio. He has disposed the
others in those of Necydalis, Chrysomela, Ceramhyoc, and
Cantharis. In the first edition of this work we had united
these heteromera into a single genus, that of Helops. But
anatomy, both internal and external, indicated to us the
necessity of dividing this family into five tribes, attached to
as many genera, namely, the Helops of Fabricius, his Cis-
tela, his Dircoea, the (Edemera and Mycterus of Olivier.
We know from M. Dufour, that respecting the biliary ves-
sels, (the insertion of which is conical, or at least that of the
posterior ones,) this insertion is not effectuated in the last
two genera as in the first, and in the other preceding hetero-
mera, by a common trunk, but by three conduits, one of
which is simple, the second bifid, and the third with three

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 11

branches. The oedemeras present some salivary vessels.
Their head is more or less narrowed, and prolonged anteriorly
in the form of a muzzle, and the penultimate articulation of
the tarsi is always bilobate, characters which seem to ap-
proximate these insects to the rhyncophorous coleoptera. In
the relation of the digestive canal, and many other considera-
tions, the helops and cistelas border on tenebrio, but the cis-
telae have the chylific ventricle smooth, the mandibles entire,
and generally live on flowers and leaves, which peculiarities
distinguish them from helops. Most of the Dircese possess
the faculty of jumping, and the penultimate articulation of
their tarsi, or at least of some of them, is bifid ; some of
them live in mushrooms, others in old wood. These insects
are connected on one side with the helops, and on the other
with the cedemera, and still more Avith nothus, a sub-genus
of the same tribe. Such are the principles by which we
have been directed in the sub-division of this family.

Some have the antennae approximating to the eyes, and
the head not prolonged in the manner of a proboscis, but, at
the most, terminated by a very short muzzle. They will
compose our first four tribes.

Those of the first, or the Helopii, have the antennas co-
vered at their insertion, by the edges of the head, almost
filiform, or a little thicker towards their extremity, generally
composed of articulations almost cylindrical, attenuated to-
wards their base, the last but one of which is often a little
shorter, in the form of a reversed cone, and the terminal one
is usually almost ovoid ; the third is always elongated. The
extremity of the mandibles is bifid, the last articulation of
the maxillary palpi is larger, in the form of a reversed trian-
gle or hatchet. The eyes are oblong, kidney-formed, or
emarginated. None of the feet are adapted for jumping.
The penult articulation, or at least of the last, is always
entire, or not deeply bilobate. Tlie hooks of the end are

12 CLASS INSECTA.

simple, or without fissures or denticulations ; the body is
most frequently arched above, and always of a solid con-
sistence.

The larvae which are known to us are filiform, smooth and
shining, with very short feet, like those of tenebrio. They
are found in old wood. It is also under the old barks of
trees that the perfect insect is found.

This tribe corresponds in a great measure to the genus

Helops, of Fabricius.

Some have the body nearly elliptical, much arched, or very
convex above, with the antennae of the length, at most, of
the corslet, compressed and dilated like the teeth of a saw
towards the extremity, the corslet transversal, flat above,
either trapezoid and enlarged posteriorly, or nearly square,
and the elytra frequently ending in a point or tooth. The
posterior end of the presternum has a slight pointed projec-
tion, which is received in a fork-formed emargination of the
mesosternum.

In these the mentum is large, and conceals the origin of
the jaws. The middle of the hind extremity of the corslet
is advanced on the side of the scutellum like an angle. Such
are Epitragus, Lat.

In the others the mentum does not cover the base of the
jaws, and the hind edge of the corslet is straight, or a little
dilated behind.

Cnodalon, Lat. — In which from the fifth articulation the
antennae are much compressed, and much toothed like a saw.
The head is obviously narrower than the corslet.

Campsia, Lepel. and Serv. Camaria of the same. — The
antennae slightly serrated from the sixth articulation. The
head is as wide as the hinder edge of the corslet. The body
is in proportion larger, less convex, Avith the corslet wider

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 13

behind. Said to liave but ten articulations in the antennae,
but we have always counted eleven.

In all other helops the mesosternum has no observable
emargination, and the hind end of the presternum is not
elongated into a point.

Here the body is sometimes ovoid or oval, sometimes more
oblong, but narrowed at both ends. It is never cylindrical
or linear, or very flat. Some sub-genera have been formed
of certain helopes approximating to the first by their swollen
body, as if gibbous behind.

Those whose body is nearly ovoid or short, with the corslet
transversal, flat, or merely bent, compose the sub-genera
following :—

Spheniscus, Kirb. — Which might be taken at first for
erotyles, and which have, like the last, the last articulation
of the antennae dilated or serrated, and the corslet flat. {S.
erotyloides, Kirb. Lin. iv. xii.)

AcANTHOPUs, Meg. Dej. — Shorter and more round than
speniscus, with the antennae simple, terminating in a larger
and ovoid articulation. The anterior thighs enlarged and
indented, at least in one sex ; the legs nearly linear, with
small spurs, or none ; the anterior arched.

Amarygmus, Dalm. Cnodalon, Helops, Chrysomela,
Fab. — Near the last, but the antennae simple, filiform ; an-
terior thighs not enlarged or indented. All the legs straight,
and terminated in a spur.

Those in which the corslet is enlarged underneath, ovoid
and truncated at both ends, narrower in all its length than
the abdomen, with the antennae simple, thickened toward the
end ; all the legs straight, long, and bent or arched, are
Spheniscus, of Kirby. Lin. Trans, xxi.

The same naturalist includes under the general denomina-
tion, Adelium, Cahsoma, Fab. Lin. Trans, xxi. — Certain
helopes of an oval form, with the corslet wider than it is

14 CLASS INSECTA.

long, nearly obicular, emarginated in front, truncated at the
other end, dilated and arched laterally ; the antennae sub-
filiform, with most of the articulations nearly in the form of
a reversed cone.

The species with an ovalo-oblong body, insensibly arched
and convex, or nearly straight above, with the antennae
simple, whether filiform or a little thicker toward the end,
especially in the females, and the corslet nearly square or
heart-shaped, elongated and truncated behind, form two
other sub- genera.

Helops, Fab., properly so called, with most of the arti-
culations of the antennas formed nearly like a reversed cone,
or cylindrical and narrow at their base. The corslet is
transversal, scarcely so long as wide, either square or trape-
zoid, or heart-shaped, narrowed suddenly behind, terminated
by pointed angles, and always applied exactly against the
base of the elytra.

L^NA, Mej. Dej. Helops-^ Fab. Scaurus, Sterm. — With
the antennae composed generally, at least in the females, of
short top-shaped articulations ; the last is thicker than the
preceding, and ovoid. The corslet is formed like a truncated
heart, elevated or convex above, separated from the abdomen
by a piece with obtuse or rounded angles. The thighs,
especially the anterior, are swollen.

The last of the helopes have the body elongated, narrow,
nearly of the same size throughout, either thick and sub-
cylindrical, or very depressed. The corslet is nearly square,
or in form of a truncated heart.

Those with the body thick, sub-cylindrical or linear, with
the corslet nearly square, not narrowed behind, form two
sub-genera, Stenotrachelus, Dryops, Payk., and Stron-
GYLiuM, Kirb. Helops, Fab.

The former of these have the head elongated, narrowed
behind, nearly like a neck, the antennas terminated suddenly

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 15

by three shorter and thicker articulations ; the third is much
larger than the following.

In the latter the head is not so elongated or narrowed
behind, and the last articulation of the antennae, a little more
dilated, does not differ suddenly from the preceding ; the
third is only a little longer than the followang.

Those whose body is flat, Avith the corslet narrowed behind,
nearly in the form of a truncated heart, compose the last
sub-genus, that of Pytho, Lat. Fab.

The antennae scarcely thicken at all as they proceed, but
are nearly filiform, with tlie last articulation sub-conical ; the
third is scarcely longer than the preceding and the following.

Some Brazilian species approximate to pytho, but the
second articulation is evidently shorter than the third, and
the angles of the corslet are acute, as in this sub-genus.

The second tribe, Cistelides, is very like the last, but
the insertion of the antennae is not covered ; the mandibles
terminate in an entire point, or without emargination. The
hooks of the tarsi are indented below, like a comb. Many
of these live on flowers. The digestive canal is shorter than
the helops, and the chylific ventricle has no papilla. This
tribe forms the genus

CisTELA, Fab,

Some have all the articulations of the tarsi entire, the last
of the maxillary palpi is merely a little larger, like a reversed
cone, or triangular, and in them the corslet is thick, narrower
than the abdomen, sub-orbicular, or nearly heart-shaped.
The antennae are thicker toward the end. The thighs are
like a knob.

Lystronichus, Lat. — In these the corslet is depressed,
trapezoid, as wide as the abdomen at the posterior edge, or
scarcely more narrow. The antennae are filiform, or slightly
thicker at the end.

16 CLASS INSECTA.

CisTELA, Fab. — These have the head advanced like a
muzzle, the labrum scarcely so wide as long, most of the
articulations of the antennae either like a reversed cone, or
triangular, dilated even and serrated; the last is always
oblong. The body is ovoid or oval.

Mycetochaues, Lat. Mycetophila, Gyll. Dej. Cistela,
Fab. — In these the head is not advanced, the labrum is short,
transversal and linear ; most of the articulations of the
antennae are short, nearly top-shaped, but the last is ovoid.
The body, especially in the males, is narrow and elongated.
The jaws and the labrum are soft.

Others have the punultimate articulation of the tarsi
bilobed, and the last of the maxillary palpi much dilated and
hatchet-formed. The body is generally more oblong.

The third tribe, Serropalpides, is remarkable, as its
name imports, by the large and inclined maxillary palpi,
which are often serrated. The antennae are inserted in an
emargination of the eyes, naked, as in the previous tribe,
and in general short and filiform. The mandibles are emar-
ginated or bifid at the end, and the hooks of the tarsi are
simple. The body is sub-cylindrical, in some oval, in others
with the head inclined, and the corslet trapezoid ; the anterior
extremity of the head is not advanced, and the posterior
thighs are not swollen, characters which distinguish these
from many heteromera of the following tribe. The penulti-
mate articulation of the tarsi, or the first four of them at
least, is in general bilobed, and in those in which it is entire
the hind legs at least are fitted for leaping ; they are long,
compressed, with the tarsi slender, sub-setacious, and with
the first articulation elongated ; the fore legs are often short
and dilated. This tribe has its type in the genus

DiRCEA, of Fab.

A few have the antennae club-shaped. Such as Orchesia,
Lat. Dirccea, Fab.

ORDER COLEOPTERA. I'f

The last articulation of the maxillary palpi is hatchet-
formed ; the feet are formed for leaping ; the penultimate
articulation of the four anterior tarsi is bifid.

The others have the antennae filiformed. These have the
feet fitted for leaping, the body oval or ovoid, the antennae
always short, sub-cylindrical, the maxillary palpi simply a
little thicker at the end, but by no means terminated by a
hatchet-formed articulation, and all those of the tarsi are
entire.

EusTROPHUs, Illig. Mycetophagus, Fab. — Their body is
ovoid, with the corslet broad, emarginated in front, and the
posterior angles elongated. The antennae short, the four
hind legs moderately elongated, and terminated by two long
spurs.

Hallomenus, Payk. Dirccea, Fab. — Have the body more
elongated, oval, the antennae larger than the corslet, and the
hind legs long and slender, with two short spines at the end.

These in general have the body straight and elongated, the
maxillary palpi terminated by a hatchet-formed articulation,
and the penultimate articulation of the tarsi, of the first
four of them at least, bilobed.

Sometimes the antennae are thick and composed of short
articulations, like a reversed cone or a top.

In some, such as the two following sub-genera, the body is
oval, with the corslet transversal or isometrical, spreading
from front to rear.

DiRCffiA, Fab. Xylita, Payk. — The maxillary palpi are
not serrated, and the last articulation is more advanced on
the inner side than in the foregoing. The corslet is de-
pressed insensibly on the sides. The scutellum is very small.

Melandrya, Fab. — The maxillary palpi are evidently
serrated, the internal extremity of the second or third arti-
culation being elongated to a point, and even with the fourth
or last. The corslet is suddenly laterally depressed toward

VOL. XV. c

18 CLASS INSECTA.

the outer angles, with the hind edge sinuous. The scutellum
is of the ordinary size.

In the following sub-genus the body is narrow, almost
linear. The corslet forms a long square, narrowed behind.

Hypulus, Payk. Dirccea, Fab. — The antennae are longer
than in the last, slightly perfoliated, with the articulations
more separated ; the last three of the maxillary palpi form,
united, an oval club.

Sometimes the antennae are slender, composed of elongated
sub-cylindrical articulations. The body is long and straight,
with the abdomen elongated.

Serhopalpus, Hellw. Payk. Dirccea, Fab. — The body
is firm in substance, with the maxillary palpi strongly ser-
rated, the corslet as long at least as it is wide, the four
posterior tarsi long ; all the articulations of the last two
are entire, or without apparent divisions.

CoNOPALPUs, Gyll.— The body is soft, with the maxillary
palpi slightly serrated, the corslet transversal, and the tarsi
moderately elongated ; the penultimate articulation is bilobed
to all.

The fourth tribe, CEdemerites, though connected with
the foregoing in some particulars, differ from them in the
aggregate. The body is elongated, narrow, almost linear,
with the head and corslet rather narrower than the abdomen ;
the antennas are longer than those parts, serrated in some
(ctffojpes), filiform or setaceous, and composed of sub-cylin-
drical long articulations in others ; the anterior extremity of
the head is more or less elongated, like a little muzzle,
slightly narrowed behind, with the eyes in proportion more
elevated than in the preceding ; the corslet is at least as long
as it is wide, nearly square or sub-cylindrical, or slightly
narrowed behind. The elytra are linear, or narrowed behind
like an oval, and often flexible. These insects have some
relations to telephorus and gonitis.

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 19

They will be included in one genus,

CEdemera, Oliv.

Some, whose antennas are always short, simple and inserted
in an emargination of the eyes, whose posterior thighs are
enlarged, at least in one sex, have the corslet as wide as the
base of the abdomen, wider than the head, and the hooks of
the tarsi bifid.

NoTHUs,Ziegl.01iv. Osphya,l\\ig. Dryops, SchcExih.— The
maxillary palpi are terminated by a large articulation in form
of an elongated hatchet. The hind legs are in one sex very
thick, with a stray tooth, and two small spurs underneath,
near the end of their legs. The head is not elongated in
front.

Perhaps we should place here, in a natural succession,
Rhcehus of Fisch. (See the family Rhyncophorus.)

Others, whose antennae are always longer than the head and
corslet, Avhose feet are in general of the same thickness, have
the corslet narrower than the base of the abdomen, a little
more slender behind, and the hooks of the tarsi entire.

Calopus, Fab. CeramhyXj De G. Oliv. Col. iv. — Whose
fore feet, in both sexes, are of the same thickness as the rest,
or very little different, with the antennae inserted in an
emargination of the eyes, serrated, with the second articula-
tion much shorter than the following, like a knot, and trans-
versal.

Sparedrus, Megerl. Dej. Pedilus ? Fisch. — Like calopus
as to the feet and insertion of the antennae, but with these
last organs simple, with the second articulation like a reversed
cone, as in the following, and one half at least of its length.

Dytilus, Fisch., Helops, Dryops, Necydalis, Fab.,
CEdemera, Oliv. Feet equal in both sexes, but the anten-
nae filiform, and inserted before the eyes. The elytra not
narrowed behind.

c 2

20 CLASS INSECTA.

CEdemera, Oliv., Necydalisy Dryops, Fab. The ante-
rior thighs much enlarged in one sex, the antennae commonly
long, and more downy toward the end, the elytra suddenly
narrowed toward the end.

The fifth and last tribe of Stenelytra, Rhynchostojma,
is allied in some particulars to the last, and others to
the family Rhynchophorus. The head is evidently elongated
in front, like a muzzle or flat trunk, having the antennae,
which are always entire, or without emargination, at its base,
and in front of the eyes. These form a single genus,

Mycterus.

Sometimes the antennas are filiform, and the muzzle is not
enlarged at the end ; the corslet is narrowed in front, like a
truncated cone or trapezium, the ligula is emarginated, and
the penultimate articulation of the tarsi bilobed.

Stenostoma, Lat. Charpent., LepturOi Fab., have the
body narrow, the corslet like a truncated, elongated cone,
the elytra flexible, narrow, elongated, and pointed ; the an-
tennae composed of long, cylindrical articulations.

Mycterus, Clairv. Oliv., Bruchus, Rhinomacer, Fab.,
Mylahris, SchoefF. The body ovoid, solid, and covered with
a silky down, the corslet trapeziform ; the abdomen squared,
long, and rounded behind. The articulations of the antennae
for the most part like a reversed cone, twelve apparently in
number, the last running suddenly to a point ; last articu-
lation of the maxillary palpi like a reversed triangle.

Sometimes the antennae terminate in an elongated club,
the muzzle is very flat, with an angle on each side, the corslet
like a truncated heart, narrowed behind, the ligula entire,
as are also all the articulations of the tarsi. They form the
sub-genus Rhinosimus, Lat. Oliv., Curcidio, Lin. De G.,
Anthribus, Fab.

SUPPLEMENT

STENELYTR.^

Of the genus which is the type of the first tribe of this
family, little can be said, and nothing at all of its subdivisions.
The Helopes are found in spring and summer under the
barks of dead trees, or in the clefts and fissures of living ones.
Their mode of living is absolutely unknown. The larva of one
species is frequently found in the tan formed by insects at
the foot of trees. Its body is greatly elongated, cylindrical,
composed of twelve articulations ; the last of which is ter-
minated in two small and raised points, between which is
placed the arms. The first three articulations have each one
pair of very short feet, formed of many pieces, and terminated
by a very short hook. The head is as broad as the body, and
provided above with a clypeaceous piece, which covers the
mouth. On each side is seen a small antenna directed for-
wards. The mouth is furnished with strong jaws ; the eyes
are not apparent ; the body of these larvas is absolutely
smooth, and often of a brilliant polish. They serve for food
to the nightingales and warblers.

We are enabled, however, through the kindness of Mr.
Children, to present figures of several new species proper to
the subdivisions of Helops, viz.

A new species of Cnodalon of a copper-green colour, the
thorax with two punctures, the elytra with a large tubercle,
the anterior summit with a spine, the legs greenish black. It

»SJ SUPPLEMENT

inhabits Brazil. We have given it the specific name of
nodosum.

A new Adelium, with the specific addition eupreum,
which is of a bright bronze copper-colour, with the margins
of the thorax yellowish, the antennae and legs testaceous. It
inhabits New Holland.

A new species of Helops, which may be called aterrimus.
It is hirsute greenish black, with the head and thorax and
elytra punctated, the latter irregularly but strongly ; the
antennas and legs are black. This is also from New Hol-
land.

We would insert a new sub-genus under the name of
Stilponotus, to follow that of Helops. Its characters are,
the antennae nearly as long as the head, and thorax much
serrated; the palpi with the last joints securiform ; thorax
square, and the body in the form of an elongated cone.

The species euripiformis is fulvous red, with the head
rather darker and the elytra slightly striated. It is from
Brazil.

Geoffroy has designated, under the name of Cistela, a
genus of insects of this order, which almost all other en-
tomologists have termed Byrrhus^ with Linnaeus ; but
Fabricius has transferred this denomination to another genus,
namely, the one of which we are now treating. This genus
has considerable affinity with helops. The antennae and palpi
vary a little according to the species. There do not appear
to be any very precise limits between this genus and that of
allecula, which has been dismembered from it.

The larvse of these insects are as yet unknown.

We might here enter into a lengthened examination of tlie
mode in which authors have arranged those insects compre-
hended in the text under the designation of Melandrya; but
as these observations would apply exclusively to the physical
character of the insects which we would confine as much

ON THE STENELYTRA. 23

as possible to the text of the author, we shall, in this instance,
as in very many others, under all circumstances, however re-
luctantly, prefer brevity to detail.

Some species of the Serrapalpi of Illiger have been referred
successively, by subsequent systematists, to the genera,
Elater, ptilinus, and tenehrio. To put an end , if possible,
to these vaccillations, it was necessary to fix, in a precise and
rigorous manner, the character of the genera presented by
this division of heteromera : this has been done by M. La-
treille.

The Serropalpus, which Illiger named Fusculus, forms a
particular genus, (Seraptia, )y}h\ch. is placed by M. Latreille
in the family of the Trachelides. Its head is disengaged, the
corslet is almost semicircular, and the terminal articulation of
the labial palpi is very large, and semi-lunar. The Dirccea
ruficollis of Fabricius presents the same distinctive characters;
but yet, it may be isolated generically, in consequence of
its antennas, which have but ten distinct articulations, instead
of eleven ; and for the most part elongated and cylindrical.
Another species of the same genus is to be found in the
neighbourhood of Paris. The hallomeni of Helwigg, from
which those must be separated, whose antennas are thicker at
their extremity, (Orchesia,) have all the articulations of the
tarsi entire ; while in all the following insects the penultimate
articulation of the tarsi is perfect, at least in the four anterior
tarsi. M. Latreille reduces the genus Serropalpus of Hil-
lenius to a single species (Striatus). Here the four anterior
tarsi alone have their penultimate articulation bilobate. The
mandibles, which are shorter and thicker than in the other
species placed by Illiger in the same section, have no very
sensible denticulations on their internal side. The articula-
tions of the antennae are for the most part long and cylindri-
cal ; the middle of the internal side of the second articulation
of the maxillary palpi, is advanced in form of a tooth. The

^4 SUPPLEMENT

inferior angle of the following articulation, and always on the
same side, is also prolonged in the same manner ; but the
tooth is longer, more slender, very sharp, and a little curved.
The last articulation, or the fourth, is very large, in the
form of a narrow and elongated hatchet, with the internal
side hollow in the middle of its length, and membranes upon
its edges ; so that one would imagine that this articulation
was divided longitudinally in two. Its inferior and internal
extremity is also prolonged into a point, so that instead of
being inserted, the preceding articulation, by the side which
forms the base of its triangular section, it holds these by a
point, situated almost towards the middle of the exterior
side. The superior extremity of the preceding articulation
represents a sort of pedicle.

The Melandryae inhabit wood. The majority remain con-
cealed under the bark of trees.

Of the Serropalpi we shall give a brief description, which
is not to be found in the text of the only species known.
This is the Striatus of which Fabricius makes a Dircaea (bar-
bata). Its size varies considerably. The largest individuals
are nearly eight lines in length. The body is narrow — almost
cylindrical, narrowed behind, of a deep brown, silky, very
finely rugose, with the elytra terminating in a point, and
slightly striated. The antennas are almost of the length of
one half the body, of a clearer or reddish brown, as well as
the palpi and the tarsi. Its larva lives in old dry wood, par-
ticularly that of the fir-tree. It there excavates cylindrical
holes, which penetrate almost even to the sap. There
also, or imder the bark, is found, in the month of June, the
perfect insect. It is also to be met with, at times, in houses.

Authors have also varied much in their methods with re-
spect to the genus CEdemera. These insects have been classed
with Necydales, Dryops, and Cantharis. Olivier has, with
propriety, formed them into a separate genus, which he has

ON THE STENELYTRA. 25

thus named from two Greek words, one signifying swelled,
and the other thigh.

The CEdemerae are found on flowers, in meadows. They
fly with facility. Their larva, and the history of their meta-
morphoses, are as yet unknown. They constitute a very nu-
merous genus.

The Rhinosimi are very near the A:nthribi of Fabri-
cius, or the Macrocephali of Olivier. These insects are
very small, and live under the barks of trees, or in wood.

OUR SECOND GENERAL DIVISION

FOURTH FAMILY

HETEROMEROUS COLEOPTERA,

Trachelides,

Has the head triangular or heart-shaped, attached to a sort
of neck or pedicle, and on the side of which it cannot, being
as broad or broader in this point than the corslet, re-enter into
the interior cavity ; the body is in general soft, with the elytra
flexible, without striae, sometimes very short, in others they
are slightly inclined. The jaws are never unguiculated. The
articulations of the tarsi are often entire, and the hooks bifid.

We shall divide this family into six tribes, forming as many
genera.

The first, Lagriart.e, have the body elongated, narrowed
in front, with the corslet subcylindrical, or square, or ovoid,
and truncated ; the antennae, inserted near an emargination
of the eyes, are simple, filiform, or gradually enlarged to-
ward the end ; in general, and at least in part, grained, with
the last articulation larger than the preceding in the males ;
the palpi thicker at the end, and the last articulation of the
maxillary the largest, like a reversed triangle ; the thighs
oval and club -formed, the legs elongated, straight, with the
two anterior at least arched ; the penultimate articulations

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 27

of the tarsi bilobed, and the hooks of the last without fissure
or indentation. This tribe is formed of the genus

Lagria, Fab. Chrysomela^ Lin. Cantharis, Geoff. The
species whose antennae, thicker as they advance, are alto-
gether or partially grained, with the last articulation ovoid
or ovaliform, whose head is but little advanced in front,
elongated and rounded imperceptibly behind, whose corslet
is subcylindrical or squared, compose our genus Lagria, pro-
perly so called.

That which I have named Statyra, is formed of species
similar at first sight to Agra, of the family of carnivorous
pentamerous coleoptera. Here the antennae are filiform, com-
posed of subcylindrical articulations, with the last long and
pointed. The head is elongated in front, decidedly and sud-
denly narrowed behind the eyes. The corslet is longitudinal,
ovaliform, and truncated at both ends. The end of the elytra
forms a tooth or spine.

We refer with doubt to the same tribe our genus Hemi-
peplus. (Famill. Nat. du Regne Anim. p. 398.) This genus
does not belong to the tetramera, as I at first thought, but
to the heteromera. The penultimate articulation of the tarsi
is bilobed.

The second tribe Pyrochroides, is allied to the last as in
the tarsi, the elongation and anterior narrowing of the body,
but it is flat, with the corslet nearly orbicular or trapezoid.
The antennae, in the males at least, are like a comb or a
feather; the maxillary palpi are slightly serrated, and termi-
nated by an elongated hatched-formed articulation ; the
labial are filiform ; the abdomen is elongated, entirely covered
by the elytra, and rounded at the end. They form the
genus Pyrochroa, Geoff. Fab. Dej. Lampyris, Lin.

The species whose antennae are nearly as long as the body
in the males, having long barbed threads ; whose eyes are
large and near each other behind, with the corslet in form

28 CLASS INSECTA.

of a truncated cone or trapezoid, with the body finally nar-
rower, more elongated, as well as the tarsi, compose the
genus Dendroides, Lat. Pogonocerus, Fisch.

Those whose antennae are simply pectinated and shorter,
whose eyes are wide apart, and whose corslet is suborbicular
and transversal, are the Pyrochroa, properly so called.

The third tribe, Mordellon.*:, have no constant charac-
ter in their details, but it is easy to distinguish them from
the other heteromera of the same family by the general for-
mation of the body, which is elevated and arched, with the
head low. In their antennae, &c. they differ among them-
selves, and approximate other sub-genera, but they differ
from all others in their great agility, and in the firmness and
solidity of their ligaments. Linnaeus made of them his genus

MoRDELLA.

Some have the palpi of nearly the same thickness through-
out, the antennae of the males very much pectinated. The
end of the mandibles without emargination. The articula-
tion of the tarsi always entire, and their hooks indented or
bifid. The middle of the hinder edge of the corslet is always
much elongated behind, and is like the scutellum. The eyes
are not emarginated. The larvae of some of these (Ripiphori)
live in the nests of certain wasps.

These Ripiphori (Bosc. Fab.) have the wings extended
beyond the elytra, which are as long as the abdomen ; the
liooks of the tarsi are bifid, the antennae inserted near the
inner edge of the eyes, pectinated on both sides in the males,
serrated or with a single row of short teeth in the other sex.
The lobe terminating the jaws is very long, linear, and pro-
jecting, and the ligula, as much elongated, is deeply bifid.

Myodites, Lat. Ripidius, Thunb. Rlpiphorus, Oliv.
Fab, &c. have also the wings elongated, but the elytra are
very short. The hooks of the tarsi are indented underneath.

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 29

The antennse are inserted on the top of the head, much pec-
tinated in both sexes. The jaws are but little elongated, the
ligula is long and entire.

Pelocotoma, Fisch. Ripiphorus, Payk. Gyll., like the
last, have serrated hooks to the tarsi, but the wings are
covered by the elytra. The antennae, inserted above the
eyes, have but a single row of teeth or threads in both sexes.
The scutellum is apparent. The jaws do not project. The
ligula is emarginated.

In the others the wings are always covered by the elytra,
elongated to near the end of the abdomen, and pointed. The
posterior edge of the corslet is not at all, or but little lobed.
The abdomen of the females terminates like a pointed tail.
The eyes are sometimes emarginated. The maxillary palpi
terminate in a large hatched-form articulation. The end of
the mandibles is emarginated or bifid. The antennse, even
in the males, are at most serrated.

MoRDELLA, Lin. Fab. have the antennae of the same size
throughout, slightly serrated in the males ; all the articula-
tions of the tarsi are entire, and their hooks have underneath
one or more indentations. The eyes are not emarginated.

Anaspis, Geoif. Mordella, Lin. Fab. These differ from
the last in the antennae, which are simple and enlarge to-
ward the end, the emargination of their eyes, and by having
the penultimate articulation of the four anterior tarsi bilobed.
The hooks are entire, and without apparent dentition.

The fourth tribe, Anthicides, have the antennae simple
or slightly serrated, filiform, or a little thickened toward
the end, most of the articulations of which are like a
reversed cone, with the exception of the last, and sometimes
the penultimate also, which is rather large or oval ; the
maxillary palpi terminate in a hatchet-formed knob ; and
the articulations of the tarsi, to the penultimate articulation.

30 CLASS INSECTA.

bilobed. The body is narrower in front, with the eyes
entire, or very slightly emarginated; the corslet is some-
times a reversed ovoid, narrowed and truncated behind, and
sometimes divided into two knots, sometimes semicircular.
They compose the genus

NoToxus of Geoff.

ScRAPTiA, Lat. Serropalpus, Illig. These are easily dis-
tinguishable from all other insects of this tribe, by having
the corslet almost semicircular, the antennae inserted in a
slight emargination of the eyes, filiform, and with subcylin-
drical articulations. In appearance they resemble Mordella
Cistela, &c.

Steropes, Stev. Blastanus, HofF. The antennae termi-
nate in three articulations, much larger than the last, and
cylindrical.

NoToxus, Geoff. Oliv, Anthicks, Payk. Fab. The an-
tennae thicken imperceptibly, and are composed almost alto-
gether of articulations formed like reversed cones. The
corslet is in the form of a reversed ovoid, narrowed and
truncated behind, or divided into two globular parts.

The last two tribes of the family, and of the section of
Heteromera, have some characters in common, such as hav-
ing the 1 andibles terminating in a simple point, the palpi
filiform, or a little thicker at the end, but never clubbed
or hatchet-formed, the abdomen soft, the elytra flexible,
vesicant in most of them, all the articulations of the tarsi,
except in a few, entire, with the hooks generally bifid.

The HoRiALEs compose the fifth tribe, and differ from the
succeeding in the hooks, which are indented, and each with a
serrated appendix. They have the antennas filiform, at most
of the length of the corslet ; the labrum is small, the man-

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 3X

dibles strong and sailliant, the palpi filiform, the corslet
Squared. The two hind legs very strong, at least in one sex.
This tribe is composed of the genus

HoEiA of Fab.

One species of these, the type of my genus Cissites, differs
from the rest in having the head narrower than the corslet,
and the hinder thighs much swollen.

The sixth and last tribe, Cantharidia, is distinguished
from the last by the hooks of the tarsi, which are deeply
divided, and appear as if double. The head is in general
thick, larger, and rounded behind. The corslet is generally
narrowed behind, and approaches the shape of a truncated
heart. The elytra are often a little inclined laterally, forming
a compressed rounded ridge. This tribe is formed of the
genus

Meloe of Lin.,

Which has been divided into many other genera, which may
be subdivided by the varieties of form of the antennse.

In one of these subdivisions there are only nine articula-
tions in the antennae in both sexes ; the last of these articu-
lations is very large, in form of an ovoid head ; those of the
males, as well as the maxillary palpi, are very irregular.
The body is depressed. Such are the insects of the sub-
genus Cerocoma, Geoff. SchoejQP. Fab.

In all the others the palpi are the same, and are regular in
both sexes. The antennae have commonly eleven articula-
tions, and when there are one or two less, they terminate
regularly in a knob. The body is thick, with the wing-cases
a little inclined.

In these, the antennae, always regular and grained in both
sexes, appear sometimes to be composed of only nine or ten
articulations, and never longer than one half the body;

3^ CLASS INSECTA.

sometimes they terminate in an arched knob, or are evidently
thicker toward the end, and sometimes they form, starting
from the second articulation, a short cylindrical, subspindle-
shaped stalk. These compose the genus Mylahrum of Fab.
Those in which the last two or three articulations of the
antennae unite at least in the female, and form rather a
sudden, thick, and ovoid knob, the end of which does not
pass beyond the corslet, and in which the total number of the
distinct articulations of these organs is not more than nine or
ten, form the sub-genus. Hycleus. Lat. Dices, Dej.
Mylahris, Oliv.

Those in which the same organs are in proportion longer,
have in both sexes eleven very distinct and separate articula-
tions, progressively thickening or terminating gradually in an
elongated knob, with the eleventh, or last, articulation sepa-
rated from the others of a larger and ovoid form. Mylabris.
Fab. Oliv. Lat.

The length of the antennae respectively vary a little, and
their modifications influence the form of the articulations,
especially of the intermediate.

(Enas, Oliv. Meloe, Lin. Lytta, Fab. These seem to
constitute the passage from Mylabris to the following hetero-
mera. Their antennae, scarcely larger than the corslet, are
nearly of the same thickness throughout. The first articula-
tion forms a knob, and is in the shape of a reversed cone ; im-
mediately after the following, which is very short, the stem
forms an elbow in form of a cylindrical body or spindle,
x;om posed of short articulations, serrated and transversal, ex-
cept the last, which is conoid.

The other heteromera of the same tribe have the antennae
always composed of eleven distinct articulations, nearly of
the same thickness throughout, or more slender toward the
end, and often much larger than the head and corslet. They
are irregular in most males.

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 33

Meloe, properly so called, Lin. Fab., have the antennae
composed of short round articulations, the intermediate of
which are thicker, and sometimes so disposed that these
organs present in this point, in many males, an emargination
or swelling. The wings are wanting, and the cases are oval
or triangular, and crossing each other in a portion of their
inner side, cover the abdomen partially, especially in the
female, where it is very voluminous.

All the Heteromera, of the following sub-genera, have
wings, and the elytra found as usual, cover longitudinally
the upper side of the abdomen.

Among these sub-genera we shall first distinguish those in
which these cases are not narrowed abruptly, like an awl,
towards their posterior extremity, and entirely cover the
wings.

Tetraonyx, Lat. Apahis, Fab. Lytta, Klug. These
have not, like the cantharides and zonites, the jaws elon-
gated, and terminated by a silken thread bent beneath. The
penultimate articulation of their tarsi is emarginated, and
nearly bilobed, and the corslet forms a transvere square ;
these insects are, moreover, nearly j^allied to the cantha-
rides, and belong to the new continent.

Caxthakis, Geoff. Oliv. Meloe, Lin. Lytta, Fab. —
These have all the articulations of the tarsi entire, and the
corslet nearly ovoid, a little elongated, narrowed before,
and truncated behind, which distinguishes them from the
preceding sub-genus. The second articulation of the antennae
is much shorter than the following, and the last of the max-
illaries is obviously thicker than the preceding.

The head is a little wider than the corslet. These cha-
racters remove cantharis from zonitis. Tlie antennae of the
males are sometimes irregular, and even semipectinated.

ZoxiTis, Fab. Apalus, Oliv. —These have the antennae
more slender than in cantharis, especially in the males ; the

VOL. XV. D

34 CLASS INSECTA.

length of their second articulation equals at least the half
that of the following. The maxillary palpi are filiform, with
the last articulation subcylindrical. The head is a little
elongated before, and is as wide as the corslet.

The males of the two following sub-genera possess one cha-
racter quite peculiar: the lobe terminating the jaws is elon-
gated into a sort of thread, more or less long, silky, and
bent. Such are

Nemognathus, Lat. Zonitis, Fab. which have the
' antennae filiform, with the second articulation shorter than
the fourth ; the corslet is square, rounded at the sides.

Gnathium, Kirb. — The antennae are rather thicker at the
end, and the second articulation is nearly as long as the
fourth. The corslet is in the form of a ball, and narrowed
behind.

Finally, the last sub-genus of this tribe, Sitaris, Lat.
Apalus, Fab. is remarkable for the sudden narrowing of the
posterior extremity of the cases, which leaves a portion of
the wings exposed- These insects are greatly assimilated
to Zonitis, and, like them, live in the larva state, in the nests
of certain solitary mason bees. In the Apali, properly so
called of Fabricius, the elytra are rather less narrowed, and
the inner ends of the articulation of the antennae are a little
advanced or dilated, like small teeth.

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TRACHELIDES.

In the first genus of this family, Lagria, the species most
known in Europe, Lagria hirta, had been placed with the
Chrysomeloei by Linnaeus, and in the genus Canthai-is, by
Geoffroy. Degeer made it a tenebrio. Fabricius formed it
into a peculiar genus, composed at present of fewer species,
the Dasytes, which this author at first had referred to it,
being now separated from it. The body and the elytra of
these insects are generally soft or flexible.

The lagria hirta more particularly inhabits the woods, and
lives upon the leaves of different vegetables. When it is
seized, it folds back its feet and antennae, and feigns death.
This insect is about four lines in length, black, hairy, with the
elytra yellowish and semi-transparent, and on each of which
are discernible, from four to five raised, but not very
marked lines. The corslet is almost cylindrical. The male
is distinguished from the female by its eyes, being more
approximate behind, and by the antennae, the last articula-
tion of which is as long as the four preceding united. A
species much approximating to this is to be found in Spain
and Barbary.

Our figure of Lagria metallonotus, a new species, has the
head, thorax, and legs shining green, the elytra shining golden
green, ^vith irregular punctures. It inhiibits Sierra Leone.

D 2

36 SUPPLEMENT

The insects of the genus Pyeochboa had, at first, been
arranged by Linnaeus with Lampyris, with which they have
some relations of form. It was Geoffroy who separated them,
to form a peculiar genus, under the name Pyrochroa. Fa-
bricius had placed in this genus Pyrochroa, many insects,
since separated from it, and classed under Lycus.

The larva is elongated, depressed, terminated by two
points, with the head strong, and having a form analogous
to that of the perfect insect. It lives under the barks of old
trees. The perfect insect is found in highways, at the foot
of hedges, in timber-yards, or in woods. The genus is not
numerous.

The ancient naturalists designated, under the name of
MoRDELLA, the insects which proceeded from larvae, or little
worms, which feed upon the cabbage-stalk.

Linnaeus, in the first editions of his Systema Naturce, be-
stowed this denomination on a genus of coleoptera, in which
the antennae are filiform, with the last articulation globular,
and in which the feet are generally proper for the purpose of
leaping. The Mordellae, properly so called, were thus united
to the Altisae, and some other insects of a very different
kind. But it was not long before this great naturalist re-
cognized the defects of this arrangement, and his genus
Mordella, such as he has presented it, in the second edition
of his Fauna Suecica, printed in I76I, is perfectly natural,
and embraces the entire tribe of the Mordellonae.

He had even corrected the same error in the tenth edition
of his Systema NaturcE. Some species of this genus have the
antennae flabellate, others have them serrated ; others, in fine,
have them simple, and even a little thicker towards the end.

The RiPiPHORi, which M. Bosc had established in his fine
collection, before Fabricius, the myodites, and pelecotoma,
form in the tribe of the Mordellonae, a very natural division,
and remarkable for the disposition of the articulations of

ON TRACHELIDES. 37

their antennae, which, beginning from the second or third
each, throw out on the interior side one or two branches,
more or less long, the assemblage of which composes a
plume, or fan. The manner in which the antennae are in-
serted, the consideration of the form of the claws of the tarsi,
and other parts, furnish characters which mark these three
generic sections extremely well.

The domains of the rhipiphori extend from America to
the East Indies, but these insects are generally rare, the
males particularly. It appears, from many observations,
that the ripiphorus paradooous, which is found in autumn,
or towards the end of the summer, lives, to the moment of
its final metamorphosis, in the nests of the common, or other
wasps. We may presume that the larvae of other species are
also parasitical.

The Myodites were at first termed Myodes by M. La-
treille, who changed the latter appellation in consequence of
its having been applied by M. de Lamarck, to a genus of
diptera.

Olivier and Fabricius place with the ripiphori, an insect
which, by the form of its antennae, that of the palpi, and
the general physiognomy, presents, in fact, the characters
of this genus, but which is nevertheless removed from the
other species by the shortness of its elytra, so that the wings
are almost entirely uncovered. From this came the origin
of its specific denomination Subdipterus. Dorthes, who first
discovered this species, and gave its figure and description,
was of opinion that it ought to form a new genus alongside
of the necydalis of Linnaeus. Our English naturalists
named this genus Dorfhesia, a denomination afterwards
given by M. Bosc to a new genus of hemiptera, the type of
which is the coccus caraccias, discovered and described also
by Dorthes. It appears that the first of these genera cor-
responded to that which is now called ripiphorus. But the

3^ SUPPLEMENT

species described by Dorthes, as the type of this division,
presents many essential differences, which induced M. La-
treille to detach it from ripiphorus.

The NoToxi are very small, and very agile coleoptera,
which are to be met with either on plants, or on the earth,
and whose larvae are unknown.

The genus notoxus of Fabricius, comprehended at first
the same insects, and the coleoptera of the genus Opilus of
the text, tribe Clerii. M. Paykull separated the first under
the generic denomination of Anthiats, a change of which
Fabricius has approved in his System of the Eleutherata.
But he has united to anthicus some very different coleoptera,
such as pselaphus and Scydmenus. Many species of notoxi
are apterous.

The genus Horia, formed by Fabricius in his 31antissa
Insectorum, is composed of two species, placed by this
author in his earlier works with Lymexylon.

We know nothing of the manner of living of the
horiae, which are all foreign to Europe; but in the ab-
sence of positive knowledge, analogy, especially in natural
history, is a tolerably sure means to guide us in our conjec-
tures, and, according to the relations which exist in Horia
Cantharisy Mylabris, and Meloe, we may well believe that
the mode of life of all these insects should be the same, or,
at least, not very different.

The genus named Meloe by Linnasus, comprehended the
soft heteromera, which are known to possess vesicating pro-
perties, such as the cantharides, the mylahres, and some
other insects of tlie same section forming the genus iiotoxus
of Olivier, or that of anthicus of Paykull and Fabricius.
He divides Meloe into two sections, the apterous and the
winged. The first is that which since the time of Geoffroy,
has exclusively formed the genus Meloe, or the proscarabcei
of that author. It is, in fact, under the last-mentioned

ON TRACHELIDES. 39

generic name, that these insects are designated by some
ancient naturalists, and principally by MaufFet, who has
figured numbers of them. According to him, they are the
meloe of Paracelsus. The Germans name them May-worms,
because the most common species usually appears at that
season of the year- Some authors have called them unchious
scarahcei, because they send forth from the articulations of
each knee of their legs, when they are seized, a yellowish,
viscous fluid, similar to oil, and which, according to
Frisch, has the colour of violet, but which Degeer says is
devoid of smell.

Of all the genera of the section of heteromera, Meloe is
one of the most distinct, as may be seen by the characters in
the text, which we will not repeat here. Their body is most
frequently of a deep black, bordering in many on bluish,
and violet, and very much punctuated. These animals are
heavy, and are found upon the ground, in the fields, tilled
lands, or on the edges of highways. They appear to prefer
sandy or calcareous places, exposed to the sun, and feed on
various plants, which are raised a little above their natal soil.
Some appear in the spring, and others in the autumn. In
some parts of Spain, they are mingled with the cantharides,
for the same purposes as these latter insects. They were
formerly regarded as a specific against madness, and farriers
employed, in some cases oil in which these insects had been
nnacerated. The earlier naturalists have enlarged very much
on their pretended medical properties, as may be seen in
Mauffet. M. Latreille thinks it probable that these animals
were those which the ancients named buprestls, and which
they regarded as a mortal poison for oxen, and even for man
himself. He has largely explained the reasons of this opi-
nion in a memoir, forming part of the Annals of the Museum
of Natural History. Many males have the fifth, sixth, and
seventh articulations of their antennae broader than the rest,

40 SUPPLEMENT

which gives to these organs an irregular figure. Seen in
profile, their middle even presents, in consequence of the
disposition of these articulations, a strong emargination or
species of crescent. According to an observation of Mr.
Sowerby, the males, in coupling, seize by means of their
antennae those of their females.

The individuals of this last sex are remarkable for the
prodigious bulk, and tension of the abdomen. The number
of eggs with which it is filled is very considerable, since one
female, that of the proscarabceus, which Goedart preserved
and fed with the leaves of the anemone, or with those of the
ranunculus, laid, from the twelfth of May to the twelfth
of June following, two thousand nine hundred and twelve
eggs, and he estimated at almost as many those proceed-
ing from the same laying, but which he had been unable
to count. These eggs were laid at two separate times, the
insect burying each time in the ground, in a hole which
it had made with the posterior extremity of its belly, and
depositing its eggs there in a packet. These eggs are
yellow, and resemble, according to this writer, small grains of
sand pressed together. The larvae which he obtained from
them, and which he vainly endeavoured to bring up, though
he presented them with a great variety of substances, both
animal and vegetable, have the body long, cylindrical,
sprinkled with hairs, composed of eleven rings almost equal,
and with an oval head, provided with two eyes, and two
antennae of tolerable length. They have six feet, which
appear large in comparison with the extent of the body. Its
posterior extremity is terminated by two long appendages in
the form of silky hairs. Those are not expressed in the
figure which Frisch has given of these same larvae. GeofFroy
tells us that the larvae very much resemble the perfect animal,
that they are of the same colour, thick, heavy, soft, and no
where scaly but on the head. According to him, they are

ON TRACHELIDES. 41

found buried in the earth, where they undergo their meta-
morphosis.

Degeer, who comprehends under the generic name of
Cantharis the insects thus designated in the text, together
with Mylahris and Meloe, is of all naturalists, the one who
has described most in detail the eggs and the larva of Meloe
proscarahceus. A female, which he had shut up in a sand-
box, half filled with earth, laid very deep in the earth, a
large heap of oblong eggs, of a fine clear orange colour,
applied one over the other, without being glued together,
and forming a packet about the bigness of a nut. They are
very small, and their number, consequently, very consider-
able. Seen with the microscope, they have the figure of a
cylinder, rounded at the two ends, and their pellicle is
coriaceous, flexible, but very tense. The larvae were born
a month after the laying, which took place the 18th of
May.

These larva have six feet. They are of an ochreous yel-
low, with two black eyes. The head is oval, or little flatted,
provided with two antennae, composed of three articulations,
and terminated by a hair ; with two very long mandibles,
curved, and very much pointed, and four antennulse. The
body is composed of twelve rings. The feet are attached to
the first three, which are much larger than the following.
The last is terminated by four very fine threads, two of
which are longer than the others. The feet are divided into
three parts, and terminated by two very pointed hooks, be-
tween which is a broad, flatted piece, in the form of a spear-
head. It is by means of these hooks that the larvae fasten
themselves to the objects upon which they walk. They also
assist themselves in walking, and attaching themselves, by
means of a nipple, which they have at the posterior part of
the body.

We find, sometimes, in the body of a dipterous insect, the

42 SUPPLEMENT

eristalis intricarius of Fabricius, and on those of some
species of Apiarice, especially on the humble bees, a small
insect almost similar to those larvae, figured, and well de-
scribed by Mr. Kirby, in his History of the Bees of Eng-
land — (pediculus melittcB). Degeer having remarked this
analogy, put along with the larvae of this meloe two com-
mon flies, and another species of the same family. In less
than half an hour, a very great number of these larvae had
found the means of getting in the body of one of the flies,
and fixing themselves to its breast, and a part of the belly.
The fly made some vain efforts to get rid of them. It
perished on the second or third day, and the larvae abandoned
its carcass ; but Degeer having furnished them for many
days with living flies, they fastened themselves to them. As
soon as a fly passed near them, there were always some which
seized it immediately by the foot or wing, and from that
moment they never let go, and very soon began to attack the
body. Degeer, seeing, nevertheless, that they did not attain
any visible growth, grew tired of supplying them with flies,
and they all died, one after the other. " Who would have
supposed," exclaims this writer, " that the young or larvae
of cantharides of this species would have been found on the
body of flies ? No one would have ever thought of looking
for them in such a situation."

This fact is, in truth, very marvellous ; and when we re-
flect on the consequences which result from it, we might doubt
of its reality, and suspect that this observer had been mis-
taken. M. Latreille, in his Natural History of Crustacea,
has combatted this opinion : and Mr. Kirby, before him,
had testified the same incredulity. In this respect, nature,
always wise, must have provided for the wants of the pos-
terity of the meloe ; and if their larvae be destined to live
parasitically on some species of diptera and hymenoptera, how
hliall they find, without trouble, at the moment in which they

ON TRACHELIDES. 43

are disclosed, and in the place where they are assembled in
such numbers, a sufficient quantity of these insects to provide
them with food and dwelling ? How could they be able, con-
tenting themselves with the small degree of subsistence which
they can obtain by a sort of suction, to grow in such a man-
ner as to acquire a volume at least twenty times greater than
that which they possess at their birth ? How could they un-
dergo the different moultings, which require a perfect state
of inaction ? Is it possible, moreover, that they can acquire
their full growth in the short space of time for which these
same insects exist ? Their carcases do not serve them for.
aliment, as Degeer himself has observed ; they quit them, as
do the lice, the ricini, the mites, and other little parasite
animals, when those which they gnaw, or suck, have ceased
to exist,

M. Latreille has often found those pretended parasite ani-
mals which I\Ir. Kirby has named pediculus meUtf£e : none
of them ever appeared to him to exceed the others in size, at
least in any sensible degree. He carefully studied their
organization. They presented all the characters of a perfect
insect and one forming a new genus, approximating to that of
ricinus. The mouth composed of mandibles, of jaws, and
very small, but projecting palpi, is situated under the muz-
zle, or advancement of the head. This character is exclu-
sively peculiar to the insects of the parasite order. The
manner in which the feet of pediculus melittce terminate
presents us v.ith a new analogy to the ricini, and indicates
that these animals have identical habits. The fisrure which
Goedart has given of the meloe, and that of the larva of
Caiitharis qffici)ialis, which may be seen in tlie Journal of
Natural History, entitled in German Xaturforscher, are re-
mote in some points, from the figure which Degeer has pub-
lished of the insect, which he takes for the larva of meloe
proscarabaiis. If it be true, as he has said, that the larva

4*4 SUPPLEMENT

oicantharis officinalis lives on roots, it is to be presumed
that the larvae of meloe, mylabris, and cerocoma, feed in the
same manner. M. Latreille has sometimes seen the flowers
in a very small field all covered with cerocomae. There are
likewise found in limited spaces, great quantities of cantha-
rides. These facts indicate that these insects had passed the
first age of their lives in these localities, and that vegetables
much more abundant than animal substances, had supported
them in this state, as they still do, when they are developed.
This manner of life is common in general to all the hetero-
mera. In truth, the larvae of the r'lpiphori inhabit the nest
of wasps, and those of Zonitis have for their domicile the
nests of some solitary bees. But, besides that the first may
have as aliment the matter which composes the nest, and that
the second can appropriate to themselves the provisions which
the apiarias have collected for their young ; these hetero-
merous insects are not very common in their perfect state, and
spread abroad here and there. W^e may well conceive that
the mothers of the parasite insects have less facility of supply-
ing the wants of their family than those of the herbivorous
insects. Many species of mites living on insects, or other
animals, are also found isolatedly, either on the ground or on
plants. They afterwards fix themselves, when they have the
means of so doing, on the bodies of these animals.

The insects, such as eristalis intricarius, the andrenetcB,
the humble bees, on which the pedicidus melittce subsist,
make their nests, and have passed their infancy in the
earth. It is probable that in these circumstances this parasite
animal, inhabiting in all probability the same localities,
attaches itself to these insects, or that the female agglutinates
upon them some of its eggs. We may presume then that
the little animal which Degeer regards as the larva of the
meloe proscarabaeus, may be a species of the same genus as
the pediculus melittcB, or perhaps a variety of this insect.

ON TRACHELIDES. 45

Might not its eggs be found mingled with the earth, which
Degeer had put into the box in which he had enclosed the
meloe proscarabasus ? The female of this larva might her-
self have deposited the germs of her posterity in those of
this very same insect. It is possible that many indivi-
duals of this larva might have lived upon the captive
meloe, and having abandoned it after its death, might have
deceived the inspection of this naturalist ; for the eggs
of this insect, for want of fecundation, might have been
sterile. Such are the solutions which M. Latreille originally
proposed concerning this curious subject, but none of which
were founded on positive observation, and were consequently
unsatisfactory. We have thought it right thus to lay before
our readers the original opinions and arguments of M. La-
treille on this subject, though, as it will be seen by the text,
he has since found reason to change his sentiments. We
must confess, however, that to ourselves the subject still
appears to be full of doubt and obscurity.

Dr. Leach, in the eleventh volume of the Linnasan Trans-
actions, has given a monograph of the genus meloe. Megerle
had already published another ; but the Doctor's is far more
complete, and accompanied moreover with excellent figures.
Dr. Leach has rectified the synonimy of some species, and his
labours are so much the more useful, as their distinction
required the most attentive and scrupulous examination.
Many of these species, though essentially different, appearing
on the first glance to constitute but one, it was especially
necessary to become acquainted with the individuals of both
sexes, a point to which the Doctor has peculiarly attended.

We now come to a genus of insects long celebrated for
their extensive use in medicine — we mean theCAXXHARiDES.
Their mandibles terminating in an entire knob distinguishes
them from cedemera, in which genus, moreover, the penulti-
mate articulation of the tarsi is bilobate. They are removed

46 SUPPLEMENT

from meloe, mylabris and cerocoma, by the form of their an-
tennas. They have more affinity with zonitis, nemognathus and
sitaris, but the four palpi in these three genera are filiform.
The zonitis have their antennae long, almost setaceous, with
the second articulation more elongated. The elytra are very
much narrowed at their extremity in sitaris, and the jaws
very much elongated in nemognathus.

The larvae of the cantharides have the body soft, of a
yellowish white, composed of thirteen rings ; the head
rounded, a little flatted, and furnished with two short and
filiform antennae ; the mouth furnished with two tolerably
solid jaws, and four antennulae. There are six short and
scaly feet.

These larvae live in the earth, and feed upon various roots.
When arrived at their full growth they change into the nymph
state in the earth, and do not come out of the ground until
they have assumed the form of the perfect insect.

The cantharis is one of those insects which have been most
anciently and most universally known. Physicians, who were
the first natural philosophers, and the first observers of na-
ture, have made mention of the cantharides in the remotest
times. But they have only considered them under that
relation which was most suitable to their own profession, and
as furnishing to medicine one of its most powerful agents.
The naturalist, who is less anxious about becoming acquainted
with the medicinal virtues of the dead, than with the peculiar
habits of the living cantharides, is yet very far from having
acquired in this respect certain, extensive, and satisfactory
information. The only species which has been deemed to be
endowed with useful properties has caused a forgetfulness of
all the others which compose the entire genus ; and all that
we know, in general, respecting these insects, is, that in our
European climates they live on plants, devour the leaves of
certain trees, shun the cold, appear at the commencement of

ON TRACHELIDES. 47

spring, and disappear at the beginning of autumn. We are
therefore unable to do any more than present some general
ideas respecting the cantharis which is peculiarly consecrated
to the purposes of medicine.

The opinion of Baglivi that the usage of cantharides was
first introduced by the Arabs, appears to be without foun-
dation, for it is sufficiently proved that their employment
was not unknown to Hippocrates himself. But it must be
observed that the cantharides of the ancients, and those of
the Chinese, are not the same as those of the Europeans.
The Chinese employ a species of mylahris, and it appears
from what Dioscorides has written on this subject, that the
cantharides of the ancients were another species of the same
genus, namely, the M. chicorii.

" The most efficacious cantharides," says Dioscorides,
" are those of many colours, which have yellow transverse
bands, with the body elongated, bulky and fat — those of a
single colour have no virtue." This description does not at
all accord with the character of our cantharis, which is of a
fine green colour. But it is perfectly suitable, on the con-
trary, to the mylahris chicorii, very common in the country
where Dioscorides resided, and throughout all the East.

It is more than probable that experiments on insects
relatively to their utility in medicine and the arts, have been
too much neglected in general. Their diminutive size has
doubtless caused them to be too much despised. It cannot,
however, be doubted that there must be a great number of
them whose virtues are at least equal to those of the cantha-
rides, and many others which are less acrid and less caustic,
might in many cases be taken internally, with less danger and
a greater chance of success. We may rest assured that all
the species which belong to the genus cantharis possess,
pretty nearly the same virtues as the species which is most
generally known, and consequently in all the countries in

48 SUPPLEMENT

which they are found the same usage might be made of them.
Among the insects taken from other genera, which might
furnish caustic and irritating particles, and which might be
substituted for the cantharides, to a certain extent, we may
range melo'e, mylabris, carabus, tenebrio, cicindela, scarites,
coccinella, &c. The cast skin of the majority of the cater-
pillars produces a dust, which scattered by the winds, raises
pustules on the face with which it comes in contact. The
same effect is occasioned by the hair and wool of certain
phalenae when they are touched. Merian found at Surinam
some species of the larvae of lepidoptera, which one could
not touch without being suddenly attacked with inflammation.
It is in the course of the month of June that the cantha-
rides assemble together for the purposes of pairing. This is
the time which must be seized for collecting them, particu-
larly in the evening, at the setting of the sun, or in the
morning, at his rising. These insects are found almost
throughout all Europe, but more commonly in the warmer
climates. They vary prodigiously in point of size. The
cantharides used in medicine are about nine lines in length,
and two or three in breadth. They throw themselves upon
ash trees, honey-suckles, lilacs, rose trees, poplars, elms, &c.
of which they devour the leaves, and when this sort of pas-
ture is wanting they attack the corn fields and meadows, and
cause very serious damage. As they appear in troops or
swarms, and are preceded by a fetid odour, somewhat resem-
bling that of a mouse, it is easy to discover and collect
them, using, however, certain precautions, which it is prudent
never to neglect. There are two modes of proceeding in the
collection of cantharides ; the most simple consists in dis-
posing under the tree which is loaded with these insects, one
or more cloths, on which they are made to fall by shaking
the branches. They are afterwards gathered on a hair sieve,
and held over the vapour of vinegar, which causes them to

ON TRACHELIDES. 49

die, or they are collected in a clear linen cloth, which is
steeped several times in a vessel filled with vinegar, mixed
with water. This is the method which is most generally
adopted.

The second method of collecting the cantharides is more
embarrassing and expensive than the first. Cloths are spread
under the trees, and all around ; vinegar is put into a state
of evaporation, by causing it to be boiled in earthen pans,
placed in chafing dishes. The trees are then shaken to cause
the cantharides to fall, the latter are picked up immediately
and promptly enclosed for twenty-four hours, in vessels of
wood, earth, or glass, made for this express purpose.

When the cantharides are dead the next consideration is
the proper mode of drying them. For this pvu'pose they are
exposed to the sun, or what is still better, placed in a well-
aired garret, on hurdles covered with linen cloth or paper.
They are stirred about with a little stick, or with the hands,
provided, however, with gloves, for without this precaution
the workmen would be exposed to heat of urine, and expe-
rience sharp pains round the neck of the bladder, opthalmia,
and severe itching. When the cantharides have received a
suitable degree of dessiccation, they become so light that fifty
of them hardly weigh a dram.

The preservation of the cantharides is easy. They are
kept in boxes or barrels, invested internally with paper, and
closed. But before this it is necessary that they should be
perfectly dry, for otherwise they would contract a most de-
testable odour, which would render them totally unfit for
use.

The insects of the genus Cerocoma exhibit very brilliant
colours, and proper to distinguish them. They frequent
flowers, on which they are found during a great portion of
the summer. They fly with very great agility, but are easily
caught when they bury their heads in the calices of flowers

VOL. XV. E

50 SUPPLEMENT

to extract the honeyed juice from them. The habits of their
larvae are altogether unknown, but we may presume that
they live in the earth, like the larvae of the cantharides, and
feed upon the roots of plants. They often appear in great
abundance about the summer solstice.

The insects of the genus Mylabris were united to the
meloes by Linnaeus, and to the cantharides by Degeer. Fa-
bricius separated them, and formed them into a peculiar
genus, under the denomination of mylabris, which had already
been applied by Geoffroy to a very different set of coleop-
tera.

The insects of this genus are peculiar to the hot and sandy
countries of the Old "World ; they especially abound in
Africa and the Levant. They are found on the flowers and
leaves of divers vegetables, and particularly on those whose
flowers are composite. When they are seized they fold back
their antennae and feet against the body, like dermestes,
lycus, and many other insects of little agility, which seek to
deceive their enemies by counterfeiting death. Their larvae
are unknown.

It appears from some passages of Pliny and Dioscorides,
that the ancients designated these insects \inder the name of
cantharides, for they mention that the best cantharides are
those whose elytra are marked with yellow transverse bands ;
a character perfectly answering to some of these insects which
abound in the south of Kurope, and in the East.

They are still employed at the present day in Italy for
pharmaceutical purposes, and particularly in Naples, in the
place of our cantharides, or at all events mixed up with them.
The Chinese also make the same use of the mylabris pustu-
lata of Olivier, which is found in their country. It is very
difficult to establish precise limits between the species of
mylabris, because the spots of the elytra vary very consider-
ably.

ON TRACHELIDES. 51

The M. Chicorii has been sometimes found by M. Latreille
in the sandy plains, exposed to the sun, in the neighbourhood
of Paris, on thistles, but it remains more peculiarly on the
plants of endive or succory.

The ZoNiTEs are very much approximating to the can-
tharides. They are found on flowers, in the southern coun-
tries of Europe, in Africa, in Asia Minor, in Syria, and in
Persia. It appears that their larvae live like those of sitaris,
in the nest of certain apiaricc.

The insects of the genus Sitaris, in the larvae state, live
in the nests of some solitary bees. Their habits are otherwise
unknown.

THE
THIRD GENERAL SECTION

OF

COLEOPTEROUS INSECTS,

THAT CALLED

Tetramera,

Includes exclusively those which have four articulations to
all the tarsi.

All these insects feed on vegetable substances. Their
larvae have commonly short feet, but in many the feet are
wanting, or are represented by small mammae. The perfect
insects frequent flowers, or the leaves of plants.

I shall divide this section into seven families. The larvae
of the first four or five live most commonly hidden in the
interior of vegetables, and are generally without tarsi, or
have them very small ; many of them gnaw the hard ligneous
parts of vegetables. These coleoptera are the largest of the
section. The first family,

Rhynchophora,

Is distinguished by the anterior elongation of the head, which
forms a sort of muzzle or trunk. Most of them have the
abdomen thick, and the antennae often bent into a club. The
penultimate articulation of their tarsi is almost always bilobed.
The posterior thighs are indented in many.

The larvae have the body oblong, like a little worm, very

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 53

soft, white, with a scaly head, and are deprived of feet, or
have in their stead mere little nipples. Their nymphae are
inclosed in a cocoon.

Some have the labrum apparent, the anterior elongation of
the head short, wide, depressed, muzzle-shaped ; the palpi
very visible, filiform, or thicker at the end. They compose
the genus

Bruciius, of Lin.,

which is sub-divided as follows.

The species whose antennae are club-shaped, or obviously
thicker at the end, whose eyes are without emargination, and
Avho appear to have five articulations to the four anterior
tarsi, form the sub-genus Rhinosimus, which we have placed
from this character with the heteromera, but which in many
other particulars approximates to the sub-genus following.

Those v/ith similar antennas and eyes, but which have only
four articulations to all the tarsi, with the penultimate bilobed,
enter into the sub-genus Anthribus, of Geoff, and Fab., to
which may be joined the rhinomacera of Oliv.

Bruchus, properly so called, or the mylahris, Geoff., have
their antennae filiform, often serrated, or like a comb, and
the eyes emarginated ; the anus is uncovered, and the posterior
feet are commonly very large.

Rh.^bus of Fischer is distinguished from the last by their
elytra being flexible, and the hooks of the tarsi bifid.

Xylophilus, of Bonnelli, differs from these in having the
palpi terminating in a club.

The others have no apparent labrum, the palpi are very
small, scarcely perceptible to the naked eye, and of conical
form ; the anterior elongation of the head represents a bill or
trunk.

Sometimes the antennae are straight, inserted on the trunk,
and composed of nine or twelve articulations.

54} CLASS INSECTA.

Those in which the last three or four articulations are
united into a knob, form the genus

Attelabus, of Lin., and more particularly that of Fabricius,
or that of the Becmares^ of Geoff.

The proportions of the trunk, the manner in which it ter-
minates, as well as the legs, and the form of the abdomen,
have given rise to the establishment of the four following
sub-genera, viz., Apoda, Attelabus, Rhynchite, and
Apion. The first is the most distinct. The head of these
insects is narrowed behind, forming a sort of neck, and united
with the corslet by a kind of patella. Their muzzle is short,
thick, enlarged at the end, a character common to Attelabus,
properly so called, but in which the head, as well as in the
other two sub-genera, enters the corslet as far as the eyes.
Here the muzzle is elongated in form of a proboscis. In the
rhynchites it is a little enlarged at the end, and the abdomen
is sub-quadrate.

Certain rhynchophora, very analogous to attelabus, but
whose body is narrower and more elongated, have been formed
into the following genera.

Rhinotia, Kirby. Belus, Schoenh. — Whose antennas
thicken without forming a knob, and whose body is nearly
linear.

EuRHiNUs, Kirby, in which they terminate in an elongated
knob, the last articulation in the males being very long.

TuBicENUs, Dej. Auletes, Schcenh. — In which they ter-
minate also in a knob, but perfoliated, and with articulations
differing but little in length. The abdomen is moreover in a
long square, not oval, as that of eurhinus.

Those in which the antennae are filiform, or in which the
last articulation only forms the knob or proboscis, often
larger in the males than in the females, and often moreover

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 55

otherwise terminated, is always carried forward, in which all
the parts of the body are commonly much elongated, and in
which the penultimate articulation of the tarsi is bilobed,
form the genus

Brentus, Fab. Curculio, Lin.

These insects belong to the hot climates. Some have the
body linear, and the antennae filiform, or a little enlarged
toward the end, and composed of eleven articulations. These
include Brentus, properly so called.

Mr. Stevens has separated from these, under the collective
and generic name of arrhenodes, certain species, with the
head as if cut behind the eyes, with the muzzle short, and
terminated by two narrow and advanced mandibles in the
males.

Others, similar as to the form of the body, have only nine
articulations in the antennae, the last of which forms a little
knob. Such are

Ulocerus, Schoenh.

The last Cylas, Lat., have ten articulations in the an-
tennae, the last forming an oval knob. The corslet is as if
divided into two lobes ; the posterior, that which forms the
pedicle, is the smallest. The abdomen is oval.

Sometimes the antennae are distinctly bent, the first articu-
lation being much longer than the following. These form the
genus Cdrculio of Lin.

We shall divide them into short and long-billed, according
as the antennae are inserted near the end of the proboscis, and
even with the origin of the mandibles, or more behind,
whether toward its middle or near the base.

The short-billed curculiones of this naturalist are divided
by Fabricius into two genera.

56 CLASS INSECTA.

Brachycerus, Fab.

Have all the articulations of the tarsi entire, and without
brushes or cushions underneath. Their short slightly-bent
antennas have only at the end nine articulations, the last of
which forms the knob. They are wingless. Their body is
very rugged or unequal.

CuRcuLio, Fab.

Have almost the entire under-part of the tarsi furnished with
short serrated hair, forming cushions, and the penultimate
articulation deeply divided into two lobes. Their antennae
are composed of eleven articulations, or even twelve, counting
the false articulation which sometimes terminates them, the
last of which form the knob.

This genus, although much more limited than in the
system of Liimaeus, includes still a vast number of species
discovered since his time. Many naturalists, and more espe-
cially Germar and Schoenherr, have divided the genus into
many. We may, in conformity with our observations, make
two principal divisions of them.

Those whose mentum, more or less widened above, and
more or less orbicular, occupies the whole width of the buccal
cavity, hides entirely, or nearly so, the jaws, and whose
mandibles have no very apparent indentations, or which pre-
sent only below the point a slight sinus.

We may include in the first sub-genus that of Cyclomus,
of the short-billed rhynchophora, which, like the foregoing,
have the tarsi deprived of a brush, and the penultimate arti-
culation entire, or slightly emarginated, without very distinct
lobes. To these may be referred Cryhps, Deracanthus,
Amycterus and Cyclomus, of Schcenh.

All the rest have their tarsi furnished underneath with

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 57

brushes, and the penultimate articulation deeply bilobed.
Some of these have wings.

Here the lateral furrows of the proboscis are oblique and
directed underneath. The fore-feet differ little from the fol-
lowing in proportions. They form a first sub-genus, that of
CuRCULio, properly so called, which comprehends a great
number of genera of Germar and Schoenh., whose characters
are of little importance, and often very equivocal. We may
at most separate those whose antennae are larger in propor-
tion.

Among those whose antennae are short, with the corslet
longitudinal, like a truncated cone, the shoulders projecting,
and of which have been formed the genera EntimuSj Chlo-
rima,&c., are arranged some South American species, remark-
able for their beauty and often also for their size.

The genus Leptosomus, of Schoenherr, although formed
of a single species (C acuminatus), has nevertheless some
characters so peculiar that it may be kept as a sub-genus.
The head is elongated behind, with the proboscis very short.
The corslet is sub-cylindrical. The elytra terminate like
divergent spines. The antennae are short.

We will pass to a third sub-genus, Leptocekus, which
differs from the first by having the two anterior feet larger
than the others, with the thighs thick, the legs arched, and
the tarsi often dilated and ciliated. The antennae are com-
monly long and slender. The corslet is sub-globular or triangu-
lar, the abdomen being scarcely larger than it.

A fourth sub-genus, Phyllobius, will include other bre-
virostrae of the same division, and also winged, but in which
the furrows of the sides of the proboscis are straight, short,
and consist only of a simple fossa. This includes several
genera, Phyllobius, Macrorynus, Myllocerus, Cyphicerus, Am'
hlirhinus, and Phytoscnpus, of ]M. Schoenherr.

The Brevirostrae, with the penultimate articulation of the

58 CLASS INSECTA.

tarsi bilobed but apterous, and almost always without a
cushion, all form other sub-genera, viz. Othiorynchus and
Omias, including those with the antennary furrows straight,
and Pachyehynchus, Psalidium, Thylacites, and Sy-
ZYGOPS, comprehending those with the like furrows bent.
Othiorynchus is distinguished from Omias by the dilation, in
form of a little ear, of the lateral and lower part of the probos-
cis, serving as insertions for the antennae ; — from Syzygops, a
Cyclops of M. Dejean, by having the eyes nearly united
above ; — from Psalidium, by having projecting mandibles
arched or crescented. Thylacites differs from Pachyrhynchus
by their slender antennas, as long, or nearly as long, as the
corslet. The abdomen is, moreover, very much swollen.
To Omias and Thylacites should be united many genera of
M. Schoenherr. That of Hypantus may be preserved very
near to Othiorynchus, but distinguished from it by a cors-
let larger when compared with the abdomen, and nearly
globular.

Our second general division of the genus Curculio of Fab.
differs from the first by the narrowing of the mentum, which
not occupying the whole extent of the buccal cavity, leaves
the jaws visible on either side ; the mandibles, moreover, are
evidently indented The knob of the antennae is often formed
by the last five or six articulations.

Some have not more than two teeth to the mandibles. The
labial palpi are distinct. The knob of the antennae, sufficiently
sudden, commences only at the eighth or ninth articulation,
and has not at all the figure of an elongated spindle, nor is
the body, though oblong, formed the same.

Some are apterous with the tarsi deprived of cushions.
Their penultimate articulation is slightly bilobed. Such is
the genus Myniops of Schoenherr, to which may be united his
Rhytirrhinus.

Others, also, apterous, have, like most rhynchophori, the

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 59

under part of the tarsi furnished with cushions, and the penul-
timate deeply bilobed. They will compose the sub-genus
LiPARUs, which will also include several genera of the same
naturalist.

These which have wings may form two other sub-genera,
viz. — Hypera, Germ., Phytonomus, Coniatus, Schoen., in
which the legs have no hooks at their extremity, or but one
very small; and that of Hylobius, which have a very strong
one at the inner extremity.

The others, whose mandibles have three or four teeth,
have a mentum narrowed near the upper end, truncated^ and
with the palpi little observable or nullified. Their antennae
terminate almost gradually in a knob, formed like an elon-
gated spindle. The figure of the body is often analogous
to this. Olivier has confounded them with Lixus, from which,
in truth, they differ very little. They will compose the sub-
genus Cleonus.

The long-billed curculiones, or those whose antennae are in-
serted on the side of the origin of the mandibles, often near
the middle of the proboscis, Avhich is generally long, include
nearly all the species of the genera Lixus RhynchoBnus and
Calandra of Fab.

In the first two, the antennae have at least ten articulations,
but more generally eleven or twelve, and the last three, at
least, form the knob.

Lixus, Fab.

These are very like cleonus, as well by the organs of man-
ducation as by the knob like an elongated spindle, of the
antennae, the straight and elongated form of the body, and
the arms or the legs.

Rhynch.«nus, Fab.
Has not such a general assembly of characters.

60 CLASS INSECTA.

Sometimes the feet are contiguous to each other at their
base, and without sternal fossae, to receive the proboscis.

Some do not leap, and their antennae are composed of eleven
or twelve articulations. These have wings.

Tamnophilus has the antennae but little bent, short, with
twelve articulations, terminated in an oval knob, and carried
in a short proboscis, advanced, and but little arched ; the
eyes are near above ; the end of the abdomen is visible ; the
legs are armed at their extremity with a strong hook. These
will form the first sub-genus.

Other Rhyncheni are remarkable for their arched legs,
furnished with a strong hook at the end ; their tarsi are long,
filiform, with but few hairs underneath, with the last articu-
lation little dilated, simply heart-shaped. They will compose
the sub-genus Bagous. They are small insects, which fre-
quent marshes.

Some others, with the same habits, differ from their con-
genera in their tarsi, of which the penultimate articulation
entirely shuts up the last between its lobes. These are, some-
times, without hook. They form the sub-genus Brachy-
pus.

Balaninus displays some Rhynchophori remarkable by
the length of the proboscis, which at least equals, and often
much exceeds, the length of the body.

Rhynchcenus, properly so called, differs from the last by
negative characters, and from the following by having the an-
tennae composed of twelve articulations.

Sybiiqes : this has but eleven, seven of which are before
the knob.

Those are deprived of wings. Such is the sub-genus My-
ORHINUS, Schcenh. Apsis, Germ., to which we shall unite the
genera Tanyrhynchus, Solenorhinus, Sfyphlus, Trachodes
(Comasinus, Deg.) of M. Schoenherr.

We may then pass to those which have only nine arti-

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 6l

culations to the antennae, and which have the faculty of
leaping.

CioNUs, Clair,, do not leap at all, and there are nine or ten
articulations to the antennge. Their body is commonly very
short and sub-globular.

Then will follow those whose posterior thighs are very thick,
enabling them to leap. The antennae have eleven articulations.
The body is short, and ovoido-conical.

Those with the antennae inserted on the proboscis form the
sub-genus Orchestes, Illig. Salms^ Germ.

Those in which the antennae spring from between the eyes
form that of Ramphus, Clair.

Among the last Rhynchoeni remaining to be described, the
feet are widened at their insertion ; the sternum, moreover,
presents a cavity larger or smaller, which receives the pro-
boscis, and even sometimes the antennae.

Those in which this cavity does not exist may form the two
sub-genera, Amerhinus and Baridius.

The first has the body oval or sub-cylindrical, convex
above. In the second, it is depressed and rhomboidal.

The Rhynchaeniof Fab., whose sternum has a fosset for
containing the proboscis, have been distributed by M. Schoen-
herr into a great many genera, which we shall reduce as fol-
lows : —

They have wings, or are apterous.

Among the former, some have a sub-rhomboidal form, with
the corslet narrowed suddenly like a tube near its anterior
extremity ; the abdomen is nearly triangular. They are con-
nected with Baridius, but here the antennae have twelve
articulations.

Camptoriiynchus, Eurhinus^ Schcen. These are dis-
tinguished by the antennae forming a thick perfoliated knob.

Centrinus have a distinct scutellum ; the abdomen en-
tirely covered by the elytra, the eyes wide, and the knob of

62

CLASS INSECTA.

the antennae elongated. The chest often has on each side of
its cavity a tooth, or little horn.

Zygops is very remarkable for its large eyes, approaching
or united above, and by their feet generally long, and the
posterior at least very wide.

Ceutorhynchus, whose scutellum is scarcely perceptible ;
the elytra are rounded at their extremity, and do not entirely
cover the abdomen. The eyes are wide. The knob of the
antennae is oval, and the extremity of the legs is without
spines. In these, the antennae have only eleven articulations.
Hydaticus.

Others have the body ovoid, short, much swollen above,
with the abdomen embraced in its circle by the elytra.
The thighs are channelled, and receive the legs therein. Their
eyes are large. The antennae have always twelve articulations.
Orobitis.

Others having the body oblong convex, with the fore feet
commonly larger, especially in the males i the antennae with
twelve articulations, the eyes wide, and the elytra covering
the abdomen compose the sub-genus Ceyptouhynchus.

Those which are apterous, or in which the wings are
very imperfect, and are without scutellum, will form another
sub-genus, that of Tylode, Ulosomiis, Seleropterus, Schcen.

The remaining longirostra have in general nine articula-
tions at most to the antennae, and the last, or two last at
most, form a knob, with a coriaceous epidermis, and of which
the extremity is spongy.

They may be divided in one genus,

Calandra,
Which may be divided into six sub-genera.

The first two are apterous, and have, as well as the pre-
ceding and the following, with the exception of the last, four
articulations on all the tarsi, whose penultimate is bilobed.

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 63

The antennae are inserted at a little distance from the middle
of the proboscis, and are bent.

In the first Anchonus, Schoen. these organs have nine
articulations before the knob. The tenth, and, perhaps, two
others intimately united with the preceding, and indistinct,
form a short ovoid knob.

In the second, ORTHOCHiETEs, Germar, it is the eighth
which forms the knob.

The other four sub-genera have wings.

In the first three, the tarsi have only four articulations,
with the penultimate bilobed.

Rhina, Lat. Lixus, Fab. — The antennee are much bent,
inserted near the middle of a straight proboscis advanced, and
the eighth articulation of which forms a very elongated sub-
cylindrical knob. The fore feet, at least of the males, are
larger than the others.

Calandra, properly so called, have also the antennae very
much bent, but inserted near the base of the proboscis ; the
eighth articulation forms a triangular or ovoid knob.

The fifth sub-genus, Cossonus, Clairv., have the antennae
scarcely larger than the proboscis and the head, and eight
articulations before the knob ; they are thick, and inserted
toward the middle of the proboscis.

The last sub-genus, Dryopthorus, Bulbifer, Deg., so far
as the tarsi are concerned, is anomolous; they have five articu-
lations, neither of which is bilobed. Their antennae have
only six articulations, the last of which forms the knob.

SUPPLEMENT

RHYNCHOPHORA.

The larvjB of Biiuchus, the first genus of this family,
have the body tolerably thick, swelled, arched, and very
short. It is composed of several rings, not very distinct one
from the other. The head is small and scaly, and furnished
with very hard and trenchant mandibles. There are nine
stigmata on each side, through which is introduced the air
which is necessary to the support of life.

It is in this larva-state that the Bruchi carry on such
ravages on the different grains of the majority of leguminous
plants, and of some kernel fruits, and particularly on beans,
lentils, vetches, and pease ; also in the grains of the gleditsia,
the theobroma, the mimosa, and many species of palms.
The larva passes the winter in the grain, a part of the inter-
nal substance of which it consumes. It then becomes changed
into a nymph at the commencement of spring, or even
before the end of the winter, and the perfect insect issues
forth in spring. Before it undergoes its metamorphosis, it
takes care to manage an opening for itself, by rendering, at

ON RHYNCHOPHORA. C.5

a certain part of the grain, the bark or exterior skin, so thin,
that the slightest effort is sufficient to pierce it.

In its final state the bruchus does no sort of mischief to
grains or fruits. These insects then frequent flowers, or
different plants, and begin to pair. After pairing, the
female returns on the young silicas, and on the cods which
are ready to be formed, for the purpose of depositing her
eggs. She deposits usually but one egg in each grain. Never-
theless we sometimes find two of these larvae in the beans of
marshes.

These insects are not common in Europe. Some species
are very much extended in the southern parts of France, in
Spain, and in Italy. They are always to be met with more
rarely as we advance towards the north.

In Europe it is more particularly beans, peas, and all
kinas of vetches, that are the most exposed to the ravages of
the larvae of bruchus. The external envelope of these legu-
minous plants, does not manifest in any way the sojourn of
the larva, and sometimes in opening a pea or a bean, we are
surprised to find, in the middle of a considerable vacancy,
the perfect insect dead, having, without doubt, been unable
to manage for itself an opening.

The insect named DoUchocera C/iildreni, of plate 49,
which appeared to us at first to be generically distinct from
Bruchus, seems, on further examination, to belong to a
sub-genus Macrocephalus of Oliv., which name, therefore,
must be substituted for Dolichocera. The species is ful-
vous, varied with lines of black and white, the anteimae
are black, with the ninth joint white. The species is from
Java.

The larva of the Bruchus acacias, an insect which inhabits
North America, lives in the substance of the grains of the
rohinia pseudo-acacia. The Bruchus pahnarum is found

VOL. XV. F

66 SUPPLEMENT

in all South America. Its larva feeds on the almond of a
species of palm, named at Cayenne, Counana. It is the
cocos gumeejisis of Linnaeus.

The bruchus pisi is found on flowers in France, Germany,
Italy, Spain, Greece, and North America. Its larva lives in
the interior of peas, lentiles, chicklings, beans, and vetches,
of every description.

Geoffroy, who established the genus Anthribus, has men-
tioned seven species. The first three, two of which he has
figured, belong to the genus anthribus of Fabricius, or the
macrocephalus of Olivier. The fourth is a nitidula. The
three others are ranged with the ja/mZacH of M. PaykuU, and
form the genus anthribus of Olivier.

But this celebrated entomologist has taken as a type of
the genus, some insects which differ essentially from those
which Geoffroy had in view, as the figures of the two species
of anthribi, which he has given, sufficiently prove. M. La-
treille, therefore, particularly designates, under the name of
anthribus, those coleoptera of which Olivier composes his
genus macrocephalus, agreeing in this with Fabricius, and
all other naturalists, who followed, in this respect, the same
nomenclature.

Some species are found on woods and under the bark of
trees. The others live on flowers.

The genus Attelabus, in the method of Linnagus, is com-
posed of coleoptera very different as to their organization and
habits, and comprehends but a single species of the genus
which bears that name at the present day. Geoffroy desig-
nates, in the same manner, the hister of this naturalist, and
with one of his attelabi, and some other insects very analo-
gous, forms a very natural genus, that of rhinomacer. Fa-
bricius, in adopting it, has thought proper to preserve the
Linnaean denomination of attelabus. This genus, through

ON RHYNCHOPHORA. 67

the labours of Herbst, Clairville, and Olivier, has since
undergone many changes, so that the genus attelabus, pro-
perly so called, is now confined to the species which present
the characters detailed in the text. But in general the
coleoptera comprehended in the primitive genus of rhinoma-
cer or attelabus, live pretty nearly in the same manner, and
resemble each other considerably in their first state of ex-
istence. Their larvae are soft, whitish worms, without feet,
whose body is tolerably thick, and composed of twelve not
very distinct rings. The head is hard, scaly, and armed with
two rather solid jaws. They all live on vegetable substances.
They attack the leaves, the flowers, the fruits, and the stalks
of plants. They feed upon their substance, oi roll the leaves
and gnaw away the parenchyma. They change skin several
times, and when arrived at their full bulk, they spin a cocoon
of silk, or construct it of a sort of resinous matter tolerably
solid, and then become transformed into nymphs, from which
state they issue, after some time, in the form of the perfect
insect.

When these larvae are numerous, they do considerable
damage to vegetables, either by depriving them of their
leaves, or attacking the young shoots, or in fine, by gnawing
the flowers and fruits. It is so much the more difficult to
guard against them, as they only make their appearance in
consequence of the ravages which they commit. They do not
work openly, but enclosed in the centre of a stalk or fruit,
which they gnaw insensibly. Thus we are not advertised of
their presence until the evil is without a remedy.

It is usually on the plants which have nourished the larvae,
that the perfect insects are to be found. They are sometimes
in different flowers, from which they extract the melliferous
juice. Some of them also feed on the parenchyma of the
leaves. But less dangerous and less voracious than their

r 2

68 SUPPLEMENT

larvae, the injury they cause to vegetables is much less con-
siderable. Their length is from one to four or six lines.

The insects of the genus Brent us are distinguished from
Curculio by straight and moniliform antennae, independently
of some slight differences in the conformation of the parts of
the mouth.

These insects, remarkable for their extremely elongated
form, are found only in the warm climates ; a single species
only has been discovered in Europe. They live on flowers,
or on the bark of trees. We insert a new figure, from the
cabinet of the Reverend Mr. Hope, of B. Temminckii, des-
cribed by Mr. Kiiig. It is black, the elytra varied, with
red spots, and strong striae. This species is from Java.

The genus Brachycerus has been confounded with Cur-
culio, which it much resembles ; but differs from it as stated
in the text.

The Brachyceri do not frequent flowers, nor are they ever
found on trees and plants, like the Ciirculiones. Having no
wings, they cannot quit the surface of the earth, although, ^n
general, the insects deprived of wings have received, in com-
pensation, a greater agility in the legs, such as Carabus,
Tenebrio, &c. This is not the case with the brachyceri.
Although their limbs are tolerably long and thick, t^ey can-
not walk with any degree of rapidity ; in fact, they creep along
very slowly indeed.

These insects are found only in the south of Europe, and
in foreign countries. We have not been able, as yet, to ac-
quire any positive knowledge concerning their larvae. The
body of some species is covered more or less, in certain places,
with a scaly imbricated dust, which is easily detached, and
which the insect loses in growing older.

The genus Curculio, though still very numerous, is much
more restrained than formerly, and the study of it more

ON RHYNCHOPHORA. 69

facilitated. It comprehends, besides the species whose gene-
ral characters are given in the text, those whose antennae,
equally composed of eleven articulations, and terminated in a
knob, are inserted towards the middle of an elongated pro-
boscis. These species have been designated by the epithet
of Longii'ostres. Fabricius has separated them, and formed
of them two distinct genera, Lixus and Rhynchcenus, Oli-
vier, from this last, has withdrawn some species, those of
his genus Liparus ; but it must be observed, that M. de
Clairville refers to his genus Rhynchcenus only, the leaping
curculiones.

Fabricius, by giving more extent to this last division, has
departed from the principles of M. Clairville, and thrown
confusion into nomenclature ; for his genus Rhynchaenus no
longer corresponds with that of the last- mentioned naturalist.
To obviate this embarrassment, M. Latreille, in dividing the
genus Curculio after the manner of Fabricius, had preserved
this generic name to the species with long proboscis, and
termed those in which this organ is short Brachgrhitius.
But the nomenclature of Fabricius has, nevertheless, pre-
vailed. Some German naturalists, however, have preserved
the term Brachyrhimis, and apply it to a new group, dis-
membered from the Curculio of Fabricius.

The genus, as it stands at present, is composed of the
largest species, especially of those preferred by amateurs, in
consequence of their agreeable forms, very various, and
often exceedingly brilliant colours, produced by imbricated
scales, analogous in their arrangement to those of the wings
of the lepidoptera. The majority of those handsome species,
such as Regalis, Imperialism Chrysis^ Fastiwsus, &c., are
peculiar to Brazil and Peru. Those of the ancient Continent
are generally smaller, and less ornamented. Some, notwith-
standing, such as taniarisci, viridis, argentatus, &c. are
still remarkable for the splendour of their costume.

70 SUPPLEMENT

The Curculiones are of a slow and timid character. They
feed on leaves. There are even some of them, as Curculio
ligustici, which sometimes ravage the fields, which are sown
with ferns. Their larvas would also appear to subsist, in
like manner, in vegetable substances.

Our species, C. cyanipes, is of a brilliant, light-green
colour, varied with irregular bands of black. It is from
Brazil. C. spectahilis is of a bright emerald green, with
spots and bands of golden copper, varied with black.

Degeer has given the history of the Hocus paraplecticiis,
which Linnaeus has thus named specifically, from his opinion
that the larvae of these insects being eaten by horses along
with the plant on which they feed, gave them the malady
called paraplegia, (in Swedish staikra,) as well as the plant
itself, which is the phellandrium aquaticum — a sort of um-
belliferous plant, very common in many marshes. The in-
terior of the submerged portion of its thick stalks serves as a
retreat to the larvae of this lixus, which live there in a soli-
tary manner, and with the head always placed towards the top.
These larvae feed upon the sap. They are about seven lines
in length, and a little more than a line in diameter, entirely
white, or the colour of milk, a little yellowish, with the
head scaly, and of a yellowish brown. The body is almost
of equal thickness in its whole extent, except towards its pos-
terior extremity, Avhere it is terminated in a cone. It is
divided into twelve rings, the first three of which have each
underneath, towards the sides, two nipples, which represent
feet, but without assisting the progression of the animal. Ac-
cording to the observations of this great naturalist, it ad-
vances, holding itself reversed, or with belly upwards,
elongating and shortening its wings, which have transverse
wrinkles, cut rather deeply, and which form fleshy irregular
eminences. The belly is smooth. All along the sides, the skin
of which is smooth and bare, a soit of fold is visible, and a

ON RHYNCHOPHORA. 71

range of oval points, a little raised and ridged, of a clear
brown ; these are the stigmata. There are nine on each side.
The hinder part of the body is a little curved, and a little
forked at the end, with a small incision, in which the anus is
found. The head is oval, with a scaly skin, divided into two
semi-hoods, and an anterior and triangular piece. A whitish
suture separates these parts from each other. The mouth is
furnished with very small hairs, and composed of two cone-
ous, strong, and very pointed mandibles, of two small lips,
of two jaws, and four conical articulated palpi, the maxillary
of which are larger, and forked at the end. The lower lip
has three small conical parts, the middle one of which re-
sembles the spinneret of caterpillars. Each side of the head
presents a black point, which seems to be an eye.

The larva is transformed, in the commencement of July,
into a nymph in the interior of the stalks, in which it has
lived. This nymph is naked, or without shell or cocoon, of
the same length as the larva, and thick in proportion ; white,
with the abdomen bordering on yellow, rounded, and armed
with two scaly crooks at each posterior extremity ; each of its
rings has above a transverse range of scales, points short
and brown. The proboscis is curved underneath the breast.
The elytra and feet are applied upon its sides. The nymph
holds itself straight, or with the head upwards, in its habita-
tion. It has much vivacity, which it announces by the move-
ments of the rings of its body, and by changing place, by
means of the spines and crooks of its abdomen. When it is
about to pass into the perfect state, it raises itself to a height,
the level of which is above the surface of the water, knaws
with its teeth a portion of the stalk, and makes a large and
oval aperture, which serves it for a passage out. This last
transformation takes place towards the end of the same
month, and of July. Linnaeus has erroneously advanced that
it passes the winter in the stalk.

72 SUPPLEMENT

The liwus odontalgicus lives on the flowers of thistles, and of
cercium. It has been vaunted as a specific for the tooth-ache.

The species in which the proboscis is lodged, in a hollow
in the breast, compose the genus Crypto I'hyncus of lUiger.
The habits of the Rhynchaeni are the same as those of the
other curculionites. Olivier, who does not adopt the dis-
tinction of Illiger, has figured and described one hundred and
sixty-nine species.

Passing over the other sub-genera, we shall proceed to the
last genus of the rhyncophora, the Calandr.?:. These have
been separated from the genus curculio of Linnaeus, and are
distinguished from all the others of the same family by
character designated in the text.

Of all the insects of this genus, the Calandra granaria
(Weevil) is the most common, and the most formidable to
us, since it attacks the principal basis of our food. These
insects are sometimes so numerous in a heap of corn that they
destroy it altogether, leaving nothing behind but the chaff
or envelope of the grain. A larva is always alone in a grain
of corn. It is in this lodge that it acquires its growth, at the
expence of the farina in which it feeds. In proportion as it
eats, it enlarges its lodging, so that it may be large enough
to contain it under the form of a nymph. This little larva,
very white, has the form of an elongated and soft worm, and
the body is composed of nine prominent and rounded rings.
It is nearly a line in length, with a rounded, yellow, scaly
head, provided with organs proper for the purpose of gnaw-
ino; the grain.

When the larva has eaten all the flower, and is arrived at
its full growth, it remains in the envelope of the grain, where
it is metamorphosed into a nymph, of a clear white, and trans-
parent. Under the envelope may be distinguished the pro-
boscis, the antennse, and the rest of the insect. In this state
it takes no nutriment, gives no sign of life but in the lower

ON RHYNCHOPHORA. 7^

part of the nymph, which is capable of some movements when
it is disturbed. Eight or ten days after this first metamorpho-
sis, the insect breaks the envelope which held it swaddled up, it
pierces the skin of the grain to produce an opening, and let
itself out of its prison. The weevil then appears under its
final form.

In general, that which serves as nutriment to insects in
their larva or caterpillar state, no longer suits them in their
perfect form. Such, however, is not the case with the Ca-
landra, if we are to believe some naturalists. Scarcely has it
issued from its nymph-state than it proceeds to pierce the en-
velope of grains, to establish itself there anew, and again
to feed on their farina. We might suppose, however, that
the Calandra in its image state, or that of perfect insect,
does not feed on the farina of corn except when it can find
nothing better, and that if it appears to seek out the heaps of
corn, it is for the purpose of depositing its eggs there. But,
in fact, the first of these suppositions cannot be well enter-
tained, for in visiting heaps of corn attacked by Calandrae,
we often find the insect lodged in the interior of the grain ;
its black colour does not announce that it has recently issued
from its state of nymph, since it is of a straw-colour at the
time when it has just quitted its sheath. Nevertheless, we
must doubtless believe that it occasions much less injury in
this last state than in that of larva.

For a long time it was believed that a heap of corn heated,
or the grains beginning to germinate through humidity,
would engender weevils. Some naturalists, who, without
doubt, had applied themselves but little to the observation
of this species of insects, have assured vis that the Calandra
deposited its eggs in the ears of corn while the grain was
yet in milk, and that it was transported with the corn into
the granaries. More exact observations have destroyed these
errors. The Calandra has no sooner issued from its envelope

74 SUPPLEMENT

of nymph, than it is in a state for pairing, like the majority
of insects, for the purpose of reproducing its species. Its
pairing always bears a strict relation to a certain degree of
heat. When the heat is under eight or nine degrees, these
insects have not sufficient vigour to feel the desire of copula-
tion. They live in a state of repose, and even lethargy, if
the weather be cold, and are then incapable of doing injury.
According to the season and the climate, the deposition of
eggs commences sooner or later. In the southern parts of
France it takes place in the month of April, and it often ex-
tends, these insects continuing to propagate, even towards the
middle of September. Thus the destruction of grain in those
countries must be much more considerable than in the more
northern climates. As long as the weather continues warm^
these insects pair very frequently. Their union lasts a con-
siderable time. They may be swept or carried away without
a separation taking place between them. The female, con-
sequently, deposits her eggs in all months, when the tem-
perature is up to a suitable degree. As soon as it begins to
be cold in the mornings she ceases to lay.

From the moment of pairing to that in which the insect
appears under the form of the calandra, there elapse about
forty or forty-five days. By this we may see, that in a year
there must be many generations of these insects, which mul-
tiply still more in the very hot climates. According to a
table formed respecting the multiplication of the calandra,
it results, that by adding together the numbers of each gene-
ration, we have the sum-total of six thousand and forty-five
calandra proceeding from a single pair during five months,
dating from the end of April, vmtil towards the middle of
September, while the mercury continues in the thermometer
above fifteen degrees, and it scarcely ever falls lower in the
southern parts of France. We can, therefore, no longer be

ON RHYNCHOPHORA. 75

astonished if enormous heaps of grain are destroyed by these
insects.

As soon as the female of the calandra has been fecundated,
she buries herself in heaps of corn for the purpose of depo-
siting her eggs there, and concealing them immediately under
the skin of the grains. She makes an insertion which keeps
her a little raised in this part, and forms there a small eleva-
tion not very sensible to view. These holes are not perpen-
dicular to the surface of the grains, but oblique or even
parallel, and are stopped with a species of gluten, of the
same colour as the corn. It appears that these insects com-
mence by sinking between the skin and the substance of the
grain, the little dart, which is concealed under the lower
part of the proboscis. The female never puts more than one
egg in each grain of corn. This egg very speedily excludes
the young. At the end of some days there issues forth from
it a small larva, which, lodged in the grain, is perfectly
sheltered from the injuries of the air, because its excrements
serve to close the aperture through which it has entered, so
that there is no use in stirring the grain, as all the shaking in
the world will not incommode it.

It is in heaps of corn that we usually find the calandrae, at
some inches in depth, and not at the surface, unless they
should happen to be disturbed in their retreat, and attempt
to make their escape. There it is that they live, that they
usually pair, and that the females deposit their eggs. It is
hardly possible to know, by looking at the grains, which of
them have been attacked by these insects, since they have the
same form and the same appearance of those which are un-
touched . They may be known by the weight, and the most
unequivocal criterion is when several handfuls of the grain
are thrown into water. Those which, though they look well,
swim upon the surface of the water, have lost a portion of

76 SUPPLEMENT

their farinaceous substance by the devastations of the
calandrae.

As long as the weather continues warm, the calandrae do
not quit the heap of corn, of which they have taken posses-
sion, unless they are obliged to dislodge and abandon it, by
shaking it with shovels, or passing it through a sieve. As
soon as the mornings begin to become fresh, all the calandrae,
young and old, abandon the heaps of corn, which no longer
supply them with a sufficiently warm retreat. They retire
into the clefts of walls, into the flaws in woods and floors.
They are sometimes found behind tapestry, under chimneys,
and in fine, every where, where they can find a retreat to
protect them against the cold. It has, however, been seri-
ously supposed, that the calandrce remain in a state of
lethargy during the whole winter, and regain, at the return of
spring, the heaps of corn which they have abandoned, and
there recommence the deposition of their eggs. A general
and constant rule in the class of insects is, that those which
have paired perish shortly after, and that they do not pass
the winter except in the Qgg, or in the larva-state. It is
doubtless rare, that even those which have not been ex-
hausted in fulfilling the intentions of nature, can brave the
rigour of the season, and do not perish before the spring
arrives.

It is natural to suppose, that some means of exterminating
these most destructive insects have been anxiously sought
after in all times. But all such means, even to the present
moment, have experienced so little success, that they may
be regarded as very nearly useless. They consist, for the most
part, in fumigations made with decoctions composed of herbs,
of a strong and disagreeable odour. The result of all such pro-
cesses has been to communicate to the corn a fetid and diso-ust-
ing odour, without injuring the calandrae, which being sunk
in the heaps of corn, could not be incommoded by them.

ON RHYNCHOPHORA. 77

Experience has, moreover, proved, that these odours which
appear to us the most disagreeable, are by no means hurtful
to the calandrae, and even if they could prove so, it would be
very difficult to bring them to bear upon these insects. Those
which might happen to be at the surface of the heap of corn,
would sink down directly, or abandon the granary, and re-
turn when the disagreeable smell was dissipated. The odour
of the essential oil of terebenthine does not appear to occa-
sion to them the least annoyance. The smoke of sulphur,
such an active agent in breaking the elasticity of the air is
without success in suffocating and killing the calandrse, which
have no need, for the purposes of respiration, of the same
quantity of air which is necessary to the larger animals. All
these fumigations are equally unsuccessful in the destruction
of their larvae, which, however, cause by far the greatest
degree of devastation.

Some economists have supposed that to protect the corn
against the ravages of the calandrae, it would be sufficient to
put it into wainscotted cellars, or to pass it through the
sieve in the winter season. But in putting the corn into the
cellars, it would be difficult to preserve it from humidity,
which would cause it to germinate and rot. Besides, the
calandrae would only find themselves there in a more undis-
turbed state for the commission of their ravages with a greater
degree of certainty. As for the use of the sieve, it is per-
fectly ineffective in winter, because the moment the weather
begins to grow cold, these insects quit the heaps of corn.
This means too, is very insufficient to detach the eggs, which
are so well glued, and so adherent to the grain, that it is im-
possible to separate them by sifting it, or stirring it about
with a shovel.

Experiments have proved that a sudden heat of nineteen
degrees is sufficient to destroy the calandrae without burning
them ; but this sudden rarefaction of the air would not suf-

78 SUPPLEMENT

focate these insects when they are sunk in a heap of corn. It
has been observed, that a heat of sixty degrees was necessary
to destroy the calandrae in a stove. But this excessive heat,
which has also the advantage of destroying the eggs and the
larvae enclosed in the grain, is likely to dry up the corn too
much, and even to calcine it, while at the same time it does
not preserve it from the insects which remain in the granaries,
and which will still proceed to attack it if they can find no
other.

As the calandrae are incapable of doing mischief during
the cold weather, since they then cease to eat and to multi-
ply, the idea of substituting cold instead of heat as a remedy
against them has struck some persons. It has been proposed
to have a ventilator, the effect of which would be to keep up
in a granary a degree of air, sufficiently cold to reduce these
insects to an incapacity of exercising any of the functions
necessary to the preservation of their existence, and the mul-
tiplication of their species. By continuing the action of this
ventilator during the whole summer, the calandrae might be
obliged to dislodge, or by reducing them to a state of le-
thargic inaction they would become incapable of doing
mischief. This method appears to be so much the more
efficacious, as it bears a relation to the natural mode of life
of these pernicious insects.

We shall not point out many other methods founded on
false and gratuitous suppositions ; but we shall make men-
tion of a process equally cheap and simple, and which merits
the attention of those who are interested in the preservation
of corn. When it is observed at the return of spring, that
the calandrae are beginning to spread in the heaps of corn
that have passed the winter in granaries, it will be necessary
to form a small heap of five or six measures, which are to be
placed at a suitable distance from the larger heap. They
then stir with a shovel the corn of the principal heap in which

ON RHYNCHOPHORA. 79

these insects have established themselves. The calandras,
who are singularly fond of tranquillity, being disturbed by
this movement, seek to fly and to escape, and seeing another
heap of corn along side of that from which they have been
forced to remove they run thither to take refuge. If they
try to gain the walls for the purpose of saving themselves,
which is rare, the persons who watch their flight take care to
collect them with a broom, which they should have in their
hands, towards the heap to which the others have retired, or
to crush them with their feet. This is so much the more
easily to be done as the insect never stirs. It remains mo-
tionless, as if it were dead, from the moment in which it is
touched. If it is brought back towards the little heap of
corn, placed in reserve, it will endeavour immediately to
enter and sink in there the moment it is no longer disturbed
by the broom. When all the calandrae are collected together,
boiling water is brought in a cauldron, it is poured upon the
corn, which is stirred from time to time with a shovel, so that
the water shall penetrate throughout before it grows cold.
All these insects then immediately die, burned or suffocated
at the moment. The corn is then spread out for the purpose
of drying it, after which it is easy, by sifting it, to separate
from it the dead calandrae. It must be observed that it is
essential to perform this operation in the commencement of
spring, so as to prevent the laying of these insects. If per-
formed too late it will prove utterly inefficacious, because the
eggs deposited in, and glued to the grain, do not separate
from it though it be agitated with ever so much violence, and
would produce a generation of calandrag which would destroy
all the corn which we had been endeavouring to preserve.
The generation which exists is only dangerous in giving birth
to that which succeeds. We must therefore prevent the
existence of the latter by destroying the former. This me-
thod may be performed on a large scale as well as on a small

80 SUPPLEMENT, &C.

one, without occasioning any considerable expense, a thing
which often prevents the execution of the very best projects.

" Sometimes," says Mr, Kirby, " this pest becomes so
infinitely numerous, that a sensible man, engaged in the
brewing trade once told me, speaking perhaps, rather hyper-
bolically, that they collected and destroyed them by bushels,
and no wonder, for a single pair may produce, in one year,
above six thousand descendants."

Among the largest of the exotic species is the calandra pal-
marum, or palm-weevil, which is entirely of a black colour,
and measures more than two inches in length. Its larva, which
is very large, white, and of an oval shape, resides in the ten-
derest part of the smaller palm-trees, and is considered, fried
or broiled, as one of the greatest dainties in the West Indies.
" The tree," says Madame Merian, " grows to the height of
a man, and is cut off when it begins to be tender, is cooked
like a cauliflower, and tastes better than an artichoke. In
the middle of these trees live innumerable quantities of
worms, which at first are as small as a maggot in a nut, but
afterwards grow to a very large size, and feed on the marrow
of the tree. These worms are laid on the coals to roast, and
are considered as a highly agreeable food."

THE SECOND FAMILY

TETRAMEROUS COLEOPTERA.

Xylophagi
Has the head terminated in the ordinary manner, without
observable projection, like a proboscis or muzzle ; the antennas
are thicker toward the extremity, or perfoliated from their
base, always short, with less than eleven articulations in
many of them, and generally with entire articulations to the
tarsi, or with the penultimate enlarged and heart-shaped in
others ; in the latter case the antennae always terminate in
a knob, either solid and ovoid, or divided into three leaflets,
and the palpi small and conical.

We shall divide this family into three sections.

First. Those whose antennae, having ten articulations at
most, sometimes terminate in a strong knob, in general solid,
but of three elongated leaflets ; in others, sometimes form
from their base a cylindrical and perfoliated knob, and whose
palpi are conical. The fore legs of most of them are indented
and armed with a strong hook, and their tarsi, whose penul-
timate articulation is often heart-shaped or bilobed, can fold
down upon them.

Some have the palpi very small, the body convex above,
the head globular, partly buried in the corslet, and the an-
tennae terminated in a solid or three-leafed knob, and pre-

VOL. XV. G

82 CLASS INSECTA.

ceded by five articvdations at least. These Xylophagi com-
Pose the genus

ScoLYTUs, Geoff.

Which Linnaeus did not distinguish from Dermestes,

Sometimes the last articulation of the tarsi is bilobed.
The antennae have seven or eio-ht articulations before the knob.

Hylurgus, Lat. Hyiesinus, Fab., have the club of the
antennae solid, sub-globular, obtuse, little or not at all com-
pressed, annulated transversely? and the body sub-cylin-
drical.

Hyle SINUS, Fab., have also the antennae terminated in a
solid knob, little or not at all compressed, and annulated
transversely, but proceeding to a point. Their body is sub-
ovoid.

In the two following sub-genera, this knob is still solid, but
strongly compressed, and the lower articulations form concen-
tric bends.

ScoLYTUs proper, Geoff. Hyiesinus, Fab. Eccoptogaster,
Herbst. Gyllenh., have their antennae straight, barbless, in-
serted very little on the inner edges of the eye, which are very
narrow, elongated, and vertical.

Camptocerus, Dej. Hyiesinus, Fab. The males have
the antennae decidedly bent, but furnished without with long
hair ; they are inserted at a perceptible distance from the eyes,
which are elliptical and oblique.

Ploiotribus, Lat. Hyiesinus, Fab., recede from all
other insects of this family by the knob of the antennas being
composed of three elongated leaflets.

Sometimes all the articulations of the tarsi are entire, and
the knob of the antennae, always solid and compressed, com-
mences at the sixth or seventh articulation.

ToMicus, Lat. Ips, De G. Bostriciis, Fab. Their an-
tennae cannot be folded under the eyes, and the knob is

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 83

distinctly annulated. The head is sub-globular. The corslet
is without emai'gination on the sides. The legs are not
striated. The body is cylindrical, with the eyes elongated,
and a little emarfjinated.

Platypus, Herbst. Bostrichus, Fab. The antennae are
shorter than the head, can be folded, and terminate in a
large knob without distinct rings. The body is linear, with
the head cut vertically in front, the eyes nearly round and
entire, the corslet emarginated on each side to receive a por-
tion of the anterior thighs, the two fore legs are divided on
their posterior face by transverse crests, and the tarsi are long
and thin, with the first articulation much elongated. The
two hind feet are very much bent behind.

Others have the palpi large, apparent, and of unequal
length. Their body is depressed, narrowed before. Their
antennae are sometimes of two articulations, the last being
very large, flat, sub-triangular, or nearly ovoid, sometimes
of ten and entirely perfoliated. The labrum is large. The
elytra are truncated, and the tarsi short, with all the articu-
lations entire. They compose the genus

Paussus, Lin. Fab.

Those with antennae of two articulations, include Paus-
sus proper.

Those with ten entirely perfoliated articulations, compose
the sub-genus Cerapterus, Swed.

The second section will include the Xylophagi, whose an-
tennae have ten articulations, and whose maxillary palpi at
least do not run to a point, but are of equal thickness, or
dilated at the end. The articulations of their tarsi are
always entire.

This is divisible into two principal genera, according to
the terminations of the antennae. In the first, the last three
articulations form a perfoliated knob, that of

G 2

Si CLASS INSECTA,

BoSTHICHUS.

BosTRiCHus Proper, GeofF, Apate, — Synodendron^ Fab.
— Dermestes, Lin., have the body more or less cylindrical,
the head round, sub-globular, capable of immersion in the
corslet to the eyes ; the corslet more or less convex before,
and forming a sort of hood, and the first two, and the last,
articulations of the tarsi elongated.

PsoA, Fab., differ from them only in having the body
straighter and more elongated, with the corslet depressed,
and nearly square. The jaws have but a single lobe instead
of two.

Cis, Lat. — Anohium, Fab., have the body nearly oval,
depressed, or but little elevated, with the corslet transversal,
rounded, and bordered laterally, a little dilated or advanced
to the middle of the anterior edge, and the last articulation
of the tarsi much larger than the preceding. The head of
the males is often horned or tuberculated.

Nemosoma, Desmar. Ips^ Oliv. Colt/dium, Hellw.,
have the body long and linear, the antennae scarcely longer
than the head, the mandibles strong, projecting, indented at
their extremity; the fore legs triangular, indented on the
outside, and the tarsi slender and elongated.

The second genus of this second division,

MONOTOMA,

Is distinguished from the last by having the knob solid, or
in the shape of a bud (the tenth articulation) of the antennae.
The body is long, depressed, and often parallelipiped, with
the fore part of the head narrowed and slightly advanced,
like a triangular and obtuse muzzle. The palpi are very
small, and not projecting, as well as the mandibles.

In some the head is not at all separated from the corslet by
any sort of neck, and can be withdrawn under it behind.

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 85

Synchita, Helw, Dej. Lyctus, Elophorus, Fab. The
anterior extremity of the head is transverse, and without
projection ; the first two articulations of the antennas are al-
most identical, and the corslet, obviously wider than long, is
separated from the base of the elytra by an observable in-
terval.

Cerylon, Lat., Synchita, Helv., Lyctus, Fab., have the
anterior extremity of the head advanced like an obtuse
triangle. The first articulation of the antennae much thicker
than the following ; the corslet applied behind against the
base of the elytra, wider than long, or nearly isometrical,
without borders ; the body sub-oval, and the elytra without
posterior truncature, and covering all the upper part of the
abdomen.

Rhyzophagus, Herbst, Gyll., Lyctus, Fab., resemble
the last in most particulars, but the body is nai'row and
elongated; with the corslet wider than long, bordered, and the
elytra truncated.

MoNOTOMA, Herbst., Cerylu?i, Gyll., have the head as
big as the corslet, and separated therefrom by a sort of neck.
The first two articulations of the antennoe are thicker than
the following, and nearly equal (the first a little the largest).
The upper end of the knob seems to shew vestiges of one or
two articulations. The head is triangular, a little advanced
into an obtuse muzzle. The body is elongated, with the corslet
longer than it is wide.

The Xylophagi of the third division have eleven very dis-
tinct articulations in the antennae ; the palpi are filiform, or
thicker at the end in some than in others, and all the articula-
tions of the tarsi are entire.

We shall begin with those in which the knob of the
antennae has but two articulations. They will form the
genus

86 CLASS INSECTA.

Lyctus.

Some have the mandibles, and the first articulation of
the antennas, entirely covered. The body is narrow and
elongated, nearly linear, with the eyes large, and the corslet
elongated.

Lyctus, Fab. — In these the edges of the head entirely, or
for the most part, cover the first articulation of the antenna?.
The mandibles are not projecting.

DiODXESMA, Mej. Dej., have the antennae as long as the
corslet ; the body ovalo-oblong, convex, with the corslet
nearly semi-orbicular, and the abdomen nearly oval.

BiTOMA, Herbst. Gyll. Lyctus, Fab., have the antennae
shorter than the corslet ; the body is long, straight, sub-
parallelipiped and depressed, with the corslet square.

In the other Xylophagi, having antennae with eleven arti-
culations, the three or four last form the knob, or the last
only is larger than the preceding ; they may be sub- divided
as follows : —

Sometimes the mandibles are covered, or project but little ;
such are

Mycetophagus, Fab.

In these the antennae, scarcely larger than the head, are
inserted under the advanced edge of the head, and terminate
abruptly in a perforated knob of three articulations.

CoLYDiUM, Fab., have the body linear, with the head
very obtuse in part, the corslet of the width of the abdomen
in a square more or less long, and the abdomen elongated.

The first two articulations of the antennae are larger than
the following. These to the eighth inclusive are very short,
and transversal. There the antennae are at least as long as
the corslet.

These have the body oval, with the corslet transversal.

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 87

wider behind ; the first and last articulations of the tarsi
are elongated, and the antennae terminate in a perfoliated knob,
either elongated, and commencing towards the sixth or seventh
articulation, or sudden oval, and formed only of the last three-
Mycetophagus proper. Fab. Tritoma, Geoff. — The knob
of the antenna begins at the sixth or seventh articulation.
The last is sub-ovoid.

Tryphyllus, Mej. Dej. Mycetophagus, Gy\\.—l^i\\e^e
the knob of the antennae is shorter, formed only of the last
three articulations, the last nearly globular.

Those have the body oblong, with the corslet narrower
than the abdomen, at least behind ; the first articulation of
the tarsi is as long as the following, or scarcely longer, and
the antennas terminated by a straight knob, elongated, little
or not at all perfoliated, formed of the last three articula-
tions.

Mekyx, Lat., distinguishable from the following by their
maxillary palpi, (always projecting,) terminated by a larger
articulation, like a reversed triangle.

Dasycerus, Brong., which has only tliree articulations
to the tarsi, but which is, nevertheless, allied to this family
by other characters. The first two articulations of the
antennae are globular, the following slender, capillary, and
downy, and the last three globular and downy. The head
is triangular, and distinct from the corslet. The maxillary
palpi are projecting, slender, and terminated like an awl.
The corslet and elytra are furrowed. The abdomen is sub-
globular.

Latridius, Herbst. Tenebrio, Lin. Dermestes, Fab.,
have very short palpi, terminating like an awl, the head and
corslet narrower than the abdomen. The first articulation of
the antennae very thick and globular, the following to the
tenth inclusive, nearly like a reversed cone, smooth or simply
pubescent ; the last larger than the preceding, and ovoid ; the

88 CLASS INSECTA.

corslet wider than long, or sub-isometrical ; the abdomen
nearly square, or nearly oval.

SiLVANus, Lat. Gyll. Dermestes, Fab., have the body
nearly linear or parallelipiped ; the corslet larger than wide,
of the width of the abdomen before ; the first articulation of
the antennae nearly equal, nearly in the shape of a top, and
the last nearly globular ; the palpi are almost filiform, and
the anterior extremity of the head is a little advanced, and
narrowed like a triangular and obtuse muzzle.

Sometimes the mandibles are entirely exposed or projecting,
and strong. The body is in general narrow, elongated, and
depressed. These insects form the genus

Trogosita, Oliv. Fab. Platycerus, GeoflP.

Some have the antennae shorter than, or as long as the corslet,
terminated in a compressed knob, a little serrated, and formed
of the three or four last articulations. The lingua is entire.

Trogosita, Fab. — The mandibles are shorter than the
head, crossed ; the lingua, nearly square, is not elongated
between the palpi, and the jaws have only a single lobe.

Prostomis, Lat. Megagnathus, Mej. Trogosita^ Fab.,
have the mandibles larger than the head, parallelly advanced;
the lingua is narrow, elongated, advanced between the palpi,
and there are two lobes to the jaws. The body is long,
straight, sub -linear.

The others have the antennae nearly as long as the body,
of the same thickness to the tenth articulation inclusive ; the
following and last is larger, in form of a reversed triangle,
and truncated obliquely at the end. The lingua is bifid,
Passandra, Dalm. Schcenh.

SUPPLEMENT

XYLOPHAGI.

The first division of this family is composed of the genus
ScoLYTUs, established by Geoffroy upon an insect which lives
under the bark of trees, and in which he finds some relations
with dermestes. In fact, it is in this last mentioned genus
that Linnasus has placed some other coleoptera, very analogous
to the scolyti of Geoffroy, but which Degeer has separated
from it to form a peculiar genus, namely, his Ips.

Of all the Xylophagi, the insects of this tribe are the most
destructive. Their larvae gnaw and furrow in various direc-
tions, and often in the manner of rays, the first layers or
strata of wood, and sometimes even penetrate deeper. When
they are greatly multiplied in certain forests, particularly
those of the pine and fir, they destroy in a few years a great
quantity of trees, or render them perfectly useless for all the
purposes of art. Some of them do considerable mischief to
the olive tree. The Scolytus destructor is very injurious to
the oak and elm.

As for the Scolyti proper, the type of this division, they
live in carious and worm-eaten wood, not only when in the
larvae state, but also in that of the perfect insect. It is they
which, in conjunction with the Anobia, pierce it in all direc-
tions, and destroy it by little and little, by converting it

90 SUPPLEMENT

into very fine dust. This dust is nothing more than the sub-
stance of the wood, on which they feed, and which they have
returned in the form of excrement. But the Anohia attack
only the dead wood, while the Scolyti most generally feed
upon the living tree. The latter sometimes cause the shoots,
branches, and even the trees themselves to perish, by destroy-
ing their fibres, and extending or changing the character of the
sap which gives them life. The larva is short and soft, pro-
vided with six feet, and a hard scaly head. It is armed with
two very strong jaws, by means of which it gnaws and des-
troys the hardest wood. It undergoes its metamorphosis in
the wood itself which has supported it, and does not leave it
except when pressed by the desire of reproduction.

The larvae of the Bostrichi resemble a soft short worm,
a little inflated. Their body, usually curved into an arch, is
composed of twelve distinct rings. It is provided with six
scaly feet and a scaly head, tolerably hard, armed with two
very hard, solid, and scaly jaws. These larvae, similar to
those of Anohium, live in dead wood, gnaw it, pierce it in
all parts, and reduce it to dust. They do not arrive at their
full growth but in the space of one or two years. They cast
their skin, and undergo their metamorphoses, in the wood
which they have gnawed, and they do not issue from it but
under the form of the perfect insect. These larvae may be
brought up in the farina of rye or wheat. They live there
very well, and almost always change there into the chrysalis
state ; but the perfect insect is very rarely obtained by this
method.

It is around trees which are half dead, on the dead
branches, under the half rotten bark of old trees, and es-
pecially of oaks, and in fine, on wood which has been cut
down for some time, that we meet with the Bostrichi, either
when they are coming out of such places, or returning thither
to deposit their eggs.

ON XYLOPHAGI. 91

The late Mr. Eschcholtz, in his Zoological Atlas, has
formed a new genus, under the name of Trypajianciis, of
the Bostrichus thoracicus of Fabricius, with the following
characters ; viz. The antennas with a solid club, large,
compressed ; clypeus rostriform, the thorax much longer
than broad, dentated anteriorly in the males. The species
(DejiticoUis) we have figured. It is of uniformly shining
black, very slightly punctuated, and is from Brazil.

The Rev. W. Kirby has described a new genus in his
Fauna Boreali-Americana, under the name Phrexapates,
with the upper lip transverse, hairy at the apex ; the maxil-
lary palpi filiform, with the last joint cylindrical ; the labial
palpi filiform, two first joints subclavated ; the third straight
internally, curving externally ; the antennae moniliform,
robust, the three terminal joints rather larger than the rest ;
the last subovate. The species the above gentleman named
Bennettii. It is blacic glossy ; head with three horns inter-
mediate, one incurved subemarginate at the apex, the lateral
oblique, truncated. The length is fourteen lines. It is from
Choco in Columbia.

M. Latreille has composed the genus Cis of several insects,
which had been placed with Atiobium and Dermestes, and
which, nevertheless^ are very remote from them in their cha-
racters, and even in their habits.

These insects are very small, and of sombre colours. They
are found at the end of winter, and the commencement of
spring, on the coriaceous excrescences which grow on wil-
lows, and the old trunks of oaks. They are sometimes there
in very great quantities, and remain at the lower part of
the excrescence. As soon as one approaches to seize them,
they fold back their feet and antennae against their body, and
suffer themselves to fall down.

The species of this genus which is most common is the Cis
holeti, and is to be found in the spring season. It is of an

92 SUPPLEMENT

obscure brown. Its corslet and elytra present slight silky
reflections. Its feet are testaceous. To the same genus must
be referred the Anobium reticulatum of Fabricius, a species
which is found in the forest of Fontainbleau.

The larva of the Trogossita carraboides, Tenebrio Mau~
ritanicus, Lin., which is named Cadelle in French, has been
observed by Dorthes, and forms the subject of a very interest-
ing memoir. Dorthes shut up some of these larvae in a
bottle, with some corn. They lived there until the winter,
but none of them changed into the nymph-state. On the first
approach of cold weather, they all died. Having observed
several of these larvae climbing along granaries, and removing
from the heaps of corn,' he presumed that they did so for the
purpose of taking refuge in holes, and there undergoing the
transformation into the nymph-state. He then shut some of
them up in boxes, containing corn on one side and earth on
the other. These larvae sunk themselves into the earth, and
at the end of their metamorphosis, he beheld the perfect
insect issue forth. Dorthes frequently saw these insects pair
upon the corn, but he was unable to trace them to the ovipo-
sition, and it still remains uncertain whether the insect de-
posits its eggs on the grain, or whether the larva introduces
itself there. These insects are never known in their perfect
state to attack the corn, for when enclosed in a bottle with
some grain they have never touched it, but rather endeavoured
to devour one another. They have been found on the follow-
ing day without antennae and feet. They are often observed
on corn, trying to devour the iincB, or engaged in per-
petuating their species. The trogossita caraboides, however,
and the blue trogossita^ have been found in old bread, the
crumbs of which were gnawed away by them.

The larva, when arrived at its full growth, is about eight
lines in length, and scarcely more than a line in breadth. Its
body is whitish, composed of twelve tolerably distinct rings,

ON XYLOPHAGI. 93

and bristling, with some scattered, short, and rather stiff
hairs. The head is black, hard and scaly, armed with two
arched, trenchant, corneous, and very hard mandibles. Some
obscure spots are observable, placed in the first three rings.
The last is terminated by two corneous, and very hard crooks.
It has six short, scaly feet, which proceed from the first three
rings of the body. In the southern provinces it is very
abundant, and does the greatest mischief imaginable to the
grain. It is much more hurtful than the larvae of Curculio
and tinea, which remain in the interior of the grains which
they inhabit, and which suffice for their whole support. But
the cadelle, whose body is much larger, requires much more
nutriment. Accordingly, it does not enter into the bottom
of the grain. It attacks it from without, passes from one
grain to another, and a single larva can destroy a con-
siderable quantity of corn. It is principally towards the
end of winter, when it has acquired its full growth, that it
commits the greatest damage. At the commencement of
spring it quits the heaps of corn, and proceeds to the holes,
clifts, and crevices, in barns, and sinks into the earth or
dust, for the purpose of undergoing its metamorphosis. The
perfect insect shews itself in the spring, and during the whole
summer.

"We have figured two new species of Trogosita. Of the
first, Temnoscheila splendens, the head and thorax are cop-
perish green, the back reddish copper, with two large violet
spots on each side. This sub-genus is described by Mr.
Westwood in the Zoological Journal. The second species
we have named Trogosita squamosa. It is black, covered
with varied coloured scales, the thorax trilobed, and serrated
on the sides. The length is seven lines and a half. This
species is from Melville's Island, and may be formed into a
separate sub-genus.

We have also figured a new species of Passandra, and named

94! SUPPLEMENT, &C.

it fasciata. It is fulvous red, with the antennae, the sides of
the thorax, the suture and margin of the elytra, black ; the
length is nine lines. It is from Carthaginia.

We have passed over in silence most of the sub-divisions of
this family, of which, however, nothing could, in the present
state of knowledge, be said touching their instincts, manners,
and habits ; we might, indeed, in this and other places,
enlarge on the history of these artificial divisions themselves,
and on the modes in which different entomologists have ad-
mitted, combined, modified, or changed them ; but this is a
branch of entomological knowledge, if it may be so called,
not perhaps altogether necessary in our supplements, which
are intended rather to refer to Nature's works^ than to the
labours of systematists.

THE THIRD FAMILY

TETRAMEROUS COLEOPTERA.

Platysoma

Approximates to the last as well in their internal anatomy,
and their tarsi, whose articulations are all entire, as in their
habits; but their antennae are equally thick throughout, or are
thinner toward the end. Their mandibles are always pro-
jecting ; the lingua is bifid or emarginated ; their palpi are
short, and the body is depressed, elongated, with the corslet
sub-quadrate. They may be reduced to a single genus,

Cucujus, Fab.

Of these we may distinguish Cucujus, proper, whose an-
tennae, much shorter than the body in many, are composed
of articulations in the form of a reversed cone or top, and
nearly grained, the first of which is shorter than the head.

Dendrophagus, Gyll, Cucujus, Fab. Pyk., have these
organs in general formed of cylindrical articulations, elon-
gated, the first of which is larger than the head, and the
second and third shorter than the following. The labial
palpi terminate in a knob.

Uleoiota, Lat. Brontes, Fab., have the antennae ana-
logous to the last, but the third articulation is as long as the

9^ CLASS INSECTA.

following, and all the palpi are more slender at the end.
The mandibles of the most common species (Jlavipes), and
on which M. Dufour has given some anatomical observations,
have, in the males, an elongation in the shape of a long sharp
horn.

As we have nothing to add by way of supplement to this
family, unless it be to observe that this sub-genus, Cucujus,
differs from that so named by GeofFroy, which are the Bu-
prestes of Linnaeus, we proceed at once to the next family of
the text, premising that we have inserted a figure of a new
species of Cucujus, named Dejeani, which is fulvous, with
the antennae, tibiae, tarsi, and the posterior half of the elytra,
black ; the mandibles are long, curved, and bifid at the tip.
The females are like the other sex, except that the mandibles
are very short. This species is from Brazil, and is seven
lines long.

THE FOURTH FAMILY

TETRAMEROUS COLEOPTERA.

LONGICORNES

Has the under part of the first three articulations of the tarsi
furnished with brushes, the second and third heart-shaped,
and a little swelling or icnob, like an articulation, at the
origin of the last. The lingua, supported on a short and
transverse mentum, is commonly membraneous, heart-shaped,
emarginated or bifid, corneous, and in very short and trans-
verse segments of circles in others {Parandra). The antennae
are filiform or setaceous, in general, as long as the body or
less, sometimes simple in both sexes, sometimes serrated,
pectinated, or fan-shaped in the males. The eyes, in many,
are kidney-shaped. The corslet is in form of a trapezium,
or narrowed in front, in those whose eyes are round, entire,
or a little emarginated ; in this case, moreover, the feet are
long and slender, with the tarsi elongated.

M. Leon Dufour, in opposition to the opinion of M. Marcel
de Serres, denies the existence of a gizzard in these insects.
The alimentary tube is in general beset with papillae, is pre-
ceded by a crop, but less or little decided in Lamia and
Leptura, which, in our method, terminate the family. The
testicles are formed by distinct capsules, or sperm bags, which

VOL. XV. H

98 CLASS INSECTA.

are pediculated, large, and vary in number in the different
genera.

Their larvae live almost entirely in the interior, or under
the bark of trees ; they are either without feet, or have them
very small ; their body is soft, whitish, thicker in front, with
the head scaly, provided with strong mandibles, and without
any other projecting parts. They do great damage to trees,
especially those full grown, often bore very deeply, or cut
channels in them. Some gnaw the roots of plants. The
females have the abdomen terminated by a tubular and cor-
neous oviduct. These insects produce a slight sharp sound
by the friction of the pedicle of the base of the abdomen
against the interior parietes of the corslet, when they cause
it to enter there, and withdraw it alternately.

We shall first divide the longicornes into two sections.
Those of the first have the eyes strongly emarginated or
crossed, or elongated and narrow ; their head is buried as far
as these organs, in the corslet, without being distinguished
from it by a sudden narrowing, forming a kind of neck. In
many it is vertical.

Some have the last articulation of the palpi sometimes
nearly in the form of a cone or reversed triangle, sometimes
sub-cylindrical and truncated at the end ; the lobe termi-
nating the jaws, straight (not bent inward at the end) ; the
head is commonly advanced, or simply bent, and in those
which, by a very rare exception (Dorcacents) it is vertical,
its width is nearly equal to that of the body, and the antennae
are very wide at their insertion and have spines ; the corslet
is often very unequal or squared, and rarely cylindrical.

The longicornes are divisible into two principal sections,
or small tribes.

PmoMiT, whose characters are, labrum none, or very small
and indistinct ; mandibles strong, or very large, especially in
many males ; the interior lobe of the jaws none, or very

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 99

small ; the antennae inserted near the base of the mandibles,
or the emargination of the eyes, but not surrounded by them
at their insertion ; the corslet, in general, trapezoid or squared,
channelled, or indented laterally. The first genus,

Parandra, Lat. Attelabus, De G, Tenehrio, Fab.,
Have; like the following, the antennas simple, nearly grained,
compressed, of the same thickness throughout, as long or
longer than the corslet, scarcely reaching to the end of the
first articulation of the palpi, and distinguished, as well as
some other genera of this family, by the lingua being corneous,
formed like the segment of a circle, very short, transverse,
without emargination or lobes ; and by the tarsi, whose penul-
timate articulation is slightly bilobed ; and the last, evidently
longer than the preceding taken together, has between its
hooks a small appendix with two threads at the end. The
body is parallellipiped, depressed, with the corslet square,
rounded at the hinder angles, without spine or teeth. They
belong to America.

Spondylis, Fab. Attelahus, Lin. Ceramhyx^ Deg. —
These approximate to parandra in their antennae, and the
exiguity of the maxillary lobes, but differ from them as to
the lingua, as in all the following longicornes the lingua is
membranous and heart-shaped. They also differ with
reference to the tarsi ; the penultimate articulation is deeply
bilobate, and the last is not longer than the preceding toge-
ther, and is without appendix. These are also distinguish-
able from the following genera, by their sub-globular corslet,
without edging, and deprived of teeth or spines. Their
larvae live in the firs and pines of Europe.

The third and last genus of this tribe,

Prionus, Geoff. Fab. Oliv.

Has the antennae larger than the head and corslet, serrated

H 2

100 CLASS INSECTA.

or pectinated, in some, simple, slender toward the end, and
with the articulations elongated in others. The terminal
lobe of the jaws is as long or less than the first two articula-
tions of the palpi. The body is in general depressed, with
the corslet square or trapezoid, indented or spiny, or angular
at the sides.

This genus includes many species of various forms.

Some with the body nearly parallelipiped or elongated,
straight, with the corslet much shorter than the abdomen,
square or trapezoid, and much bent laterally, the antennae
simple, or slightly serrated (P. scahricornis, Fab.).

Others, in general, less oblong, a little bent in front, the
corslet much indentedj the elytra pectenated and serrated in
the males {Ceramhyx coriaceus^ Lin.).

Others, belonging to Brazil, with the elytra small, trian-
gular, not entirely covering the abdomen. They appear to
form a new sub-genus, Anacolus A. {^Sanguineus lugubris,
Enc. Method.).

Lastly, other prioni, many with varied and metallic co-
lours, have the body shorter and larger, sub-oval, with the
head elongated posteriorly behind the eyes, &c. (P. nitidus,
and others of Fab.)

The second principal section or tribe,

Cerambycini,

Have the labrum very apparent, reaching the whole width of
the anterior extremity of the head ; the two maxillary lobes
are very distinct and projecting ; the mandibles of common
size, and but little different in the two sexes ; the eyes always
emarginated, and surrounding, at least, in part, the base of
the antennae, which are commonly as long or longer than the
body ; the thighs, of at least the first four legs, are commonly
knobbed, ovoid or oval, narrowed into a pedicle at the base.
First will come those whose last articulation of the palpi

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 101

is always manifestly thicker than the preceding, in form of a
triangle or reversed cone ; the head is not perceptibly nar-
rowed and elongated behind like a muzzle ; the corslet is not
enlarged from front to rear, and has not a trapezoid figure,
and the elytra are either very short or scale-formed, or
narrowed abruptly a short distance from their base, and ter-
minated like an awl. We may designate this division by
the epithet regular cerambyx, in opposition to those which
follow, which are in many respects anomalous, and the last
of which appear to be connected with those of the tribe
immediately succeeding this. They compose the genera
Cerambyx, Clytus, CalUdium, of Fabricius, a part of Ste-
nocores, a different genus made before him by Geoffroy.

Cerambyx.

Several South American species, shorter and larger tlian
the following, with the antennae often pectenated, serrated, or
spiny, are remarkable for the spreading of the corslet, whose
length nearly equals half that of the elytra; sometimes smooth,
it is nearly semi-orbicular, unindented only at the posterior
angles, sometimes very unequal and tubercular, their pres-
ternum is either squared or terminated in a point, either even
truncated, entire or emarginated at its posterior extremity,
which is applied to an anterior projection of the mesosternum.
The fore feet at least are wide at their insertion. The scutel-
lum is large in many ; the tarsi are short and dilated.

Those of this division in which the corslet, nearly semi-or-
bicular, and always very large, is united or simply chagrined,
with a single tooth on each side to the posterior angles, whose
posterior extremity of the presternum is flat, truncated, either
without emargination or with, and applied on the mesosternum,
whose scutellum is always large, and which have the legs very
wide, form two sub-genera.

LissoNOTUs, Dalm. Cerambyx, Fab., with the antennae

102 CLASS INSECTA.

strongly compressed, serrated, or semi-pectenated, long, and
with the posterior extremity of the presternum without emar-
gination.

Megadehus, Dej. Callidkim, Fab., with simple an-
tennae, shorter than the body, the posterior extremity of the
presternum emarginated, receives the opposite end of the
mesosternum, so that when joined they appear to form but a
single plane.

Those whose corslet is very unequal, tubercular, or much
indented, with the presternum squared or terminated behind
in a point, have been dispersed into many sub-genera.

Here the antennas are long, setaceous, simple, or at most
a little spiny, or furnished with bundles of hair.

The corslet is always large, unequal, scarcely broader than
it is long.

DoRCACERUs, Dej. Cerambyx, Oliv., distinguished from
all the others by their head being vertical, large, nearly
as wide as the corslet, measured in its greater transverse dia-
meter, plain, and downy in front. The antennas are very
wide, the presternum is not elevated into a keel, and termi-
nates in a simple point. The scutellum is small.

Track YD EREs, Dalm. Ceramby.v, Fab. — The corslet is
much wider than the head, with the hind extremity of the
presternum, and often also its opposite carenated ; the scutel-
lum is elongated, the elytra are larger at their base and
diminish, the antennae are without bundles of hair.

LoPHONOCERUs, Lat., have also the head narrower than the
corslet, the presternum carenated, but the corslet and scu-
tellum are smaller, and the elytra enlarge, or at least do not
become narrow ; the third and three following articulations of
the antennae have bundles of hair.

There the antennae are shorter than the body, pectenated
or serrated. The corslet is transversal, indented laterally.
The elytra enlarge behind.

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 103

CxENODESjOliv. Kliig. — Now the corslet, sometimes nearly
square or cylindrical, sometimes orbicular, or nearly globu-
lar, is much shorter than the elytra, at least in those in which
it increases in width ; the presternum has no keel or elongated
point at its posterior extremity. The scutellum is always
small. The legs are near together at their insertion.

One sub-genus only, that of Phcemicocerus, Lat., differs
from the following in the antennas of the male, the articula-
tions from the third being long narrow laminae, and forming a
large fan. Only one species is known, which is from Brazil
(P. Dejeanii).

In the other the antennse are at most spiny, or a little
serrated.

Many remarkable for their colours, and pleasant smell, are
anamalous in reference to the relative proportions of the palpi.
The maxillaries are smaller than the labial, and even shorter
than the terminal lobe of the jaws, which often projects.
The body is depressed, with the fore part of the head nar-
rowed and pointed. The hind legs are often much com-
pressed. These compose the sub-genus Callichiioma, Lat.
Ceramhyx, Fab., including C. Moschatus, Lin., and C. Am-
brosiacits, SLev., belonging to Europe.

Others of the same division, with ordinary maxillary palpi,
are distinguishable by the antennse, which, in the males, have
twelve articulations ; they are long, setaceous, spiny, or barbed.
The corslet is indented or spined on the sides. We shall
unite them in the sub-genus Acanthroptera, Lat. Calli-
chroma, Purpuricenus, Stenocorus, Dej. Dal.

Some American species, with the corslet nearly square, or
sub-cylindrical, and the elytra in general terminated with
one or two spines, are the Stenocori of Dalman.

Others, with the body rather elevated, the corslet nearly
globular, and the antennae simple, are the Purpuricenus of
Ziegler and Dej.

104 CLASS INSECTA.

The following cerambyces have only eleven articulations
to the antennas.

Some of the males, at least, have the antennae long, seta-
ceous, the last articulation of the palpi formed like a reversed
cone, the corslet either nearly square or a little dilated in the
middle, oblong or sub-cylindrical ; it is often rugose and tuber-
culated laterally. They compose the sub-genus Cerambyx,
proper, Lin. Fab.

Hamaticerus has been distinguished generically, having
the corslet unequal or rough, in general, spined or tuberculated
and dilated in the middle of its side, with the third, fourth
and fifth articulation of the antennae evidently thicker than
the following, thickened and rounded at the end ; these sud-
denly longer and slenderer, and sub-cylindrical, form with
the preceding a sudden transition. These organs are much
longer in the males, C. heros. Fab. Oliv. C cerdo, Lin.

We refer to the same sub-genus several species of calli-
chroma, of Dej., with the corslet united, but little unequal,
longer in proportion, oval, and truncated at both ends, or
sub-cylindrical.

We shall moreover unite to the sub-genus of capricorns,
the Glioma, of Dejean. Their corslet is much larger and
cylindrical. The inner angle of the upper end of the arti-
culations of the antennae is a little dilated. The palpi are
nearly filiform, and the mandibles have a tooth on the inner
side. (G. ru/icollis, Fab., and G. sanguinea, Dej.)

Those whose antennae are not commonly longer than the
body, and rather filiform than setaceous, the corslet always
imperfect is sometimes nearly globular or orbicular, and
sometimes narrower, sub- cylindrical, and simply dilated and
rounded in the middle, with the palpi always very short, and
terminated by an articulation rather thicker and wider than
in the preceding, in form of a reversed triangle, compose in
the first works of Fabricius, and in the Entomology of Oli-

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 105

vier, the genus Callidium, which may nevertheless be
divided into three.

Those with the head at least as wide as the corslet, which
is sub-cylindrical, and simply dilated and rounded in the
middle, compose the genus certallum, of Megerle and De-
jean.

Those with the head narrower than the corslet, elevated
nearly globular, compose that of Clitus, of Fab.

Lastly, those with the corslet also wider than the head,
flatted and orbicular, have still the generic name of callidium,
Cer. sanguineiis, Lin. Leptura ao'cuafa, Lin.

We shall terminate this tribe by insects, which, in reference
to the palpi, the form of the head, the corslet, and that of the
elytra, as well as in their proportions, have exceptions or
remarkable anomalies.

We shall begin with those the form of whose corslet is
very analogous to that of the preceding, and especially the
certallum. It is as wide as the head and the base of the
elytra, or very little narrower, either sub-cylindrical or
rounded, or nearly orbicular, and in both larger towards the
middle. The last articulation of the palpi is sometimes
slender at the end, and terminating in a point, sometimes
thicker and truncated, and formed like a reversed cone. All
the thighs are like knobs, supported on a sudden, slender and
elongated pedicle. The elytra of most of them are either
very short, or contracted suddenly at a short distance from
their base, and finally subulated.

Then follow these whose elytra are like those of the pre-
ceding insects. The first genus,

Obrium, Mej. Dej. Callidium, Saperda, Fab.,

Have the head rounded, and not elongated before, like a
muzzle, the palpi filiform, with the last articulation termi-

106

CLASS INSECTA.

nating in a point ; the antennae long and setaceous, the corslet
long, narrow, sub-cylindrical, or like a truncated oval.
The second genus,

Rhinotragus, Dalm.,
Differs from the last by having the head elongated, and
narrowed in front like a muzzle ; the last articulation of the
palpi is a little thicker than the preceding, and truncated at
the end ; the antennas are shorter than the body, a little
dilated and serrated at the end, and the corslet is sub-orbicu-
lar. These insects are allied to the following genus,

Necydalis, of Lin.

The only one of this [tribe, with the elytra very short, or
scale-shaped, or elongated, as in common, to the end of the
abdomen, but contracted suddenly a little from their insei'-
tion, then very narrow, and proceeding to a point, or termi-
nated like an awl. The last insects resemble osdermera, with
which Fabricius united them in this respect only. The last
articulation of the palpi is a little larger, and nearly in the
form of a reversed cone, and compressed. The abdomen is
long, narrow, contracted, and as if pedicled at the base. The
wings are folded only at their extremity.

Those with subulated elytra will form the first sub- genus,
Stenopterus, Illig., from which may be separated several
exotic species, with the antennae shorter, thicker, and more
serrated toward the end.

Those with short, scale-formed elytra, compose the sub-
genus, Necydalis, proper, which corresponds with the
genus, Molorchus, of Fab.

Some Polynesian insects, which in a natural order might
be placed between Lamia and Leptura, will terminate the
division of Cerambyx.

The palpi are nearly filiform, with the last articulation

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 107

sub-cylindrical, rather more slender at the base ; the corslet
in general smooth, or but little uneven, without pointed tuber-
cles, widened from front to rear, in form of a trapezium, or
a truncated cone, as in the last tribe of this family ; the
abdomen is nearly in the shape of a reversed triangle in most,
and the elytra are truncated at the end. These insects will
form four genera.

DisTicHOCERA, Kirby.
In which the antennas of the male dilate toward the end,
with the articulations beginning at the third, furcated at the
end.

Tmesisternus, Latr.,

With simple setaceous antennae, larger than the body, the
corslet lobed behind, with the back part of the presternum
elongated, truncated, and received into an emargination of a
projection of the mesosternum.

Tragocerus, Dej.,
Without presternal projection ; the antennae filiform, a lit-
tle shorter than the body, and slightly serrated ; the corslet
is unequal, rather sinuous latterly, and the elytra form a long
square.

Leptocera, Dej.,

Also without any projection on the presternum ; but the an-
tennas are setaceous, much larger than the body especially in
the male ; the corslet is united, and forms a truncated cone ;
the abdomen and elytra are sub-triangular.

The Longicornes of our third tribe (Lamiarice,) are dis-
tinguished by a vertical head, nearly filiform palpi, but ter-
minated by a pointed ovoid articulation ; the outer lobe of
the jaws is narrowed at the end, and bends towards the inner
division. The antennae are often setaceous and simple, and

108 CLASS INSECTA.

the corslet, except the tubercles or spine on the sides, is nearly
of the same width throughout. Some species are apterous,
which is peculiar to this division.

This tribe is composed of the genera Lamia, Saperda of
Fab., some of his Stenocores, and some of Coloboth and
Cerambyx of Dej. ; but I have not as yet discovered charac-
ters which may sufficiently separate the first of these genera
from the following.

C. longimanus of Lin. does not belong to this genus, but
is sui generis of the tribe of Lamiariae.

AcRociNus, Illig. Macropus, Thunb.,

Distinguished from all' this family by having a moveable
tubercle terminated in a point, but not a spine, on each side
the corslet. The body is flat, with the corslet transversal,
the antennae long and slender, and the fore feet longer than
the others ; the elytra are truncated at the end and termi-
nated by two teeth, the outer one being the strongest.
All the others compose but one genus,

Lamia,

Which we shall divide into two sections, 1st, with the corslet
tubercular, ridged, or spiny, and 2nd, with it smooth and
cylindrical. The first is divisible into winged and apterous.

Those with the body short, wide, depressed, the corslet
transversal, the abdomen nearly square, the legs strong, and
tarsi dilated, include the genus Acanthocinus of Meg. and
Dej. {Lamia csdilis. Fab. of Europe.)

Others analogous to these in form, but with the antennas
barbed, or with tufts of hair, form the genus Pogonocherus
of the same naturalists.

Others, Tetraopes, with the body a little cylindrical and
elongated, have each eye entirely divided into two by the
tubercle, from which the antenna springs.

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 109

Other Lamia of Fab., with the body long and naiTow,
the antennae very long, a strong spine on each side of the
corslet, the fore legs a little bent, and the intermediate with
a tooth on the inner side, compose the genus Monaehammus
of Dej., but as he has not given the character, I refer to
them by presumption.

In the catalogue of Coleoptera of Dej., if we except the
apterous species, the other LamicB of Fab. preserve that
generic name, but it appears by another catalogue of M.
Dahl. that two species of France, Curculionoides, nehulosa^
have been formed into the genus Mesosa of M. Megerle. If
we suppose that saperda differs from Lamia by the want of
lateral points to the corslet, these species approach saperda
in this respect, but the body is shorter and wider, and in
this respect approaches to Lamia. {L. curcidionoides, Fab.
Cer. textor, Lin.) These species compose the genus Dorca-
dion of Dalman adopted by most entomologists.

M. Megerle has formed some small species into the genus
Pa?-me?ia, but they do not appear to me to differ from the
others, except in having the antennae longer than the body,
and the articulations more elongated, and rather cylindrical
than conical. Other larger species (tristis, h(giihris, fu-
nesta,) should be joined to them. C. fuUginator, Lin. is
among these.

Other Lamiarias have the corslet cylindrical, and without
lateral tubercles or spines. Their body is always elongated,
and nearly linear in many. They compose the genus

Saperda of Fab,

That which he names Gnoma, as to the direction of the
head and the parts of the mouth, resembles Lamia, but the
corslet is as long as the abdomen, cylindrical, a little nar-
rower in the middle, without spines or tubercles. The an-

110 CLASS INSECTA.

tennae are longer than the body, sometimes furnished with
tufts of hair ; the fore feet are elongated.

The Count Dejean has separated from Saperda the genera
Adesmus, Apomecyna, Colobothea.

Adesmus has the first and third articulation of the an-
tennae elongated.

Apomecyna has the body cylindrical, the antennae filiform,
short, ending in a sharp point, with the third and fourth
articulation long, and the next short.

Colobothea have the antennae very near together at their
insertion, the body compressed, and as if squared laterally,
the cases emarginated or truncated at the end, with its outer
angle elongated like a tooth or spine.

Other saperdae, of Brazil, whose corslet is as wide as the
elytra, or nearly so, whose antennae have the third and
fourth articulation, or at least the preceding, very elongated
or dilated, furnished with hair, and the last suddenly shorter,
and whose elytra are enlarged and rounded at the end, form
another division.

Many others, whose body is always long and narrow, with
twelve instead of eleven articulations to their antennae, form
another sub-genus.

Cer. Carcharias, Lin., and Cer. linearis, Lin. are among
the Saperdae proper.

Other species, with the body still narrower, and the an-
tennae excessively long, nearly as slender as a hair, have been
described.

The fourth and last tribe, Lepturetce^ have the eyes round,
entire, or slightly emarginated, whose antennae are inserted
in part, or, at most, at the anterior extremity of this slight
emargination ; the head is always bent, elongated behind the
eyes in many, or narrowed suddenly, like a neck, at its junc-
tion with the corslet ; this last part is conical or trapezoid,
and narrowed before. The elytra become narrow as they

ORDER COLEOPTERA. Ill

advance. This tribe, after deducting certain species belong-
ing to the preceding, compose the genus,

Leptura of Lin. Stenocorus, Geoff. Rhagium, Lep-

tura. Fab.

Sometimes the head is elongated behind the eyes. The
antennae, often shorter than the body, are near each other at
their base, inserted out of the eyes on two little tubercles,
and separated by a deep line. The corslet is commonly tu-
bercular, or spiny on the sides.

Here the palpi are filiform ; the last articulation of the
maxillary is sub-cylindrical, and the same of the labial ovoid ;
the third of the antennae and the two following are dilated
at their outer angle, bent, and silky, particularly in the male.
These are Desmocerus, of Dej. The corslet is in form of a
trapezium, without tubercles or points on the side, with the
posterior angles very pointed. The jaws and labrum appear
to me to resemble lamia. (Stenocorus Cyaneus, Fab.)

There the palpi are enlarged at the end, and terminated
by a cone-shaped articulation. The antennae are regular,
smooth, and merely pubescent.

Some differ from the rest by the male only being winged.
Their corslet is conical, united without spine or tubercles.

They compose the genus, Vesperus, Dej. Stenocorus,
Fab. Their head is large, supported on a sort of patella.
The antennae are long, slightly serrated, with the first articu-
lation shorter than the third. The last of the palpi is sub-
triangular. The eyes are oval, slightly emarginated. The
elytra of the females are short, soft, and open.

In the following both sexes are winged, the corslet is spiny
or tubercular, laterally unequal, and as if bent at both ends
(Rhagium, Fab. Stenocorus, Oliv., with some of the lep-
turae of the former). Subsequent entomologists have divided
them into five genera, which may be reduced to four.

112 CLASS INSECTA.

Rhagium, Dahl. Antennas simple, half as long as the
body ; the last articulation of the palpi forms a triangular
knob ; head large, and eyes entire ; a spine-formed tubercle
on each side the corslet.

Rhamnusium, Meg. Antennae a little shorter than the
body, serrated ; the third and fourth articulations shortest ;
eyes emarginated.

ToxoTus, Pachyta, Meg. Dej. Antennae simple, as long,
at least, as the body ; first articulation much shorter than
the head ; eyes entire, or nearly so ; abdomen triangular,
narrowed behind.

Stenoderus, Dej. Ceramhyx, Fab. Leptura, Kirb.
Stenocorus, Liv. Antennae long ; first articulation as long,
at least, as the head ; body long, narrow, sub-linear ; eyes
entire.

Sometimes the head is narrowed suddenly behind, the an-
tennae wide apart at their insertion, with the two eminences
where they spring nearly confounded ; corslet almost always
imited, without lateral tubercles. These are Leptura, Dej.
Dahl.

Some have the corslet nearly even above, trapezoid, or
conical. L. armata, Gyll. L. calcarata, Fab.

Others have the corslet much more elevated, and round, or
nearly globular (L. tomentosa^ Fab.).

SUPPLEMENT

LONGICORNES.

Of the first genus of this family, (Parandra,) we shall
merely observe that, considered in all their natural relations,
they appear to conduct us from the cucuji to the spondyli,
and the rest of the Longicornes. They were originally left
by M. Latreille in the last family.

With the metamorphoses of these insects we are not ac-
quainted. But it is highly probable that they live in wood,
or under the bark of trees, after the manner of the cucuji
and spondylis, with which they possess so close an affinity ;
but the known species are of a brown-maron colour, shining,
smooth, and even, and inhabit for the most part the continent
of America. The males are a little larger than the females,
and have longer mandibles.

The insect of which Fabricius has composed his genus,
Spondylis, had been successively placed with huprestis,
attelahus, and the capricorns.

The larva probably lives in the interior of wood. Its
manners, as well as those of the perfect insect, are unknown.

The insect figured under the name Coptocephalus Brasili- -l.
ensis, appears to form a new sub-genus, but nearly allied to
Spondylis. The antennae and legs are black, the thorax
fulvous, with the middle black, the elytra fulvous, with a
reddish tint.

VOL. XV.

114 SUPPLEMENT

It might seem proper that the Prioni should be placed at
the head of this family, from their gigantic size, and many
strongly marked characters, and very near the Capricorns,
with which they have great relations. It is even difficult to
establish the certain and precise limits of these two genera,
which approximate so closely to each other, both in forms
and habits.

These insects, as we have just observed, are very large,
and the females are in general more bulky than the males.
They are found in large woods and forests. During the day
they remain concealed in the holes which their larvae have
made in the trunks of old trees. They issue forth in the
evening to fly, and seek out an individual of their own species
with which to pair. Their flight is heavy, and the least shock
throws them down.

The larvae of these insects inhabit the trunks of the largest
trees, and such as are in a rapid progress to decay. They
hasten, too, this decay, by the quantity of holes which they
make in them. They differ little from those of the other
Coleoptera, which live in wood. They resemble a thick
white worm, the body of which is divided into twelve rings.
Their head is a little broader than the rest of the body, and
of a consistence a little more solid. It is armed with two
short and strong mandibles, which serve to cut the wood on
which they feed. They have three pair of scaly feet, so
small that they are of no kind of use. But, however, their
organs of locomotion are formed upon another model, and
perfectly appropriate to the places inhabited by these larvae.
Nature has provided them with a multitude of small nipples,
which cover the last nine rings of their body ; they rest them
against the sides of the holes which they inhabit, when they
are desirous of traversing them. Afterwards they contract
and elongate their rings successively, and push themselves for-
ward with facility.

ON LONGICORNES. 115

When these larvae have acquired their full growth , they
spin a thick cocoon, composed in a great measure of saw-
dust. They then change into the chrysalis. But before they
undergo their metamorphosis they approach the surface of the
tree, that they may issue more easily from their hole, when
they assume the form of the perfect insect.

The female Prioni lay a considerable number of yellowish
oblong eggs, which they deposit in the clifts and fissures of
the wood, by the assistance of a sort of corneous tube, which
is inclosed in their abdomen, and which, at this period, they
protrude forth.

The prionus arvicornis is a native of America ; its larva
inhabits the wood of the Bomhax, Linn. The people of the
country use it as food, and esteem it as no small delicacy.
The coriarius is a native of Europe, and has been described
by GeofFroy. It inhabits the trunks of old oak trees. It
never flies but by night, and in the evening.

We have formed a new sub-genus under the name of
PsALiDOGNATHUs, whicli bclongs to this division. The an-
tennae long, with spines at the apex of each joint ; basal
joint long, oblong ; the second joint short, globose ; third
long as the fifth and sixth together ; seventh to eleventh mo-
derate, and grooved on the outer side. The labrum coria-
ceous, very small, rounded. The mandibles long, curved
under, the exterior ridge rounded ; the apex with a sharp
edge interiorly, the base with three small teeth ; the maxil-
lary palpi as long as the head and thorax ; the first joint as
long as the third, and the second as long as the fourth ; the
latter has an enlarging, flattened, and rounded club ; the
head square, with a strong spine on each side, also a spine at
the base of the mandibles ; the thorax much broader than
long, with three spines on each side ; the scutellum triangu-
lar, rounded at the tips ; the body long, broader at the base,
narrowing towards the tip ; the legs long ; the anterior tibia

I 2

116

SUPPLEMENT

flattened, grooved, and hairy beneath ; the tarsi rather slen-
der. The species we have named Friendii, after Lieutenant
Friend, of the Royal Navy, who discovered this fine insect
in Columbia. It is rugose, of a metallic green, tinted with
purple ; the antennae and legs of a metallic purple ; the
length of the body is two inches and a half. It is in the
cabinet of J. G. Children, Esq.

We also insert figures of Anocolus luguhris (see p. 99),
which is black and punctated ; the elytra do not cover the
abdomen, and A. quadripunctatus, which is fulvous, with
the antennae, tibiae, and elytral spots, black. Both are from
Brazil.

The insects of the genus Cerambyx, or the Capricorns,
must have been long ago distinguished by the fine proportions
and the varied colours which the majority of the species ex-
hibit, and especially by the length of the antennas, which
characterizes the genus. Their body is elongated. The
antennas differ in their length, even in the same species. The
males, in general, have them longer than the females. Their
walk is neither slow nor precipitate, and they frequently
make use of their wings. When they find themselves seized,
they seek to defend themselves, and send forth a sharp and
tolerably strong sound, by rubbing their corslet against the
base of the scutellum. The capricorns are usually met with
in woods, and on the trunks of trees. They are seldom to
be seen upon flowers. They feed upon the wood, or on the
juices which flow from the trees. The female employs a sort
of tail, or auger, which she has at the end of the abdomen,
to pierce the wood, and introduce and deposit her eggs
therein.

The body of the larvae is elongated, tolerably soft, and
composed of thirteen very distinct rings. Their head is scaly,
and rather hard. The mouth is furnished with two very
strong jaws, by means of which these larvae gnaw the sub-

ON LONGICORNES. 117

stance of the wood, which supplies them with their nutri-
ment. They change their skin several times, remain two or
three years in their first state, and finally change into a
nymph, from which the perfect insect issues forth in the course
of some little time.

One of the largest of these insects in Europe is the Ce-
ramhya; heros. Its larva does material injury to oak trees,
in the trunks of which it makes very deep holes.

We have re-figured the Ceramhyx Fichteli, of Schreibe?',
It is of a bronze colour, the antennae brown ; the head broad,
pointed on each side ; the elytra much longer than the abdo-
men, rather pointed, divergent, and rather hairy at the tip.
This insect we have formed into a new sub-genus, under the
name of Enicodes ; it is from New Holland.

The insects of the genus Callidium are found for the
most part in forests, on the half-rotten trunks of trees, and
in timber-yards, where they are oftentimes caught, at the
moment in which they are issuing forth from the wood in
which the larva was nourished. They sometimes are seen to
enter into apartments. Many species frequent flowers, and
live upon their nectar.

These insects make a noise occasionally, by the rubbing
of the corslet against the base of the scutellum, which is
chagreened. This noise increases in proportion as they are
more disturbed, and as the movements of the flexion and
elevation of the head are more precipitate.

The Callidia often make use of their wings. They rise
with facility to their flight, which is tolerably sustained.

Their larvae resemble soft and elongated worms. Their
body is composed of thirteen rings, and six very small scaly
feet, which are distinguished with difficulty. Their mouth
is armed with two strong jaws, which answers the purpose of
gnawing and reducing to powder the wood upon which they
feed. Accordingly, it is only in the furrows which they

118 SUPPLEMENT

trace in the wood that they are to be found ; and as they
advance in gnawing the wood, they fill the vacancies which
are left with their excrement, which is nothing more than
the dust of the wood which has served them for aliment.
It is somewhat compact, but very friable, and it preserves
the colour of the wood.

These larvae remain in their first state for two years. Dur-
ing this time they change their skin several times, until,
being arrived at their full growth^ they quit it altogether,
and appear under the form of a nymph. This last differs
from the larva. Its body is shorter, and more compact. Its
rings are less apparent, and the elytra may be distinguished
through the envelope which covers them. They are short
and folded back, much in the same manner as the wing of
the butterfly is in the chrysalis of that insect.

To the sub-genus Clytics, of this division, we have added
a fine species, which we named Haiji. It is black, with yel-
low various formed markings ; the antennae black, and the
legs yellow. The length is one inch and a line, the specimen
is from the Tannaserim Coast.

No observations have been made on the metamorphoses of
the Necydales, but we may presume, however, that they
take place in the interior of wood. The conical tube which
Degeer observed at the anus of one species, renders the in-
duction which we may derive from analogy the more pro-
bable. These insects in summer, are found upon flowers.

Linnaeus, and other naturalists, have placed the in-
sects of the genus Lamia with the Capricorns {^Ceramhyx).
Fabricius has separated them, and formed of them a peculiar
genus.

The lamise, like all the longicornes, send forth a sharp
sound, produced by the friction of the anterior parietes of
the corslet against the base of the abdomen. This genus is
composed of a great number of species, but more abundant.

ON LONGICORNES. 119

and of a greater size in the wooded countries, situated be-
tween the tropics. South America furnishes a considerable
number, especially of those which have the body flatted.
The majority of the species of the ancient continent, and
those of Africa, among others, belong to the last section of
the genus.

The larvae of the majority of the lamiae, live in wood,
after the manner of those of other insects of the same family.
It is there also, and particularly in timber-yai'ds, that the
perfect insect is to be found. Some species, composing the
last division, I'emain constantly on the ground. It is pre-
sumable that their larvae make their habitation there, and
feed on the interior of the roots of divers vegetables.

We have formed here a new sub-genus, and named it JEu-
rycephalus ; the head flat, rather triangular, with the sides
projecting and pointed, from which the antennae spring, of
which the first joint is very large, the second very small, the
rest linear. We have named this species Niger. It is hirsute,
black, with the antennae reddish. Inhabits Brazil. The
length is five lines.

The genus Saperda is formed from the fourth family of
the capricorns of Linnaeus, and the first of the lepturce of
Geoffroy. Fabricius, in establishing it, gave it the name of
Saperda, which had been applied by some Greek authors
to a fish, which is unknown to us.

The Saperdae derive their nutriment from the substance of
vegetables, and many of them frequent flowers. But the
greater number attach themselves, in preference, to the stalks
and branches of different shrubs and trees, and remain there
almost motionless. They seldom fly off", unless they are
heated by the rays of the sun, or excited by the desire of
reproduction.

Roesel has described the metamorphoses of one species
{Cylindricollis). The larva feeds on the sap of the pear and

120 SUPPLEMENT, &C.

plum-tree. Its form is elongated, pointed posteriorly, nar-
rowed towards the first rings, and afterwards widening
abruptly. The head is scaly as well as the upper part of the
first ring, and it is furnished with very strong mandibles.
The feet either do not exist, or are but little apparent. It is
in the cavities which it has hollowed, in taking its food, that
it changes into an elongated nymph, provided in miniature
with all the organs which the perfect insect is to possess.
According to Goedart, the larva of the Saperda carcharias,
lives in the oak. It is apodal, elongated, a little depressed,
soft, broader anteriorly, and armed with very strong man-
dibles. Its body grows narrow insensibly towards the ex-
tremity, and is terminated by an abrupt and rounded swel-
ling. One of the industrious means which it employs to ad-
vance more and more, and find the wood, is to form a resting
point by contracting and reducing itself almost into a ball.
The effect of gravitation being thus diminished, the anterior
part of the body is more at liberty, and the action of the
mandibles becomes more powerful. Its lodging being once
enlarged and completed, it resumes its natural position.
This larva is transformed into a nymph at the end of Octo-
ber, and the perfect insect issues forth in the month of June,
in the following year.

In the genus Gnoma, we have figured a new species, which
Mr. Westwood has named Sutm-alis. It is black, with two
lines down the thorax, the suture and summit of the elytra
dusky yellow. This species is from New South Wales.

The Leptur^ are found in wood, on the trunks of trees,
and often also on flowers. Their larvae feed on rotten wood,
and resemble in all essential characters those of the other
longicornes.

THE FIFTH FAMILY

TETRAMEROUS COLEOPTERA.

EUPODA

Is composed of insects, the first of which {Dooiacice) are
so nearly allied to the last, Longicornes, that Linnaeus and
Geoffroy have confounded them together, and the last of
which are so nearly related to chrysomela, the type of the
following family, that the first of these naturalists placed
them in this genus. The organs of manducation have the
same affinities ; thus in the former the lingua is membrana-
ceous, bifid, or bilobed, the same as that of the longicornes ;
their jaws also greatly resemble theirs, but in the last, Eu-
podae is nearly square or rounded, and analogous to that of
Cyclica ; nevertheless the maxillary lobes are membranous
or but little coriaceous, whitish or yellowish ; the exterior
enlarges toward the extremity, and has not the figure of a
palpus, characters which give to these parts more resemblance
to the corresponding parts of the longicornes than to those
of cyclica. The body is more or less oblong, with the head
and corslet narrower than the abdomen ; the antennae are
filiform or thicker as they advance, and are inserted before
the eyes, which in some are entire, round, and rather pro-
minent, and in others are slightly emarginated ; the head
enters behind into the corslet, which is cylindrical or a trans-

IS'2 CLASS INSECTA.

verse square, the abdomen is large compared with the rest of
the body, forming an elongated square or triangle ; the arti-
culations of the tarsi, except the last, are furnished under-
neath with cushions, and the penultimate is bifid or bilobed ;
the posterior thighs are much enlarged in most of them,
whence the name of the family is taken.

We shall divide this family into two tribes. First, Sagri-
des, including the genus

Sagra,

Whose mandibles terminate in a sharp point, the lingua is
deeply emarginate or bilobed.

Some have the palpi filiform, the eyes emarginate, and the
posterior thighs very thick, with the legs arched.

Megalopus, Fab., have the anterior extremity of the
head advanced like a muzzle, the mandibles strong and bent,
the palpi terminated by an elongated and very pointed arti-
culation, the lingua divided deeply into two elongated lobes,
the body short, with the corslet square or trapezoid and
transversal, the antennae thicker as they advance, and termi-
minated in an elongated knob, the third articulation being
longer than the second and fourth ; the hind legs are long.

Sagra, Fab., have the palpi terminated by an ovoid arti-
culation, the divisions of the lingua short, the corslet cylin-
drical, antennas filiform, with the lower articulations shortest,
fore-legs rather thick, not long, and angular.

Others have the palpi thicker at the end, the eyes entire,
and the thighs nearly of the same thickness. The body is
always elongated, narrow, rather depressed, or very slightly
elevated, with the corslet narroAved behind and nearly heart-
shaped.

Orsodacna, Lat. Oliv. — Crioceris, Fab. The antennae
are filiform, composed of articulations like reversed cones,
the last of the palpi only is a little longer than the preceding.

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 123

and nearly like a truncated ovoid ; the corslet is at least as
long as it is wide.

PsAMMffiCus, Boudier. — Ajifhicus, Fab. — Latridius^ Deg.,
have the antennae composed of short and serrated articula-
tions which thicken progressively ; the maxillary palpi ter-
minate abruptly in a strong triangular knob. The corslet is
Avider than it is long. The body is more depressed tlian in
the last, with the antennae shorter, and the eyes more pro-
minent.

The second tribe, Criocertdes, has the end of the man-
dibles truncated, or with two or three teeth. The tongue is
entire, or but slightly emarginate. It is composed of the
genus

Crioceeis, Geoff. Chrysomela, Lin.

Which we shall divide thus : —

Sometimes the mandibles go to a point, and have at the
end two or three teeth.

Dona CIA, Fab. Leptura, Lin., have the posterior thighs
large, the antennae equally thick throughout, with elongated
articulations, the eyes entire, and the last articulation of the
tarsi enclosed for the most part of its length by the lobes of
the preceding.

HiEMONiA, Meg. Dej. The penultimate articulation of
the tarsi is very small in these, in form of a knot, nearly en-
tire, and the last is very strong.

Petauristes, Lat., united by Fab. with Lema, or our
Crioceris proper, have also the posterior thighs thick, but the
eyes are emarginated ; the antennae, as well as in those, are
generally composed of shorter articulations, and the lobes of
the penultimate articulation of the tarsi is much less elon-
gated, and encloses only the root of the following.

Crioceris, Geoff. Oliv. — Lema, Fab. — Chrysomela, Lin.,
differ from the last in having the hind feet like the rest ; the

124 CLASS INSECTA.

antennae thicken a little as they advance, and are nearly
grained, the articulations not being much larger than they
are wide. The eyes are elevated and emarginated. The hind
extremity of the head forms behind the eyes a sort of neck.

AucHENiA, Thunb., differs from the last, from which
they were not heretofore distinguished, by having the eyes
entire ; their palpi narrowed, and ending in a point ; the last
seven articulations of the antennae are longer, and their cors-
let is dilated toward the middle, on each side, like an angle or
tooth.

Sometimes the mandibles are truncated, the palpi termi-
nated by an enlarged truncated articulation, with a small
elongation, like a ring, presenting the appearance of another
articulation. The antennas are slender, composed of very
elongated sub-cylindrical articulations.

Megascelis, Dej. Lat. The eyes are a little emargi-
nated. The mandibles are thick. The outer maxillary lobe
is narrow, cylindrical, and bent inward. The labial palpi are
nearly as large as the maxillary. These insects, proper to
South America, appear to be allied in some respects to Co-
lapsis ; but, by their general form, they are arranged with
eupodes.

SUPPLEMENT

E U P O D A.

On the first genus of this family, or, more properly speak-
ing, the sub genus, which forms the type of the tribe,
namely, Sagra, we have not much to say. These insects
seem to form a passage from orsodacna to donacia and
crioceris. They approach to the second of these genera, in
the brilliancy of their colours, the size of their posterior
feet, and especially that of their thighs. Like Crioceris,
their eyes are elongated and narrow, with an impression be-
tween them in the manner of a cross, thus — X. They are
. all winged and large insects, peculiar to the southern coun-
tries of Africa and Asia.

The species named tristis by Fabricius is not, as he has as-
serted, a native of Cayenne, but of the coast of Angola. Some
other species come from China, and often constitute a part of
the boxes of insects which the merchants of that country sell
to Europeans. But it does not appear that the habitation of
ihese insects extends further to the east. It is not known if
any have been received from the Moluccas or New Holland.
Their manners are unknown. Fabricius presumes that the
differences hitherto regarded as specific, are only sexual : a
point not very easy of verification, in consequence of the
paucity of specimens.

1 ^6 SUPPLEMENT

We have added specimens of two new sub-genera of Mr.
Macleay, near to Sagra.

1st, Carpophagus. The labrum transverse, sub-bilobed,
with the margin ciliated ; the mandibles strong, arched ; the
tip sharp, with a small tooth near the middle, and the base
ciliated ; the maxillary palpi short, with the last joint obtuse,
oval ; labial palpi with the last joint ovate, the tip truncate,
the posterior femora enlarged, with one large tooth. The
species BanJcsice, is black brown, sprinkled with white hairs;
the head and thorax punctated, divided by a smooth line ; the
scutellum cinereous ; the elytra rugose, with four sub-elevated
lines ; body beneath, and feet cinereous.

2nd, Mergamerus, with the labrum transverse, square ;
the mandibles formed like the last; the maxillae, large, oval,
and ciliated ; the maxillary palpi with the last joint securi-
form, compressed ; the labial palpi with the last joint trian-
gular, compressed, or securiform ; the labrum bilobed. Our
species, Kingii, is blackish brown ; the labrum and palpi,
piceous ; the thorax scarcely punctated ; posterior, rugose ;
the elytra with punctated stria, with a channel on the shoulder;
the body beneath, and legs cinereous. Both these insects are
from New Holland.

The insects called Ousodacn^ are among the number of
those which appear to connect the family of the longicornes
with that of Cyclica. These insects inhabit the leaves
of trees, but their metamorphoses are unknown. The
most common species, which is found in spring on cherry-
trees, plum-trees, &c., is that which M. Latreille names
Chlowtica.

The CmocERES are insects which, though rather small,
are remarkable for a handsome form, a little elongated, and
decorated in some species with brilliant colours. They some-
times make their appearance at a very early period of the
spring. It is on the flowers of gardens, fields, and mea-

ON EUPODES. 127

dows, that they seek for repose and sustenance. When they
are caught, they send forth a sort of little cry, produced
by the rubbing of the superior extremity of the base of the
abdomen against the interior parietes of the corslet. They
pair very speedily in the flowers on which they live. Their
intercourse lasts at least for a day, and sometimes longer.
After pairing, the female walks over the flower, in search of
a spot which may be suitable for the deposition of her eggs,
which is usually the under part of some leaf. She there
arranges them, one near the other, but with but little art
and regularity. Each egg issues from the body invested
with a fluid which is proper to glue it on the leaf, against
which it is afterwards applied. The female deposits eight or
ten together, and, doubtless, one of these little parcels does
not constitute the entire of the ovi position. These eggs, in
certain species, are oblong. Those recently laid are reddish,
and even tolerably red. They grow brown, wlien the viscous
fluid which covers them begins to dry. At the end of fifteen
days, the little larvae make their appearance, without, how-
ever, , leaving behind them any vestige of a shell, or any
remains of the envelope which connects them. But, perhaps,
these shells are difficult to be found, because they are so very
much attenuated, or because the movements which the insect
makes to complete its emancipation from them, detach them
from the leaf, and cause them to fall. Be this as it may, as
soon as the little larvag of the same nest are in a state to walk,
they arrange themselves side by side, pretty nearly in the
same manner, as do the common caterpillars. Their heads
are on the same line. They live together, and eat only the
substance of the leaf, on the side of which they are placed.
In proportion as they grow, they separate from one another,
and finally disperse over different parts of the leaf, and over
different leaves. Then the larva attacks, sometimes the end
of the leaf, sometimes one of its edges. Pretty often it pierces

128 SUPPLEMENT

it in the middle, and eats throughout its entire thickness.
This larva gives itself but little exercise. It walks but
seldom, or at least does not proceed forward but when the
leaf which it has attacked totally fails, or when there remain
in the neighbourhood of the place which it has gnawed only
some parts which are too much dried up. While it is eating,
it makes, from time to time, a step backwards ; for its
mode of eating is not to proceed, and take what is before
it, but that which is towards the under part of its
body.

The larvae of the crioceres are thick, short, compact, and
heavy. The body is soft, and covered with a fine and deli-
cate skin. They have a scaly head, and six feet equally scaly.
As much as the perfect insect agreeably attracts our regards
by the beauty of its form, so does the larva repel us by a very
different kind of aspect. It is not that it is more ill-con-
formed than many other larvse, but it is the appearance of
its clothing which renders it deformed and hideous. After
havino; drawn its nutriment from the leaves, the substance of
these same leaves still answers a useful purpose to the larva :
it serves to clothe it. On the leaves which have been gnawed
are to be seen little heaps of humid matter, of the colour and
consistence of these same leaves, a little macerated and
bruised. Each of these little heaps has a tolerably irregular
figure, but, however, rounded, and a little oblong. All that
is then perceivable is the matter which serves for a covering to
each larva, and which covers it almost entirely. If we ex-
amine a little closer, we can soon distinguish the black head
of the insect operating on the leaf, with the two teeth with
which it is provided. We may also perceive on each side,
and pretty near the head, the three pair of black and scaly
feet, terminated by two small hooks, which the insect fastens
into the surface of the leaf. This foreign matter is but little
adhesive ; it is easily removed by a slight friction, and when

ON EUPODES. 129

the larva is stripped of it, it is found to be pretty similar to
most other larvae ; but its skin appears to be very delicate.
Its transparency would lead us at once to conclude so, as it
allows us to see the movements of most of the interior parts.
Accordingly, nature has taught this little insect a most
singular method of sheltering itself against the impression
of the external air, or that of the rays of the sun. It has
instructed it to cover itself with its own proper excrements,
and has disposed every thing to enable it to do so with fa-
cility. The aperture of the anus of other insects is placed at
the end, or near the end of the last ring, and usually in the
side of the belly. The anus of this larva is a little removed
from the posterior end. It is placed at the junction of the
penultimate ring with the last, and, what is remarkable, on
the side of the back. The disposition of the rectum, or of
the intestine, which conducts the excrements to the anus, and
that of the muscles which protrude them, must correspond
to the end which Nature has intended, in thus disposing this
aperture. The excrements which issue from the body of
insects in general are expelled backwards in the line of the
body. Those of the larva of the crioceris are raised above
the body, and directed towards the region of the head. They
are not, however, sent very far. When they are entirely out
of the anus, they fall upon the part of the back which is
nearest. They are retained there by their viscosity ; but,
however, they are retained but feebly. Without even chang-
ing place, the insect gives certain movements to its rings
which, by little and little, conduct the excrements from the
place in which they have fallen as far as the head. We may
easily imagine the mode in which it prepares inclined planes
for them, one after another, by swelling the part of its body
on which they are, and contracting the part which follows
towards the region of the head. The larva does more : it folds
and raises the part of the rings which precede that on which

VOL. XV. K

130 SUPPLEMENT

tlie excrements are situated. From which it is clear, that
when it extends the folded portion without lowering it, this
part, in being developed, pushes the excrements into the de-
pression which has been prepared for them. The form of the
back itself is such, that when a portion of the excrements has
been conducted to a certain distance from the anus, it finds a
declination from these to the head.

To see distinctly how all this takes place, it is neces-
sary to strip the insect naked, place it on a young and
fresh leaf, and then observe it with a microscope. It
will very soon begin to eat, and a little time after, the
anus is observed to swell. It exhibits edges which were
not perceptible before. Finally, the anus half opens, and
the end of a little mass of excrements issues forth.
What the insect casts forth is a sort of cylinder, the two
ends of which are rounded. We have already mentioned
that when this grain of excrement issues forth, it is directed
towards the head. Nevertheless, a little after it has come
out, it is found to be placed transversely, or at least a little
inclined towards the length of the body. The friction Avhich
it meets with, and the little regularity with which it is
pushed on, give it this direction. There are times when
these grains are arranged with tolerable order, placed paral-
lely one to the other, and perpendicularly to the length of
the body. But this seldom happens except on the posterior
part, and when the anus has furnished a considerable number
of them, in a short space of time. The insect which has
been stripped, has need to eat for about two hours, before
the anus can furnish, at different times, the quantity of
matter which is requisite to cover all the upper part of the
body; at the end of two hours this covering is complete,
but it is very thin, not being more in thickness than a single
grain of the excrement. By slow degrees it grows thicker.
The same mechanism which has conducted the grains to the

ON EUPODES. 131

neighbourhood of the head, forcing them to press against each
other, to give place to the excrements which issue forth, the
excrements which are in the neighbourhood of the hinder part
of the body, are pushed on and carried forward. They are
soft, yifeld to the pressure, and flatten in one direction and
rise in another, namely, in that which renders the layer
thicker. This layer, which covers the body, thickens then
by little and little, and at last to such a degree that if we
remove it at a certain time, from above the body of the larvae,
we shall see that this covering is of a volume three times larger
than that of the insect itself, and of a weight which would
seem to overburthen the animal. The thicker the covering is,
the more irregular is its figure, and the browner its colour.

We have said that the excrements of which it is formed
have the colour and consistence of bruised and mace-
rated leaves. Accordingly, they are nothing else. They
are, at first, of a greenish yellow, but their upper surface
dries by little and little, and assumes a browner shade, gra-
dually approaching towards black. When this clothing
becomes too stiff, or too heavy, the insect apparently divests
itself of it, for we sometimes see these larvae naked, or nearly
so. But they do not remain long in this state. They easily
disembarrass themselves of a too heavy covering, either en-
tirely, or in part. They have only to place themselves so
that it shall touch or rub against some part of the plant, and
then draw themselves forward. When the insect preserves
its covering for a long time, it sometimes overflows the head,
and that which covers the first rings is often black and dry,
while the rest is humid and greenish. This dry part, which
goes beyond the head, sometimes falls in shreds. The Cas-
sidcB, as we shall see hereafter, adopt a similar mode of pro-
tecting their sensible and tender skin from the danger of
external impressions. But they do it in somewhat a different
manner, which we shall explain in the proper place.

132 SUPPLEMENT

In fourteen or fifteen days the larva of crioceris have ac-
quired all their growth. Then they are no longer covered with
their excrements. They are seen, either entirely, or in part
naked. Their body assumes a more deeply coloured tint.
They walk, and do not appear as tranquil as they were be-
fore. They ai'e now near the time of their metamorphosis.
It is in the earth that this change is to take place, and it is
to proceed thither to conceal themselves, that they are in
motion.

A little time after these larvae have entered the ground,
they set to work to make themselves a shell, the exte-
rior of which is covered with some grains of the earth
which surrounds them. These shells are so well covered
that they might be taken for little masses of the ordinary
and uneven earth. They are in general about the bulk of
a small bean, or a large pea. When they are pressed be-
tween the two fingers, and slightly enough to be recognised,
they send forth a little sound, similar, in miniature, to that
of a bladder, prest to bursting. From this it is plain, that
the shells within which these larvae are transformed, are
bladders, very close, and filled with a very elastic air, since
a trifling compression causes this air to break the shell, with
noise. When these shells are opened, their interior is found
to have the polish of satin. It is of a shining and silvery
white. In a word, these shells, or cocoons rather, resemble
that which some caterpillars make of fine and lustrous silk,
and cover with earth. Nevertheless, this sort of stuff is very
differently, and much more simply fabricated. The cater-
pillars spin, for the purpose of making their cocoons, while
these larvae employ a sort of froth, or slaver, which is less
thick than the fluid of which the silk is composed, but is
nevertheless analogous to it. This froth being dry, forms
shining and flexible leaves, such as they would be if they
were actually of silk.

ON EUPODES. 133

When one of these larvae is preparing for its trans-
formation, it lodges itself in a sort of box, made of
grains of earth, cemented, apparently by the fluid. But
this fluid serves more especially to invest the parietes
of the cavity. The larva can furnish a sufficient quantity
of it, so that that which is dried shall form a silky lining
of a sensible thickness. When earth is wanting; to the
larva, when it has been unable to form a cavity, the solid
parietes of which shall be proper to receive and sustain its
frothy fluid, it is difficult for it to employ this fluid use-
fully. The slender layer which commences to assume consist-
ence is often broken, or, at least, rumpled by the motions of
the insect.

Two or three days after the larva has been shut up in
its shell, it is metamorphosed into a nymph, similar in
the disposition of its parts to the other nymphs of the cole-
optera of the same family. In fine, in about fifteen days
after the insect has entered into the earth in its larva form, if
it be in the summer season, it is in a state to appear in its
final shape. It pierces the shell, issues from the earth, and
proceeds in search of the plants, whose leaves and flowers
are most suitable for its nutriment.

The DoNACi^ form a sub-genus, composed of a small
number of species, which may be ranged among insects of
the middle size. They are endowed with an agreeable form,
enhanced by a striking brilliancy of colour. They live among
aquatic plants, such as the reed, the iris, &c. ; we may also
suspect that their larvae live in the stalks or roots of these
same plants. The nymph of the Donacia crassipes, accord-
ing to Linnaeus, is found in the form of a brown shell, on
the root of the Phellandria.

THE SIXTH FAMILY

TETRAMEROUS COLEOPTERA.

Cyclica

Have also the first three articulations of the tarsi spongy, or
furnished with cushions underneath, with the penultimate
divided into two lobes, and the antennas filiform, or a little
thicker toward the end. The body is generally round, with
the base of the corslet as wide as the elytra in the small num-
ber of those, in which the body is oblong. They have jaws,
whose exterior division by its narrow, sub-cylindrical form,
and deeper colour, has the appearance of a palpus ; the in-
terior division is larger, and without scaly crook. The tongue
is nearly square or oval, entire, or slightly emarginated.

All the larvae with which we are acquainted are provided
with six feet, have the body soft, coloured, and feed as well
as the perfect insect on leaves, to which they commonly fix
them by means of a viscous humour. It is there also that
many of them are changed into nymphs, to the posterior end
of which is engaged and folded into a ball, the last skin of
the larva. These nymphs are often of various colours.
Other larvae enter into the earth.

These insects in general are small, often ornamented with
i^etallic and brilliant colours, and have the body without
hair.

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 135

With reference to the different habits of the larvae, the
Cyclica are divided into four principal sections: —

1. Those, whose larvse cover themselves with their own
excrement.

2. Those which live in tubes, which they carry about with
them.

3. Naked larvae.

4. Those whose larvae live in the interior of vegetables,
and feed on their parenchyma. The leapers.

We shall divide them into three tribes, according to the
mode of insertion of the antennae.

The Cassidari.e, which form the first tribe, have the
antennae inserted in the upper part of the head, near each
other, straight, short, filiform, and sub-cylindrical, or thick-
ening gradually toward the end ; the mouth is altogether
underneath, the palpi are short, sub-filiform, and sometimes
arched, sometimes received in part into the cavity of the
presternum ; the eyes are ovoid or round, the feet contractile,
shorty with the tarsi flat, the lobes of the penultimate articu-
lation totally enclose the last. The body being flat under-
neath, these insects have the faculty, by means of their tarsi,
of sticking immoveably on the surface of leaves ; otherwise
the body is in general orbicular or oval, and overedged all
round by the corslet and elytra. The head is hidden under
the corslet, or received into an anterior emargination. Their
colours are very varied, and distributed under the form of
spots, points, and rays. Those of their larvse which are
known, cover themselves with their own excrement. They
compose two genera.

HisPA, Lin.,

Whose body is oblong, with the head entirely uncovered and
disengaged, and the corslet in the form of a trapezium. The
mandibles have only two or three teeth, the outer maxillary

136 CLASS INSECTA.

lobe is shorter than the inner ; the antennae are filiform, and
carried forward.

Alurnus, of Fab., differ only in the form of the mandi-
bles, the upper end of which forms a strong-pointed tooth,
with a small one on the inner side. The ligula is corneous.
This includes the largest species.

HisPA proper, Lin. Fab., have the mandibles short, end-
ing in two or three small teeth, nearly equal. Some have the
upper part of the body, and even a portion of the antennae
very spiny, as Hispa atra^ Lin.

Chalepus, Thunb. Taking H. spinipes, of Fab., for
type of this sub-genus, it differs from the last, by having the
legs long, slender, and arched, with the anterior armed inter-
nally with a long spine. The third articulation of the an-
tennae is also longer in proportion.

Some others, Monoceros, Oliv. PoiTecta, Schcen. Ros-
tratus, Kirby, are remarkable for a horn-like projection above
the head, and probably form another sub-genus, Cassiua,
Lin. Fab., distinguished from Hispaby the following characters.
The body is orbicular or sub-ovoid, and nearly square in a
few. The corslet more or less semi-circular, entirely hides the
head, or encases it in its anterior emargination. The elytra
often elevated in the region of the scutellum, overedge the
body. The mandibles have four teeth, at least, and the outer
maxillary lobe is as long, or less so, than the inner.

Imatidium, of Fab., differs from Cassida only in havintr
the head uncovered, and engaged in an emargination of the
corslet. Both have the body depressed, nearly round,
formed like a buckler or little tortoise, often slightly ele-
vated, pyramidically, on the middle of the back, and over-
edged all round by the sides of the corslet and elytra ;
underneath it is flat, so that these insects are as if stuck to
the object they rest on.

In the second tribe, Chrysomelin.e, the antennae are in-

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 137

serted above the eyes, and are wide apart. These insects do
not leap. They compose with those of the following tribe,
and some of the preceding family, the genus chrysomela, of
Lin. They form two genera.

Cryptocephalus,

With the head buried in a vaulted or convex corslet, like a
hood, so that the body, which forms in general a short cylin-
der or sub-ovoid, and narrowed behind, appears, when seen
in front, as if truncated, and deprived of its head. The
antennas of some are more or less serrated or pectinated, of
others, are long and filiform. The last articulation of the
palpi is always ovoid.

Sometimes the antennae are short, pectinated, or serrated,
from the fourth or fifth articulation. Here the outer edge
of the elytra is straight, or has but a slight emargination ;
the posterior angles of the corslet are rounded, and not
vaulted ; the anterior are not feathered underneath. The
body forms always a short cylinder, with the antennae always
free, the eyes entire, or but little emarginated. The males
often have the head wider, with the mandibles stronger and
more advanced, and the fore-feet longer. Clythra, Leach,
Fab. — Melolontha, Geoff. (C. quadripunctata, Lin.)

At other times the elytra, much dilated outwardly at
their insertion, are suddenly narrowed behind, and have a
deep emargination. The posterior angles of the corslet are
sharp, vaulted, and form a roof ; the anterior are much bent
underneath. The eyes are obviously emarginated in many.
The upper part of the body in these — and they are the most
numerous in which it is less short and less convex — ^is com-
monly very unequal.

Chlamys, Knoch. Formed like a short cylinder or cube,
with the corslet suddenly elevated like a hump in the middle.

138 CLASS INSECTA,

and elongated to the middle of the outer edge, or unilobed.
The body is generally very rough. The labial palpi are
forked in some.

Lamprosoma, Kirb., have the corslet nearly globular,
very convex, smooth, with the corslet short, wide, and gra-
dually elevated, and slightly lobed in the middle of the outer
edge. The last five articulations of the antennae are serrated,
but less dilated than in the last.

Sometimes the antennje obviously longer than the head
and corslet, are simple and filiform, or thicker toward the
end, or even terminated in a knob, and, moreover, in general
serrated, but beginning only at the seventh articulation. The
body of many of them is ovoid, and narrowed behind. The
last articulation of the antennae is appended, so that their
number appears to be twelve. These have the body cylindri-
cal, with the corslet as wide as the abdomen, all its length.

Cryptocephalus proper. These have the antennae and
palpi of the same thickness throughout.

Choragus, Kirb., have the antennae terminated by three
thicker articulations, forming a knob, and the palpi slender
at the end. These have the body narrowed in front, and
sub-ovoid.

The last five articulations of the antennae are often longer,
more or less compressed, and more or less dilated or serrated.
The maxillary palpi are thicker at the end, or nearly termi-
nated in an ovoid knob, formed either by the last articula-
tions, or by that and the preceding united.

EuRYOPE, Dalm., have the mandibles very strong, and the
second articulation of the antennae manifestly larger than the
third.

EuMOLPus, Fab., have thelnandibles of ordinary size, but
the second articulation of the antennae is shorter than the fol-
lowing : E. vitis, Fab. This sub-genus is allied to the
genus

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 139

Chrysomela,

Whose body is in general ovoid or oval, with the head pro-
jecting, advanced, or simply bent ; the antennae are simple,
about half as long as the body, and in general grained and
thickened insensibly.

Some, whose body is always ovoid or oval, winged, and
whose palpi terminate in a point, approximate to Eumolpus,
and differ from the following by their filiformed antennse,
more than half the length of the body, composed of elongated
sub-cylindrical articulations, with the eleventh or last termi-
nated with an appendix or false articulation, whose length
nearly equals the half that of the preceding portion of this
articulation. Such are Colaspis, Fab., which have no pro-
jection to the mesosternum.

PoDONTiA, Dalm. The mesosternum advances into a short
and conical point, received at the end into a posterior emargi-
nation of the presternum.

The first and last articulation but one of the tarsi are very
large and dilated, the second small. The last of the max-
illary is conical. The body is oblong, depressed, or slightly
elevated.

In the following of the same tribe the antennae are shorter,
composed of reversed conical articulations, more or less
grained, and thickening as they advance ; the false articula-
tion is very short and indistinct.

Some have the maxillary palpi thicker, and truncated at
the end.

Among these, some have the last two articulations of these
palpi united^ and forming together a truncated knob ; the
last is shorter than the preceding, whether transverse, or in
the form of a short truncated cone.

Phyllocharis, Dalm., has no mesosternal projection.
DoRYPHORA, Illig., has on the contrary the mesosternum

140 CLASS INSECTA.

advanced to a point, like a horn. These are American ; the
last are from New Holland and Java.

Paropsis, Notoclea Marsh, is another Australian sub-
genus, distinct from all others of this family by the maxillary
palpi, whose last articulation is much longer, and hatchet-
shaped.

In the two following sub-genera the corresponding articu-
lation, well detached from the preceding, and as large or
larger than it, is more or less semi-ovoid.

Tim ARCH A, Meg. Dej, which have been arranged with the
chrysomelae, includes those which are apterous. Their body
is gibbous, with the antennae grained, especially underneath ;
the elytra are united, and the tarsi in general very much
dilated, at least in the males.

Among those whose corslet is narrowed behind, approach-
ing a crescent shape, is found, Tenebrio IcBvigatus, of
Lin.

Chrysomela proper, includes those of Olivier which have
wings, and whose maxillary palpi, after the sub-divisions
above established, have the last articulations of the palpi as
large or larger than the preceding, in form of a truncated
ovoid or reversed cone. Such are C. sanguinolenta^ Lin.
C cerealis, Lin. C. populi, Lin.

We shall terminate this tribe by those whose maxillary
palpi are slender at the end, and terminated in a point. They
will compose two sub-genera.

Ph.edon, Meg. Colaphus. Ejusd., whose body is ovoid or
orbicular.

Prasocuris, Lat., Helodes, Fab., whose body is narrower,
more elongated, nearly parallelipiped with the diameters of the
corslet, nearly equal. The four or five last articulations of
the antennae are dilated, and nearly form a knob.

The third and last tribe of Cyclica, Galerucit.e, has the
antennae always as long, or less than half the length of the

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 141

body, of the same thickness throughout, or insensibly thicker
towards the end, inserted between the eyes at a little distance
from the mouth, and commonly near each other at the base,
and near a little longitudinal keel. The maxillary palpi are
thicker toward the middle and terminate in two articulations
in form of a cone, but opposed or united at the base, the last
being short, either truncated, obtuse, or pointed. The body
is sometimes ovoid or oval, sometimes nearly hemispherical ;
many, especially the smallest species, have the posterior thighs
very thick, which enables them to leap. This tribe is com-
posed of the genus

Galeruca,

Which we shall divide into two principal sections, viz., leapers
and non-leapers.

Some foreign species with the penultimate articulation of
the maxillary palpi dilated, and the last much shorter and
truncated, form the genus Adorium of Fab., Oides of
Weber.

Those, in which the last two articulations of the maxillary
palpi do not differ in size, and whose antennae, composed of
cylindrical articulations, are at least as long as the body,
have been distinguished by the generic name of Luperus by
Geoff.

Others, with the palpi terminating in like manner, have
the antennae shorter, and composed of articulations like re-
versed cones, are the Galeruca proper of Geoff. Such as
C. Calmariensis, Lin., C. Tanaceti, Lin.

The leaping Galerucitas, or those whose posterior thighs are
enlarged, dispersed by Fabricius among the genera Chry-
somela, Galeruca, Crioceris, are united into one (Aliica or
Haltica) in the systems of Geoff., Olivier, and Illiger.

OcTOGONOTES (Drapicz Annal. des Science, Phys., III.)
differ from the rest in the form of the maxillary palpi. As

142 CLASS INSECTA.

in Adoria the penultimate articulation is thick, top-shaped, and
the last is short and truncated, the labial palpi terminate in an
awl-shaped point, the same as in all the following sub-genera;
but here the maxillaries have the same conformation, or are
equally subulated at the end. The last articulation of the
posterior tarsi is suddenly enlarged, and rounded above with
two small hooks.

CEoioNrcHis, Latr., distinguished by this last character
from the following sub-genera. We refer to this the first
two families of Illiger's marograph (A. Marginella, Oliv.).

In the other sub -genera the corresponding articulation of
the tarsi is elongated and gradually thickened, and the two
hooks, of ordinary size, are situated, as usual, at the extre-
mity, and in a longitudinal direction.

PsYLLioDES, Latr., have the first articulation of their pos-
teria tarsi very long, inserted above the posterior end of the
leg; this extremity is elongated like a conical appendix,
compressed, hollow, slightly indented on the edge, and ter-
minated by a little tx)oth.

DiBOLiA, Latr., formerly Altitarsiis, whose head is for
the greater part withdrawn into the corslet, and whose hind
legs terminate in a forked spine.

Altisa proper, Latr. The head is projecting, the hind
legs are truncated at the end, without particular elongation
or forked spine ; the tarsi spring from this extremity, and
their length does not equal half that of the leg. C. oleracea^
Lin., C.nitidula, Lin.

LoNGiTARSus, Latr,, have all the character of Altica
proper, but the posterior tarsi are also at least as long as the
legs to which they are attached.

SUPPLEMENT

THE CYCLIC A.

The genus Hi spa was established by Linnaeus. Their
metamorphoses have not yet been observed. These insects fix
themselves on different vegetables on which they feed, and
they suffer themselves to fall to the ground as soon as one
attempts to seize them. They contract their feet and shew
no sign of life.

We have formed a new sub-genus to follow Hispa, Che-
lohasis. The antennae with the first joint large, claw-shape ;
the third long, cylindrical ; the other enlarged towards the
tip, the labrum transverse, the sides rounded, the maxillary
palpi, with the last joint, oval, acute ; the labial palpi, with
the last joint, long, club-shaped; the head pointed in front,
and all the tibiae compressed ; the species was named Vicolor.
It is yellowish-white, with six black spots on the elytra, the
posterior ones the largest. It is from South America.

The insects of the genus Cassida received this name from
the peculiar contour presented by their body. The corslet,
and the elytra in which it is, as it were, encased, pass it con-
siderably on the sides, which gives it the appearance of a
helmet. These insects are therefore very easily recognized.
They live on plants, which constitute their nutriment. They
are very rarely seen to run, and still more rarely to make use
of their wings. Most part of the species are enriched with fine
golden or silvery colours, which disappear, however, when

144 SUPPLEMENT

the insect is dead and preserved in cabinets, but which may be
made to reappear by means of hot water, in which the cas-
sidas are put to soften for about a quarter of an hour. Be-
side the perfect insect, the larva is often found on the same
plant, and well merits to fix the attention of naturalists.

The larvae of the cassidse have the body smooth, broad,
short, flatted, edged on the sides, with ramous and spiny ap-
pendages, and provided with six scaly feet. The head is
small and scaly, furnished with teeth, with three small
tubercles and four black points on each side.

What particularly should engage our attention is the sin-
gular form of the tail, which is curved above the body, ter-
minates in a sort of fork, and which is about the length of
half the body. The two branches or prongs of which it is
composed are like conical threads, which terminate in a
tolerably fine point. They have sorts of short spines from
their origin to a certain distance of their extent, but only on
the external side. Between the two prongs, at the extremity
of a nipple more or less curved, and raised at the will of the
insect, the anus is seen, which has the form of a cylindrical
tube, and which is placed so that the excrements which issue
from it slide along a fork, which is inclined, and disposed so
as to receive them. When they are heaped too near the
origin of these little prongs, the nipple in which the anus is
can push them on, and make them go farther. Perhaps the
rings, and the spines which border them, still further assist
to make the excrements go forward. By little and little
they accumulate, are glued one against the other, and then
pushed insensibly beyond the points of the prongs they form
a mass or a roof capable of covering the whole insect. Such
are the means, as simple as worthy of remark, which nature
has contrived to protect the soft bodies of these larvae from
the impressions of external objects which might otherwise
prove injurious to them. This roof is most frequently im-

ON CYCLIDIS. 145

mediately above the body. It touches it without burdening
it, and sometimes it is almost perpendicular to the plane of
the body. It is often placed a little above, and almost
parallel. All the different positions of this species of para-
sol are varied, as are those of the forked tail which sustains
it. This covering, though pretty well cemented of itself, is
still further fortified by the cast skin of the insect, which
sometimes serves it as a basis.

Before its metamorphosis the larva must change skin seve-
ral times. The spoil which it abandons is incomplete, the
prongs themselves must fall, and this is the longest, and, per-
haps, the most difficult part in the whole operation of moult-
ing. It is upon the same leaf where the larva has lived that
it is to undergo its metamorphosis, without forming either
shell or envelope of any kind. To prepare itself for this, it
ceases to hold the tail raised up ; it carries it then extended
behind, and in the same line with the body. By friction
against the leaf, it contrives to quit the skin, with the prongs,
and causes this covering to fall, for which it has no further
use. It fixes itself afterwards against the leaf by the two
rings of the body, which follow that to which the last pair of
feet is attached. Thus fixed, it remains tranquil for two or
three days, and afterwards quits its skin, to appear under
the form of a nymph, which is to remain engaged in the skin,
then reduced to a clew of thread, the only support which the
nymph can have, and which it is also to preserve. The
nymph has accordingly a forked tail, but the threads are
finer, and not so long as those of the larva, and they have
neither hairs nor spines.

This nymph, not so long as the larva, is of an oval and
flatted figure. It has an ample corslet, pretty nearly of a
semi-lunar form, the contour of which is bordered by a rank
of spines, short, and simple, or without hairs. The belly is
bordered on the two sides, with flat appendages or laminae,

VOL. XV. L

14f6 SUPPLEMENT

in the form of leaves, pointed at the end, and furnished with
spines or sorts of hairs. On each side of the back are seen
four small tubes, which are the stigmata. In observing the
nymph underneath, we there perceive all the parts of the
perfect insect, which issues forth at the end of fifteen days,
through the rupture made at the anterior part of the skin
above.

The perfect insect deposits its eggs on the leaves. They
are ranged one beside the other, and often form packets co-
vered with excrements.

The CiiYPTocEPHALi are insects, the majority of which are
remarkable, not for their size, which is below the middle
standard, but for the brilliancy and beauty of their colours.
They live on plants, and are capable of causing much injury
to them, by gnawing the young shoots in proportion as they
issue from the germ. They do not cut, but macerate them,
and occasion them to dry up and fall.

Naturally timid, the cryptocephalus has accordingly re-
course to the artifice, useless enough, at least as far as man
is concerned, of counterfeiting death. It walks slowly, and
in a dull and heavy style. On the slightest touch it suffers
itself to fall, folding its antennae and feet underneath its
body. At the same time it withdraws its head under the
corslet, and only this last part and the body are then appa-
rent. It is on willows that the majority of the species are
principally to be found. The larva of cryptocephalus proper
is unknown ; but probably it much resembles that of
Clythra.

Our figure, C rugicollis, appears to be of a new species.
It is brown, rugose, with a black spot on the thorax. The
antennae of the males are twice the length of the body, while
,■ those of the other sex are very short. It is from New Hol-
land.

The larva of C. quadripunctata lives in a sort of tube, of

ON CYCLIDIS. 147

tolerably solid matter, wrinkled at its exterior surface, almost
cylindrical, firm, and rounded behind, and open at the other
end. This habitation the insect transports along with itself
wherever it goes.

Among the species of the genus Eumolpus, there is one
very remarkable for the ravages which it commits. This is
the Eumolpus vitis. It is small, smooth, and altogether
black, with the exception of the elytra, which are a brownish
fawn colour. Its larva lives upon the vine-tree, and often
causes great damage by devouring the leaves, the young
shoots, and sometimes the grape itself. This larva has the
body pretty nearly oval, and of an obscure colour. It has
six scaly feet, and a scaly head, armed with two small jaws,
strong enough to gnaw the leaves, the new stalks, and even
the grapes. It appears in spring, and more especially at-
taches itself to the young shoots of the vine-tree. It gnaws
the pedicle of the clusters at the moment when, tender, pulpy,
and full of sap, it issues from the germ. It exhausts it,
destroys its organization, and causes it to fall, entirely dried
up and withered ; or if it should survive the attack, it always
feels the effects of the wounds which it has received at its
developement. It transmits to the cluster juices, neither suf-
ficiently abundant, nor sufficiently elaborated. The grapes
languish, and those parts of the cluster which correspond to
the wounded fibres, remain feeble or sterile, bearing only
abortive fruits, or not producing at all, while the other parts
are developed, and fructify. This insect is but too well
known to cultivators, especially in the wine-countries, where
it causes in certain years very considerable ravages, and
spreads desolation throughout all the families which derive
their subsistence from the cultivation and produce of the vine.
To this plague remedies of no great efficacy have hitherto been
opposed, and doubtless it is extremely difficult to imagine
any which may prove capable, not of exterminating this race

L 2

148 SUPPLEMENT

of devouring insects, but merely of diminishing and hurting
their population, and of opposing with success the evils
which it induces. Perhaps the best plan would be to watch
the moment in which the insect deposits its eggs. The me-
thod of making women and children detach and carry off the
larvae, as is done in the wine-countries in France, is a tedious
process, and one in which a risk is run of increasing the evil,
by breaking the young shoots.

The Chrysomela, in general, are rather small. The largest
are not above five or six lines in length, and three or four in
breadth. Their form, which is very agreeable, and usually
enriched with the finest colours, such as scarlet, azure, blue,
and golden green, must have caused them to be pursued with
eagerness, by amateurs desirous of embellishing their collec-
tions. Naturalists also have too frequently encountered them
in their walks, not to have marked them in their descriptions.
No species is found with hair ; they are all very bare,
smooth, and without any sensible hairs, in consequence of
which the brilliancy of their colours shines forth in perfect
purity. They live on trees and plants, feed upon their leaves,
and there deposit their eggs. The female in some species is
so fruitful, and has the belly so full of eggs, and conse-
quently so swelled, that the elytra can scarcely cover it.

The larvae have six scaly feet, articulated, and tolerably
long. Their body is elongated, divided into rings, and ter-
minated in a point, furnished at the end with a fleshy nipple,
which constitutes a seventh foot. They place it on the plain
on which they walk, and as it is usually covered with a gluey
matter, they make use of this to keep themselves fixed upon
the leaves. Their head is scaly and rounded, furnished with
teeth, with small antennae, and with small barbies. Many
species of those larvae are fond of living in society in a single
leaf, which they gnaw in common. For their transforma-
tion, they make use of the same precautions as the larvae of

ox CYCLIDIS. 149

the coccinellae. They attach themselves somewhere, usually
on the leaves, with the nipple of the hinder part of the body.
Then they cause the skin of the larvae to slip as far as the
end of the body, where it remains, reduced to a mere clew of
thread. There are, however, some species which enter the
earth, for the purpose of undergoing this transformation into
the nymph state.

These nymphs are usually of an oval figure, more or less
elongated, and resemble in general those of many other cole-
optera. They remain engaged by the hinder part in the
skin of the larva, as above described, and attach themselves
only by this place to the leaf. The chrysomela usually re-
main under the nymph-form only some weeks, and in many
instances only for a few days.

Mr. Westwood has formed a new genus, near to chryso-
mela, GoNioPLEURA. The maxillary palpi have the last joints
oval, acute, and ciliated ; the labium large, pointed, bifid at
the tip ; the labial palpi has the last joint smaller than the
third, oval, acute, ciliated ; the mandibles large, arched,
bifid at the tip ; the labrum rather semicircular. The species
auricoma, has the antennae, head, thorax, legs, and the ante-
rior half of the elvtra, reddish brown, the other half copper-
ish green, and the insect is covered with golden hair.

We also insert the figure of a new species of Doryphora, ^
under the epithet princeps, from Brazil. It is blueish cop-
per, with lines and spots of golden yellow.

The CoLAPSEs are more particularly found in America,
and in all probability have the habits of the other insects of
the same familv.

The Galeeuc^ walk slowly, seldom use their wings, aie
timid, suffer themselves to fall when menaced by any danger,
or otherwise under the influence of fear, remain without
motion, and try to deceive their enemy by appearing to his
eyes as if deprived of life. They love shady and fresh

150 SUPPLEMENT

places, woods, the edges of rivers, and occasionally meadows.
The larvae of the galerucae have six feet, a scaly head, the
body soft and pulpy. They live on the substance of the
leaves, which they gnaw and devour. They fix themselves
on one of these leaves, and cease to eat when they are about
to undergo their metamorphosis.

To the history of the galerucse, as to that of most insects,
consecutive and more extensive details are wanting. These
species are a little more particularly known, namely, Galeruca
tanaceti, G. calmariensis . and G.nymphecB. The first species
lives on the common yellow tansy, and it is also on the leaves
of this plant that the larvae feed. The females are sometimes
filled with eggs, which swell them so much, that the elytra
can no longer reach farther than one half of the length of the
belly, so that the last three rings are entirely uncovered.
The larvae are found in considerable quantities towards the
month of June. They are all black, and but little more
than five lines in length. They have six scaly feet, furnished
at the extremity with a single crook, and at the hinder part
of the body a fleshy nipple, which serves them as a seventh
foot, and from which issues a gluey matter, which fixes the
larvae on that on which it walks. On the body there are
many tubercles, ranged transversely, and furnished with six
or seven small hairs. They walk slowly, and suiFer them-
selves to fall to the earth, rolling their body in a circle the
moment the plant is touched to which they are fixed. They
are transformed into nymphs, of a fine yellow, bordering a
little upon orange, with many small black and stiff hairs, some
of which are placed on tubercles. The belly is curved into
an arch. On these nymphs may be seen all the external
parts of the galeruca, as the eyes, the antennae, the six
feet, and the sheaths of the elytra and the wings. To-
wards the sides of the body are observable some small black
points, which are the stigmata. They are not fond of giving

ON CYCLIDIS. 151

themselves any movement, and will remain tranquil even when
they are touched. In three weeks the perfect insect is ready
to quit the envelope of nymph.

The elms are sometimes, especially towards the commence-
ment of autumn, altogether covered with galerucae, which live
particularly on these trees, and have been named from this
their habitat. The leaves are pierced full of holes by their
bites. On the first sensible approach of cold the insect seeks
to avoid it. It takes refuge in, and penetrates into the
houses, in the neighbourhood of its former residence. Case-
ments which face the south are sometimes seen covered Avith
them.

The Galeruca nymphecE remains and lives in the month of
June, and the rest of the year, on the leaves of the potamo-
getofi, the ivater-lily, or other aquatic plants which are out
of the water, and seldom removes from them. The larva
which is found in the month of July, lives in a state of so-
ciety on the large leaves, more particularly on those of the
water-lily, which are suspended at the surface of the water,
and these young insects are often found traversing these
leaves in large numbers. The larva gnaws the upper sub-
stance of the leaf, leaving the lower membrane entire, and in
eating it always proceeds forward. The gnawed places ap-
pear on the leaves like so many brown spots. . These larvae
which are black, and four lines in length, are in general like
those of other galerucae, and like tliose of chrysomela. The
twelve rings of the body, covered with coriaceous plates, are
very well marked by deep incisions, and along the two sides
there are elevations, in the form of tubercles, and each ring
has, besides, on the upper part, a transverse line, in the form
of an incision. When the larva bends the body, or when it
elongates it considerably, the membranous skin which unites
them together appears between the rings. The excrements
rejected by these larvae are found under the leaf, in the form

152 SUPPLEMENT

of long tortuous threads, of a greyish brown. To operate
their metamorphoses, the larvae attach themselves by the
nipple, which is behind, to the leaves on which they
have lived, and then assume the figure of a nymph,
stripping themselves of their skin, which they cause to
slip backwards, and which they do not abandon altogether.
The extremity of the belly of the nymph remains en-
gaged in the folded skin, which serves the larva as a
support and resting point, that they may remain attached
to the leaves, as is observed in other larvae of the genera
chrysomela and coccinella. The nymph exhibits nothing
very particular. It is short and thick, having at first only
a yellow colour, like that of the under part of the larva,
but which finally changes into a shiny black. The rings of
the belly have on the upper part some tubercles, in the form
of short points. As these larvae, as well in their first as second
form, are often exposed to be submerged in the water, parti-
cularly when the large leaves which they inhabit are agitated
by the wind, their natural constitution is neither to fear the
water, nor to receive any injury from it. Nevertheless, they
appear more at their ease on the surface of the leaf, which
remains dry above the water. They know how to remain,
after a fashion, or at least to creep upon the superficies of
the stream, and thus transport themselves from one place to
another. In less than eight days they are metamorphosed
into galerucae, which still delight to remain on the leaves of
the same aquatic plant, which they gnaw and feed upon, as
they did in their first state. It has been observed, that when
these larvas have been drawn even from under the water,
they are not wet, and appear altogether dry. It is yet un-
known whether it be an unctuous transpiration, or an aeri-
form envelope which protects them from the contact of the
water ; nor are we acquainted with the mechanism by which
they repose underneath the surface of this element.

ON CYCLIDIS. 153

The Altic.e are in general very small. The largest spe-
cies of Europe are little more than two lines in length, and
those of the warmest climates no more than three. They are
commonly found in spring in fresh, humid, and rather fertile
places, often spread in considerable quantities over potage
plants, the leaves of which they gnaw in holes. The majo-
rity are adorned with the finest colours. All are shiny and
extremely smooth, that is to say, without hair or down. The
most common species in kitchen-gardens, are sometimes termed
garden Jleas.

THE SEVENTH AND LAST FAMILY

TETRAMEROUS COLEOPTERA.

Clavipalti

Are distinguished from all others of this section, which, like
them, have the under part of the first three articulations of
the tarsi furnished with brushes, and the penultimate bifid,
by having the antennae terminating in a very distinct and
perfoliated knob, and by having their jaws armed internally
with a nail or corneous tooth ; a few have the articulation of
the tarsi entire, but they differ from other analogous tetra-
mera, by having the body sub-globular, and capable of con-
tracting into a ball.

Their body is in general rounded, often, indeed, very con-
vex and hemispherical, with the antennae shorter than the
body, the mandibles emarginated or indented at the end, the
palpi terminating in a thicker articulation, and the last of
the maxillary very broad, transverse, compressed, nearly cres-
cented. The form of the manducatory organs indicate that
they are gnawing insects, accordingly we find them in the
fungusses of trees, under bark, &c.

Some have the penultimate articulation of the tarsi bilobed,
and do not roll themselves into a ball. They may be united
into one eenus.

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 155

Erotylus, of Fab.,
Which have the last articulation of the maxillary palpi trans-
versal, nearly crescented, or hatchet-shaped.

Erytolus proper, Fab., from which yEgithes^ of Fab., do
not appear to be essentially distinct, have the intermediate
articulation of the antennae sub-cylindrical, and the knob
formed by the last, oblong ; the inner and corneous division
of the jaws terminate in two teeth.

Triplax, Tritoma, Fab., differ, by having the antennae
grained, terminating in a short ovoid knob ; the inner divi-
sion of the jaws is membranous, with a single small tooth.

These with an hemispherical shape form the genus Tritoma,
of Fab., T. hipustulatum^ Oliv. Those with an oval or
oblong body form Triplax of the same.

The others have the last articulation of the maxillary palpi
elongated, and more or less oval.

Languria, Lat. Oliv. Trogosita^ Fab., have the body
linear, and the knob of the antennae with five articulations.

Phalarcrus, Payk. Anisotoma, Illig. Fab. Anthribus,
Geoff, Oliv. have the body sub-hemispherical, and the knob
with three articulations.

The other clavipalpi have all the articulations of the tarsi
simple, and the body sub-globular. They form the genus
Agathidium, Illig. Anisotoma, Fab.

Of the few insects belonging to this family, scarcely any
thing is known beyond those physical characters, from which
they have been separated from the other coleoptera, which
characters are sufficiently pointed out in the text. We have,
therefore, nothing to add by way of supplement to this
family.

THE FOURTH GENERAL SECTION

COLEOPTEROUS INSECTS.

Teimera,

Has only three articulations in all the tarsi. They compose
three families. Those of the first are nearly allied to the last
Tetramera. Their antennae, always composed of eleven arti-
culations, terminate in a knob formed by the last three, com-
pressed, and like a cone or reversed triangle. The first arti-
culation of the tarsi is always very distinct, the penultimate
is commonly bilobed, and the last, with a knob at its base,
always terminates with two hooks. The elytra entirely cover
the abdomen, and are not truncated. Those of the third
family approximate in this and other respects to the brachi-
lytrous pentamera, and other coleoptera of the same section.
The first family,

FUNGICOL^,

Have the antennae longer than the head and corslet, the body
oval, with the corslet trapezoid, the maxillary palpi are fili-
form, or a little thicker at the end, but not terminated by a
hatchet-formed articulation. The penultimate articulation of
the tarsi is always deeply biloped. This family may be re-
duced to one principal genus.

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 157

EUMORPHUS.

Some have the third articulation of the antennae much
longer than the preceding and following. Such are Eumor-
PHus proper, Web. Fab., in which the knob of the antennae
is sudden, serrated, much compressed, and triangular. The
maxillary palpi are filiform.

Dapsa, Zieg. The same knob is narrow and elongated. In
the others the length of the third articulation little exceeds
its preceding and succeeding articulations.

Endomychus, Web. Fab., have the four palpi thicker at
the end, the last three articulations of the antennae separated
laterally, larger than the rest, and forming a triangular
knob.

Lycoperdina. Eudamychus^ Fab., have the maxillary
palpi filiform ; the last articulation of the labial palpi larger
than the preceding, and sub-ovoid, from the fourth to the
ninth, inclusive of the antennae, nearly grained, and the last
two large and triangular.

Of these insects we have only to observe that they are
named from the habitat in which they are most commonly
found, viz., in fungi, though some are met with in dead wood,
and under the bark of trees. We are ignorant alike of their
changes and of their habits.

THE SECOND FAMILY

TRIMEROUS COLEOPTERA.

Aphidiphagt

Is composed principally of insects, nearly hemispherical ; the
corslet is very short, transverse, and nearly crescented ; the
antennae terminate in a compressed knob, like a reversed cone,
composed of the last three articulations, and are shorter than
the corslet ; the last articulation of the maxillary palpi is
very large, hatchet-formed, and the penultimate articulation
of the tarsi is deeply bilobed. In the other trimera of the
same family the articulations of the tarsi are simple, or the
penultimate at least is slightly bifid, which distinguishes
these from the fungicolae. The antennae have eleven articu-
lations, the last forming a knob, like a reversed cone. They
compose the genus,

COCCINELLA.

LiTHOPHiLUs, Frohl. Body ovoid, corslet bordered later-
ally, and narrowed behind, the penultimate articulation of
the tarsi slightly bifid.

CocciNELLA proper. Body sub-hemispherical, corslet
short, nearly crescented, not at all, or slightly bordered,

ORDER COLEOPTERA. 159

penultimate articulation of the tarsi deeply bilobed. C. 7
punctata. C. 2 punctata. C. pustulata, Lin.

Clypeaster, Andersche. Cossyphus, Gyll. have the
body very flat, buckler- shaped, with the head hidden under
the corslet, nearly semicircular. The antennae have distinctly
but nine articulations, and terminate in an elongated knob.
The articulations of the tarsi are entire. The presternum
forms in part a sort of chin-cloth.

SUPPLEMENT

THE APHIDIPHAGI.

The insects forming the type of the first genus of this
family are well known. Their scientific name is Cocci-
NELLA, and they are commonly designated in this country
Lady-birds.

The coccinella, whose entire body forms a hemisphere, or
a segment of a sphere, are very easy of recognition. They
do not arrive to any great size. The majority of the largest
are scarcely more in diameter than a large pea. These in-
sects are very handsome. Their elytra, which are very bril-
liant, and well applied one against the other, appear to form
a shining scaly arch, of a single piece. Their colours are
not very varied ; but they have almost all of them some spots
which distinguish them. These spots are severally arranged
in a regular and agreeable manner. Their hemispherical
figure constitutes one of their most prominent characters.
There are some, however, that have the body a little more
elongated, and bordering on the oval, but their number is
but small. It is more particularly when the insect lowers its
head, which it usually does when touched, that it appears
most spherical. The coccinella have, moreover, some other
characters which are sufficiently remarkable. When tliey

* ON APHIDIPHAGI. l6l

are in a state of repose, they bend the legs by the side of the
thighs, and apply them both together against the body ; so
that in looking at them from underneath, one would imagine
that they were without legs, for they are so short that tliey
cannot be perceived. When the lady-bird is touched a little,
it causes to issue from the end of the thighs a drop of yellow
fluid, which is mucilaginous, of a penetrating odour, very
strong, and stinking. Although one might well suppose an
aperture to exist at the extremity of each thigh, it neverthe-
less remains as yet undiscovered. All that has been observed
is, that the fluid appears to escape from the joint itself,
which unites the thigh to the leg. It is doubtless there that
this aperture must be found, perhaps within the articulation.
These little insects do not walk very fast, but they fly witli
facility. They appear to open the elytra which covers their
wings with much ease, and this they never fail to do before
taking ground, when they are thrown into the air. The coc-
cinellae feed on aphides, and are found on all sorts of plants
and trees, peopled with these little animals. In this way
they do much good. Mr. Kirby observes, " that the lady-
bird, or lady-cow (coccinella), the favourite of our childhood,
as well as most of its congenus in the larva state, feeds en-
tirely on aphides ; and the havock made among them may be
conceived, from the myriads upon myriads of these interesting
little animals which are often to be seen in yearswhen the plant-
louse abounds. In I8O7, the shore at Brighton, and all the
watering-places on the south coast was literally covered with
them, to the great surprise and even alarm of the inhabitants,
who were ignorant that their little visitors were emigrants
from the neighbouring hop-grounds, where, in their larva
state, each had slain his thousands and ten thousands of the
aphis, which, under the name of tlaejly. so frequently blasts
the hopes of the hop-grower.

VOL. XV. M

162

SUPPLEMENT

Professor Reich has stated that the larvae of some species
of this genus feed entirely on leaves, and especially the
leaves of the common heath ; but Mr. Kirby seems to think
that there is something erroneous in this assertion.

There can be no other reason than their pursuit of the
aphides, to account for the prodigious number of coccinellae
which are to be found, especially in autumn, on the banks
of large rivers, and on the sea-shore. Mr. Kirby tells us,
that " many years ago, those of the H umber were so thickly
strewed with the common lady-bird ( Coccinella septem-
punctata)^ that it was difficult to avoid treading upon them.
Whether the latter and their devourers cross the sea has not
been ascertained ; that the coccinellae attempt it, is evident
from their alighting vipon ships at sea, as I have witnessed
myself."

The C. hipunctata ejects from its joints a yellow fluid, of
a very powerful, but by no means pleasing, scent of opium.

The lady-birds in general live out during the winter, and
are the first insects which re-appear in spring. They then
couple, and lay their eggs on the plants on which they have
lived.

The larvae of the coccinellae are hexapod. Their body is
elongated, of a conical figure, diminishing towards the hinder
part, and divided into twelve rings. The first ring less
broad, but longer than the following, is oval, flatted above,
and covered with a scaly, or at least, a coriaceous and hard
skin, and has the appearance of a little corslet. The skin of
the other rings is membranaceous ; but the second and third
have each two oval plates, of a deeper colour than the rest,
which are also scaly. In some species all the rings are brist-
ling with spines, above and towards the sides ; in others,
they have raised and conical tubercles, all bristling with
small points, in the form of blunt spines ; while others again

ON APHIDIPHAGI. l63

have the skin altogether smooth, and without spines. The
last ring is small, and the larva often pushes forth from it a
fleshy and tolerably thick nipple, which it sometimes rests
on, and which then answers the purpose of a seventh foot.
All the under part of the body is furnished with plenty of
hair.

The head is small, scaly, a little flatted, and with rounded
corners. It has two small, short, conical antennae, divided
into articulations ; two lips, and four barbies, the external
ones of which are large and thick, but the other two short
and conical. The jaws, which are placed between the lips,
are of a raarone colour, and furnished with denticulations at
the end. Some hairs are seen here and there upon the head,
and on other parts of the body.

The six scaly feet, tolerably long, and almost of equal
thickness in their whole extent, are divided into three parts,
but their conformation is rather different from that of the
feet of many other hexapod larvas. The first part, united to
the body, is short and thick ; the second is long and cylin-
drical ; and the third is like the preceding in thickness, and
nearly so in length. The end of the foot is as thick as the
rest, and terminated by a single crook, formed like the claw
of a bird. On the two long parts of the feet are many hairs,
some long, and the others short ; but what is most singular
is, that the little hairs, which are very numerous towards the
end of the foot, on the interior side, are thicker at the end
than elsewhere. They are terminated, as it were, in a small
elongated knob, and are transparent. A microscope is neces-
sary to observe all tliis. As these larvae adhere strongly to
the objects on which they walk, we might be led to believe
that these hairs terminating in a knob, may furnish some
gluey matter, proper for the purpose of better fixing the feet,
although the crooks serve principally for this use. These

M 2

164^ SUPPLEMENT

larvae live on plants and on trees of every description, loaded
with aphides, which constitute their only nutriment. They
are very voracious, and consume a great number of those
little insects, which they seize with their fore-feet, and carry
them thus to their mouth to devour them. They hold them
fixed there by means of the two large barbies. They do
not even spare their own species, but occasionally devour
one another. When they are collected in the same sand-
box, the little and the most feeble become the prey of
the strongest. When they are about to be transformed,
they attach themselves on the leaves and branches with
the fleshy nipple of the rump, from which they eject a
glutinous fluid, which- cements it against the plane of
position. At the end of two or three days they get rid
of their skin, and appear in the form of nymphs. They
cause the skin to slip by little and little towards the
hinder part of the body, where it is gathered into a ball,
in which the nymph remains engaged by the end of the
body.

The nymphs are usually spotted with black and other co-
lours, and the only movement which they make is that from
time to time, and particularly when they are touched, they
raise and lower the body alternately. They often raise them-
selves up perpendicularly on the rump, and remain some
moments in this position, the rump serving as a hinge to
the body ; but in a state of inaction the head reposes.
The coccinellae quit the envelope of nymph often at the
end of six days, and at other times after ten or eleven.
When they are nearly issued from this envelope, the
elytra are usually of a dirty and yellowish white, witiiout
any spot, and they are then of a soft and flexible con-
sistence; but in proportion as they grow harder by the
action of the external air, the spots commence, by degrees,

ON APHIDIPHAGI. ] 65

to make their appearance. The under part of the body is of
the same yellowish colour in the beginning ; but at the end
of some hours this colour becomes black, red, or yellow,
according to the different species.

THE THIRD AND LAST FAMILY

TRIMEROUS COLEOPTERA.

■PsELAPHII

Have a certain resemblance to the Brachelytrag in their short
truncated wing-cases, which cover only a portion of the
abdomen, which is short, wide, obtuse, and rounded behind.
The antennas ending in a knob, or thicker toward the end,
have sometimes only six articulations ; the maxillary palpi
are commonly very large, all the articulations of the tarsi
are entire, and the first much shorter than the following, is
not at all, or but little apparent at first sight ; the last is
most commonly terminated with a single hook.

These, with eleven articulations to the antennae, form the
genus PsELAPHus, Herbst. Staphylinus, Lin. Anthicus,
Fab.

A few have two hooks to the tarsi.

Chernnum, Latr. The first ten articulations of the an-
tennae are nearly equal, lenticular ; the last is longer and sub-
globular. The palpi do not project.

DioNix, Dej. The third to the seventh articulation very
small, transverse, and grained ; the four last are thicker,
cylindrical, as long as the first seven together ; the two penul-
timate, conical, equal, and the last ovoid, elongated, pointed,
the thickest of all. The maxillary palpi project, but are

ORDER COLEOPTERA. l67

shorter than the head and corslet together ; they have four
cylindrical articulations. The labial palpi of three articula-
tions are short, directed forward, with a point at the end.

The others have only a single hook at the end of the
tarsi.

In these the maxillary palpi bent, or folded, are, at least,
as long as the head and corslet ; their second and fourth
articulations are much elongated, bent at the base, and ter-
minate in a knob.

Sometimes the antennae, evidently longer than the head
and corslet, terminate in a knob formed by the last three
articulations, which are manifestly larger than the others, and
the last of which is sub-ovoid, or ovoido-conical.

PsELAPHUS proper, Herbst. Sometimes the ninth and
tenth articulations are scarcely larger than the preceding,
and the last is only a little thicker, nearly spherical (with a
point at the end).

BiTHYNUS, Leach. In these the second articulation is
thicker than the first, and dilated like a tooth on the inner
side.

Akcopagus, Leach. The second articulation is on the

contrary thinner than the first, and is sometimes even dilated.

There the maxillary palpi are shorter than the head and

corslet taken together ; the fourth articulation, at least, is

short, or but little elongated, ovoid, or triangular.

Ctenistes, Reich. Very distinct from all the insects of
this family, by reason of the three last articulations of the
maxillary palpi, whose outer edge has a point or tooth, with
a terminal thread.

Bryaxis, Leach. Euplectus, Tychus, Ejusd. The max-
illary palpi are not like the last ; the last articulation is
elongated into a cone or hatchet. The corslet is short, or
scarcely longer than it is wide, and rounded.

The last have this peculiarity, viz., that the antennas are

168

CLASS INSECTA.

composed of only six articulations, or even of a. single one.
They form the genus

Claviger.

Claviger proper, in which these organs have distinctly
six articulation. These insects have no apparent eyes. The
maxillary palpi are very short, without distinct articulations,
with two small nails at the end ; the first two articulations
of the tarsi are very short ; the third and last are very long,
with a single hook at the end.

Articerus, Dalm. The antennae do not appear to be
composed of more than a single articulation, forming a cylin-
drical knob, elongated, and truncated at the end. The eyes
are distinct, and the tarsi are terminated by two hooks.

Nota. — The tarsi of Dermestes atomarms, of De Geer,
appearing to M. Laval as composed of only a single articula-
tion, we have formerly with this, and some other insects,
formed a new section of Coleoptera (Mo^iomera), which has
been adopted by M. Fischer, who has made a new genus of
that insect, under the name of Clambus. But it appears
that M. Schuppell has made the same section under the
denomination Ptilium. M. Gyllenhal had united its species
to scaphides ; and we think that it is, in fact, near these last
that this new genus should be placed : the section Monomera
should then be suppressed.

We have only to say, by way of supplement to this family,
that the species in general are very small, and live on
the ground, in fresh and humid places, among plants. They
are sometimes also found under the bark of trees, stones, and
moss.

THE SIXTH ORDER

INSECTS.

ORTHOPTERA.

Ulonata. Fuh.

Mixed for the greater part by Linnaeus with the Hemip-
tera, united by GeofFroy to the Coleoptera, but forming a
special division of them, have in general a body less hard
than the last ; the wing-cases are soft, and half membrana-
ceous, beset with nervures, and not joining each other for the
most part of them by a straight line at the suture ; the wings
fold lengthwise, and in general like a fan, and are divided, in
like manner, by membranaceous nervures ; the jaws always
terminate in a corneous piece, indented and covered with a
galea, a piece corresponding with the outer division of the
jaws of coleoptera; finally a sort of tongue or epiglottis.

These insects are subject to a mere partial metamorphosis,
all their mutations consisting only in the increase and deve-
lopment of the elytra and wings, which begin to display
themselves under a rudimentary form, or as little stumps, in
the nymph. In other respects the nymph and larva resemble
the perfect insect, and walk and feed in the same manner.

The mouth of the orthoptera is composed of alabrum, tAvo
mandibles, two jaws, a lip, and four palpi ; those of the
jaws always have five articulations ; the labial palpi, as in

lyO CLASS INSECTA.

the coleoptera, have only three. The mandibles are always
very strong and corneous, and the ligula is always divided
into two or four straps. The form of the antennae varies
less than in the coleoptera, but they are generally composed
of a greater number of articulations. Many, besides the
reticulated eyes, have two or three small, smooth eyes. The
under part of the first articulations of the tarsi is often fleshy
or membranaceous. Many of the females have a true auger
formed of two blades, for the deposition of their eggs, which
eggs are often under one common covering. The posterior
extremity of the body has in general an appendix.

All the orthoptera have first a membranaceous stomach,
or crop, followed by a muscular gizzard, armed internally
with scales or corneous teeth, according to the species ;
round the pylorus there are, except in the Forficulae, two or
more close intestines, furnished at the bottom with many small
biliary vessels. Numerous other vessels of the same kind
are inserted toward the middle of the intestines, which are
the same in the larvse as in the perfect insect.*

All the known orthoptera, without exception, are terrestrial
even in both their first states. Some are carnivorous, or
omnivorous, but most of them feed on living plants. Those
of our climate lay their eggs but once a year, toward the end
of the summer, which is also the period of their last trans-
formation.

We shall divide the Orthoptera into two principal fa-
milies.

Some have all the feet alike, and equally fitted for running,
others have the thighs of the posterior pair much broader than
the rest, which enables them to leap. The males moreover
produce a sharp noise or sort of stridulation. These may be
called musical leaping orthoptera.

* M. Marcel de Senes has studied the anatomy of these insects par-
ticularly, to whose labours we can merely refer. — Ed.

ORDER ORTOHPTERA. 171-

The first Family, or the Runners,

CURSORIA,

Have the hind legs, as well as the rest, fitted for running.
Ahiiost all of them have the cases and the wings hidden
horizontally on the body. The females have no corneous
auger. They form three genera. First,

FoRsicuLA, Lin.,

With three articulations to the tarsi, the wings placed like
a fan, and lying crosswise under the crustaceous cases, which
are very short, and with a straight suture. The body is
linear, with two large scaly moveable pieces forming pincers
at its posterior end. The head is uncovered. The antennae
are filiform, inserted before the eyes, and composed of twelve
or thirteen articulations, according to the species. The galea
is slender, elongated, and sub-cylindrical. The ligula is
forked. The corslet is in the shape of a plate.* The common
earwig, Forjicula auricularia, Lin. F. minor, Lin.

Blatta, Lin.,

Have five articulations to all the tarsi ; the wings are folded
only longitudinally ; the head is concealed under the plate of
the corslet, and the body is oval or orbicular, and flatted.
The antennas are like threads inserted in an internal emargi-
nation of the eyes, long, and composed of a great number of
articulations. The palpi are long. The corslet has the form
of a shield. The wing-cases are commonly as long as the
abdomen, coriaceous, or half membranaceous, and cross each
other a little at their suture. The posterior extremity of the

• In the 15th Vol. of the Annates des Sciences Naturelles, will be
found the details of M. Dufour on his anatomy of this genus. Want of
space obliges us to omit even an abridgment of these highly curious facts
rfnd observations. — Ed.

172 CLASS INSECTA.

abdomen has two conical and articulated appendices. The
legs have small spines. Their crop is longitudinal, and the
gizzard has internally strong crooked teeth. Eight or ten
coecums may be counted round the pylorus. B. orientalis ,
Lin. B. Lapponica, Lin. B. Americana^ De G. B. Ger-
manica, Fab.

Mantis, Fab.,

In which also five articulations are found in the tarsi, and the
wings are simply folded longitudinally, but their head is
exposed, and the body is narrow and elongated. They
differ, moreover, from Blatta by their short palpi ending in a
point, and by their ligula being divided into four.

Some have the two fore-feet larger than the others, long
with a hip, the thighs strong, compressed, and armed with
spines underneath, and the legs terminating in a strong hock.
They have three smooth, distinct eyes, arranged in a triangle.
The first segment of the body is very large, the four lobes of
the ligula nearly of the same length, the antennae inserted
between the eyes, and the head triangular and vertical.

These orthoptera form the sub-genus Mantis. Those
whose front is elongated like a horn, and whose males have
pectinated antennae, form the genus Empiisa, of Illig. They
have at the end of the thighs a rounded and membranaceous
appendix like a ruffle. The edges of the abdomen are fes-
tooned in many. Those without a horn on the head, and
whose antennae are simple in both sexes, compose alone the
genus Mantis of the same naturalist, M. religiosa, Lin.

The others have the fore-feet like the following, the eyes
are smooth, little distinct, or none ; the first segment of the
body is shorter, or at most as long as the following ; the
interior divisions of the ligula are shorter than the lateral ;
the antennae are inserted before the eyes, and the head nearly
ovoid, and projecting, with the mandibles thick, and the

ORDER ORTHOPTERA. 173

palpi compressed. The two sexes frequently differ consi-
derably. They form the sub-genus Spectrum, of Stoll.

They have been divided into two others.

The species whose body is filiform or linear, like a stick,
form PnASMA of Fab. Many are altogether wingless, or with
very short cases. Some very large are found in the Moluccas,
and in South America. The south of France has P. rossia,
Fab.

The species whose body is very flat and membranaceous as
well as the feet, compose the genus Phyllium, of Illiger.
Mantis siccifoUa, Lin. The inhabitants of the Sechell Islands
raise this species as an object of commerce and natural
history.

The second family of Orthoptera, the Leapers,

Saltatoria,

Whose two hind legs are remarkable for the size of their
thighs, and their spiny legs are calculated for leaping.

The males call their females by a noise, commonly called
a song. Sometimes this is produced by rubbing rapidly one
against the other a part of each wing-case, which part is
more membranaceous, and is like talk or glass. Sometimes it
is produced by rubbing the posterior thighs, or the elytra
and wings ; these thighs doing the office of the bridge in a
violin. Most of the females deposit their eggs in the earth.
This family is composed of the genus

Gryllus, of Lin.j

Which we shall divide thus.

Some, whose males have the apparatus of song, formed by
an inner portion of the cases, like a glass or drum- head, and
whose females have very often a very projecting auger, formed
like a dagger or sword, have antennae either much thinner
at their extremity, or of the same thickness throughout, but

174 CLASS INSECTA.

very short, and nearlj' in the shape of a chaplet. The wings
and their cases are concealed horizontally on the body of those,
a few in number, which have less than four articulations to all
the tarsi. The ligula has always four divisions, the two in-
termediate being very small. The labrum is entire.

Sometimes the cases and wings are horizontal ; the wings
form, when at rest, a sort of straps or threads elongated
beyond the cases, and the tarsi have but three articulations,
as in the genus Gryllus, of Geoff, and Oliv.

These form four sub-genera,

1. Gryllo-Talpa, Lat., whose legs and tarsi of both
anterior feet are broad, flat, and indented like hands, or
calculated for digging. The other tarsi are of ordinary
shape, terminated by two hocks, and the antennae are more
slender at the end, elongated and composed of a great many
articulations. (Gryllus, gryllo-talpa, Lin.)

2. Tridactylus, Oliv., JCya, Illig. These also dig into
the earth, but with the fore-legs only. Instead of the pos-
terior tarsi, they have moveable, narrow, bent appendices,
formed like fingers. The antennae are of equal thickness,
very short, and the articulations are round, ^ya variegata,
Illig., is found in the south of France on the river sides.

3. Gryllus, properly so called, which have no proper
digging feet, and whose females have at the end of the body
a projecting auger. Their antennae are always elongated,
more slender toward the end, and terminating in a point.
Their smooth eyes are less distinct than in the tridactyle and
mole-cricket.

There is found in Spain and Barbary a very singular
Gryllus, (G. umhraculatus, Lin.) The male has on the
front a membranous elongation which forms a sort of
vail.

M. M. Lefevre and Bibron have brought from Sicily a new
and large species, which the former has described under the

ORDER ORTHOPTERA. 175

name of megacephalus ; its stridulation continues for half a
minute, and may be heard nearly a mile.

In (G. monster,) the wings fold in many spiral turns at
their extremity.

4. Myrmecophila — Spcerium Chai-peut. These have no
wings, and their body is oval. In the antennae, and in the
absence of simple eyes, they resemble gryllus proper. Their
posterior thighs are very thick. The only known species
(B. acervoriwi, Panz.) lives in ant-hills.

Sometimes the cases and wings are ridged, and the tarsi
have four articulations. The antennae are always very long,
and like a hair. The mandibles are less indented, and the
galea is wider than in gryllus. The females always have
an advanced auger, compressed and formed like a sabre
or cutlass. There are only two coecums, as in the last, but
the biliary vessels surround the middle of the intestine, and
are inserted there direct. These orthoptera are herbivorous,
and form the genus

LocusTA, Geoff. Fab. Gryllus tetigonia, Lin.

L. viridissima , Fab, Rees, two inches long, green without
spot, the auger straight. L. verrucivora. Fab.

Many species of this genus have no wings, or have only
very short cases, as L. ephippiger, Fab.

Others, whose males produce their noise only by the fric-
tion of the thighs against the cases or wings, and whose
females have no projecting auger, are distinguished moreover
from the last by the antennas, sometimes filiform and cylin-
drical, sometimes like a sword, or terminating in a knob, and
always as long or less than the head and corslet. All have the
cases and wings ridged or inclined, and three articulations to
the tarsi. They have five or six coecums, and their biliary
vessels are inserted, as in most of this order, immediately at
the inter- line. The ligula of most of them has only two

176 CLASS INSECTA.

divisions. All have three distinct simple eyes, the labrum
emarginate, the mandibles much indented, the abdomen coni-
cal, and laterally compressed. They leap better than the
last, have a stronger and more elevated flight, and feed on
vegetables, of which they are very voracious. They may be
included in a single genus,

AcRYDiUM, Geoff.,

Which may be sub-divided as follows.

Some have the mouth exposed, the ligula bifid, and a
membranous pellet between the hooks at the end of the tarsi.
These form Pneumora, of Thunb., part of Gryllus bulla, of
Lin., which are distinct from the following by their hind legs
being shorter than the body, and less calculated for leaping,
and by the abdomen being vesicular, at least in one sex.
The antennae are filiform.

Proscopia, Kliig. Apterous, with the body long and
cylindrical, whose head, deprived of the simple eyes, is
elongated forward like a cone or point : the hind legs are
large, long, and near the middle feet, which are more elon-
gated than common from the fore-feet.

Truxalis, Fab. Gryllus acrida, Lin., which, by their
compressed prismatic and sword-shaped antennae, and their
pyramidical head, differ from all other orthoptera.

Some species of the sub-genus following, as G. carinatus,
Lin. G. gallinaceus, Fab., are, with reference to the antennae,
intermediate between Truxalis and Gryllus proper, and form
the genus J^yphicera, hat. Pamphagus, Thunb.

Gryllus proper, G. locusta, Lin., and some G. bulla.
Differ from Pneumera by having the hind legs longer than
the body, and the abdomen solid and not vesicular, and from
Truxalis by their ovoid head and antennae filiform, or termi-
nating in a knob.

Certain species, called by travellers Migratory Locusts,

ORDER ORTHOPTERA. 177

emigrate in multitudes exceeding all calculation. A great
part of Europe is often ravaged by G. migratorius, Lin.

The south of Europe, Barbary, and Egypt, suffers similar
losses from G. JEgpytius, tataricus, Lin., which differs but
little from G. lineola of Fab., found in the south of France.
These two, and many other species, have a conical projection
on the presternum, and compose my genus Acrydium.
Among those which have not this character, and whose antennae
ai'e also filiform, some have the elytra and wings perfect in
both sexes, and belong to the genus I have named OEdipoda.
Of this number are G. striaculus, Lin., G. ccerulescens,
Lin.

Others without wings, and with the antennae filiform, have
the upper part of the corslet much elevated and compressed,
forming a sharp crest rounded and pointed heh\x\(\ , Acrydium
armatum, Fisch.

i One of the sexes, at least in others (G. pedester GiorncE, of
Charpent), have very short wings, and elytra not at all fitted
for flight. I have formed these into a new generical section,

PoDISMA.

Those whose antennae are enlarged at the end like a knob,
whether in both sexes or in one only, form another genus,
according to Thunberg, Gomphocerus, as G. Sibiricus.

In the second division of the genus gryllus, the presternum
receives into a cavity a portion of the underpart of the head ;
the ligula is quadrifid ; the tarsi have no pellet between their
hooks. The antennae have only thirteen or fourteen articu-
lations. The corslet is elongated behind in the shape of a
large scutellum, sometimes longer than the body, and the
cases are very small. These form the genus Tetrix, Lat.
Acrydium, Fab. part of Gryllus-hidla, Lin. It includes only
a few species.

VCL. XV.

SUPPLEMENT

ORTHOPTERA.

The name of this order, borrowed from two Greek words,
ofSoj (straight), and Trnpct, (wings), indicates the peculiar
disposition of these latter organs. But it is not on this pecu-
liarity of conformation that this truly natural order is to be
established. It is especially the mode of transformation or
metamorphosis which characterises these insects. In this they
approximate to the hemiptera, and are removed from the
coleoptera, with which all authors had placed them before
the time of Degeer.

Linnaeus indeed had originally marked the distinction of
this grand section of insects ; for though he ranged them
with the coleoptera, he nevertheless terminated that order
with them.

Fabricius, in his System of Entomology, designated the
same order under the denomination of Ulonata, because he
observed that their jaws are engaged in a sort of membra-
naceous piece or gum, which he calied galea (helmet). The
term Ulonata comes from two Greek words, ovXov, external
gum, and yvx^o;, jaw.

ORTHOPTERA. 179

Olivier, who in the establishment of the first sections in
his method, gave the priority to characters derived from the
wings, observed that those of the insects of this order are
folded longitudinally, and from this consideration he gave
them the name of orthoptera. Degeer's denomination is
better founded. In the method of Olivier the genus forji-
cula terminates the coleoptera, and is thus very much remov-
ed from the orthoptera. It evidently, however, forms the
passage from one order to the other, and Mr. Kirby, on the
suggestion of Dr. Leach, formed it into a separate order,
which he calls dermaptera. Their body is generally elon-
gated, of a less firm consistence than that of the coleoptera,
and often even soft or fleshy. Accordingly some African
nations use them as an article of food, and from this cir-
cumstance were named by the ancients acridophagi. These
insects are, of all others in the collections of natural history,
the most exposed to be devoured by the dermestes, anthreni^
pfini, and other destructive animals of the same class.

Independently of the peculiarities to be observed in the
external configuration of the orthoptera, internally these
insects exhibit a mode extremely singular. Most of the
orthoptera, such as locusta, gryllus, gryllo-talpa, acrydium^
&c. are remarkable for the real, or at least apparent, multi-
plicity of their stomachs. Four have been attributed to the
gryllo-talpa^ which is, of all insects, the one whose internal
organization has been the most anciently studied. Its oeso-
phagus is in the form of an elongated canal. It leads to a
first stomach, rounded and membranous, and from which
proceeds a very short canal, which conducts to a second
stomach shorter than the preceding, but muscular, and witli
thicker parietes. It is furnished with parts which may be
compared to the jaws, which are found in tlie stomach of the
Crustacea. There are small lamina of a silken appearance,
disposed on five longitudinal ranges, which are each composed

N 2

1 80 SUPPLEIMENT

of ten or twelve small laminae, performing a sort of peristaltic
motion, by the muscular action of this species of gizzardo
Without doubt, the use of these pieces is to act upon the
aliments. The other two stomachs, that is, the third and
fourth, are similar one to the other, and placed opposite to
each other, at the orifice of the intestine. These are wrink-
led, thicker than the first, but less so than the second, and
of a spongy contexture.

This insect, as well as other orthoptera, analogous in the
same point, has been considered as ruminant, or possessed
of the faculty of bringing back to the mouth the aliments
contained in the digestive organ. But according to M.
Marcel de Serres, these pouches, or caecums, which have
been taken for stomachs, are nothing of the sort, and contain
only a salivary and biliary fluid, which the animal often dis-
gorges or vomits when it is seized. The long and slender
vessels which adhere to the intestinal canal, pour in their
digestive fluids, which are secreted by those of the common
mass of the humours.

According to M. Cuvier, the crop of the grylli often forms
a lateral pouch ; they have at the pylorus but two large
caecums, and the biliary vessels insinuate themselves into the
intestine by a common canal.

The locusta have also but two caecums ; but the biliary
vessels surround the middle of the intestine, and are inserted
there directly. We see, by comparison, that the two parts
of the digestive organ of the gryllo-talpa, which have been
considered as the third and fourth stomachs, are only two
caecums analogous to the preceding. Thefojjicula or earwigs
are the only orthoptera whose pylorus presents no caecum.
From five to six are reckoned in Acrydium, and from eight
to ten in Blatta. In these the crop is longitudinal, and the
gizzard has internally some strong crooked teeth. The sto-
mach of the mantis is nearly similar.

ON ORTHOPTERA. 181

Most part of the orthoptera feed on vegetable substances
only, and these matters being less proper for the purposes of
animalization, than substances already animalized, it follows
that these insects eat much more in proportion than those of
the other orders, which feed on insects, carrion, or other
corrupted substances. The herbivorous orthoptera are, then,
of all insects, those Avhich eat the most, and their voracity is
excessive. Fields, entire countries, are despoiled of their
verdure, by clouds of locusts, which fall there at once, and
after having desolated the country speedily die of hunger.
Their destruction even proves a no less terrible scourge than
that which they have inflicted in their living state. In putre-
fying they fill the air with infectious miasmata, and pestilence
follows hard upon the steps of famine.

The orthoptera are extremely fruitful. Their eggs, often
very numerous, are usually large, and of an elongated form.
But they must not be confounded with the Capsula which
encloses them, as some observers have done with relation to
the Blatta.

The larva of these insects differs from the perfect state
only in the total absence of wings, and the nymph is distin-
guished from the larva only by the presence of the rudiments
of these same organs. It is agile, and feeds upon the same
substances as the larva. Towards the end of summer, and
in autumn, these insects are most abundant in our climates.
It is also seldom, but at this period, that they are found in a
perfect state.

The insects of the genus Forficula (vulgo Earwigs)
partake pretty equally of the character of the coleoptera,
with which they have been ranged by some writers, and of
those of the orthoptera.

The male forficulae diff*er a little from the females in regard
to the pair of pincers situated at the end of the abdomen.
This is easy of observation in the forficula auricularia, or

182 SUPPLEMENT

common earwig, the species which we most generally encoun-
ter. The hooks of the pincers are larger and more arched
in the male than in the female. The forficulae are very
frequently to be met with either on the ground or on plants,
and principally under the barks of trees, where they are often
assembled in numerous societies. They feed on various mat-
ters either animal or vegetable. The form of their mandibles
sufficiently announces them to be gnawers. They do consi-
derable damage to fruits, and to the flowers of the pink more
especially.

Frisch and Degeer have observed, that the female earwig
watches with all possible care over the preservation of her
eggs, which are found in the commencement of April, in
moist places, under stones, and are collected in heaps.
" This curious insect,"** observes Mr. Kirby, " so unjustly
traduced by vulgar prejudice — as if the Creator had willed
that the insect world should combine within itself examples
of all that is most remarkable in every other department of
nature — still more nearly approaches the habits of the hen
in her care of her family. She absolutely sits upon her eggs,
as if to hatch them — a fact which Frisch appears first to have
noticed — and guards them with the greatest care. Degeer,
having found an earwig thus occupied, removed her into a
box where there was some earth, and scattered the eggs in
all directions. She soon, however, collected them, one by
one, with her jaws, into a heap, and assiduously sat upon them
as before. The young ones, which resemble the parent, ex-
cept in wanting elytra and wings, and, strange to say, are, as
soon as born, larger than the eggs which contained them,
immediately upon being hatched, creep like a brood of
chickens under the belly of the mother, who very quietly
suffers them to push between her feet, and will often, as
Degeer found, sit over them in this posture for some hours.
This remarkable fact 1 have mvself witnessed, having found

ON OllTHOPTERA. 183

an earwig under a stone, which I accidentally turned over,
sitting upon a cluster of young ones, just as this celebrated
naturalist has described."

These eggs are tolerably large, white, and smooth, and
they disclose the young in the month of May. The little
ones appear very large, relatively to the volume of the egg,
which supposes that they must be very much compressed.
The movement of the dorsal vessel is very sensible in the
young larvge, which have neither elytra nor wings, as is the
case with all the other larvae of the orthoptera. Their body
is less thick at the two ends, and formed of thirteen rings.
The first three have each one pair of feet, and correspond to
the corslet and the breast. The two pieces of the pincers are
conical, and a little divergent; The antennas have as yet but
eight articulations ; the palpi and the feet are inflated. The
corslet of the larvas is distinct in the nymph. The sheaths
of the elytra and the wings are flat, and pasted on the back.
The two pieces of the pincers have their usual curve.

It is scarcely necessary to advert again to the vulgar pre-
judices to which these insects have given rise. It has been
supposed that the earwig which flies the light, and seeks
narrow cavities, introduced itself, during sleep, into the
auditory conduit, pierced the tympanum, and even pene-
trated into the brain. Of this the populace of most coun-
tries are still persuaded, and it is wonderful to find even the
great legislator of Natural History observing : Aures dor-
mientium interdum ititrans, spiritu frumenti pelleyida. In
consequence of this notion, a general proscription is extended
against this race of insects, though we believe the attribu-
tion to be unsupported by a single fact. It is by no means
probable that the instruments with which this insect is pro-
vided are capable of piercing such a membrane as the tym-
panum — not to mention that the wax of the ear is a secretion,
calculated from its taste and odour to keep off* all such in-

184 SUPPLEMENT

truders ; nay, in all probability, intended for that very
purpose.

We insert a figure of a new Brazilian species of Forfirula
Brasiliensis. It is obscure brown ; the elytra paler, hinder
margin of the thorax pale, transparent, with the last joint of
the abdomen reddish-brown. The tail fulvous ; it is from
Brazil.

The Blatt^, or Cock-roaches, are easily distinguished
from the other orthopterous insects.

It was Linnaeus who gave to this genus the name of
Blatta, derived from the Greek verb, ^XaTrru. to hiirt^ a
name perfectly appropriate to the insects which compose it,
as we shall presently see.

Like the other orthoptera, the Blattae do not undergo a
complete metamorphosis. Their larvae and nymphs resemble
the perfect insect. They differ only in the circumstance of
being destitute of wings, or merely possessing the rudiments
of these organs.

The Blatta was known to the ancients : they named it
lucifiiga, or that which shuns the light ; because in fact
this insect loves obscurity, and is never seen except at night.
It runs with considerable swiftness. Many species live in
the woods. Some, as those of the east, and of America,
establish themselves in our habitations, and there do a vast
deal of injury, because they devour sugar, and all the animal
and vegetable substances which have not been carefully shut
up in closets, &c., where they cannot penetrate. They
destroy clothing, leather, cotton, wool, eatables of all kinds,
especially cheese, and the crumb of bread. They have a
very disagreeable odour. They are seldom seen during the
day, because they retire into the holes of walls, between floors,
and under chests, &c ; but in the evening they all issue
from their retreat, as soon as the lights are withdrawn, and
in the silence of the night. Then they cover tables in

ON ORTHOPTERA. 185

kitchens, fall with voracity on the remains of eatables, of
which they do not leave an atom remaining. They escape
on the least appearance of danger, run very fast, and are
very difficult to be caught. They communicate an unplea-
sant smell to the articles over which they have passed.

The following curious description of the ravages of this
genus, or rather of one particular species of it, which seems
to be that, termed gigantea by Linnaeus, is extracted from
Drury's work on exotic insects, an observer who had contem-
plated these animals in their native country : —

" The cockroaches are a race of pestiferous beings, equally
noisome and mischievous to natives and strangers, but parti-
cularl}^ to collectors. These nasty and voracious insects fly
out in the evenings, and commit monstrous depredations ;
they plunder and erode all kinds of victuals, drest and un-
drest, and damage all sorts of clothing, especially those which
are touched with powder, pomatum, and similar substances ;
every thing made of leather, books, paper, and various other
articles, which, if they do not destroy, at least they soil, as
they frequently deposit a drop of their excrement where they
settle, and some way or other by that means damage Avhat
they cannot devour. They fly into the flame of candles, and
sometimes into the dishes ; are very fond of ink and of oil,
into which they are apt to fall and perish. In this case they
soon turn most ofl'ensively putrid, so that a man might as well
sit over the cadaverous body of a large animal, as write with
the ink in which they have died. They often fly into persons'
faces and bosoms, and their legs being armed with sharp
spines, the pricking excites a sudden horror, not easily de-
scribed. In old houses they swarm by myriads, making
every part filthy beyond description wherever they harbour,
which, in the day-time, is in dark comers, behind all sorts of
clothes, in trunks, boxes, and, in short, in every place where
they can be concealed. In old timber, and deal houses,

186 SUPPLEMENT

Avhen the family is retired at night to sleep, this insect, among
other disagreeable properties, has the power of making a
noise, which very much resembles a pretty smart knocking
with the knuckle upon the wainscotting. The Blatta gigan-
tea, of Linn^us, in the West Indies, is therefore frequently
known by the name of the Drummer. Three or four of these
noisy creatures will sometimes be impelled to answer one
another, and cause such a drumming noise, that none but
those who are very good sleepers can rest for them. What
is most disagreeable, those who have not gauze curtains are
sometimes attacked by them in their sleep ; the sick and
dying have their extremities attacked, and the ends of the
toes and fingers of the dead are frequently stripped both of
the skin and flesh."

It does not appear that this destructive insect is at present
known in Europe, though we have other species brought
here in ships from warmer regions, which cause no small
annoyance and mischief. Yet MoufFet gives the following
account of the discovery of an insect in this country a long
time ago, which scarcely seems referrible to any other than
the species mentioned by Drury : —

" I have heard from persons of good credit, that one of
these blattae was found and taken in the top of the roof of
the church in Peterborough, which was six times larger than
the common blatta, and which not only pierced the skin of
those who attempted to seize it, but bit so deep, as to draw
blood in great quantity ; it was a thumb's length and breadth
in size, and being confined in a cavity in the wall, after two
or three days made its escape, no one knew how."

The female blattae lay one or two capsular bodies, almost
as thick as one half of their belly, and nearly of an oval
form, each of which contains sixteen eggs. According to
Frisch, that blatta which lives in kitchens, keeps during six
or seven days at the orifice of the vulva, the body whicli she

ON ORTHOPTERA. 187

is about to lay. The nymphs have between the corslet and
the abdomen, two broad and flat rings, which out-edge the
breast considerably. It is from these parts that the wings
issue forth. The most common species in this country is
the hlatta orientalis, or black cock-roach, most generally,
but most erroneously, called the black-beetle. It is an im-
portation from the east into Europe, through the commerce
of the Levant, being brought over in ships' cargoes. These
blattae are fond of warmth ; accordingly they are continually
found in kitchens of all kinds, especially in those of houses of
entertainment, where much cooking, and where the warmth
and steam of boilers, &c. are considerable. They are also
found in bakehouses, where they inhabit the clefts of the
walls, near the ovens. They are a complete pest in all such
places. It is said that the gryllus campestris will destroy
these insects. We have figured a Brazilian species under
the name of hlatta rugicullis. It is yellowish white, the
thorax very rugose, disc black, with a white basal and apical
spot ; the elytra with a large triangular spot at the base
of the wings, also with two spots on the left elytron, and one
on the right. The antennae black, tipped with white, legs
black.

We now come to that very extraordinary genus, the
Mantis. — " Imagination itself," as Dr. Shaw well observes,
" can hardly conceive shapes more strange than those ex-
hibited by some particular species."

Their two anterior feet are very large, and assist them in
seizing and piercing the insects on which they feed. As they
extend them very frequently, people have imagined that they
could divine and indicate events. From this fantastical notion
comes their Latin name of mantis, which signifies diviner.
This name, however, is Greek in its origin, and was bestowed
upon insects, which appear to be the same as those at present
under consideration. We find, in fact, in one of the Idylls

188 SUPPLEMENT

of Theocritus, this word employed to designate a thin, young
girl, with slender and elongated arms. PrcEmacram ac per-
tenuem puellam i^ocniv. Corpore prcelofigo, pedibus etiam
prcelongis, hcustcB genus. Rondelet, Mouffet, Aldrovandus,
and Linnaeus, have adopted this denomination to indicate the
same insects. The first of these authors tells us, that in
Provence, these insects are indifferently named devin^ and
prega-diou or preche-dieu, in consequence of their having
their fore-feet extended as if they were preaching or praying.
He also adds, with naivete — Tam divina censetur hestiola,
ut puero interroganti de via altero pede extento rectam
monstret, atque rari vel nunquam fallat.

The mantes may be called truly anomalous insects, and
differ from the great majority of this class by the length of
their corslet, Avhich can be raised upright on the abdomen,
and by the mode of articulation and conformation of their
fore-feet, of which the insect makes use to carry its aliment
to the mouth, like hands, the first articulation of these tarsi
having the form of a crook, and making with the leg a sort
of pincers.

Few of the mantes are found in the north, but they are
very frequently observed in the south, in the three states of
larva, motile nymph, and perfect insect. They feed on soft
insects, which they devour all alive. The females lay their
eggs in masses, disposed by beds, and enveloped with a glu-
tinous or gelatinous matter, which dries in the air, and yet
nevertheless remains flexible. These masses are found on
the stalks of plants and shrubs ; they resemble small wasp-
nests, in which the eggs, enveloped in a sort of parchment,
are disposed in two banks.

In the nymph-state, the mantes have on the back four
flatted pieces, which are sheaths enclosing the elytra and
wings. They walk and act like the living insect, live
by rapine, and eat all the insects which they can catch by

ON ORTHOPTERA. 189

means of their anterior feet, which perform the office of
pincers.

Roesel has preserved Mantes^ feeding them with flies and
other insects, which they seized with much address, " They
are so cruel and carnivorous that they kill and eat one
another, without being compelled to do so by hunger." The
same author has seen little ones newly disclosed attack each
other with fury, raising their corslet in the air, and holding
their two anterior feet joined and ready for combat. Wishing
to witness the sexual intercourse of these insects, the same
writer shut up, in a sand-box, two of them, a male and female.
They attacked each other fiercely, and the combat finished
by the death of one of them, M. Poiret states that having
also enclosed under a glass a male and female, the latter,
with the sharp points of her feet, seized the male and cut off
his head. As these insects are very tenacious of life, the
male continued to live for some time after ; the female then
received his caresses, and ended by devouring him.

The Mayitis matoria is of a beautiful green colour, about
three inches long, and of a slender shape. This is the species
which, from its peculiar sitting posture, is held sacred by the
vulvar. It is a stranger to our island, but is found in the
warmer countries of Europe. " In its real disposition," says
Dr. Shaw, " it is very far from sanctity ; preying with great
rapacity on all the smaller insects which fall in its way, and
for which it lies in wait, with anxious assiduity, in the posture
at first mentioned, seizing them with a sudden spring when
within its reach, and devouring them. It is also of a very
pugnacious nature, and when kept with others of its own
species in a state of captivity, will attack its neighbours
with the utmost violence, till one or the other is destroyed in
the contest. Roesel, who kept some of these insects, observes,
that in their mutual conflicts, their manoeuvres very much
resemble those of hussars fighting with sabres ; and some-

190 SUPPLEMENT

times one cleaves the other through at a single stroke, or
severs the head from its body. During these engagements
the wings are generally expanded, and when the battle is
over the conqueror devours his antagonist."

The Chinese exhibit these insects fighting, after the manner
of cocks and quails ; for it is probable that it is to this
insect^ or one very analogous to it, that Mr. Barrow alludes
in his Travels in China.

" They have even extended their inquiries after fighting
animals into the insect tribe, and have discovered a species of
gryllus or locust, that will attack each other with such fero-
city, as seldom to quit their hold without bringing away at
the same time a limb of their antagonist. These little
creatures are fed and kept apart, in bamboo cages, and the
custom of making them devour each other is so common, that
during the summer months, scarcely a boy is to be seen
without his cage of grass-hoppers.""

The mantis is as cowardly as it is cruel, for it will fly
away from the ant, though it will destroy abundance of help-
less flies. The mantis causta is a native of Africa, and has
been supposed, but erroneously, to be an object of worship
to the benighted Hottentots. It is, however, held by them
in the highest veneration, and if it happen to alight on any
person he is considered as the peculiar favourite of Heaven,
and ever afterwards holds the rank of a saint.

We have figured a species which belongs to the sub-genus
Blepharis, of M. Sevoille, named elegaus by Mr. Westwood.
Its general colour is testaceous, the upper wings green, with
the anterior and posterior margins, also a spot near the base,
and the fascie pale testaceous. The two latter edged with
black, the lower wings testaceous, the margin with several rows
of small brown spots ; the legs pale testaceous, spotted with
brown, the abdomen brown, with the margins of each seg-

ON ORTHOPTERA. 191

ment paler. It is from the Tanesserim coast, and is in Mr.
Plimpton''s cabinet.

The insects, Phasma, must of necessity be separated from
mantis, and form with phyllmm a peculiar division. If the
latter resemble leaves, the former imitate the part which
supports them : namely, the stalk or branch.

The East Indies produce species of great size, such as the
phasma gigas^ eight inches in length. This insect runs into
many varieties, or perhaps, what is more probable, the species
are more numerous than is generally supposed.

Few insects have so extraordinary a form as the phyllia.
But it is only in large collections that we have any oppor-
tunity of seeing them, for they inhabit the most eastern parts
of India. When they are placed on an orange-tree, or on a
laurel, the man who is most accustomed to observe them,
cannot distinguish them at the first glance. One is the more
deceived, as their colour is green or yellowish ; their elytra
have truly all the appearance of a leaf, both in their figure
and the disposition of the nervures, and their feet are folded
under their body.

The phyllia have been named by some authors walking
leaves. Like the other insects of the division spectrum,
they live on vegetable substances. Some inhabitants of
the Sechells Islands rear them, either from simple curiosity,
or for the purpose of selling them to amateurs of natural
history, or to such persons as make them an object of com-
mercial speculation.

We have figured a new species oi phyllium, xmder the name
of bioculatum. The general colour is light green ; the upper
wings very short, and partly transparent ; the lower wings
nearly as long as the abdomen, narrow, white, and very
transparent ; the abdomen is very much dilated, and of a
darker green colour, with two dark spots in the middle.

192 SUPPLEMENT

The habitat unknown. It is in the cabinet of the Rev. F. W.
Hope.

We now come to the leaping division of the orthoptera,
embracing the great genus Gryllus, of Linnasus. We shall
treat the sub-genera in detail, according to the order in
which they stand in the text.

The Gryllo-talp.e, or mole-crickets , have many relations
with gryllus {acheta^ Fab.), but are especially distinguished
from them, by the form of their anterior feet, and the absence
of any prominent auger, or ovipositor in the female.

We shall add a word or two here, to the description
of their characters in the text. Their eyes are small, oval,
and of a shining brown ; near the internal side of each of
them is remarked a small yellowish point, in relief. These
are the simple eyes. The males have the internal part of
their elytra more coriaceous, and elastic like parchment.
These are their instruments of music. The sounds which
they produce to call their females are less sharp and noisy
than those emitted by the male grylli. This species of song
is even tolerably sweet, when one is at a certain distance
from the insect. It takes place after the setting of the sun,
or before its rising ; but unfortunately it announces the
presence of an enemy to agriculture.

There is remarked at the extremity of the body, two
setaceous, long, soft, and articulated appendages, and which
are also proper to some other orthoptera, such as Blatta,
Mantis, he. We are ignorant of the use of these organs.
Some authors have conjectured that these parts in the mole-
crickets are two sorts of tentacula, which, when these
animals are occupied in digging in the earth, advertise them
on the slightest impression of the presence of an enemy, which
would attack them behind. Tliis explication is very ingeni-
ous, but quere, is it true ? This is a point not so easily to
be cleared up.

ON ORTHOPTERA. 193

These insects have too singular a form, and are too hurt-
ful not to be very well known : some authors have imagined
them to be the Staphylitios, of Aristotle ; Cordus takes them
for his Sphondylus. Their history, however, goes back as
far as the times of MoufFet, Goedart, and Menzelius.

They have received the name of mole-crickets, in conse-
quence of the form of their anterior feet, which are broad,
and similar to the fore-feet of moles. They use them too in
the same manner as the moles do, in the construction of sub-
terraneous galleries. These insects are spread throughout the
four quarters of the globe. The very northern parts of Eu-
rope are, perhaps, the only countries which have no reason to
complain of their fatal devastations

The ravages of the gryllo-talpas are but too well marked.
Those large yellow spots where vegetation is extinct, which
may be remarked in the country, are most generally their
work. But their only object in this labour is to frame sub-
terraneous galleries leading to their domicile ; for they do not
feed on vegetables. They destroy, on the contrary, many
insects which are hurtful to us.

The gryllo-talpas being nocturnal insects, it is difficult to
ascertain whether they fly or not. The small extent of their
wings, and the relative weight of the body of the insect,
would lead us to believe that these organs of motion have no
very powerful action. They must, nevertheless, be of some
utility to the animal in running or leaping.

The extremity of the anterior feet of these insects has been
compared to a hand ; the four serrated talons of the legs, to
fingers ; and the tarsus, which moves like the branches of a
scissors above the four fingers, and which serves to clean
them, has been considered as the thumb. Without exactly
adopting the details of this comparison, it seems more just
to api)ly the name of hands to the extremities of the fore-feet

VOL. XV. o

IQ^ SUPPLEMENT

in gryllo-talpae, than to give this denomination to the same
parts in some bees.

The force which these hands possess has been estimated.
It can overcome an obstacle of that kind which the insect
most usually meets with, namely, a load of earth of the weight
of three pounds upon a smooth level. From this the con-
clusion is drawn, which is unfortunately but too true, that
these insects can pierce and excavate a tolerably compact
soil.

The females form in the commencement of summer, a
burrow of almost half a foot in depth, and which, with its
aperture, has the figure of a bottle with the neck curved, and
the belly ovaliform. They smoothen its interior parietes, and
lay there three or four hundred elongated eggs, shining, and
of a yellowish brown. A progeny so numerous, must be to
them a very painful burthen. The cradle which they intend
for their posterity is of a very fine and tolerably compact
earth. They close it accurately. Those who are fond of the
marvellous, may read in Goedart and other writers, that these
tender mothers extend their solicitude, even to excavating a
ditch around the nest of their young ones ; place themselves
there as sentinels, and during dry weather raise the lump of
earth to which they have confided their dearest hopes, so
that the heat of the sun may penetrate into it, and warm it
more effectually. Another kind of foresight has also been
attributed to these animals ; some will have it, that equally
wise with the ants^ they transport into their asylum, like the
latter insects, grains of corn, alimentary substances, &c.
But for what purpose should they employ such useless care
and pains .''

The edge of the hands of the mole-crickets being vertical,
it is easy to comprehend that to dig holes in the earth, or
furrow it, these animals have only to bring their fore-feet
together, to sink, and then separate them, holding them

ON ORTHOPTERA. 195

always in a perpendicular direction, and repeating the same
manoeuvre. The denticulations of these hands, are neces-
sarily formed so as to cut the earth.

The little ones are disclosed at about the end of a month.
These young ones are at first, when they leave their first
skin, completely white, and continue so for about an hour.
This change of colours takes place in all the moultings. It
is unnecessary to say any thing respecting the form of these
young insects. They resemble, with the exception of the
wings, which are wanting, those from whom they received
their existence. Their skin, however, is less velvety.

This first moulting is for them the period of an especial
trial of their powers. They then disperse, and each takes
his own way. In proportion as they grow, their tints be-
come browner. The grey becomes converted into blackish.

Towards the third moulting, which arrives at the ap-
proaches of the winter, they think of taking up their win-
ter quarters, and prepare for themselves a deep retreat in
the earth. If the temperature of the atmosphere is not
rigorous, they improve during the winter, and appear of a
tolerably good size, at the return of the fine weather, or
in the month of March. Their wings, however, are still
wanting. They must moult a fourth, and even a fifth time,
before they become completely adult. Then, being bolder,
they quit the neighbourhood of the places which beheld their
birth, transport themselves into fields and gardens, especially
into the beds, when they become an atrocious scourge. Their
line of march is often covered, and the traces of their passage
are only indicated by a slight elevation of the earth above
the surface of the soil. There can be no doubt that these
animals, hurtful as they are, enter into the plans of that
Supreme Wisdom which knows how to compensate every
thing, and establishes between all forces a necessary equili-

o 2

196 SUPPLEMENT

brium. They destroy a great number of hurtful plants,
which pullulate too luxuriantly. Their devastations are
calculated to draw man out of his carelessness, and awaken
his activity. However, it is very certain that the gryllo-
talpae are extremely pernicious insects, and the entomologist
should come to the assistance of the agriculturist, to supply
him with weapons against one of his most mischievous ene-
mies. The wisdom of the Creator presents us with the first
means for the destruction of these ravagers. It has pleased
Him that birds, ants, and other insects, should declare war
against the young mole-crickets, or at least against the germs
of this hurtful race. The plough of the labourer, in pre-
paring the furrows where nutritious plants grow, crushes and
destroys the insect which menaces them.

Those singular orthoptera, the Thidactyli, have the
greatest relations with the acheta of Fabricius, and especially
with the sub-genus which has been last under consideration.
They are equally leaping and digging insects. But the
Tridactyli cannot hollow the earth, but with their anterior
legs.

These orthoptera resemble the gryllo-talpa. But they
appear to possess the faculty of leaping in a more eminent
degree. This is at least certain, as far as the species which
inhabits the southern parts of France is concerned, which
M. lUiger names Xyla variegata, and which, perhaps, ought
to form a separate genus. It remains in the sand on the
banks of rivers. M. Savigny brought the same species from
Egypt.

The females of the Grylli proper have, at the extremity of
the body, a scaly, cylindrical, elongated oviduct, a little swelled
at the end, rising a little above, and formed of two concave
pieces in the interior, the union of which composes a tube.
The extremity of the swelling goes into a point. Each end
is bifid in the grylliis campestris. The feet are strong, espe-

ON ORTHOPTERA. 197

cially the hinder ones, the thighs of which are very large,
and the legs and tarsi are furnished with a double rank of
spines.

These insects are generally known under the name of
crickets. This name {cri-cri, in French) has been given
them in consequence of the noise they are continually making.
This noise is produced by the friction of their elytra one
against the other. The two most common species are the
gryllus campestris and the gryllus domesticus. The latter
lives in houses. It delights, in preference, in kitchens, be-
hind chimneys, in the holes and clefts of walls, and near the
ovens of bakers. During the day it remains concealed ; but
as soon as night approaches it quits its retreat, and proceeds
in search of its aliment, which, according to some writers,
consists in bread, flour, and other provisions of the same
kind. But it is more likely that it feeds on insects, like the
gryllus campestris. The male is very troublesome from its
continual cry, which is proper only to itself, the female
being mute. When he wishes to make himself heard, to
advertise her of his presence, he raises his elytra so as to
form an acute angle with his body. Then he rubs one against
the other, with a horizontal and very quick motion. We
have already remarked a difference between these parts in
the two sexes. The elytra of the male are of a drier and
more elastic nature, which renders them fit to excite by fric-
tion a sound similar to that produced by the rumpling of
parchment. The chirruping of the cricket has long been
formidable to the ears of superstition. Cold is very destruc-
tive to them. This is no doubt the reason why these animals
invariably haunt the warmest parts of houses, and establish
themselves there. It appears that the female, by means of
its auger, places the eggs, which are oblong, in rubbish, or
earth. The little ones are disclosed at the end of twelve
days. It is only after three moultings that they acquire the

198 SUPPLEMENT

appearance of wings, or are changed into nymphs. They
require four months to undergo their final transformation.
The females, notwithstanding, for some time before, are per-
fectly distinguishable by the presence of their auger. The
insect immediately after its moulting is white.

The Jield-crickets (G. campestris) do not diifer from
the house -crickets as to form, but instead of being yellowish,
they are almost black. Their size is somewhat larger ; they
are found during the whole summer in the fields. It is iu
the earth that they establish their dwelling and build their
nest. It appears that when the winter is mild they pass it
under ground, where they remain in a lethargic state ; but
when the cold is rigorous, they die. In the fine season,
towards the setting of the sun, and during the whole night,
the male is heard chirruping. The more remote we are from
them, the louder and sharper appears their cry ; in proportion
as we approach them it is said that it grows milder, and even
ceases altogether when we get very near them. They remain
in pasture grounds, and meadows exposed to the sun, in pre-
ference to shady places. Children in the country amuse
themselves by hunting them. They throw into their hole an
ant attached to a hair. The field-crickets never fail to issue
from their retreat to pursue their prey, and thus deliver
themselves into the hands of their enemies. This mode of
catching them was also in use among the ancients. • It is
even sufficient to introduce into the hole of this gryllus, the
stalk of some plant, to oblige it to issue forth. Hence comes
a proverb which is common in France, il est sot comme un
grillon.

The larva of this gryllus is equally distinguished from the
perfect insect by the want of wings and elytra. It walks,
leaps, and takes nourishment. After some moultings, it
passes into the nymph or pupa state ; then there appears
upon the back four flatted parts, which are the sheaths pf the

ON ORTHOPTERA. 199

wings and elytra. These four sheaths are in the form of
oval, thin laminae. All the other parts of the body are simi-
lar to those of the perfect insect.

The two sexes have at the extremity of the abdomen, one
on each side, two appendages, which are long, like conical
threads, furnished with a great number of hairs, and which
are often equal to the belly in length. These parts are not
articulated like the antennae, being of a single piece, and yet,
nevertheless, very flexible. Besides those two pieces, the
rump of the female is furnished with an auger of the length
of the belly, which is straight, scaly, formed like a stiletto,
and composed of two pieces, thicker at their extremity, and
cut in this part something like the slit of a pen. Along
their internal edge is a sort of groove, which serves as a
conduct to the eggs, which the female deposits in the earth
or other places. The female lays in July or August, nearly
three hundred eggs. The little ones are disclosed fifteen
days after, and feed, as is reported, on tender herbs, or on
their roots. Their first moulting takes place before the winter
season. As soon as the cold begins to be felt, they try to
protect themselves from it by concealing themselves in the
earth, and there they take no nutriment. The gentle warmth
of spring causes them to re-appear. They then dig for
themselves a sort of grotto, which serves them for an habita-
tion, and where they remain in ambush. They are not in a
condition to engender until June or July.

The house-cricket in general prefers houses that have been
recently built, because the softness of the mortar enables
them to form their retreats better.

Mr. White observes that, " though they are frequently
heard by day, yet their natural time of motion is only in the
night. As soon as it becomes dusk the chirping increases,
and they come running forth, and are often to be seen in
great numbers, from the size of a flea to that of their full

200 SUPPLEMENT

stature. As one would suppose from the burning atmosphere
which they inhabit, they are a thirsty race, and shew a great
propensity for liquids, being frequently found dead in pans
of water, milk, broth, or the like. Whatever is moist they
are fond of, and therefore they often gnaw holes in wet
woollen stockings and aprons that are hung to the fire.
These crickets are not only very thirsty, but very voracious,
for they will eat the scummings of pots, yeast, salt, and
crumbs of bread, and kitchen ofFal, or sweepings of almost
every description.

" In the summer they have been observed to fly, when it
became dusk, out of the windows, and over the neighbouring
roofs. This feat of activity accounts for the sudden manner
in which they often leave their haunts, as it does also for the
method by which they come to houses where they were not
known before. It is remarkable that many sorts of insects
seem never to use their wings, but when they wish to shift
their quarters, and settle new colonies. When in the air,
they move in waves or curves, like woodpeckers, opening and
shutting their wings at every stroke, and thus are always
rising or sinking. When their numbers increase to a great
degree, they become pests, flying into the candles, and dash-
ing into people''s faces. In families, at such times, they are
like Pharaoh's plague of frogs, ' in their bed-chambers, and
upon their beds, and in their ovens, and in their kneading-
troughs.' "

Cats catch heath-crickets, and, playing with them as they
do with mice, devour them. Crickets may be destroyed like
wasps, by phials half filled with beer, or any liquid, and set
in their haunts ; for being always eager to drink, they will
crowd in till the bottles are full.

In certain countries of Africa, these insects are reported to
constitute an article of commerce. Some persons rear them,
feed them in a kind of iron oven, and sell them to the inha-

ON ORTHOPTERA. 201

bitants, who are fond of their music, which they think induces
sleep. Some have averred that this noise continues, and the
insect remains alive for some considerable time after its head
has been removed.

The Jield-crickets, like their brethren of the hearth, are
nocturnal, and do not issue from their subterranean dwellings
until the setting of the sun. They are difficult enough to
be observed, for their timidity and caution are extreme.
They return rapidly to their habitations, on hearing the
slightest noise, or perceiving the most distant approach of
danger. There they are certain to remain, until their sus-
picions are lulled asleep.

Though the wings of these insects are very curious, it is
a singular fact that they are never observed to make use of
them ; and notwithstanding the length and muscularity of
their hinder limbs, their movements, at least when driven
from their holes, are neither vigorous nor active. Conse-
quently, on such occasions, they are taken with facility^

The males, during the breeding season, are sometimes
known to carry on a destructive warfare upon each other.
Mr. White, desirous of preserving some of them, put them
into the crevices of an old wall ; but the first who obtained
possession expelled with great ferocity the intrusion of any
others of their fellows.

The cells which those insects construct are very curious
and regular, and the instruments which they employ in per-
forating and rounding them, are their powerful jaws, which
are denticulated like the claw of a lobster. These formi-
dable arms, however, are of no use to them when caught, or
at least they do not, upon such occasions, employ them as
weapons of self-defence. They feed indiscriminately on such
plants as grow in the neighbourhood of their dwellings,
from which, in the day-time, they never remove to any
distance. They are heard to chirp all night long, and in
hot weather they make the hills and plains reverberate with

202 SUPPLEMENT

their song, which is more especially louder during the dark
and silent hours of midnight.

So much confusion has arisen from the change and sub-
stitution of names, that we feel some degree of difficulty here
in the proper application of the name Locust. The general
name of gryllus was given by Linnaeus to the entire family
of Saltatoria, or leapers. Subsequent naturalists have found
it necessary to make several separations from this Linnaean
genus ; but in this, as in most other cases of the same kind,
they have not invariably exercised a spirit of the soundest
discretion, and have occasioned much confusion in nomencla-
ture, by an injudicious transposition of synonimes. Without
further criticism, however, we shall endeavour properly to
discriminate here, the insects of which we are about to speak,
under the general name of locusts.

The locusts proper of the text, Locusta of Geoffroy, and
Sauterelles in French, are in fact, what we commonly call
grass-hoppers. The true locusts, whose name is so formi-
dable in the history of the earth, constitute the genus
Acridium of Geoffroy, to which the same naturalist has given
the French name criguets, and which we must carefully avoid
confounding with our crickets, a genus already treated of.
The true locusts also more particularly belong to that sub-
division of acrydium named in the text, " criquets propre-
ment dits," the gryllus of Fabricius, gryllus-locusta of
Linnaeus.

The first of these genera {Locusta of Geoffroy, and Acrida
of Mr. Kirby) may be speedily dispatched. They have some
resemblance to the true locusts, but the characters which
distinguish them from these latter insects, are their tarsi of
four articulations, and their long setaceous antennas composed
of a great number of articulations, not very distinct. The
true locusts {acridium, G.) have but four articulations to
the tarsi. The antennae are short, filiform, or swelled at their

ON ORTHOPTERA. 203

extremity, and have from ten to twelve perceptible articula-
tions.

The grass-hoppers are frequently found in meadows, leap
a considerable distance, by the assistance of their hinder feet,
which are much longer than the others. The males make a
noise, more or less loud. It is always produced by the re-
ciprocal friction of the elytra.

The females deposit their eggs in the earth ; they lay a
considerable quantity at once, assembled together in a slender
membranous envelope. The larva which proceed from those
eggs do not differ from the perfect insect, but in the total
want of wings and elytra. Arrived at the nymph-state, they
have these organs enclosed in a sort of germs, placed upon
their back. But, like all other insects, they are unfit for
reproduction until after the entire development of these parts,
which development does not take place until they abandon
the covering of nymph or pupa.

In their different forms these insects feed on herbs and
plants, and eat a considerable quantity. An observation of
Degeer proves that they can be carnivorous when occasion
offers. This naturalist having shut up several individuals of
the species verrucivora, one of them which died was devoured
by the others. But they have not been observed to kill each
other for the purposes of food.

These insects, which have the faculty of leaping to such a
distance, also, at times, fly very high and very far.

The males are most generally distinguished from the
females by an absence of an elongation of the abdomen of
various forms, which is a true ovipositor, formed of sepa-
rable laminae, between which glide the eggs of the females.
These laminae are sometimes straight, sometimes curved
with a convexity underneath, like a cutlass. The use of
this instrument is to enable the insect to deposit its eggs in
the ground, enveloped in a sort of mucous matter, which

204 SUPPLEMENT

dries and becomes a true membrane, divided into a great
number of lodges, from which issue forth the little larvae.
The manners of these insects are, otherwise, very imperfectly
known.

We now come to the true Locusts, the Acridium, or cri-
quets, of GeofFroy, and Gryllus of Fabricius. These perni-
cious animals leap very well, and shoot to a very consider-
able distance. Some species fly rapidly and very far ; but
in general they walk badly, and slowly. Like the last men-
tioned genus, they live on plants, and are accordingly found
in great quantities in cultivated fields and meadows. The
migratory locusts, of which we shall speak more at large by
and by, are but too well known in the Levant, and in Africa.
They multiply considerably, and appear in enormous troops,
spreading devastation and famine far and wide.

The larvae, like those of the preceding genera, differ from
the perfect insect only by having no wings or elytra. After
many moultings they pass to the nymph-state, and then have
cases which enclose those parts. In both forms they walk
and act like the perfect insect, and feed in the same manner.
Their larvae proceed from eggs ; some females deposit theirs
in the earth, where the heat causes them to disclose — others
attach them to the stalks of gramineous plants, and en-
close them in a frothy matter, which at first is soft, and sub-
sequently hardens.

The locusts often send forth a sharp and interrupted sound.
This is produced by rubbing their hinder thighs against their
elytra and wings with considerable force. They never exe-
cute this movement with the two thighs at the same time, but
employ one and the other alternately.

Olivier tells us that on each side of the belly a large and
tolerably deep aperture is visible, the contour of which bor-
ders on the oval, and which is partly closed by an irregular
piece in the form of a flat lamina. This lamina is scaly, but

ON ORTHOPTERA. 205

it is covered above with a flexible and wrinkled membrane,
and its edges are furnished with some little hairs. The space
of the tissue which the lamina leaves uncovered, is in some
sort formed like a half-moon. At the bottom of this aper-
ture is a white pellicle, very much stretched, and shining like
a little mirror. On the side of the aperture, nearest toils
head, is a small oval hole, into which it is easy to introduce
the point of a stylet. On removing the pellicle, we discover
a large cavity in this part of the body. This appears to be
the organ of song in the same species.

If some travellers are to be believed, the locusts, which are
such a plague to certain countries, serve as food for the
people who inhabit the uncultivated lands towards the coasts
of Barbary. As these insects are very abundant, and very
large in this place, the inhabitants collect, and roast and
eat them. They also preserve them in brine, after having
removed the elytra and wings. This even becomes an object
of commerce. In the southern parts of France, as M. La-
treille informs us, the children are very fond of the fleshy
thighs of these insects.

This is the insect whose ravages have been the theme
of naturalists and historians in all ages, and upon a close
examination we find it to be peculiarly fitted and fur-
nished for the execution of its office. It is armed with two
pair of very strong jaws, the upper terminating in short, and
the lower in long teeth, by which it can both lacerate and
grind its food — its stomach is of extraordinary capacity and
powers — its hind legs enable it to leap to a considerable dis-
tance, and its ample vans are calculated to catch the winds
as sails, and so as to carry it sometimes over the sea — and
although a single individual can effect but little evil, yet
when the entire surface of a country is covered by them, and
every one makes bare the spot on which it stands, the mis-
chief produced may be as infinite as their numbers.

206 SUPPLEMENT

The first record of the ravages of locusts, which we find
in history, is the account in the Book of Exodus, of the
visitation to the land of Egypt. Africa appears to have
been most generally the quarter of the globe most severely
subjected to the inroads of the locust tribe. A law was
enacted and enforced in the territory of Cyrene, according
to the account of Pliny, by which the people were obliged
to destroy these insects in the egg, in the larva state, and in
the image. A similar law prevailed in the island of Lemnos,
where each person was forced to furnish annually a certain
quantity of locusts. According to Orosius, A.M. 3800, the
north of Africa was so infested by them, that every vestige of
vegetation vanished from the face of the earth. After this,
he adds, that they flew off to sea and were drowned, but their
carcases being cast upon shore, emitted a stench equal to
what might have been produced by the dead bodies of one
hundred thousand men. We are told by St. Augustine, that
a pestilence arising from the same cause, destroyed no less
than 800,000 people in the kingdom of Numidia, and many
more in the countries along the sea-coast.

Blown from that quarter of the globe, the locusts have
occasionally visited both Italy and Spain. The former coun-
try was severely ravaged by myriads of those desolating
intruders, in 591, A.C. These were of a larger size than
common, as we are informed by MoufFet, who quotes an
ancient historian ; and from their stench when cast into the
sea, caused a plague, which carried off infinite numbers, both
of men and cattle. A famine took place in the Venetian
territory in 1487, occasioned by the ravages of these insects,
in which 30,000 persons are reported to have perished.
MoufFett mentions many other instances of the same kind,
which have taken place in Europe at different periods. They
entered Russia, in immense divisions, in three different

ON ORTHOPTERA. 207

places, in 1600, darkening the air with their numbers, and
passed over from there into Poland and Lithuania.

In many parts they lay dead to the depth of four feet.
Sometimes they covered the surface of the earth like a dark
cloud, loaded the trees, and the destruction which they pro-
duced exceeded all calculation. They fall sometimes upon
corn, and in three hours will consume an entire field, as hap-
pened once in the south of France. When they had finished
the corn, they extended their devastations to vines, pulse,
willows, and in short, to every thing else wearing the shape
of vegetation, not excepting even hemp, which was not pro-
tected by its bitterness.

In 1748, considerable numbers of locusts visited this
country, but, luckily, they did not propagate, and all soon
perished. These were stragglers from the swarms which, a
year previously, had desolated Wallachia, Moldavia, Tran-
sylvania, Hungary, and Poland. An account of this for-
midable invasion may be found in the forty-sixth volume of
the Philosophical Transactions.

A friend of Mr. Kirby informed him, that at Poonah
an immense cloud of locusts ravaged all the Mahratta ter-
ritory, and was thought to have come from Arabia. This,
indeed, was a most astonishing swarm, if Mr. Ku-by's friend
was correctly informed. The column extended five hundred
miles, and was so dense, as thoroughly to hide the sun, and
prevent any object from casting a shadow. This horde was
not composed of the migratory locust, but of a red species,
which imparted a sanguine colour to the trees on which they
settled.

Dr. Clarke compares the progress of these animals to a
snow-storm, when the flakes are carried obliquely by the
wind. His carriage and horses were completely covered by
them. This flight consisted of two species, L. tatarica, and
L. migratoria. The former is considerably larger than the

208 SUPPLEMENT

latter, and precedes it in its covirse. Mr. Barrow informs us,
that in South Africa (in 1784 and 1797) two thousand
square miles were literally covered by them. Being carried
into the sea by a north-west wind, they formed, for fifty
miles along shore, a bank three or four feet high ; and when
the wind was in the opposite point, the horrible odour which
they exhaled was perceptible a hundred and fifty miles off.

In the empire of Morocco the ravages of the locust tribe
have been dreadful beyond description. They caused a
famine there in the year 1780. The poor wandered over the
country, in search of a wretched existence from the roots of
plants. They picked from the dung of camels, the undi-
gested grains of barley, and devoured them with eagerness.
Numbers perished, and the streets and roads were strewed
with carcases. " When they visit a country," says Mr.
Jackson, in his Travels in Morocco, " it behoves every one
to lay in provision for a famine, for they stay from three to
seven years. When they have devoured all other vegetables,
they attack the trees, consuming first the leaves, and then
the bark. From Mogador to Tangiers, before the plague
in 1799, the face of the earth was covered by them. At
that time a singular incident occurred at El Araiche. The
whole region from the confines of the Sahara was ravaged
by them ; but on the other side of the river El Kos, not
one of them was to be seen, although there was nothing to
prevent their flying over it. Till then they had proceeded
northward ; but upon arriving at its banks, they turned to
the east, so that all the country north of El Araiche was full
of pulse, fruits, and grain, exhibiting a most striking con-
trast to the desolation of the adjoining district. At length
they were all carried by a violent hurricane into the Western
Ocean ; the shore, as in former instances, was covered by their
carcases, and a pestilence was caused by the horrid stench
which they emitted ; but when this evil ceased, their devas-

ON ORTHOPTERA. 209

tations were followed by a most abundant crop. The Arabs
of the Desert, " whose hands are against every nian," and
who rejoice in the evil that befalls other nations, when they
behold the clouds of locusts proceeding from the north, are
filled with gladness, anticipating a general mortality, which
they call El Khere (the benediction) ; for when a country is
thus laid waste, they emerge from their arid deserts and
pitch their tents in the desolated plains.

The peculiar noise produced by the locusts in their flight
is well described by Mr. Southey : —

" Onward they came, a dark continuous cloud
Of congregated myriads numberless,
The rushing of whose wings was as the sound
Of a broad river, headlong in its course.
Plunged from a mountain summit, or the roar
Of a wild ocean in the autumn storm
Shattering its billows on a shore of rocks."

It appears that in many of the instances which have been
recorded, these devastating insects must have crossed the seas,
though Haselquist asserts that they have no capability of so
doing. He says, " The grasshopper or locust is not formed
for travelling over the sea — it cannot fly far, but must alight
as soon as it rises ; for one that came on board us, a hundred
certainly were drowned. We observe in the months of May
and June a number of these insects coming from the south,
and directing their course to the northern shore ; they darken
the sky like a thick cloud ; but scarcely have they quitted
the shore, when they, who a moment before ravaged and
ruined the country, cover the surface of the sea with their
dead bodies. By what instinct do these creatures undertake
this dangerous flight ? Is it not the wise institution of the
Creator to destroy a dreadful plague to the country ?"

Notwithstanding all this, we have seen that locusts do per-

VOL. XV. p

210 SUPPLEMENT

form very considerable flights. Much in this way must de-
pend upon their age and species — much also on the strength
and point of the wind, for there is no doubt but that a swarm
of these insects may be carried by a strong gale over a broad
river, or across a narrow sea, nay, even to a considerable dis-
tance out to sea, as appears from an account quoted by Mr.
Kirby, from an American newspaper, of what befel a vessel
in 1811, which was becalmed at 200 miles distant from the
Canary Islands, which was the nearest land ; the account
runs thus :

" A light air afterwards sprung up from the north-east, at
which time there fell from the cloud an innumerable quantity
of large grasshoppers, so as to cover the deck, the tops, and
every part of the ship they could alight upon. They did not
appear in the least exhausted ; on the contrary, when an
attempt was made to take hold of them, they instantly jump-
ed, and endeavoured to elude being taken. The calm, or a
very light air, lasted fully an hour, and during the whole of
this time these insects continued to fall upon the ship and
surround her : such as were within reach of the vessel alight-
ed upon her ; but immense immbers fell into the sea, and
were seen floating in masses by the sides.""

Some of these insects were preserved. They were of a
reddish colour, with gray and speckled wings.

Fortunately for Europe, the countries of the east are the
most frequently exposed to the ravages of the locust nation.
They come in innumerable armies, so as literally to cause an
eclipse of the sun. In this there is no exaggeration, for it is
a point upon which all witnesses are unanimous. From time
to time they abandon the deserts of Tartary and Arabia,
which appear to be their cradle, and assembling in innumer-
able swarms, emigrate, and, like the hordes of barbarians
that once issued from the same regions, carry misery and de-
solation into the bosom of the civilized world. An east-

ON ORTHOPTERA. 211

wind is generally most favourable to the flight of these pre-
datory armies. Haselquist indeed observes, that they mi-
grate in a direct meridian line from south to north, passing
from Arabia to Palestine, Syria, Carmania, Natolia, Bithynia,
Constantinople, Poland, &c., — and that they never turn to
the east or west. But this is utterly contradicted by many
facts. They are known to emigrate not only from east to
west, but also from north to south.

The island of Formosa, according to many accounts, is
frequently exposed to the incursions of these desolating inva-
ders. Charles the Twelfth, in Bessarabia, imagined himself
assailed by a hurricane, mingled with tremendous hail, when
a cloud of locusts suddenly falling, and covering both men
and horses, arrested his entire army in its march. They
have even crossed the Baltic, and visited Sweden in 1749.
This was during their grand invasion of Europe, of which
we have already spoken. Nothing could be heard from all
quarters at that period but lamentations on lamentations.
Their descents from the air were compared to a sudden
storm, to a heavy fall of snow, to a hurricane, and even to a
cloud of smoke, extending and spreading with rapidity. From
that period we are told, in a German publication, that they
have only made their appearance in Germany as isolated indi-
viduals here and there, the roughness of the climate being
fortunately unfavourable to their reproduction. The last
time in which they visited that country in numerous colonies,
they began by devouring the finest and tenderest plants.
After this, hunger compelled them to attack the leaves and
bark of trees. They devour with the most incredible rapi-
dity, but, like all voracious animals, they can fast for a very
long time. Grundler observed their voracity with very great
exactness. He put some of these locusts into a glass vessel
with earth, in which there was some fresh barley, newly shot
up. They first cut the stalk in two, devoured from the top

212 SUPPLEMENT

the part which was left standing, as quickly as if it had en-
tered their bodies of its own accord, and finally they demo-
lished the part which their bite had caused to fall aside. All
this was performed with an agility which it is impossible
to describe. In their own country it is the hot summers,
abundant in vegetation, which are most favourable to their
reproduction — but serene and dry weather is the best for
their aerial voyages. Their fecundity is so great, that in the
places where they stop, entire sacks can be filled with their
eggs, and even thirteen hogsheads full of them have been
collected within a space of very moderate extent. A more
striking idea still may .be formed of their fecundity from a
passage of locusts which took place in France in the year
1613, and another which occurred on the side of Bontzhida,
in Tranyslvania, in I78O. The first entirely cut up, even to
the very roots, more than fifteen thousand acres of corn in
the neighbourhood of Aries, and had even penetrated into
the barns and granaries, when, as it were sent by Providence,
many hundreds of birds, especially starlings, came to dimi-
nish their numbers. Notwithstanding this, nothing could
be more astonishing than their multiplication. Upon an
order issued by government, for the collection of their eggs,
more than three thousand measures were collected, from each
of which would have issued nearly two millions of young
ones. To pi-event the fatal consequences which would have
resulted from the other passage near Bontzhida, fifteen hun-
dred persons were ordered each to gather a sack-full of
locusts, part of which were crushed, part burned, and part
interred. Notwithstanding this, very little diminution was
remarked in their numbers, until very sharp and cold wea-
ther had come on. In the following spring there were mil-
lions of eggs disinterred and destroyed by the people, who
were levied " en masse" for the operation ; and notwithstand-
ing all this, many places of tolerable extent, were still to be

ON ORTHOPTERA. 213

found, in which the soil was covered with young locusts, so
that not a single spot was left naked. By dint of sweeping
these were pushed into ditches newly excavated, the oppo-
site edges of which were provided with cloths tightly stretch-
ed, and in which the locusts were crushed.

Providence visually opposes a great number of enemies to
insects of this formidable character. A high wind, a cold
rain, a tempest, may destroy millions of them in an instant.
Foxes, hogs, birds, lizards, and frogs, devour an immense
quantity of them. They sometimes wage cruel war upon
each other. Some people of Arabia, and of some other coun-
tries of the east, take them in great quantities, have them
dried, ground, and made into a sort of bread, when their
crops have failed. At Bagdad, they are brought to market,
and by this means, the price of other provisions is said to be
considerably lowered. According to report, the locusts have
something of the flavour of a pigeon. One man can easily
despatch two hundred of them at a meal. The modes of
cooking them are various. The Bedouins of Egypt roast
them alive upon the coals, and eat them as a great delicacy,
having first removed the wings and feet. They also remove,
at least in some places, the intestines. The women and
children of some parts of Arabia Felix, string them together,
and thus sell them. The Arabs roast these insects, and steep
them in butter, and when they wish to carry their luxury to
an extreme, they give them but a single boil in water, and
afterwards fry them in butter. The inhabitants of Morocco
dry them on the roofs or terraces of their houses, and eat
them either smoked, or broiled, or boiled. Other people of
Barbary preserve them in pickle. According to Forskael,
there is no great relish in this aliment, and if used to too
great a degree, it thickens the blood, and becomes injurious
to melancholic temperaments. This traveller tells us, that
he encountered infinite quantities of these insects at every step

214

SUPPLEMENT

he travelled. They are hunted from one field to another,
with a piece of cloth, attached to a long stick. The noise
which they make in the air, says Forskael, when in large
swarms, resembles the rushing of a mighty cataract. They
do not attack cereal plants when they are arrived at maturity,
and a certain species of thrush belonging to this country,
(turdus gryllivora) destroys about ten thousand of them
per day. It has been pretended, that the acridophagous peo-
ple, or such as feed on locusts, are subject at a certain age to
an extraordinary malady, namely, that some winged gnats
grow on the exterior of their body, which devour the flesh
by little and little. The absurdity of this fable is sufficiently
manifest.

Notwithstanding the opinion of Mr. Kirby respecting the
species of locust which causes all these devastations which we
have been describing, M. Latreille is somewhat doubtful
whether that species be the gryllus migratorius, or migratory
locust. Respecting the species which has several times ra-
vaged the different countries of Europe, there can be no con-
troversy, that being most undoubtedly the species last men-
tioned. But it is not so easy to say what that species may
be, whose destructive swarms are so much dreaded by the
people of the East, of Arabia, and of Barbary, and which
these same people use as an article of food. Some authors
have believed that it was the gryllus cristatus of Linne.
This great naturalist, however, has fallen into two errors on
this point. He unites under this name two species. The
first is peculiar to Cayenne, and the second does not differ
from the gryllus dux of Fabricius, figured by Drury. Both
these species belong to America, and have been observed in
no collections from the East, though Linnaeus affirms that
his G. Cristatus is also to be found in Asia. It seems not
improbable that the L. tatarica which we have before men-
tioned, is the locust of the bible and of the eastern writers.

ON ORTHOPTERA. 215

We have selected from the extensive family of the locusts,
a remarkable species from Poonah, which we have named
Gryllus monticollis. It is of a light reddish bro^vn colour ;
the thorax is covered with minute tubercles, and is very
much elevated into a compressed ridge, which extends about
one third the length of the abdomen ; the hinder part of
this ridge is expanded, beneath which is of a light greenish
yellow, as are also the elytra ; the latter and wings are shorter
than the abdomen ; the posterior tibise are light green.

THE SEVENTH ORDER OF INSECTS.

The Hemipteea — Ryngota, Fab.,

Terminate the division of wing-cased insects, and are the
only ones amongst them that have no proper mandibles or
jaws. Their place is supplied by a tubular articulated piece,
which has the appearance of a bill, which along its upper
face has a gutter or canal, from which three stiff, scaly hairs
can protrude, very firm and pointed, and covered at their
base by a tongue. These, by their union, form a sucker, of
which the tubular piece above mentioned is the sheath. The
lower hair is composed of two threads, uniting a little beyond
their origin. There is a tongue, properly so called, but bifid
at the end. The palpi are wanting, yet there are some ves-
tiges of them in trips.

The mouth of the hemiptera is then adapted only for suc-
tion. Like the other suckers, these insects have salivary
vessels.

The wing-cases in the majority are coriaceous, or crusta-
ceous, with the posterior extremity membranous. They
almost always cross. In some, they are simply thicker and
larger than the wings, and seem membranaceous.

The first segment of the trunk, which we have hitherto
called corslet, is much less extended in many, and is incor-
porate with the second. Many have simple eyes, and often

ORDER HEMIPTERA. 217

but two in number. The only change which the hemiptera
undergo, consists in the development of the wings, and
growth of the body.

This order is divided into two sections. In the first, He-
TEROPTEBA, the bill originates from the forehead. The
cases are membranous at their extremity, and the first seg-
ment of the trunk alone forms the corslet. The elytra and
wings are horizontal, or but slightly inclined.

This section is composed of two families. The first, that
of

GEOCORISiE,

With naked antennae, longer than the head, inserted between
the eyes near their internal edge ; three articulations to the
tarsi, the first very short. They form the genus

CiMEx, of Linnaeus.

Some ( Longilahres ) have the sheath of the sucker of four
distinct and naked articulations ; the labrum much prolonged,
awl-formed, and striated above. Three distinct articulations
always to the tarsi, the first equal to, or longer than the se-
cond. Antennae, always filiform, are sometimes composed of
five articulations. The body is short, oval, or rounded.

ScuTELLEEA, Lam. Tetyra, Fab. Scutellum covers the
whole abdomen.

Pentatom A. Scutellum covers but a portion of the upper
part of the abdomen.

Other pentatoma, whose metasternum, or mesostemum,
rises into a keel, or exhibits a sort of spine, are distinguished
by the name of Edessa. Fabr.

A pentatoma of Cayenne, with cylindrical head, and ante-
rior feet in a semi-ovaliform palette, forms a new generic
group, Heteroscelis.

Sometimes the antennae have but four articulations, and

218 CLASS INSECTA.

the body is oblong ; and here the antennae are either filiform,
or ovaliform.

Some exotic species approach the preceding in the ovoid
form of the body, but differ from the subsequent, by its being
flat, membranaceous, and with dilated and angular edges ; or
because the corslet is prolonged hindwards, like a truncated
lobe, and the sternum is horny. The latter form the sub-
genus Tesseratoma of M. Peletier and Serville. (Edessa
papulosa, and E. Amethystina, Fabr.) Some others of his
EdesscB^ "without thoracic elongation, but antennae with four
articulations, are the sub-genus Dinidor.

A Brazilian species, analagous to Aradus, of Fab., is the
type of the sub-genus Phl^a, Lep. et Serv.

All the subsequent geocorisce are generally oblong, and
otherwise do not present the characters of the preceding.
Some have the antennae inserted near the lateral and upper
edges of the head. Then come those whose body is more or
less oblong, but without being filiform or linear.

CoREUS, Fab. Body ovaliform, last articulation of the
antennae ovoid or filiform.

The antennae of the other geocorisae of the same sub-divi-
sion, terminate in an elongated articulation, cylindrical, or
fusiform. They form a portion of Lygceus, and all Alydus,
Fab. Most are exotic. To lygoeus are referred the species
whose simple eyes are separated from each other by an inter-
val pretty nearly equal to that which separates each of them
from the neighbouring complex eye.

HoLHYMENiA, Lepel. Serv. Second and third articulations
of the antennae palette-formed.

Pachylis, L. and S. Third alone has this form.

Anisoscelis. Antennae filiform, without dilation.

Geocorisae of the same division, with narrow and elongated
body, projecting eyes, and corslet a little narrow in front,
will form the sub-genus Alydus.

ORDER HEMIPTERA. 219

Now come geocorisae, whose body is long, very narrow,
filiform, or linear. Leptocorisa, Lat. Strait antennae.
Neides, Lat. Bent antennae.

Geocorisae, whose antennae are filiform, or thicker towards
the end, with four articulations, inserted lower than the pre-
ceding. Sometimes the head does not diminish into a neck.
Lyg(eus, Fab. The head narrower than the corslet, and the
latter trapezoid.

Species with anterior thighs swelled, form the genus Pa-
CHYMERE of MM. Lepel. and Serv.

Salda, Fab. Head broader, or as broad as the corslet.
Prominent eyes ; corslet equal and squared.

Myodocha, Latr. Head ovoid, and diminishing into a neck.

We then come to the Geocorisae longilabres, whose antennae
of four articulations diminish towards their extremity, or are
setaceous.

ASTEMMA.

MiRis, Fab. Like the last in antennte, but corslet broader
behind than before.

Capsus. Corslet trapezoid, but second articulation of
antennae slender towards the base, and very setaceous.

Heterotoma. Quite distinct from the preceding in the
size and breadth of the first two articulations of the antennas.

The other hemiptera of this family have but two or three
apparent articulations to the sheath of the sucker. Short
labrum, not striate. First articulation of tarsi, and often
the second, very short. Sometimes the feet are inserted at
the middle of the breast, and end in two distinct hooks.

We afterwards separate the species whose bill is always
straight, sheathed at base, or in its length. Eyes common
size, and no neck. They compose most of the Acanthia,
Fabr. He has separated from it, Syrtes, Fab. Anterior
feet, with monodactylous claw. Ting is. Fab. Body flat.

220 CLASS INSECTA.

and antennae terminating button-like ; and Aradus, antennae
cylindrical.

Bugs proper. Cimex, Lat., Acanthia, Fab. Antennse
ending abruptly, like a hair.

In the other geocorisae of this sub-division, the bill is naked,
arched, or sometimes straight ; labrum prominent, and a
neck. Some have very large eyes. Among those which have
not, is the primitive genus,

Reuuvius, Fab.,

Short bill, but very sharp. Antennas very slight tovi^ards
the end.

. This genus has been thus divided : Holoptilus, Lep. et
Serv. Three articulations to antennae ; last two furnished
with long hairs, disposed in two ranks.

In the other species, the antennae have four articulations,
without hair, or scarcely any.

Reduvius (proper), Fab. Body oblong, feet of middle
length. Nobis, Lat., and petalocheiris, Paliss., may be
joined to them.

Zelus, Fab. Linear body, very long and slender feet.

Ploiaria, Scop. Like the last, but the two anterior feet
with elongated haunches.

Next are geocorisae with large eyes, no apparent neck, yet
a separation between head and corslet. Some with short and
arched bill, and silk-formed antennae, are Leptopus, Latr.

In others the bill is long and straight, and labrum project-
ing from its sheath ; antennae rather filiform. These are,
Saldes of Fabricius, which Latreille thus divides : his
Acanthia, with antennae the length, or half the length of
the body ; and Pelogonus, with antennae much shorter, and
folded under the eyes.

Sometimes the four hinder feet, long and slender, are
inserted at the sides of the breast, and much separated at

ORDER HEMIPTERA. gSl

their origin. The hooks of the tarsi small, and feet adapted
for aquatic purposes. They belong to the genus,

Hydrometra, of Fabr.,

Which Latreille divides into three sub-genera; Hydro-
metra (proper). Antennas silk-formed, head muzzle-like,
receiving the bill in an under channel. Gerris. Antennae
filiform, and sheath of sucker with three articulations ; and,
Velia. Sheath with but two articulations.
The second Family of Hemiptera,

HYDROCORIS^.

Antennae inserted and concealed under the eyes, shorter, or
nearly so, than the head. These are equatic and carnivorous.
Their tarsi have usually but one or two articulations, and the
eyes are generally remarkably large.

Some (Nepides) have the two anterior feet like claws, the
thigh very thick, or very long, with a canal underneath to
receive the lower edge of the leg, and the tarsus very short,
or confounded with the leg, and forming a large hook. In
some the body is oval and depressed, in others linear. These
insects form the genus

Nepa, of Linnaeus.
Thus divided :

Galgulus, Latr. Tarsi cylindrical, with two distinct
articulations and two hooks at the end of the last. Antennae
with three articulations, the last the largest.

Those of the following have four, and the anterior tarsi
terminate in a point or hook.

Naucoris, Geoff. Fab. Labruni not sheathed, large,
triangular, and covering the base of the bill. Their body is
nearly ovoid, depressed, the head round, and the eyes flat.
Tooth-formed antennas. Last four feet ciliate, and two articu-
lations to the tarsi.

222 CLASS INSECTA.

In the three following sub-genera, the labrum is sheathed,
and there are two threads to the abdomen.

Belostoma. Two articulations to all the tarsi, arid
antennae semi-pectinate.

Nepa, Latr. (proper). Anterior tarsi one articulation,
posterior two. Antennae forked. Thighs much broader on
the anterior feet. Body elongated, and almost elliptical.
Abdomen terminated by two silk threads, serving for res-
piration.

Ranatra, Fab. Linear body. Bill directed forward.
Anterior thighs long and slender. In the others (Notonec-
tides) the two anterior feet are curved underneath, and the
tarsvis pointed and ciliated. The body cylindrical or ovoid,
and pretty thick. The hinder feet are oar-like, and have two
not very distinct hooks. They compose the genus,

NoTONECTA, Lin.

Thus divided :

CoRixA, Geoff. No scutellum ; bill short, triangular ;
wing-cases horizontal. Anterior feet short, tarsi, single
articulation ; other feet long, and two hooks on the middle
pair.

NoTONECTA. Distinct scutellum. Bill long and articu-
late. Wing-cases raised. All the tarsi with two articu-
lations. Four anterior feet elbowed ; tarsi with two hooks.

In the second section of Hemiptera (Homoptera) the
bill originates from the lowest part of the head, near the
breast, or even between the two anterior feet. The cases,
throughout, are semi-membranaceous, and sometimes almost
like the wings. The three segments of the trunk are united,
and the first shorter than the next. The ovipositor is scaly,
like a saw, and composed of three denticulated plates.

The first Family,

ORDER HEMIPTERA. 2^23

THE CICADARI^,

Have three articulations to the tarsi, small, conical antennae,
of from three to six pieces, comprehending a very fine hair
with which they are terminated. Some which have these
organs with six articulations, and three simple eyes, form the
genus

Cicada, Oliv. Teitigonia, Fab.

The wing-cases are almost always transparent and veined.
These insects do not jump, and the males produce a loud
monotonous sound, occasioned by a certain apparatus.*

Other CicadaricB have but three articulations to the an-
tennae, and two simple eyes. They jump. No sonorous
organs. The cases are often coriaceous. Some ( Fulgorella)
have the antennae immediately under the eyes, and the fore-
head often prolonged like a muzzle. Such is the genus

FuLGORA, Lin, Oliv.

Those whose front is advanced, who have two simple eyes,
and no appendage under the antennae, are the Fulgorc&
proper, of Fabr.

Others, without simple eyes, but with two small appendages
under each antennae, form the

Otiocerus, of Kirby, or Cohax of M. Germar.

Those which have little or no advancement in the forehead,
compose divers genera in Fabricius, to which some others
must also be associated.

Sometimes the antennae are shorter than the head, inserted
outside the eyes. Here two simple eyes are very discernible.

Lystra. Like small cicadae proper ; body and elytra

* We have described this in our supplement to this order. — Ed.

224 CLASS INSECTA.

elongated. Second articulation of antennae, globular and
granulated.

Cixius. Like the last, but second articulation of antennae
cylindrical and smooth.

Under the generic name of Tettigometra, are separated
some insects analogous to the preceding, but whose antennae
are lodged between the lateral and posterior angles of the
head, and those of the anterior extremity of the corslet.
The eyes do not project. No simple eyes.

The species whose elytra are large, and prothorax sensibly
shorter in the middle than the mesothorax, compose the sub-
genus, P^ciLOPTERA, Latr. Germ., Flata^ Fab.

Those in which it is as long as the mesothorax, and the
elytra scarcely longer than the abdomen, are dilated at the
base, and afterwards contracted, form that of Issus, Fabr.

Sometimes the antennae are as long as the head, and usually
inserted in a lower emargination of the eyes. Anotia, Kirby,
approach the preceding as to the mode of insertion of the
antennae.

AsiRACA, Lat. Delphax, Fab. When they are inserted
in a lower emargination of the eyes. They are of the length
of the head and thorax, and the first articulation longer than
the second. No simple eyes.

Delphax, Fab. Antennae not longer than the head ; first
articulation shorter than the next. Simple eyes.

Derbe, Fab. Supposed to come after the preceding.

In the last cicadariae, the antennae are inserted between the
eyes. They form the genus

Cicadella.

Thus sub divided :

We begin with the species {Ledra excepted) which origi-
nally composed the genus Membracis, of Fabricius. The
head is inclined in front, prolonged into an obtuse point, and

ORDER HEMIPTERA. 225

more or less semi-circular. Antennae small, terminated by a
hair, and inserted in a cavity under the edges of the head.
The prothorax is sometimes dilated and horned on each side,
prolonged behind into a point ; sometimes longitudinally
raised along the back, and sometimes advanced and pointed
in front.

Some have no scutellum properly so called. The limbs,
especially the anterior, are sometimes very compressed, and
foliaceous. The upper part of the head always forms a
semi-circular hood.

Membuacis (proper), Fab. — Prothorax raised, compressed
and foliaceous.

Tragopa, Lat. — A horn on each side of the prothorax,
which prolonged posteriorly into a vaulted point, replaces
the scutellum.

Sometimes the legs are not foliaceous.

Darnis, Fab. — The posterior prolongation of the thorax
covers the upper part of the abdomen and elytra, in the form
of an elongated triangle.

BocYDiUM, Latr. — Elytra naked or nearly so. Scutellary
prolongation of prothorax narrow, and lanceolate.

In the otfiers, the scutellum is partly uncovered, although
there be a prolongation of prothorax. A transverse suture
is at the extremity of the latter. Centrotus, Fabr.

Next come species in which the head is level with the pro-
thorax and horizontal. No middle elevation, or posterior
lengthening to prothorax, but lateral dilatations. Mesothorax
formed like scutellum. Elytra entirely naked. Hinder legs
spiny. In many the corslet is an irregular hexagon.

-(Etalion, Latr. — The head, from above, is only a trans-
verse ridge. The forehead is abruptly inclined, and the two
simple eyes are situated between the others. The antennae
very small, are inserted under an ideal line, drawn from one
eye to the other. The legs ai*e neither ciliate nor denticulate.

VOL. XV. Q

226

CLASS INSECTA.

In the three succeeding sub-genera the vertex is triangular,
with two simple eyes. Antennae inserted in or above an ideal
line, from one eye to the other.

Ledra. — Have the head very much flatted, in the form of
a transverse hood, arched and terminated in the middle
of the anterior edge by an obtuse angle. The sides of
the prothorax are raised like rounded horns. The hinder
legs compressed, and with an external denticulated mem-
brane.

Ciccus, Latr. — The antennae terminate after the second
articulation, in a thread of five articulations. The anterior
extremity of the head is usually advanced.

Cercopis. — Third articulation of antennae conical, and
terminated by an inarticulate thread.

In the concluding cicadariae, the prothorax is scarcely pro-
longed, and terminates at the origin of the elytra in a straight
line. The scutellum occupies a considerable portion of the
breadth of the body.

EuLOPA, Fallen — Two very prominent eyes, head little
advanced, but depressed in front ; and feet without spines
or teeth.

EuPELix, Germ. — Head triangular, elongate, and flat.
Simple eyes.

Penthimia, Germ. — Antennag inserted in a large fosset
narrowing the space between the eyes. Head rounded, and
its edges advanced above the fossettes. Simple eyes in the
middle of the vertex. Body short. Near this sub-genus
should be placed Gypona of M. Germal.

Jassus, Fab. Germ. — Vertex very short, either linear or
arched, and very little advanced. Antennae terminated by a
long thread.

Cicadella (proper), or Tettigonia, Oliv., Germ. — Ci-
cada^ Lin. Fab. — Head triangular, but not much elongated
or flatted.

ORDER HEMIPTERA. ^7

The second family of Homopterous Hemipteba, fourth
of the order,

The APHIDII,

Have the tarsi with but two articulations, and antennae filiform,
longer than the head, and with from six to eleven articula-
tions. The winged individuals have two elytra and two
wings. They are small insects with a soft body, and the
cases scarcely differ in consistence from the wings.

Some have ten or eleven articulations to the antennae, the
last of which is terminated by two threads. They jump ; and
compose the genus

PsYLLA, Geoff. Chermes, Linn.

Latreille has formed with the species which lives in the
flowers of reeds, a genus Livia. Antennae much thicker
interiorly, than at their extremity.

The other aphidii have but six or eight articulations to
their antennae, and no threads.

Sometimes the cases and wings are linear, fringed with
hairs, and the body almost cylindrical. The bill is very
small, or scarcely distinct. Tarsi terminated by a vesicular
articulation. Eight graniform articulations to the antennae.
Thrips, Lin.

Sometimes the wings and cases are oval or triangular, and
assume the form of a roof. Bill distinct. Tarsi terminated
by two hooks. Antennae, six or seven articulations. Such
are Aphis, Lin., thus divided :

Aphis (proper). — Antennae longer than the corslet, seven
articulations, third the longest. Kyes entire, and two nipples
at the extremity of the abdomen.

Aleyrodes, Lat. Tinea, Lin. — Short antennae, six arti-
culations, and emarginated eyes.

The last family,

Q 2

^28 CLASS INSECTA.

GALLINSECTA (a particular order with Degeer).

One articulation to the tarsi, with a single hook. Male
without bill, and only two horizontal wings. Its abdomen
terminated by two threads. Female Avithout Avings, but
with a bill. Antennae filiform, and, usually, with eleven
articulations. They compose the genus Coccus, of Lin.

Geoffroy divides the gallinsecta into two genera, — Chennes
and Coccus.

A male coccus of Java, with twenty-two articulations to
the antennae, grained, and well furnished with hairs, and two
wings almost coriaceous, is the type of the genus Mono-
PHLEBA of Dr. Leach.

SUPPLEMENT

ORDER HEMIPTERA,

The upper wings of a great number of insects of this order,
especially some of the cimex genus, by reason of their con_
sistence, participate at once, both of the nature of the elytra
of the coleopt^ra, and of that of wings properly so called ; for
they are crustaceous, but terminated abruptly, and in the
manner of an appendage, by a membranaceous part. From this
circumstance is derived the name hemiptera, which is formed
of two Greek words, one signifying half, and the other wing.

Linnaeus, in the primitive institution of this order, founded
it only on characters taken from the form and direction of the
organs of manducation, 05 (rostrum) suhthorace inflexum ;
but having afterwards adopted as the first basis of his method,
relatively to insects provided with wings, the number and
consistence of those parts, he injudiciously associated with
the hemiptera, the blattae, the mantes, the locusts, and other
insects, composing at present the order orthoptera, and which
he had originally placed at the end of the Coleoptera. Geof-
froy, in this respect, followed the old plan of this great natu-
ralist ; and Degeer, who came after him, also adopted it ; but
he rendered it more perfect by establishing two new orders :
one, that of dermaptera {orthoptera of Olivier), and the
other exclusively formed of the genus Coccus^ making part of
the hemiptera. Since this period, all naturalists have

230 SUPPLEMENT

approved of the change ; but without admitting the last
order instituted by Degeer. The order of hemiptera thus
modified corresponds exactly to the rhyngota of Fabricius,
having, as an essential character, a beak (rostrum) for
mouth ; its sheath articulated.

Of all the insects provided with elytra and wings, the
hemiptera are the only ones which have neither mandibles nor
jaws, properly so called, as appears by the text.

The rostrum of the hemiptera, which was named sting by
the ancient naturalists, is only proper for extracting fluid
matters. The attenuated stilets of which the sucker is formed,
pierce the vessels of animals and plants, and the nutritive
fluid, successively compressed, is forced to ascend along the
sucker, and arrives at the oesophagus. The sheath of the
sucker, when it is very much elongated, as in many Geoco-
riscB, is then often bent like a knee, or forms an angle with
the sucker. The insect not being able to inspire the air, does
not, properly speaking, feed itself by means of suction ; and
this expression, which has been employed for want of another
more suitable, should not be taken rigorously either in this
case, or in any other, in which we speak of insects under the
improper appellation of suctorial.

The wings and elytra vary much in their forms. In the
bugs a part of the elytra is hard, coriaceous, and resembles
the elytra of the coleoptera, while the other part is membra-
naceous, and similar to the wing. In cigala and aphis they
are membranaceous, and often clear and transparent. They
have rather more consistence in tettigonia, membracis, ^c.
Those of the aleyrodes are flowery, and of a milky trans-
parence. This occasioned Geoffroy to place these insects in
the order of tetraptera with farinaceous wings under the
name of phalene de Veclaire.

Among the insects of this order, there are some which have
no wings. Such are the bed-bug, some lygoei ; among which

ON THE HEMIPTERA. 231

may be remarked some aphides, and the female cocci. The
males of these last have only two membranaceous wings.
These anomalies, however, should not induce us to separate
these insects from the hemiptera, for they are otherwise per-
fectly related to them, by the conformation of the mouth, and
the manner in which they take their food.

The abdomen of the hemiptera has no remarkable pecu-
liarity, if we except the mode in which its posterior extremity
is conformed in some insects of this order. The female cigalas
have at the end of the abdomen a sort of point, or augurj
concealed between some scales, which serves for the purpose
of depositing their eggs. The aphides have at this same end
sometimes two points or horns, sometimes two tubercles.
The cocci have this part provided with threads more or less
long.

All these insects undergo the metamorphoses of those of
other orders ; that is to say they pass successively through
the different states of larva, nymph, and perfect insect. But
the mode in which this change is executed and accomplished
is different from that which we remark in the coleoptera.
The larva does not resemble, like that of the majority of the
last mentioned insects, a dull and heavy worm. It is a being
almost similar to the one from which it received its birth, and
differs from it only in the absence of wings and elytra, and a
smaller size, susceptible of increase, which eminently dis-
tinguishes this state from that of the perfect insect.

To this first state succeeds that of nymph. The larvae of
the hemiptera arrive at this state by simply dropping their
skin, which they change in their moulting. Arrived at this
second state, they re-appear under the same form which they
had before, with a very slight difference. They have then
upon the back, precisely at the place where the elytra and
wings should originate, two sorts of tubercles, or germs,
which are concealed under the skin of the larvae.

232 SUPPLEMENT

It is in this tubercle are also concealed the Avinops and the
elytra, which only appear upon the body of the perfect insect.
It is in the development of these parts, that the final meta-
morphosis of the hemiptera consists. Those, however, must
be excepted, which are destitute of wings. All the change
which they undergo, consists merely in the different moult-
ings, and divers changes of the skin.

In our description of each genus of the hemiptera, we shall
give all the details which the subject can furnish, relatively
to the habits of these insects. Some are found in waters, as
the naucori, the coriscB, the nepcB, the ranatrce^ the noto-
nectes. Others remain merely on the surface of the water,
and seem to traverse it with their long feet. Such are the
gerris, and the hydrometra. Others live on vegetable sub-
stances, remaining continually on trees and plants, to suck
the sap therefrom. These are principally the tettigonicE^
cigalce^ aphides^ and many geocorisce. Others, in fine, attack
animals. These are all the aquatic species, and moreover
the reduvii, and other geocorisce, S^c.

The first family belonging to this order, is the Geocorts.e,
or land-bugs. It is formed of the genus cimex, of Linnaeus.
The majority of the species spread a very fetid odour,
and suck a variety of insects. There are some, however,
which live on vegetables. The sub-genus Scutellera,
was first established by M. Lamarck, and Fabricius after-
wards named it tetyra. Linnaeus first indicated it, by form-
ing with these insects a particular division, that of cimices
scutellati.

The scutellerae, like the following genus Pentatoma, are
found on plants. Their habits and metamorphosis are the
same as the majority of the geocorisae, which shall be ex-
plained hereafter. The differences of the general form of the
body, or of its section, those which the head and the antennae
present, considered under the relation of the relative propor-

ON THE HEMIPTERA. 233

tions of their articulations, may be employed in the division
of this genus, which is tolerably numerous.

The scutellera nigro lineata, is found in temperate and
southern Europe. It is common in the south of France, on
the leaves of the cherval, and on other plants. Another
species {S. hottentota) is found on rye at the epoch of its
maturity.

The scutellera, from the Melville Island, which we name
basalis, is of a rich blue ; and some specimens vary to a fine
green colour, with the base of the thorax, scutellum, and the
femora, fulvous.

We have figured a species of scutellera from the British
Museum, which Dr. Leach considered to belong to the genus
Canopiis, of Fabricius, which Dalman says differs from scu-
tellera, in having the body much more convex, concave under-
neath, with the edges of the scutellum overhanging the sides.
The .species is named by the above gentleman, punctatus.
It is dark bronze-black, sprinkled with red spots ; the legs
reddish : this species is from Fantee.

We have next to speak of the genus Pent atom a.

GeofFroy divided the hug genus, cimex, of Linnaeus, into
two families, having for characters the nvunber of the articu-
lations of the antennae : to wit, four and five. Olivier has
made of this second family, or of the bugs, whose antennas
have five articulations, a genus, which, from this considera-
tion he has named pentatoma, from a Greek word, signifying
five pieces.

These insects are found on plants, and feed upon their
juices. They are often also found, and sometimes in a troop,
having their bill advanced, and sunk to the end in the body
of a caterpillar, or some other insect. They frequently shed
a strong and disagreeable odour, which they communicate to
the bodies over which they crawl. Their larvae and nymphs
do not differ from the perfect insect, but that the first have

234 SUPPLEMENT

neither elytra or wings, and the second have only the rudi-
ments of both.

We shall here notice a curious species, the pentatoma be-
tulce, or cimex hetulce. It is of a greenish or reddish grey.
The antennae are grey, with the extremity black. The scu-
tellum is marked with a black spot. The upper part of the
belly is black, with spots of a clear yellow, or flesh-colour,
and black spots disposed alternately on the edges.

This species lives on the birch-tree, the leaves of which
serve it as food. Degeer found, at the commencement of July,
many females, accompanied by their little ones. Each of
them had around her twenty, thirty, and sometimes even
forty of them, and remained constantly beside them. As soon
as one of these mothers quitted her place, and began to walk,
all the little ones followed her, and halted whenever she
stopped. She thus promenaded them from one place to
another, conducting them as a hen leads her chickens, keep-
ing guard over them to protect them. The same observer
has seen one of these mothers beating her wings without
ceasing, with a very rapid movement, without, however,
changing place, as if for the purpose of keeping off some
enemy which approached her. Modeer observes, that it is
especially against the male that this unquiet mother is obliged
to put herself in defence, because he endeavours to destroy
his own posterity. The little ones proceed from the guardian-
ship of their mothers, when they are strong enough to have
no further need of their succours.

" It has happened to me," says Degeer, " to observe on
one of these young bugs, placed under the microscope, that
its proboscis was entirely disengaged out of the furrow of
the sheath. It hung then at the end of the tongue, like a
very long thread. I saw again, that at the end of the
thread, the three pieces of which it was composed, were sepa-
rated one from the other. The following day I observed on

ON THE HEMIPTERA. 235

the same hug that every thing was restored to its proper
place — that the proboscis was placed, as before, in the fur-
row of the sheath. It appears, then, that the bug can with-
draw its proboscis out of the sheath, and put it back when
it thinks proper. I drew the proboscis out of its sheath
once again ; I then saw how the intermediate part of the
proboscis and of the point played — how the bug elongated
and shortened it alternately. I saw some drops of fluid come
out of, and re-enter, the proboscis. The two semi-sheaths
which accompany it, played also alternately in front and
rear. I was attentive to observe how the bug caused its
proboscis to re-enter into the furrow of the sheath, and at
last I achieved this, after having observed it, without inter-
ruption, for more than a quarter of an hour. It first of all
puts its proboscis in a parallel line with the sheath, or, at
least, it holds it extended, the entire length of the sheath.
Afterwards it gives an inflexion to the sheath, about the
middle of its extent. It folds it like a knee. It then applies
this knee against the middle of the proboscis, or against that
part of the proboscis which is opposite to the knee. The
anterior feet then come to its assistance. The bug presses
its proboscis with its feet against the sheath, so that this
portion of its proboscis is then stopped in the groove or fur-
row. Finally, it presses the rest of its proboscis against the
sheath with the same feet, and thus causes it to slide into
the groove. As soon as the proboscis has once re-entered, it
remains there.

Another species is called Cimex haccarum, or P. hacca-
rum, from its frequenting berries and other fruits of a simi-
lar nature. Its antennas are almost entirely variegated with
black and white. The projection on which they are inserted
terminates in a point. The hood is emarginated. The
appendages of the wings are not punctated with brown, as
in the species (griseus). The under part of the body has no

^36 SUPPLEMENT

advancement in the form of a spine. The body is hairy, and
the edges of the abdomen are not denticulated. Degeer has
found it on the white petty-mullein. It also frequents dif-
ferent sorts of fruit-trees with berries, especially currant and
gooseberry bushes. It stinks very much, and pierces with
its proboscis the elytra of the coleoptera, which it wants to
suck.

The Cimex omatus, P. ornata^ is black, with four red
spots on the corslet, and another of the same colour, and
forked on the shield. The cases are red, with three black
spots, and the edges of the belly alternately varied with
those two colours.

This insect is found in abundance on the cabbage, and
many other such-like plants. Its eggs are numerous, and
ranged in many crowded lines. They have the form of a
little grey barrel, and punctated with brown in the middle,
and fasciated with brown at both ends. They are cemented
by the lower extremity. The upper extremity is brown,
with a narrow grey circle, and a point of the same colour in
the middle. This extremity opens like a covercle, when the
larva is disclosed.

The genus hug.^ cimex, of Linnaeus, comprehends that
insect to which the name is more constantly applied, and
which is unfortunately but too well known by the disagree-
able odour which it exhales, and by the torments which it
occasions. We mean the bed-hug {chnex lectularius) . In
dismembering this genus, Fabricius has placed this species
in that of Acanthia, while some insects, which differ from
the preceding by many essential characters, are united in
another generic section, termed Cimex by that naturalist.
Some of these we have already considered under pentatoma.
As it is incumbent upon natiualists as much as possible to
make themselves understood by every one, and, wherever
occasion will allow, to use the habitual and general language

ON THE HEMIPTERA. 237

of mankind, this fantastic change in the nomenclature of
these insects has been very properly rejected by M. Latreille.

His genus Bug or Cimex, therefore, has for its type the
disgusting animal in question, namely — the bed-biic/, or
cimex lectularius. Any descriptive details of this insect are
unfortunately quite superfluous, and it were a consummation
devoutly to be wished that we were less learned upon this
subject, or rather that we were in the most profound state of
ignorance concerning it.

There is, we believe, scarcely a human being in these coun-
tries who has not had occasion to curse the insupportable
odour of the bug, and who has not experienced its sanguinary
disposition. It takes up its abode with our household goods,
and conceals itself the more easily from our sight, that, its body
being flat, it has the facility of lodging itself in the most nar-
row nooks which our apartments present to it, our furniture,
and more especially our beds. It seldom or ever issues from its
retreat but during the night. It is known but too well that it
lives in a numerous society, that it germinates most prodigi-
ously, and that its posterity, in despite of our most indefati-
gable pursuit, is certain to escape destruction. It comes to
trouble our repose, and to torment us, at a season when sleep is
positively most necessary for the refreshment of our bodies
after the labours, cares, and fatigues of the day. Nature has
endowed this insect with a singular industry to render useless
all the precautions which we may take, to keep off the hateful
nuisance. If it be unable to climb up our beds from below,
it has the address to mount along the wall, to gain the ceiling,
and to let itself drop, when it finds itself immediately above
the bed. The greatest possible cleanliness, an extreme atten-
tion in frequently examining the places where the bugs have
secured to themselves a favourable retreat, also in stopping
all the holes and clefts of the walls, may protect us from
these troublesome insects, or at all events must contribute to

238 SUPPLEMENT

diminish their numbers. We may introduce into the places
where they remain concealed, and it must be done as deeply
as possible, some essence of Venetian terebinthinus, oil of
petrolium, &c. The gas produced by a strong solution of
nitric acid and copper, the communications with the external
air being closed, or the vapour of sulphur, will reach them in
every direction, and with greater facility. But the greatest
care must be taken to get out of the apartment directly,
not to re-enter it until after the lapse of some days, and
the utmost precaution. The most fatal accidents have
occurred, for want of the necessary observance of these
matters.

It is generally supposed that this bug was first introduced
to this country in the fir-timber which was brought over for
the purpose of rebuilding this metropolis, after the great fire
of 1666. It is generally said that bugs were not known in
England before that time ; and many of these insects were
found almost immediately afterwards, in the newly-erected
edifices. This may probably be true, as in many of the
remoter parts of the empire they are unknown to the present
day, or at all events extremely rare, and it is pretty well
known, that they generally attack newly-arrived visitants
from the country with the greatest severity. They generally
attack the young with more avidity than the old. The blood
is in a purer state, and the skin more tender and easily
pierced.

Independently of blood, for which they evince so voracious
an appetite, they will feed on dried paste, size, deal, beech,
osier, and some other sorts of timber, of which they suck the
sap. They can subsist on any of these, and it is fortunate,
perhaps, that unlike some of our other tormentors of the
insect tribe, they can thus vary their food. It is said that
they will not touch oak, walnut, cedar, or mahogany wood.
Several pairs, confined within wood of these kinds, soon died.

ON THE HEMIPTERA. 239

whilst others continued to live in the other woods during the
whole year.

The female lays about fifty eggs at a time. These eggs
are white, and at first are covered with a viscous matter,
which afterwards hardens, and fixes them wherever they are
laid. The young bugs come forth in about three weeks.
The usual times of laying, are in the months of March, May,
July, and September. Two hundred young ones may be
produced from every female bug that lives through the sea-
son. Thus it may be seen, what a numerous increase there
may be of those disgusting vermin, when proper care is not
taken to destroy them.

The young bugs for some time remain perfectly white, but
turn brown in about three weeks. They arrive to their full
growth in about eleven weeks. They are watchful and cun-
ning, and so very fierce that they will sometimes fight among
themselves with the utmost fury. They seldom give over
until one is killed, and sometimes both perish in consequence
of the combat. Spiders are very great enemies to them, and
often seize upon and devour them.

Bugs abound in all warm climates, and our merchant ves-
sels are consequently in general swarming with them. This
is also one cause of their being so very numerous in sea-
port towns, and particularly in London, being brought here
in bales of goods, &c. Every package brought from vessels
should be carefully examined before it be admitted into
houses and warehouses.

It is generally supposed that bugs do not lie torpid during
the winter season, but take less nutriment, and da not leave
their retreat so frequently as in summer. This is most cer-
tainly the case with some individuals.

Mr. Hope has named a species of Tesseratoma ? ossa
cruenta^ in his MSS. which we have figured. It is red, with
an oblong yellow spot on each side of the segments of the

240 SUPPLEMENT

abdomen. The middle near the base is yellow. This insect
is from India.

The CoREi belong to the numerous family of the bugs,
with which they have been placed by Linnajus and Geoffroy.
They are found during all the fine season on plants, often in
company with their larvae and nymphs. These last resemble
them in their forms and colours ; but the larvae are destitute
of wings and elytra, and the nymphs have but the rudiments
of those organs.

Like other insects, the Corel are not in a state to couple
until after they have acquired wings. The females lay a
great number of eggs, which they place upon the plants one
by the side of the other, and they remain attached there by
means of a gluten which cements them. When the little
larvae issue from the eggs, they spread themselves over the
leaves to seek their food. Some find it in the plants them-
selves, from which they draw the juice with their proboscis,
others by making war upon insects which they suck until
nothing remains but the skin. It is not only in the larvae
state that the corei are carnivorous. The nymph and the
perfect insect equally live on such insects as they can catch,
and it is not rare to find them sucking a caterpillar larger
than themselves, often even in very considerable numbers.

The species are tolerably numerous. M. Latreille found
the coreus histrix in 1780, in a garden in Paris, on an elm.
This is a very curious species. It is five lines in length,
grey, with some obscure shades. Its body has so little
thickness, that it appears to be composed only of a membrane.
It is entirely bristling with rough and grey hairs, from
which its scientific name. The antennae are spinous, and
terminating in a knob. The eyes are reddish. The sides of
the corslet are raised in rounded and ciliated lobes. The
abdomen is boat-formed, and its edges are festooned.

M. Latreille remarked that before catching the specimen

ON THE HEMIPTERA. 241

alluded to. it agitated its body with much celerity, and sent
forth a little noise. It is so scarce in the neighbourhood of
Paris, that M. Latreille doubts if another individual has
been found there since. It is not rare, however, in the south
of France. The same eminent entomologist caught a good
number of these insects in the province of Angoumois. He
has received others from the neighbourhood of Lyons and
Bordeaux.

We insert a figure of an inedited species of Coreus, which
might indeed be appropriated to a new sub-genus, from the
peculiarity of the third joint of the antennae, which is palette-
shaped, and all the rest simple. The species we call bicolor.
It is fulvous, the antennae, the legs, and the tip of the upper
wings blueish-black ; this insect is from the Cape of Good
Hope.

To the genus Alydas we have also added a new species,
which from the transparency, and from the nervures being
confined to the base of the upper wings, may also be formed
into a separate sub-genus. The species we name pellucidus.
It is black, with the base of the terminal joint of the an-
tennae, and some spots on the head, thorax, and wings,
yellow ; the legs and abdomen fulvous ; we believe it is from
South America.

Our Nematopus rufoscutellatus is of a black colour, the
thorax margined, Avith a line down the middle, and
femora green ; the head and scutellum rufous ; the elytra
margined with yellow. This species is from Mexico. The
sub-genus was formed by Latreille, from the antennae being
slender, and as long as the body.

The Neides, a genus established by M. Latreille under
this name, in his General History of Crustacea and Insects,
and which Fabricius changed into that of berytus, in his
" System of Rhyngotes," is composed of small hemiptera,
very much approximating to his Corei and L3'gasi.

VOL. XV. R

242 SUPPLEMENT

They are found on the leaves of plants, the trunks of
trees, &c. But a small number of species are as yet known.
The most common is neides tipularia^ the cimeoo tipula-
rius, of Linnaeus. It is of a reddish grey, with antennae of
the length of the body, blackish at their extremity. The
hood is advanced into a point. Three raised lines, two of
which are marginal, are remarked upon the corslet ; the
elytra are charged with nervures, and punctuated with black-
ish. It is found throughout all Europe.

The Lyg^i are found on plants, but subsist less on the
juice of their leaves than on other small insects. The lygcEUS
apterus and some other species assemble in great numbers
under the bark of trees, and in the crevices of walls. The
first-mentioned species is very common, and usually prefers
the mallow for its residence. It has no disagreeable odour,
like the majority of the bug family.

We have figured a fine species of Lygaeus, but which we
consider to form a new sub-genus, from the length of the
antennas, and the prolongation of the abdomen The species,
from its size, we name grandis. It is red, with two spots on
the elytra ; antennae, tibia, and tarsi black, the apex of the
anterior femora dentated interiorly. This species is from
India, and is in the cabinet of Mr. Children.

We have added a figure of a new species of Syrtis, under
the x:axaejusciatus. Is light brown, with a broad band across
the middle of the abdomen ; the last joint of the antennas
and the wings are dark brown. This insect is from North
America.

The majority of the insects of the genus Tingis are very
remarkable for the semi-transparence of their corslet and
elytra, their reticulation, their nervures, and the projection
of their lateral edges. They suck vegetables, and some
species occasion thereby such a derangement in the organ-
ization of the plants on which they live, that they form there

ON THE HEMIPTERA. 243

monstrosities or appearances of galls, as has often been
observed on the flowers of the tencrium chamcedrys. This
is especially done by the larva of tingis clavicornis, which
inhabits the interior of these flowers, and produces, before
they open, this species of gall, causing them to acquire an
extraordinary volume.

The Aradi remain under the barks of different trees, such
as birch, oak, cherry-trees, &c. They pass the winter there,
and are sometimes found assembled in great numbers in
such places. It is there that they undergo their metamor-
phoses, which differ little, or not at all, from those of the
other hemiptera. It is principally in the spring time that
they must be sought.

The genus Reduvius is of the creation of Fabricius.
These insects live on rapine, as well under the form of larvae
and nymphs, as after having become perfect insects, and un-
dergo the same metamorphoses. They form a genus toler-
ably ' numerous, of which but few species are found in
Europe. Among these is the Reduvius Personatus, Fab.,
Cimex Personatus, Lin., vulgo Jly-hiig. It is found in
Europe, often in houses. Its flight is rapid, it pricks
strongly with its beak, and spreads a very disagreeable
odour. When it is held between the fingers, it sends forth
a sound, which is produced by the rubbing of the edges of
its corslet with the elytra. Its larva is equally found in
houses. It does not differ from the perfect insect, but that
it has no elytra or wings. It is usually covered with ordure
and dust, which renders it hideous, and causes it to
be mistaken. It feeds on insects, and even on the bed-
bug.

We are enabled to insert figures of three new species of
Reduvius, viz : —

Dorsalis. Of a dirty fulvous ; the anterior part of the
thorax obscure brown ; which is terminated by a paler trans-

R 2

244 SUPPLEMENT

verse fascia ; and is considerably elevated and cruciform,
the sides being dilated, the hinder part produced, covering
the scutellum and base of the wings. This species is from
Carthagenia.

Tuherculatiis. Brown ; the back of the thorax obscure buff,
of a singular form, being considerably elevated and covered
with tubercules ; it is nearly the length of the abdomen, which
it almost covers ; it is, however, very much contracted beyond
the middle, and the margins are very irregular.

Spinidorsis. Black ; with a spine on each side of the
thorax, also an erect spine on the middle of the scutellum ;
the second of the antennae red, and the wings obscure yellow.
It is from Demerara.

The Zeli are all exotic and their habits are unknown.
The species inhabit the West India islands.

The Zelus, which we name rufescens, is rufous ; with the
antennae and legs brown, with four erect spines on the
thorax ; spines on the margin of the abdomen. This is from
Demerara.

We have figured a species which we consider with
doubt to be the Emesajilum of the above mentioned author.
The specific characters are, —It is brown ; with a pale line on
each side of the hinder part of the thorax ; the abdomen is red
at the base ; the legs pale, testaceous, varied with darker.
This species is from North America.

The Ploeirj: have but few species in this genus. The
best known is the Cimex vagahundus of Linnaeus, which is
found on trees, where it vacillates, and balances itself, after the
manner of the tipulae.

The insects of the genus Hydrometra (divided by our
author into three sub-genera) had been confounded by
Linnaeus and Geoffroy with the bugs. Fabricius at first
placed them with his Gerris, but afterwards united them with
other roving geocorisae, which composed in M. Latreille's

ON THE HEMIPTERA. 245

original method, the genera Gerris and Velia, now sub-genera,
according to the system of the " Regne Animal."

The hydrometra frequent the edges of the water and run
with swiftness on their surface. But they do not swim, and
do not make use of their feet for rowing like the gerris.

The name of gerres has been given to certain small fishes,
and in all probability from that comes that of Gerris, em-
ployed by Fabricius. The genus which he thus designated at
first was composed of insects very different both in their cha-
racters and habits. It became therefore necessary to reduce
it, which was done by M. Latreille in his " Precis des Cha-
racteres generiques des insecies.^''

We observe in the gerris an elliptical and elongated body,
a triangular head, with prominent eyes, and no apparent
simple eyes. An elongated corslet, narrowed in front, with
the posterior extremity prolonged to form a shield. There
are two narrow elytra crossed one upon the other, almost
opaque, and with tolerably thick nervures. There are two
membranaceous wings. The two front feet are short, with
the leg and tarsus folded under the thigh. The four pos-
terior feet spring from the sides of the body from which they
are considerably separated. Their thighs are very long, and
the legs and tarsi are confounded together. There is an
emargination at the anus with a nipple in the middle.

Few persons but have had an opportunity of observing the
gerris. The surface of dormant waters, and even of lakes
and rivers, frequently present in summer a tolerable quantity
of black insects, with attenuated and elongated body, that
swim with an extreme agility, making use of their hinder feet,
without diving. They have, nevertheless, a remarkable mo-
tion, by which they advance, as it were, by shocks. This is
caused by their oars, which they are continually pushing
backwards.

246 SUPPLEMENT

These insects belong to the most common species of gerris,
gerris lacustris.

A great number of birds, and particularly aquatic birds,
have the feathers of the lower part of the body satiny and
polished, so that the water may more easily flow off. The
gerris have something analagous to this. Their sides, and
their lower surface are covered with a very fine matter, which
may be removed by rubbing, the colour of which is change-
able, and which, seen under the most favourable aspect for
the light, is of a whitish, or silvery ash-colour, and shining
like satin. Its use is probably to hinder the body of the
insect from being wet. The water, at least, has no hold on
the parts which are provided with this matter, Avhile it has
upon the others, that is to say, on the upper surface of the
body, as an observer may easily convince himself of, by
plunging the insect in water repeatedly.

Degeer is, of all entomologists, the one who has best studied
the gerris. He has observed, in Sweden, three species, or at
least three varieties of these insects. The first is apterous,
and appears in spring, after having, in all probability, ac-
cording to this naturalist, passed the winter under the ice,
perhaps in the mud, to shelter itself from the rigour of the
cold. We are led to the belief that these gerris are not larvae
or nymphs, but perfect insects, inasmuch as they couple in
this state.

Placed on the water, these insects swim there, usually
holding themselves elevated on their feet, so that the body
does not touch the water. They are carnivorous, and feed
on such insects as they can catch. Degeer has often thrown
gnats to them. They leaped up, seized them with the two
short feet, and introduced the point of the proboscis into the
body of the prey, to suck it. Sometimes, even two or three
individuals fought for the possession of the body.

When crushed, these gerris shed a disagreeable odour, like

ON THE HEMIPTERA. 247

that of our house-bug. The belly of the female is filled with
a great number of white eggs, and of a very elongated form.
The males are a little smaller than the individuals of the
other sex.

This apterous gerris much resembles those which are found
later, and which are winged. The body is a little smaller,
and the feet, according to Degeer, proportionally shorter.
Its colour above, is a brown-black, bordering upon green.
The corslet is browner. The under part of the body, and of
the sides are of a whitish ashen, changeable, and satiny.
Each of these sides has a longitudinal line of spots, of a clear
brown. But this is remarked in almost all the species. The
antennae and feet are of an obscure broAvn.

Degeer is not of the opinion of Geoffroy with regard to the
state in which the gerris are when they couple. The latter
thinks that there is a union of the two sexes, before they have
acquired wings and elytra.

The second species of gerris, met with by the Swedish
Reaumur, is the lacustris.

The third is larger and more elongated than the preceding.
The little ones of this third appear on the waters in the month
of July, and run there as fast as those which have undergone
all their metamorphoses. At first some are seen which are
no larger than a grain of sand. Their figure is oval, their
head, eyes, and antennas are thick. The first segment of the
corslet has two black and shiny spots. On the second, which
is large, there are two black and double plates, which are the
germs of elytra and wings. The abdomen is very short, and,
as it were, compressed. Also the posterior feet seem to be
situated at the anus. All the body is a little hairy, and of
an obscure brown, except the bottom of the corslet, and of
the breast, which are of a greenish grey. The body elongates
with age ; the antennae, and more especially the feet, are then

248 SUPPLEMENT

proportionally thicker than in the perfect insect. The corslet
is pretty nearly what it will always be. The rudiments of
the elytra are apparent and elevated, but the belly is always
very short. The animal is then in the nymph state.

Our Belostoma marglnata is obscure brown, with margin
of the thorax and elytra nearest the base obscure white. It
is from China.

With regard to the apterous species of Degeer, M. La-
treille does not venture to pronounce decisively, but the other
two he clearly regards as distinct.

General Hardwicke, in the Linnean Transactions, describes
and figures a remarkable insect, which he names Gerris
laticauda, of which we insert another figure. It is of a testa-
ceous brown, with the margin of the thorax silvery, with
darker lateral line ; the abdomen darker, the anterior femora
with black longitudinal stripes ; the antenna?, tibiae, tarsi,
and the pubescence on the middle femora black : this insect
is from Java.

Of the Veli.e all we can say is, that they simply run upon
the surface of the water, and with amazing swiftness. In
this differing from the gerris which, as we have seen, row and
swim by jerks. They seem properly to constitute an inter-
mediate genus between hydrometra and gerris.

We now come to the second family of hemiptera, the
Hydrocoris^, which is formed of the genus Nepa, or
water-scorpions, of Linnaeus. The first sub-division of which,
that we shall notice, is Naucores.

Geoffroy separated these insects from the nepa of Linnaeus
with great justice. They are aquatic, and have many rela-
tions with the corisa and notonectes ; but they are distin-
guished from them by their anterior feet. These in some
measure resemble the sort of claws, which the araneides have
in the front of their head. They make use of them as pin-

ON THE HEMIPTERA. Q4>9

cers, to seize and retain the insects on which they feed, while
they are sucking them. This character is common, it is true,
to the other nepas of Linnaeus ; but the naucores differ, be-
cause their anterior tarsi have but a single articulation, and
because their other feet are proper for swimming. The
labrum of the nepse, properly so called, and of the ranatrce,
is, moreover, not uncovered. The naucores are very agile,
and swim with much swiftness, by means of their posterior
feet, which perform the office of oars. They frequently issue
forth from the water during the night, to fly in the country.
They are extremely voracious. Of all aquatic insects those
are they which commit the greatest havock in the waters.
The larva and nymph differ from the perfect insect only in
the want of wings. The larvae have only on their breast two
very flat pieces, which are sheaths enclosing the elytra and
wings, which are developed after the first moulting. These
larvae and nymphs are equally carnivorous with the perfect
insect. This genus is not numerous in species.

Linnaeus named the hydrocorisae, whose two anterior feet
perform the office of a pincers, Nepa. By the establishment
which GeoiTroy made of two new generic sections, those of
naucoris and corisa, the genus ncpa of Linnaeus, became
more simple and natural. Geoffroy, who designated them
under the name of aquatic scorpions^ not having discovered
the antennae of these insects, took for these organs the two
anterior feet, and on this error allowed them but four feet.
Fabricius has since separated from the nepae those which
have a linear form, and which constitute his genus ranatra.

But the genus nepa, though more restrained, was yet sus-
ceptible of being still further reduced. Thus the nepa
cine7-ea, and some others of an oblong oval form, and all
remarkable for the length of their tail, have but three very
distinct articulations to their antennae, the second of which,
only, presents a lateral projection in the form of a tooth.

250 SUPPLEMENT

Their tarsi have but a single articulation, as Geoffroy had
already observed. The other species almost all exotic, with
broader forms, and tail very short, or not existing, have their
antennae composed of four distinct articulations, and of which
the last three are prolonged internally in the form of the
tooth of a comb. All their tarsi are formed of two articula-
tions, and almost similar.

The nepae are aquatic insects, whose anterior feet are in
the form of pincers. They are heavy, swim slowly, remain
generally at the bottom of the waters in the mud, but fly very
well, particularly in the evening. They are carnivorous, as
well as their larvae, and feed on small insects, which they
pierce and tear with their proboscis.

The females lay eggs which, seen through the microscope,
resemble a seed crowned with seven small threads, the extre-
mities of which are gnawed. They deposit them in the stalk
of some aquatic plant. The larvae issue forth from them
towards the middle of summer. They differ from the perfect
insect, in being deprived of wings and elytra, and having no
threads at the abdomen. They swim very slowly, and walk
at the bottom of the water over the aquatic plants. The
nymph carries its wings enveloped in sheaths, placed on each
side of the body.

These insects are tormented by the hydrachne of Muller.
There are often found on them some red eggs, which hold
there by a pedicle or bill, serving as a sucker, and which
grow there.

The Ranatr.e are heavy, and swim slowly. They remain
usually at the bottom of the waters in the mud. They fly
very well, especially in the evening. They are carnivorous
as well as the larvae. Their habits, in fact, are precisely the
same as those of nepa.

The eggs of these insects are white, elongated, and have
at one of their extremities two threads, or two hairs. They

ON THE HEMIPTERA. 251

remain fifteen days at the bottom of the waters. The larvae
and nymphs are just the same as those of nepa.

The CoRix^ remain usually suspended by the hinder part
of the body at the surface of the water. But on perceiving
the slightest motion, they precipitate themselves to the bot-
tom with great swiftness. They can remain there a certain
time, by attaching themselves to some stones. They fly some-
times, but walk badly and slowly upon the ground. In the
water, however, they are very agile. They live on aquatic
insects, which they suck with their proboscis, after having
seized them with the pincers of their anterior feet. When
they swim, the under part of their body appears silvery ; an
effect produced by the air which attaches there. The larvae
and nymph differ little from the perfect insect. They live in
the same manner in the water.

The NoTONECTiE, thus named because they swim upon
their back, live in the water, both in the larva state, and in
that of the perfect insect. They always swim on the back,
having the belly upwards. The larva does not differ from
the perfect insect, but in the want of wings and elytra. In
their different forms, the notonectae are carnivorous. They
seize their prey with their anterior feet, and suck it with
their proboscis. They attack insects larger than themselves,
and do not even spare their own species. The larvae of the
ephemera also, often become their victims. They constitute
a genus not very numerous in species. They are almost all
found in Europe. The most common are the glanea and
minima. They are frequently met with in stagnant waters.

The Notonecta glauca is found in waters, swimming at
their surface. It stings very powerfully with its proboscis.
During sexual intercourse, the male and female swim to-
gether with great swiftness. Afterwards, the latter lays a
very considerable number of white, elongated eggs, which it
deposits on the stalks of aquatic plants. In the commence-

252 SUPPLEMENT

ment of the spring, there proceeds from these eggs some
little larvae, which in passing to the nymph state, acquire the
rudiments of elytra and wings. Both the larvae and nymphs
swim upon their backs like the perfect insect.

The insects of the section Homoptera, have received this
denomination, because their elytra are of the same consistence
in their entire extent, and they are sometimes half coriaceous,
and sometimes almost entirely similar to wings. These he-
miptera feed only on the juice of vegetables. Most of the
females have an auger, or ovipositor, often composed of three
denticulated laminae, and lodged in a groove with two valves.
They make use of this like a saw, to make incisions in ve-
getables, and insert their eggs there.

The first genus of thiP family is that of cicada. It is
composed of the division of the cicada mannifera of Linnaeus,
because one of the species, the^cicada orni, by pricking the
wild ash, causes to flow from that tree the honeyed and pur-
gative juice which we term manna. Stoll designates the
same insects under the name of cigales chanteuses, to distin-
guish them from many other analagous hemiptera, which are
also called cigalcB, such as the fulyorce^ and cicadellce.

The cicadas are insects which have been known for a very
long time. Their size, and the monotonous song by which
the male is distinguished and wliich is heard during a part
of the summer, have caused them to be easily discovered.
They inhabit warm climates, and usually sojourn on trees.
Their mode of flying is very light. While the heat continues
they are very lively ; but the cold throws them into a state
of lethargy, or destroys them altogether.

What most particularly merits attention in these insects is
the organs of song. It was for a long time believed, that the
females alone possessed this faculty of singing ; but this is an
error, as they are deprived of the parts which are proper for
the production of this effect.

ON THE HEMIPTERA. 253

These singular organs, which answer to the males the
purpose of calling to their females in the season of reproduc-
tion, are lodged in the cavity of the belly, and covered by
two scaly plates, placed underneath the corslet, at the origin
of the abdomeno These two plates, which attach to the
corslet without any articulation, cover each other to a certain
extent, and reach almost as far as the third ring of the
abdomen. On raising them, we perceive a cavity formed in
tlie belly, divided into two lodgments or cells, the bottom
of 'which is occupied by two small, extended, thin laminse,
as transparent as glass, which Reaumur has compared to
two small mirrors, and which some authors have regarded as
drums calculated for the returning of sounds. Besides these
laminae, the cavity also contains other parts. Reaumur, on
opening a cicada at the back, found there two large muscles,
each of which is composed of a prodigious bundle of fibres,
applied one upon the other. These muscles lead to two
membranes, turned in the form of a kettle-drum, which
occupy two nooks, placed in the great cavity. On the side
of the belly, we only see the apertures of one and the other,
which are covered. These apertures are for the voice of the
cicadae, what our larynx is for our voice. The sounds which
proceed through them are modified by the opercles, by the
mirrors, and by the great cavity. Each timbal or kettle-
drum has a convex and a concave part. The first is folded,
and full of rugosities. When the insect causes the two large
muscles, which are attached there, to move, these muscles,
contracting and relaxing with rapidity, act upon the timbals,
whose surfaces, by becoming successively convex and con-
cave, produce the sound, which is termed the song of the
cicadae.

The females, though not possessed of the faculty of singing,
have yet the rudiments of the opercles. They are, moreover,

254 SUPPLEMENT

furnished with an auger, which, in the large species, is about
six lines in length. This auger, composed of two pieces,
denticulated at the sides, and pointed at their extremity,
serves them to notch the wood in which they deposit their
eggs. In making a hole in the branch, the cicada causes
these two pieces to act alternately, which perform the office of
a file. The branches in which the females have placed their
eggs are easily recognised by the little inequalities at their
surface placed one after the other. Each hole contains from
five to eight eggs.

In the body of the female, the eggs are contained in
two ovaries, and are sometimes six or seven hundred in
number.

On the insects of the genus of which we are now writing,
Mr. Kirby has the following remarks : ^

" The species of the other genus cicada, called by the
ancient Greeks, by whom they were often kept in cages for
the sake of their song — Tettix, seem to have been the fa-
vourites of every Grecian bard, from Homer and Hesiod, to
Anacreon and Theocritus. Supposed to be perfectly harmless,
and to live only upon the dew, they were addressed by the
most endearing epithets, and were regarded as all but divine.
One bard entreats the shepherds to spare the innoxious tettix,
that nightingale of the nymphs, and to make those mischiev-
ous birds, the thrush and blackbird, their prey. ' Sweet pro-
phet of the summer,"* says Anacreon, addressing this insect,
* the muses love thee, Phoebus loves thee, and has given thee a
shrill song ; old age does not wear thee out ; thou art wise,
earth-born, musical, impassive, without blood ; thou art al-
most like a God.' So attached were the Athenians to these
insects, that they were accustomed to fasten golden images of
them in their hair, implying at the same time a boast, that
they themselves, as well as the cicadae, were TencBjiUi. They

ON THE HEMIPTERA. 2.55

were regarded by all, as the happiest, as well as the most in-
nocent of animals, not, we will suppose for the reason given
by the saucy Rhodian Xenarchus, when he says,

" ' Happy the Cicada lives.

Since they all have voiceless wives/

" If the Grecian Cicada or Tettix, had been distinguished
by a harsh or deafening note, like those of some other coun-
tries, it would hardly have been an object of such affection.
That it was not, is clearly proved by the connexion which
was supposed to exist between it and music. Thus, the sound
of this insect and of the harp were called by one and the same
name. A cicada sitting upon a harp, was the usual emblem
of the science of music, which was thus accounted for ; —
when two rival musicians, Eunomus and Ariston, were con-
tending upon that instrument, a cicada, flying to the former,
and sitting upon his harp, supplied the place of a broken
string, and so secured to him the victory. To excel this
animal in singing seems to have been the highest commenda-
tion of a singer ; and even the eloquence of Plato was thought
not to suffer by a comparison with it. At Surinam, the noise
of the cicada tibicen is supposed so much to resemble the
sound of a harp or lyre, that they are called there harpers
(Lierman). Wliether the Grecian cicadae maintain at pre-
sent their ancient character for music, travellers do not tell
us."

" Those of other countries, however," (adds Mr. Kirby)
** have been held in less estimation for their powers of song ;
or rather have been execrated for the deafening din which
they produce. Virgil accuses those of Italy of bursting the
very shrubs with their noise ; and Sir J. E. Smith observes,
that this species, which is very comnion, makes a most dis-
agreeable, dull chirping. Another, cicada septendecim.

256 SUPPLEMENT

which, fortunately, as its name imports, appears only once in
seventeen years, makes such a continual din from morning to
evening, that people cannot hear each other speak. They
appear in Pennsylvania, in incredible numbers, in the middle
of May. " In the hotter months of summer," says Dr. Shaw,
"especially from mid-day to the middle of the afternoon, the
cicada, TETTtf, or grass-hopper, as we falsely translate it, is
perpetually stunning our ears, with its most excessively shrill
and ungrateful noise. It is in this respect the most trouble-
some and impertinent of insects, perching upon a twig, and
squalling sometimes two or three hours without ceasing ;
thereby, too often disturbing the studies, or short repose, that
is frequently indulged in these hot climates at those hours.
The TfTT»| of the Greeks must have had a quite different
voice, more soft, surely, and melodious, otherwise, the fine
orators of Homer who are compared to it, can be looked
upon no better than loud, loquacious scolds." " An insect
of this tribe, and I am told a very noisy one, has been
found by Mr. Daniel Bydder, in the New Forest, Hamp-
shire. Previously to this, it was not thought that any of
these insect-musicians were natives of the British Isles.
Captain Hancock informs me that the Brazilian cicadae sing
so loud, as to be heard at the distance of a mile. This is as
if a man of ordinary stature, supposing his powers of voice
increased in the ratio of his size, could be heard all over the
world ; so that Stentor himself becomes a mute, when com-
pared with these insects."

Mr. Kirby in concluding this account of the vocal struc-
ture of these animals, has the following most just remarks :

" And now, my friend, what adorable wisdom, what con-
summate art and skill are displayed in the admirable contri-
vance and complex structure of this wonderful, this unparalled
apparatus ! The great Creator has placed in these insects an

ON THE HEMIPTERA. 257

organ for producing and emitting sounds, which in the intricacy
of its construction seems to resemble that which he has given
to man, and the larger animals, for receiving them. Here is
a cochlea ; a meatus ; and as it should seem more than one
ttjmpanum.''''

The larvae of the cicadas are white, have six feet, and their
form is compared to that of the flea. They issue from their
nest to bury themselves in the ground, where it appears that
they live in the roots of plants. They change then into
nymphs which take nourishment, are active and grow. Their
wings are enclosed in sheaths, attaching to the corslet, which
resembles that which they are to have in their final form.
But we do not discover in those which are to become males,
the organs of song, nor the auger or ovipositor in those which
are to become females. The anterior feet of these nymphs are
very remarkable, and adapted to open for them a way under
ground, where they are sometimes found sunk to the depth of
two or three feet. When they have acquired their entire
growth, which, according to some writers, does not take place
until the year after they have been changed into nymphs, and
as soon as the heat begins to be felt, they issue from the earth,
climb on the trees, strip themselves of their envelope of nymph,
and pass into the perfect state. At first these young cicadse
are almost entirely green, but by little and little they become
of a blackish brown. It appears that under this final form,
they live on the juice contained in the leaves and young
branches of the trees, into w^hich they plunge their pro-
boscis.

According to the report of Aristotle, the Greeks used to eat
the cicadae, and have the larvae of these insects served up at
their tables. Before the coupling, they preferred the males,
and afterwards the females, because then the belly of the
latter was full of eggs, which the Greeks esteemed no small
delicacy.

VOL. XV. s

258 SUPPLEMENT

The FULGOR.E are remarkable for the beauty and variety
of the colours which adorn the elytra and wings of the greater
number, and by the form of the head in some species. This
part is as singular as varied. In some it presents a saw, and
in others a proboscis similar to that of the elephant, and in
some others a kind of muzzle ; so that one is astonished to
find in insects of the same genus such remarkable differences,
and this has given rise to the sub-divisions of this genus made
in the text. <5

A species which inhabits Cayenne {F. Lanternaria) has,
according to the report of Madlle. de Merian, the singular
property of shedding during the night, a light so considerable,
that the finest characters can be read by it. But this fact is
contradicted by many naturalists, who have lived in the
country where this fulgora is found, and who assert that it
emits no light whatsoever. M. Richard is mentioned, as
having reared this same species, and was unable to observe
any luminous point about it. Repeated observations would
be necessary to remove the doubts which must of necessity be
produced by these contrary assertions. It is possible that this
insect may be luminous only at certain periods of its life, and
at will, like the lampyrides, which cause their phosphoric
points to appear and disappear Avhen they think proper.

This is Madlle. Merian''s account of this phenomenon :

**• The Indians once brought me, before I knew that they
shone by night, a number of these lantern-flies, which I shut
up in a large wooden box. In the night they made such a
noise that I awoke in a fright, and ordered a light to be
brought, not knowing from whence the noise proceeded. As
soon as we found that it came from the box we opened it ;
but were still much more alarmed, and let it fall to the
ground, in a fright at seeing a flame of fire come out of it ;
and as many animals as came out, so many flames of fire
appeared. When we found this to be the case, we recovered

^

ON THE HEMIPTERA. 259

from our fright, and again collected the insects, highly ad-
miring their splendid appearance."

The veracity of this lady as to facts of which she was an
eye-witness has never been brought in question, and it is
equally certain from her figures and description, that the
species of which she speaks was no other than the one of which
we are treating. We cannot therefore, on the authority of
others, who assert that they never have observed the pheno-
menon, dismiss our belief in its existence, or even doubt that
the lantern-fly is a luminous insect. The only mode of recon-
ciling these discordant testimonies is the supposition which
we have ventured to give as a solution of the difficulty.

The luminous points in the lampyrides are placed towards
the extremity of their body, whereas it is from the head of
the fulgora that the light is emitted. Reaumur, who has
attempted to discover what could produce this phenomenon,
has found in the vesicle which constitutes a part of the head
of this insect, only a considerable cavity, and absolutely
empty. But this observation made upon an individual which
had been for a long time dead, proves nothing, because it
is possible that in the living insect this cavity may be filled by
a substance, which dries up and evaporates when the insect
dies.

The largest fulgorae are brought into Europe from South
America generally, and especially from Cayenne and Surinam.
They live on trees. Those which inhabit Europe are very
small. They are found upon shrubs and bushes. Their
larvae are unknown. Originally they constituted a nume-
rous species, but they are greatly sub-divided in the " Regne
Animal.""

We insert figures of three new species of fulgora. First
F, punctata, which is very pale brown ; with black punc-
tures, the lower wings white, the abdomen black, and margin
with light brown. This is from the Cape of Good Hope.

s 2

260 SUPPLEMENT

<3
The second species we call nigromaculata. It has the

head and thorax brown ; the horn black, short and flexible ;

the upper wings brown with some small scattered black spots,

the exterior margin with a broad black border, the hinder

wings, with the basal half, silvery grey, spotted with black ;

the other half black, with the interior margin brownish black ;

the body silvery grey, with transverse narrow bands of black.

This fine insect is from China, and forms the sub-genus

Aphcena of M. Geurin. ^

The third species we name pallida. It is yellowish white,
the horn long, erect,. strong, with the tip black ; the suture of
the elytra near the base fuscous, apex with some longitudinal
brown punctated lines ; the legs pale, minutely spotted with
black. This species is from India.

We are also enabled to add the following figures of new
species which belong to several of the divisions of the genus
Fulgoraof the text, viz.

To the gemisL,ystra we have added a new species, which
we name pulchra. It is greenish brown, with the abdomen
bright red, the tip with whitish cotton ; the upper wings
with the base green, spotted with white opaque colour, with a
transverse arched band of fulvous yellow ; the tip pale yellow-
ish brown ; the hinder wings covered with a white wavy matter,
with brown spots near the base, and pale yellowish brown at
the apex ; the nervures are delicate. This species is from
India. t^

To the genus Pcecilopfera we have added a species, which
Mr. Westwood namei antica. It is dark brown, with a small
white spot near the middle of the anterior margin ; the lower
wings are covered with a bluish powder at the base. This
insect appears to belong to a new subgenus of M. Geurin,
imder the wameo^ Eurypter a.

In Darnis we have figured a species we name camelus. It
is brown, with the scu tell urn very large, arch covering the

ON THE HEMIPTERA. 26 I

head, round anteriorly, with the sides projecting, and
acute, then narrowing, the posterior end forming a circle,
the sides of the latter and legs are yellowish ; it is from
Mexico.

And to Centrotus we have added two species, the first is
named glohularis by Pallas, Its head is black, with the thorax
not produced behind, but with an erect cylindrical horn an-
teriorly, which has four arms, each of which has a small
hairy globe at the apex ; those on the sides are armed with a
small spine, also a longer spine on the body placed poste-
riorly ; the abdomen fulvous, and feet yellow. The second
species we have named centrolus furcatus. It is brown,
with a spine projecting from the body, hanging down, then
enlarging again, and bifurcated at the apex. This insect is
from Brazil.

To these we have added a figure of a new insect, which
must be considered the type of a new subgenus allied to that
of ^talion of Latreille, which we have called^C/ropAorcr, un-
der the specific name of Hardwickii. Its characters are : the
thorax produced over the head ; the posterior legs simple,
and with the ovipositor forming a long tube. It is fulvous,
with the upper wings spotted between the nervures with
brown ; the legs and ovipositor obscure ; it is from India.
Discovered by Major-General Hardwicke. (^

In the subdivision ofCiCADELLA of the text, Cercopis, we
have to notice the species spumaria, which former naturalists
made a cicada. The following is Dr. Shaw's description,
which we shall borrow here : —

" Among the smaller European cicadae, one of the most
remarkable is the cicada spumaria, or cuckow-spit cicada, so
named from the circumstance of its larva being constantly
found enveloped in a mass of white froth, adhering to the
leaves and stems of vegetables. This froth, which is popu-
larly known by the name of cuckow-spittle, is found during

262 SUPPLEMENT

the advanced state of summer, and is the production of the
included larva, which, from the time of its hatching from the
egg deposited by the parent insect, continues at intervals to
suck the juices of the stem on which it resides, and to dis-
charge them from its vent in the form of very minute bubbles,
and by continuing this operation completely covers itself with
a very large mass of froth, which is sometimes so overcharged
with moisture, that a drop may be seen hanging from its
under surface. The included larva, or pupa, (for no mate-
rial difference can be observed between the two states when
arrived at its full growth,) is about the fifth of an inch in
length, of an oval shape, with broad head and thorax, and
slightly pointed abdomen : its colour is a beautiful pale
green, and the trunk or sucker with which it extracts the sap
of the plant, may be observed by examining the under part
of the thorax, where it will be seen pressed down in a straight
direction from the head. When the time arrives in which
the animal is to undergo its change into the complete insect,
it ceases to absorb any longer the juices of the plant, and to
discharge any longer the protecting froth, which at this period
forms a vaulted canopy over the insect, instead of entirely in-
vesting it as before ; the skin of the larva is gradually thrown
off, and the animal in its complete form emerges from its con-
cealment. Its size is scarcely superior to that of the larva,
but its colour is brown, with a pair of broad, irregular, pale,
or whitish bands across the upper wings. If disturbed it
nimbly springs to a great distance, and is commonly known
by the name of the Frog-hopper, from some fancied resem-
blance to the colour and shape of that animal in miniature.
These insects breed during the month of September, and to-
wards the beginning of October deposit their eggs, which are
not hatched till the succeeding spring.*"

We insert a new Cercopis, named fulvo scutellata. It
is black, with the anterior margin of the band across the

ON THE HEMIPTERA. 263

thorax scutellum, and three quarters of the elytra fulvous,
but the latter with some black spots.

We have also figured a new Brazilian species, which Mr.
Westwood has named Orthorapha cassidioides. It is of a
dark green colour, with a yellow spot at the base of each
elytron ; the tip with some short wavy lines, also with a red
spot on each side, near the middle ; the legs reddish. This
insect differs from the genus Cercopis, by the body being
very convex and rounded, also by the want of ocelli and the
straightness of the suture of the elytra.

We shall now notice the Cicadell.e proper, or Tetti-

GONIA.

The tettigonia are leaping insects of small size, and which
feed, in all their different states, on the juice of the leaves of
different vegetables. Many species, especially among the
exotics, have very agreeable and very various colours. The
larvse and nymphs do not differ, the wings excepted, from
the perfect insect. The females have at the posterior extre-
mity of their abdomen, an auger which enables them to sink
their eggs in such parts of vegetables as are proper for the
nourishment of their posterity. The species of this genus,
which are peculiar to Sweden, have been published by
M. Fallen, but much yet remains to be done towards its
complete illustration.

One of these species, the tettigonia roscB, is very small,
being scarcely a line and a half in length. Its body is alto-
gether yellow, or of a yellowish green, and sometimes almost
white. How slightly soever the yoke-elm, or the hedges
formed of that tree may be touched in summer, an immense
number of these insects are seen to jump, or flit about them.
The female deposits under the leaves of the rose-bush about
three hundred eggs, from which larvse spring, which feed
upon their juice. Being thus exhausted, these leaves assume
upon their upper surface, the colour of a silvery white. It

£64 SUPPLEMENT

has been observed, that the mining caterpillars, which form
meandering galleries in the tissue of the leaves, will not attack
those in which the larvse of the tettigonia? are lodged. The
little moth, then, which is proceeding to lay her eggs on these
leaves, is well aware that another insect has already taken
possession of the aliments of which she is in search for her
young.

We now come to the family of the Aphidif, all of which
are more or less distinguished by the havock which they com-
mit on vegetable substances.

The PsYLL^ of GeofFroy, which Linnaeus names cher^nes,
and Degeer and Reaumur faux-pucerons, are little insects
which are found on different plants, such as the box-tree, the
fig-tree, the alder, the broom, and the nettle. At the first
glance, they have some resemblance to the aphides, and they
jump with tolerable liveliness, by means of their hind legs,
which act as a sort of spring. When it is attempted to seize
them, they escape quickly, rather by jumping than flying ;
it is from this circumstance that they have been named psyllcB,
which is the Greek word to signify ^ea. In all their difi'erent
states they feed upon the juice of the leaves, which they suck
up with their proboscis. The body of their larvae is greatly
flatted, the head broad, the belly very flat, and rounded at
the end. Their six feet are terminated by a sort of bladder,
and two crooks. These larvae change into nymphs, which
have, towards the sides of the breast, four broad pieces,
serving as sheaths to the elytra and wings. These nymphs
are capable of walking. Many of them, as well as the larvae,
have the body covered with a white and cottony substance,
which hangs in flakes. Their excrements are in the form
either of threads, or masses of a gummy matter. To undergo
their final metamorphosis, the nymphs attach themselves
under a leaf. There they remain tranquil, until their skin.

ON THE HEMIPTERA. ^65

which divides in a portion of its length, gives a passage to
the perfect insect.

Many females are provided with an auger, which serves
them to prick the leaves in which they deposit their eggs.
These incisions, like those which the Cinips make in plants,
produce excrescences or tuberosities. They are often to be
seen on the summits of the branches of the fir-tree. They
are formed by the extravasation of the juices which accumu-
late in this part. The larvae and the nymphs live in sorts of
galls, which contain a great number of little cells. The leaves
of the pine-tree nourish larvae of the same genus. These last
are not enclosed like the preceding. They have merely on
the body a white down, which forms, as it were, a sheath,
under which they are sheltered.

The psyllae which live on the box-tree, do not produce ex-
crescences such as we have been describing ; but their prick-
inss cause the leaves of the extremities of the branches to
turn up like a hood, and many of them thus to unite together,
to form a sort of ball, in which the larvae remain enclosed.
These larvae render, by the anus, a white and saccharine
matter, which softens under the fingers. This substance,
according to Geoffroy, has some resemblance to manna.
They have often long threads of it behind, and little grains
of it are to be found in the balls which they have inhabited.

An insect much approximating to the psyllcB, which may
as well be noticed here, and which M. Latreille at first placed
with this genus, produces a remarkable monstrosity on the
junicus articulatus of Linnaeus. Its prickings destroy the
parts of the flower of this plant, cause them to acquire a
triple or quadruple development, more than they would have
naturally, and make them assume the form of little balls, or
flowerets of gramineous plants. The resemblance is so much
the more striking, as the extremities of the divisions of the
corolla terminate in an elongation imitating beards. These

266 SUPPLEMENT

sorts of galls enclose a tolerably great number of these insects,
of different ages, which feed upon the juices of the plant.
The larvag send forth from the anus, a farinaceous and very
white matter. They resemble those of the Psylla Jicus ; of
these insects, M. Latreille has formed his subdivision Livia.

The psyllae do not, as far as it appears, produce more than
one or two generations at the most in the year. The females
survive the winter.

The larvae of the psylla alni live in societies, composed of
about a dozen individuals each, upon the alder-tree. If we
observe at the commencement of May the shoots of this tree,
the pedicles of its leaves, and even the under part of them,
we shall perceive a very soft, white, and cottony matter, which
seems to be attached to the tree. But if touched ever so
slightly, it begins to stir, and divide into several parts, and
we discover that these little flakes are only the habits, or the
covering of several insects. This cottony down occupies more
room than their body, and renders them hideous. It is com-
posed of very fine threads, curved or frizzled behind, towards
the head, and many of which are united in the form of pen-
cils, floating over the body. The extremity of these hairs is
fine, while that of the hairs of the larvae of some other psylla
is thick, and rounded at the end. This substance increases
with the age of the insect, and easily attaches itself to the
bodies with which it meets. Although it covers the entire
body, it only takes its origin from the posterior rings, or the
region of the anus. There no doubt are some excretory
glands, and species of spinnerets. The reproduction of this
down is very rapid. If it be removed from the upper part of
the animal, a new, and tolerably long coat of it will make its
appearance at the end of a quarter of an hour. It often hap-
pens in the moulting, that the old skin, loaded with its down,
remains engaged in the new substance, which begins to form
upon the insect as soon as it is stripped. The excrements

ON THE HEMIPTERA. 267

issue by little and little from the anus, always remain attached
to the hinder part of the body, and from these one or two
small masses of a yellowish white, a little transparent. This
mass is sometimes elongated, irregular, and a little curved.
Sometimes it resembles a ball, in the form of a transparent
drop. These excrements are at first like a thick syrup, and
afterwards become hard. They dissolve in water, and have
a saccharine and somewhat acrid taste. The excrements of
the Psylla huxi are in the form of tortuous threads, and re-
semble vermicelli.

The insects of the sub-division Thrips are very small.
They live on flowers, and on the barks of trees, where their
larvae are also found. They do not differ from the perfect
insect, but by the deficiency of wings and elytra.

We have now to speak of a very destructive race of insects,
the Aphides, pucerons or plant-lice. They are small insects,
commonly found assembled in immense quantities upon al-
most every species of plant. They are dull, and walk but
little. They are to be seen, motionless, and forming great
masses upon the stalks and leaves. The most celebrated na-
turalists have written the history of these insects, which ex-
hibit some singularities well deserving of attention. The first
which may be remarked wdthout any great train of observa-
tions, is that in the same species, females are to be found
both winged and apterous. These last, which might be taken
for nymphs, are perfect insects, equally in a state for repro-
duction, as those which are winged. Another singularity of
these insects is, that during one period of the year, both these
kinds of females are viviparous, and during another, they lay
eggs, which appear destined to perpetuate the species, as the
eggs last through the winter, while the living individuals
perish. These females couple in autumn, and after this they
are oviparous ; during the whole summer they are viviparous.
The winged, and the apterous females equally produce young

268

SUPPLEMENT

ones, which become winged, and others which are to remain
always apterous. Tlie fecundity of these females is pro-
digious. They produce fifteen or twenty young ones in the
course of the day.

The third peculiarity of these insects, the most astonishing
of all, and the one which has caused them to be remarked
with the greatest attention, by Bonnet, Reaumur and Lyonnet,
is that they can reproduce without sexual intercourse, and it
appears that the female who has received one impregnation
transmits the influence of it to her female descendants for a
series of generations. The observers just cited, have taken
young ones when they had just proceeded from the belly of
the mother, have brought them up in the most perfect soli-
tude, and have seen them produce others, which afterwards
being reared separately and successively, have been fruitful
during many generations, without having had any communi-
cation with any individual of their species. Bonnet, who
has studied these insects with the greatest degree of attention,
has witnessed the birth of nine generations in three months,
from a single act of sexual intercourse. However extraor-
dinary this fact may be, that animals should be able to per-
petuate their species without the union of the sexes, we can
nevertheless, not entertain the slightest doubt of its truth,
attested as it is by many witnesses worthy of the highest
credit. Reaumur has proved, that in five generations one
aphis may be the parent of 5,904,900,000 descendants.

As soon as the aphides are born, they walk, and proceed
to seek upon the plant a place in which to fix themselves and
suck. As they are fond of living in society, they place them-
selves always one beside the other. They remain about
twelve days under the form of nymph, during which they
change their skin four times. After having quitted the last
skin, they are in a state to reproduce. Assembled on the
leaves or stems of trees, the aphides appear to be in a state of

ON THE HEMIPTERA. 269

inaction ; but they are busily occupied in extracting the juice
with their proboscis. Frequently, their prickings cause very
sensible alterations and damage to the leaves, and even to the
stems themselves of the trees. Those which live on the lin-
den-trees, attach themselves to the young shoots, on which
the little ones arrange themselves in proportion as they are
born. They place themselves in file one after another on one
of the sides of the shoot ; they cause the new stem to assume
different curves, and lodge themselves in the cavities which it
forms. We often see on gooseberry-bushes, and apple-trees,
some leaves covered with tuberosities. It is the aphides which
produce all this. On the leaves of the elm, they produce
vesicles, or sorts of hollow galls, commonly of the size of a
walnut, and sometimes as thick as one^s fist. These galls are
not inhabited by the little ones only, as are the galls of the
cinips. They also enclose the mother, which lodges there to
lay her eggs.

Almost all the aphides are more or less covered with a cot-
tony down. Those which live on the cabbage and the plum-
tree, have but very little of this substance, which resembles
flour. Those of the vesicles of the elm, are entirely covered
with it. This same substance is found on the aphides of the
poplar, in the form of cottony threads ; but no species is
provided with so large a quantity of it, as that of the beech-
tree. These threads are sometimes an inch in length, and
are floating on the body of the insect, to which they are but
slightly attached. They may be easily removed by friction.

Every where, where the aphides are found, they are sure
to be found accompanied by ants. These are attracted by their
taste for the saccharine fluid which flows continually from
the two horns which the aphides have at the abdomen. So
great a quantity of it issues forth, that* the vesicles of the elm,
and the tuberosities of the leaves of the gooseberry and cur-
rant-bushes, contain drops of it of the size of a pea. This

270 SUPPLEMENT

fluid, which is limpid and transparent, grows thick in the air.
Reaumur tells us, that it is as sweet as honey, and of a more
agreeable flavour.

The aphides are extremely numerous, and would be still
more so, were it not for the terrible enemies which devour
them daily by hundreds. The larvae of the hemerobia, and
those of some diptera of the tribe of syrphicB, in gratifying
their own appetite, deliver the agriculturist from a dreadful
scourge ; for, otherwise, these fruitful insects would mul-
tiply to such a degree, that they would finish, by totally
drying up the plants, which as it is, they injure and disfigure
to so great an extent. The aphides being very soft, may be
removed with a moistened brush, and thus trees of no great
elevation, may be easily purged of them. But a more expe-
ditious and facile method is, to burn under the trees some
sulphur, or tobacco, and to conduct the vapours or the smoke
to the afi^ected parts, with a bellows or a funnel.

The Aphis ulmi live assembled in great numbers, in a
vesicle attached to the leaves of the elm, by a very short
pedicle. This vesicle is produced by the extravasation of the
juices of the leaf, pricked by these aphides.

The Aphis populi is found in large quantities, on the leaves
of the black poplar, enclosed in a leaf folded in two, which
forms a sort of vesicle. Each leaf, besides, is covered with
reddish tuberosities.

The Aphis quercus is very small, and of a reddish brown.
The great peculiarity of this insect is its proboscis, which is
three times longer than its body. It carries it under the
belly, and its extremity is raised upon the back ; it shortens
and elongates it at will, and sinks it so deeply into the bark
of trees, that it cannot be drawn out without taking away
with it a small fragment of the wood. This aphis has no
horns.

" In the quality of the excrements," says Mr. Curtis, in

ON THE HEMIPTERA. 271

the sixth vol. of the Lin. Trans., " voided by these insects,
there is something very extraordinary. Were a person acci-
dentally to take up a book in which it was gravely asserted
that in some countries there were animals who voided liquid
sugar, he would soon lay it down, regarding it as a fabulous
tale, calculated to impose on the credulity of the ignorant ;
and yet such is literally the truth. The superior size of the
Aphis salicis will enable the most common observer to satisfy
himself on this head. On looking steadfastly for a few
minutes on a group of these insects, while feeding on the bark
of the willow, one perceives a few of them elevate their bodies,
and a transparent substance evidently drop from them, which
is immediately followed by a similar motion and discharge,
like a small shower, from a great number of others. At first,
I was not aware that the substance thus dropping from these
animals, at such stated intervals, was their excrement, but
was convinced of its being so afterwards ; for on a more ac-
curate examination, I found it proceed from the extremity of
the abdomen, as is usual in other insects. On placing a piece
of writing-paper under a mass of these insects, it soon became
thickly spotted : holding it a longer time, the spots united
from the addition of others, and the whole surface assumed a
glossy appearance. I tasted this substance and found it as
sweet as sugar. I had the less hesitation in doing this, as I
had observed that wasps, flies, ants, and insects without num-
ber, devoured it as quickly as it was produced ; but were it
not for these, it might no doubt be collected in considerable
quantities, and if subjected to the processes used with other
saccharine juices, might be converted into the choicest sugar,
or sugar-candy. It is a fact also, which appears worthy of
noticing here, that though wasps are so partial to this food,
yet the bees appear totally to disregard it.*

• This, however, is contradicted by Mr. White, in his History of Sel-
borne.

272 SUPPLEMENT

" In the height of summer, when the weather is hot and
dry, and aphides are most abundant, the foliage of trees and
plants (more especially in some years than others) is found
covered with, and rendered glossy by a sweet clammy sub-
stance, known to persons resident in the country by the name
of honey-dew : they regard it as a sweet substance falling
from the atmosphere, as its name implies. The sweetness of
this excrementitious substance, the glossy appearance it gave
to the leaves which it fell upon, and the swarms of insects
which this matter attracted, first led me to imagine that the
honey-dew of plants was no other than this secretion, which
further observation has since fully confirmed. Others have
considered it as an exudation from the plant itself. Of the
former opinion we find the Rev. Mr. White, one of the
latest writers on natural history that has noticed this subject.
But that it neither falls from the atmosphere, nor issues
from the plant itself, is easily demonstrated. If it fell from
the atmosphere it would cover every thing indiscriminately ;
whereas we never find it but on certain living plants and
trees. We also find it on plants in stoves, and green-houses
covered with glass. If it exuded from the plant, it would
appear on all the leaves generally and uniformly ; whereas
its appearance is extremely irregular, not alike on any two
leaves of the same tree and plant, some having none of it,
and others being covered with it but partially. But the
phenomena of the honey-dew, with all their variations, are
easily accounted for, by considering the aphides as the
authors of it. That they are capable of producing an
appearance exactly similar to that of the honey-dew, has
already been shewn. As far as my observation has extended,
there never exists any honey-dew but where there are
aphides ; such, however, often pass unnoticed, being hid on
the under side of the leaf. Wherever honey-dew is observ-
able about a leaf, aphides will be found on the under side of

ON THE HEMIPTERA. 273

the leaf or leaves immediately above it, and under no other
circumstances whatever. If by accident any thing should
intervene between the aphides and the leaf next between
them, there will be no honey-dew on that leaf. Thus then
we flatter ourselves to have incontrovertibly proved that the
aphides are the true and only source of the honey-dew."

" We have found that where the saccharine substance has
dropped from the aphides for a length of time, as from the
Aphis Saliois in particular, it gives to the surface of the
bark, foliage, or whatever it has dropped on, that sooty kind
of appearance which arises from the explosion of gun-pow-
der, which greatly disfigures the foliage, &c., of plants. It
looks like, and is sometimes mistaken for, a kind of black
mildew. We have some grounds for believing that a sac-
charine substance similar to that of the aphis drops from the
coccus likewise, and is finally converted into the same kind
of powder."

We now come to the last, and not the least, remarkable
genus of this order, namely. Coccus, or the cochineal in-
sects. These are very small and delicate insects, and singu-
larly remarkable for the difference of form in the sexes.
The body of the males is elongated, the head round, the
eyes small, the antennas tolerably long, and with eleven dis-
tinct articulations. They have no apparent organs of man-
ducation. The wings are long and horizontal, with remark-
ably fine nervures. The females, in their earlier age, have
the body ovaliform, apterous, flat, and the antennae short,
with articulations very little distinct. Their mouth consists
in a small conical bill, which is formed of a sheath, and a
sucker of three silken threads or hairs. It is by means of
this bill that they feed upon the juice of vegetables, to
which they are very hurtful, in consequence of their great
multiplicity. These individuals fix themselves at the period
of their amours on the plant or tree, which serves them as a

VOL. XV. T

274 SUPPLEMENM

habitation. Their body swells prodigiously, assumes the
form of a gall, which covers the little ones, and ceases to be
animated.

This extraordinary change, which takes place in the indi-
viduals of this sex, has caused these little animals to be
named gall-insects. Properly speaking, this denomination
was applied by Reaumur and his followers only to the in-
sects of this family, the females of which, in the gall state,
present no appearance of a ring, and whose form in this
respect is still more remote from that of an insect. The
females, which do not preserve, when they are arrived at this
metamorphosis, any vestiges of their primitive figure, such
as the females of the cochineals, are called by Reaumur
pro galles-insectes, or false gall-insects. This distinction has
served as a basis to Geoffroy for his two genera, Kermes and
Cochineal, or Coccus. We must observe, however, respect-
ing this denomination of kermes, that the insects so called by
Linnaeus, are not the same as those so called by Geoffroy
and Olivier. The chermes of Linnaeus, are the psyllce of
the latter, and of the " Regne animal.'"

M. Latreille remarks, that in all probability fresh obser-
vations will produce fresh prbofs of the natural distinction
between the kermes and cochineal — but that in the actual
state of the science, it is far from easy to trace with pre-
cision the line of demarcation. The gall-insects, which are
very much tumefied, will not naturally present annular seg-
ments and other vestiges of their primitive form. The
female gall-insects, whose brood shall be less numerous, will
also be less voluminous. They will exhibit less expansi-
bility in their skin. Their form will be less gibbous, and
approximate more to that of their early age. Their wings
will not be wholly obliterated. If we examine the figures of
the different species of kermes and cochineal, we shall easily
see that the variety of forms is very great. But this rather

ON THE HEMIPTERA. 275

increases the difficulty of finding clear and distinct charac-
ters. The males of the kermes and cochineal are so very
similar, that a generic identity may be presumed with respect
to them, at least, until new observations shall throw some
additional light upon this subject.

The cochineals, as well as the kermes, pass a great portion
of their lives attached to the bark of trees, from which they
extract the sap with their proboscis, without making any
sensible motion. Once fixed in a place, they no longer quit
it. There they couple, increase in size, lay their eggs, and
die. The young ones remain some time under their body,
as the young kermes do under that of their mother. What
distinguishes, however, as we have already mentioned, these
insects from the kermes is, that the female cochineals in
acquiring growth, always preserve the figure of an animal,
whereas the kermes entirely lose the insect form, and assume
that of a berry, or a gall.

Cochineals are usually found in the bifurcations, and
under the small branches of trees. They have acquired
their full bulk towards the end of spring, or the commence-
ment of summer. Then they resemble a little convex mass,
more or less oval, in which it is impossible to distinguish,
even with the microscope, either head or feet, but merely
the segments which divide the body. Some species are
covered with a cottony down, which forms a sort of nest, in
which a part of the body of the insect is lodged. This down
also serves to receive the brood. The eggs, of which each
female lays many thousands, proceed from the body of the
mother, through an aperture placed at the extremity of the
abdomen, and they pass under her belly to be hatched there.
After the laying, the body of the mother dries up, its
two membranes become flat, and form a sort of shell or
cocoon, in which the eggs are enclosed. If these eggs are
bruised on white paper, the greater number will colour it of

T 2

276 SUPPLEMENT

a red, more or less deep. After the death of the mother,
the little cochineals very soon proceed from under her body.
As soon as they have sufficient strength, they spread them-
selves over the leaves to extract the juice with their pro-
boscis. In their youth, or so long as they are under the
larva form, they are lively enough, and change place but to
pass into their final form ; the females fix themselves, remain
motionless, pass the winter thus, and couple in spring.

The males are much less numerous and much less known
than the females, which they resemble before they undergo
their metamorphosis. Fixed like them on the plant, without
taking nourishment or acquiring growth, their skin hardens
and becomes a shell, in which the change takes place which
distinguishes them when they become perfect insects. Under
their new form they are very different from the females.
Their body is one half smaller, and they have two tolerably
large wings. They are found but seldom, as they do not
survive the sexual intercourse for any length of time. As
soon as the male has acquired wings this intercourse takes
place, and when he has fulfilled the grand end of his being
he perishes. The females then grow large, and very speedily
deposit their eggs. }

Of all the cocci, there are but two species which are em-
ployed in the arts. The others are known only by the inju-
ries which they cause to divers plants, more especially to
orange-trees, fig-trees, and olives.

It is to the New World that we are indebted for the most
precious cochineal, that with which the finest colouring is
produced, of all the shades of scarlet and purple. This
insect furnishes a branch of commerce so considerable, that
in 1736 seven hundred thousand pounds weight of it was
imported into Europe. It was employed for a long time
before its true nature was discovered ; and it is demonstrated
from many passages of Pliny, that that naturalist believed

ON THE HEMIPTERA. 277

along with the vulgar, that the coccus, or rather the kermes,
which was derived from Portugal, from Sardinia, from Asia
Minor, and from Africa, was the fruit of a tree. But those
who subsequently observed it with attention, soon began to
suspect that it was an animal.

The cochineal of commerce, or the coccus cacti, is brought
up in Mexico, the only known country in which it is
gathered. It is brought into Europe in the form of small
grains, of an irregular figure, commonly convex on the one
side, on which little channels or flutings are perceptible, and
concave on the other, with depressions more or less deep-
The colour of that which is most esteemed, is a slate-grey,
mingled with reddish, and covered with a white dust. Two
species of cochineal are distinguished, the finer kind, known
under the name of Mesteque, because it is gathered at Me-
teque, in the province of Hondui'as, and the woodland, or
wild cochineal. The first is obtained, if we may so express
ourselves, only by cultivation, or by rearing the insect on
plants cultivated for that especial purpose. The other is
gathered on plants which grow naturally, as the kermes is
gathered upon shrubs, which multiply without the interven-
tion of man. We are still ignorant whether these are in
reality two distinct species or not ; we only know that the
latter is less dear, because it furnishes less colour. This is
attributed by some writers, not to any natural inferiority in
its colour, but to the quantity of cottony matter with which
it is covered, and which at once augments its weight, and
absorbs a portion of its colour.

The plant on which the fine cochineal is reared is called
nopalli by the Indians, and is the cactus opuntice. Its arti-
culations are but little spiny, they are oblong-oval, com-
pressed, and fleshy. Its flower is. small, and of a blood-red.
It is to the juice of this plant that the colour of the cochineal
is attributed. The Indians of Mexico eat its fruit, and that

278 SUPPLEMENT

of the majority of the cactus tribe, as well as the germs of
their flowers. This cactus is reproduced by slips, and issues
from its leaves, which are put into the ground. Its culture
consists in weeding out the injurious herbs which surround
it. It may be planted in argillaceous or in gravelly soils, or
in such as are filled with flints ; but it thrives better in a
good soil, especially when it is sheltered from the northern
winds. This shrub grows fast : in six years it becomes
several feet in heigiit, and it is in a fit state to nourish the
cochineal eighteen months after it has been planted. But at
the end of six years it must be renewed, as the younger it is,
it is the better suited for the insect. This cactus is seen no
where in the open country from Teguahacan to Guaxaca ; it
is only found in the gardens of these countries, and at
St. Juan del Rey. In 1787 it also existed at St. Domingo,
as well as that which the Indians name the Nopal of Cas-
tille.

The Indians of Guaxaca and of Oxaca, who devote them-
selves to the cultivation of the cochineal, plant these shrubs
near their habitations. The most considerable of these plan-
tations does not contain more than an acre and a half, or two
acres at most. A single man is sufficient to keep one in a
proper state. The cochineal is sown (if we may be allowed
such a phrase) on the nopals towards the fifteenth of October,
which is the epoch of the return of the fine season in Mexico.
This operation consists in placing on the plants the females
which have already some young ones. These females are
cochineals of the last brood, which the Indians preserve on
branches of the cactus, and keep them in their houses during
the rains, which would destroy them if they were left abroad.
Nevertheless, in some districts, they remain in the plantations,
where they are carefully preserved with mats, from the in-
clemency of the atmosphere.

The manner of setting the cochineal, is to put eight or

ON THE HEMIPTERA. 279

ten females into a little nest, made with a sort of flax, taken
from the petals of the leaves of the palm-tree, or some other
cottony matter. The nests are placed between the leaves of
the cactus. They are attached to the thorns with which these
leaves are armed, and the bottom of the nest is turned to-
wards the rising sun, that the little family may be the sooner
disclosed. From these nests proceed a great number of these
cochineals, for each female produces some thousands of them,
which are not larger than the point of a pin, of a red colour,
and covered with a white dust. The young cochineals spread
themselves quickly over the leaves, and soon attach them-
selves there altogether. When they are once fixed, should
they be deranged by any accident, their proboscis, which is
sunk into the plants, breaks, and the insects perish.

The females live about two months, and the males only
half as long. Both remain ten days in the larva form, and
then become perfect insects, proper for reproduction. The
females, in changing their state, do not change their form.
They only lose their skin to get another, whereas the males
quit their envelop of nymph winged. Up to this period
there is nothing to distinguish them from the females, except
their being one half smaller. Once become winged insects,
they couple and die. The females, which still survive ano-
ther month after fecundation, acquire their large growth
during this time, and perish after they have given birth to
their young ones.

There are, according to M. Thierry, six generations of
these insects in the year. They may all be gathered, if the
rains do not disturb and destroy their posterity ; but all
authors agree concerning the number of crops which are
gathered, and which are three every year. The first takes
place towards the middle of December, and the last in the
month of May. In the first the nests are taken away from
the upper part of the trees, to take out the mothers which

280 SUPPLEMENT

have been put there, and Avhich are dead. They wait, to
make the second gathering, until the cochineals begin to pro-
duce their young. In this operation they employ a knife,
the edge and point of which are blunted. That the plant
may not be damaged, the blade of the knife is passed between
the bark of the nopal and the cochineals, to cause them to
fall into a vessel. After this they are dried.

The Indians employ many processes to destroy these insects,
which they are in a hurry to kill for fear of losing a part of
their harvest. The mothers, although detached from the
plants, may still survive some days, and produce young ones.
These young ones would soon disperse, and be so much
deducted from the weight of the cochineal which has been
gathered. Some Indians put these insects into a basket,
plunge them afterwards into boiling water, and after having
taken them out, expose them to the sun to dry. Others put
them into a hot oven, or on chafing dishes ; but the boiling
water appears to be the most efficacious method. On those
different methods of destroying the cochineals, depend prin-
cipally the different colours of those which are brought into
Europe. The living insects being covered with a white
powder, those which are destroyed in the boiling water lose a
portion of this powder. They afterwards appear of a red
brown , and are called renagrida. Those which are destroyed
in the ovens do not lose this powder. They remain of an
ashen-grey, and are named jarpeada. Those which die upon
the plants become blackish, as if they were depilated. They
are called negra.

The dead mothers which have been taken from the nests
placed upon the nopals, lose more of their weight in drying
than do the cochineals which have been taken alive and full
of young ones. In drying four pounds weight of the first,
they are reduced to one pound ; and three pounds of the
first, lose only two-thirds in desiccation. When the cochi-

ON THE HEMIPTERA. 281

neals are dried, they may be kept shut up in coffers of wood
for ages, without being deteriorated, or losing a particle of
their tinctorial property.

The wild cochineal is a less bulky insect than the other_
All its body, except the under part of the corslet, is covered
with a cottony, fine, and viscous matter, and bordered with
hairs all around. Eight days after it is fixed, the hairs and
the cottony matter elongate, and are cemented to the plant,
so that one would think that they saw there as many little
white flakes as there are insects. In one place some are sepa-
rated from the others ; in another, a hundred of them may
be seen grouped together. The group augments in volume
in proportion to age, and sticks so close to the plant that
when it is desired to detach the cochineal, a part of the cotton
which covers it is left upon the plant.

Although this cochineal grows naturally on a thorny cactus,
the Indians cultivate it as they do the other, and bring it up
upon the nopal of the gardens, because it is more easily
gathered. The most skilful workman cannot gather from
the thorny opuntium, a sufficient quantity of it each day to
make ten ounces when it is dried ; whereas he may obtain
three pounds dried, when he gathers it on the nopal of the
gardens. The cultivators also find another advantage in this;
it is, that when reared on this plant the wild cochineal be-
comes almost as large as the fine one, and in proportion as it
is reproduced it loses a part of its cottony substance. As
this nopal, and that of Castille, thrive in the western colonies,
and as we are assured that the wild cochineal is also found
there, in many districts, it would certainly be desirable that
its cultivation should be regularly established there.

There is a species of cochineal which lives only in cold
countries, which it seems to prefer to temperate climates. It
inhabits Poland. Formerly, before the Mexican species was
known, it was employed in the business of dyeing. The crops

282 SUPPLEMENT

were neither so abundant, so regular, nor so easily gathered
as those of the true cochineal. This cochineal is known
under the name of coccus tinctorius Polonicus. It is found
on the root of the plant, which Ray has named polygonum
cocciferum. Some authors assert, that the same or a similar
cochineal is found on the root of the scleranthiis perennis,
of the mouse-ear, of the pimpernel, and of the pellitory of the
wall. This grain of scarlet, as it is sometimes called, is
gathered at the commencement of summer. Each grain is
then pretty nearly spherical, and of a purple colour. The
largest are almost of the bulk of a grain of pepper. Each of
them is said to be partly lodged in a sort of calix, as an acorn
is in its calix. The external part of this envelope is rough ;
the internal part is polished. Sometimes not above one or
two of these grains are found upon the plant, sometimes more
than forty. Observations have shewn that from those little
grains insects issue forth, which have two antennas and six
feet ; that at the end of some days these insects grow shorter,
and cease to walk ; and that when they have become immove-
able, their body is covered with a cottony down, similar to
that which surrounds the body of the coccus ulmi. The
males of this species are similar to the males of certain
species of kermes, and couple like the other cochineals. It
has been observed, that the females do not cover themselves
with down until after they have been fecundated, and those
which have not been so remain naked. Both, however, lay
eggs, but it is only from those of the first kind that young
ones issue. What distinguishes this cochineal from the other
species is, that after having been round and immoveable, it
again moves its feet and changes form, from round becoming
oblong. This insect is gathered only every two years, im-
mediately after the summer solstice, because then it is full of
a juice of a purple colour. For this operation a sort of spade
is employed, with which the plant is raised, with some earth

ON THE HEMIPTERA. 283

to detach the cochineal from it. Afterwards the plant is
replaced in the same situation, for fear of destroying it.
When the cochineal has been separated from the earth by
means of a sieve, it is wetted with vinegar or hot water, and
afterwards exposed to the sun to cause it to die and dry up-
It is said that the Turks and Armenians purchase this drug,
and make use of it to tincture silk, wool, leather, morocco,
and the tails of their horses, and that the women extract a
dye from it with lemon-juice or wine, and use it to redden
the extremities of the feet and hands. It is also reported
that formerly these people purchased this coccus very dearly,
and that they employed it, mixed with half the quantity of the
Mexican coccus, to dye cloth scarlet ; and that of the dye of
this insect, extracted with lemon-juice, or a lixivium of alum,
it is possible with chalk to make a kind of lac, capable of
being employed in painting, and that if gum-arabic be
added, it will be as fine as Florence lac. Finally, it is
said that the juice expressed from the cocoons of the poly-
gonum serve in medicine the same uses as the kermes. Not-
withstanding, however, all the properties of this cochineal,
no other is, at present, used for fine dyes but that of
Mexico.

In Russia the inhabitants also extract a crimson dye, from
an indigenous species of cochineal. In France no attempt
has been made to procure any from the insects of this genus
which are so hurtful to orange and other trees. It is by no
means improbable that they would furnish a colour which,
without being so beautiful as that of the American cochineal,
might yet prove of some utility. According to some writers,
it is also to a cochineal that lac is owing, a species of gum
which comes from the East Indies ; but of this there is no
very positive proof.

The elm nourishes a species of cochineal which has much
resemblance to that of the nopal. It is principally found in the

284 SUPPLEMENT

bifurcations of branches which are a year or two old. To-
wards the middle of summer, the cochineals which have ac-
quired their full growth, resemble a little oval, convex mass, of
a brown red, and about a line in length. They are surrounded
with a sort of white and cottony cord, which only allows the
vipper part of the body to be discovered. This substance
contains the belly of the insect, and serves as a nest for the
young. Reaumur thinks that the females are viviparous ;
but according to Geoffroy they are oviparous. Towards the
middle of July a great number of living young ones are found
in the nest, of a yelloAvish white. They have two antennae,
and six short feet, with which they walk tolerably fast. It
would appear, that a day or two after its birth, each little
one quits the nest to run upon the branches of the elm, where
a great quantity of them are discovered. But it is not a
very long time before they all become fixed there. Their
growth, as in the other species, does not take place until after
the winter. At the commencement of spring their body is
a little reddish. Each ring is edged with grey and short
hairs, which disappear to give place to the cottony matter
which forms the nest. It appears likely that this matter
escapes from the body of the insect, as it does from that of
the aphis and the kermes. The eggs, in proceeding from
the body of the mother, pass under her belly as they
come out, and the little ones quit her as soon as they have
strength enough to repair to the branches. As soon as the
female has finished her laying, she dies, dries up, and subse-
quently falls from the nest.

The coccus Jicus caricce is found in the South of Europe,
and all the Levant. These insects produce the worst effect
on the fig-trees. They dry them up by pumping out the
juice of those trees, and occasioning an extravasation of a
considerable portion of the sap. Also those which have been
for some time infested by them, lose their leaves sooner than

ON THE HEMIPTERA. 285

the others. In the new shoots the interval of the knots
becomes smaller every year. The number of figs diminish,
the fruits fall for the most part without ripening ; the leaves
and branches are covered with black spots ; the bark is
detached and scales off; in fine, when the trees are thus
brought to a certain degree of weakness, the winter finishes
their destruction. Many means have been devised for getting
rid of these destructive insects ; but their inefficiency has
been proved by their very imperfect success. Some culti-
vators rub the branches and leaves with vinegar, and the lye
of oil ; but the numerous descendants of these insects survive
all the means wliich may be employed for their destruction.
It is only during winter that they can be attacked with any
advantage, by rubbing with a cloth the shoots on which they
are found, and crushing them, or detaching them with a
knife, or a piece of wood a little edged. This operation,
which would be neither costly, nor long, would be so much
the more easy in this season, as the cochineal is then but
slightly attached to the tree.

Those which are attached to the figs grow more rapidly
than the others. The figs which have been attached by them,
can scarcely be ventured upon to eat, as they cannot be
gathered without crushing some one of these insects, from
which issues a thick reddish matter, off\insive and revolting.
As for dried figs, as care is taken to stir them well upon the
hurdles, the cochineals are more easily detached from them ,
and more especially, as the connecting substance which
attaches them, grows less adhesive, in proportion to the weak-
ness of the insect.

The Coccus farinarius is found in Europe on the branches
of the alder. This cochineal covers itself almost entirely,
-when fixed, with a white and cottony stratum, which extends
even from the region of the anus, much beyond that extre-
mity of the body. The eggs are deposited upon this soft nest,

286 SUPPLEMENT

and accumulated one upon the other. They thus at once
find a bed and a covering, which protect their frail existence.
The laying being finished, the mother dies and dries up by
little and little. Degeer stripped one of these cochineals of the
cottony matter which covered its back. A similar bed, but less
thick, made its appearance on the following day, a proof that
nature has provided these animals with a considerable portion
of this substance. It is somewhat glutinous, and when we
try to remove it, many of its threads will remain adherent to
the leaf on which the insect is fixed, or to the body itself.

Notwithstanding the length to which this account of the
cochineals has extended, it is impossible to conclude without
some notice of the Kermes, which so long as an article of
commerce enjoyed that reputation which has since more
deservedly devolved upon the South American Coccus. The
Kermes more resembles a gall, than any of the cochineals,
having the body so much distended, that it presents no vestige
whatever of an incision. This point excepted, the characters
of the two are identified, and we must confess that we see
but little reason for the generic separation made between them
by GeofFroy and Reaumur.

In their youth, the females resemble little white wood-lice,
which would have but six feet. They run upon the leaves, and
afterwards fix upon the stems and branches of trees and
shrubs, where they pass many months in succession. It is
then that they assume the figure of a gall, or excrescence.

It is upon such shrubs and plants as survive the winter,
hat th ese insects grow. They need a plant which shall
nourish them for nearly a year, that being the time fixed for
the duration of their existence. Having acquired their
growth, some of them resemble little balls attached against a
branch, the size of which varies from that of a pepper-cornj
to a pea. Others have a spherical form, but truncated or
elongated. Some are oblong, and others, by far the greater

ON THE HEMIPTERA. 287

number, resemble an inverted boat. The colours are diver-
sified.

Fruit-trees, and peaches more especially, are sometimes so
much covered with Kermes, whether of that species like the
inverted boat, or the other, like small grains, that their
branches appear altogether scabby. These insects do not
arrive at the term of their growth until the middle, or at
latest towards the end of spring. If the peach-trees be ob-
served at this period, we may remark tuberosities on their
branches, which are Kermes, some of which are living and
immoveable, and others dead from the preceding year.
These may be distinguished from each other, in that the first
are extremely adherent to the plant, and that the place where
their body is attached, is covered with a cottony matter, on
which their belly, which is as much inflated as possible, is
applied. If these insects are observed a little later, their
skin appears nothing but a simple dried shell, containing or
covering an infinity of little, reddish, oblong grains, which
are eggs. The little ones which come from them, still re-
main for a few days under the skin of the mother.

It is impossible to observe without admiration, the manner
in which the females cover the eggs and the little ones. A
great number of insects know how to weave cocoons, in which
they enclose their brood, with considerable art. It is with
her own body that the female of the Kermes covers her off-
spring. It answers all the purposes of a very close shell, or
cocoon. She does not leave them for a moment exposed to
the impressions of the air, places them in perfect shelter, and
covers the eggs from the very instant in which they are laid.
She is also useful to her young, even after her death, since
they remain for many days under her dried up body.

The females die very shortly after having laid their eggs.
Those of some species, according to many authors, lay but
two thousand eggs, while those of others produce above four

288 SUPPLEMENT

thousand. The little ones proceed from under this skin,
through an aperture which exists at the lower part of their
body. Scarcely have the young Kermes quitted their cradle,
than they begin to run upon the leaves. Their growth is
very slow, continuing from the end of spring, or the com-
mencement of summer, the time of their birth, until the
spring of the following year, but then they begin to acquire
bulk rapidly. If those of the peach-tree are observed at the
renewal of the fine season, there will be seen upon their back
a number of little tubercles and some hairs or threads, to-
lerably long, which proceed from different parts of their
bodies. These hairs, which are placed in different directions,
proceed to attach themselves on the wood, tolerably distant
from the insect.

For a long time naturalists were ignorant how these females
were fecundated. Some authors believed that they were of
both sexes, and could lay eggs without any intercourse with
the male. But the observations of Reaumur, who has wit-
nessed the union of the sexes, in the species of the peach-tree,
prove that the Kermes, in this respect, do not differ from
other animals of the same class.

All the young Kermes resemble one another, and do not
assume the form which is peculiar to them, until they have
grown. The most celebrated species is that whose figure ap-
proaches that of a ball, from which a small segment had been
excided. This Kermes lives upon a species of small green
oak, which is a mere shrub, that rises to the height of two or
three feet, and is the quercus coccifera of Linnaeus. This
oak grows in great quantities, in the uncultivated lands of the
southern parts of France, in Spain, and the islands of the
Archipelago. It is from these shrubs that the peasants
proceed to gather the harvest of the Kermes, in the proper
season.

The Kermes for a very long time had excited the curiosity

ON THE HEMIPTERA. 289

of naturalists, before its true nature was discovered. It gave
rise to an experiment, which succeeded, and led Marcilly into
an error on this subject. Every one is acquainted with the
composition of ink ; we know that it is by the mixture of
nut-galls that the solution of vitriol assumes a black colour.
Marcilly tried if he could make ink with the Kermes and
vitriol, and succeeded in so doing. From this he concluded
that the Kermes, producing an effect similar to that of the
galls found upon the large oaks, was a gall of the little oak ;
but he was deceived respecting the nature of these insects.
This experiment discovers to us a curious fact ; namely, that
vegetable substances proper for the making of ink, preserve
this property after having passed into the body of an animal.

The Kermes which has come to its full growth, appears
like a little spherical shell, fixed against the shrub. Its
colour is a brown-red. It is lightly crowned with an ashen
crest. That which is obtained through the medium of com-
merce, is of a very deep red, and only owes its colour to the
vinegar with which it has been treated.

The inhabitants of the countries where the Kermes is
gathered, consider this insect under three different states.
The first takes place in the commencement of spring. At
this period it is of a very fine red, almost entirely enveloped
with a sort of cotton, which serves it as a nest. It has then
the form of an inverted boat. The second state occurs from
the moment in which the insect arrives at its f(ill growth, and
that the cotton with which it was covered is spread over its
body in the form of a greyish dust. It then appears to be a
simple cocoon, filled with a reddish liquor. Finally the
kermes arrives at its third state towards the middle or end of
the spring of the following year. It is at this period that
there are found under its belly eighteen hundred or two
thousand little round grains, which are the eggs. They are
as small again as a poppy-seed, and filled with a reddish

VOL. XV. u

290

SUPPLEMENT

liquor. In tlie microscope they appear set with brilHant
points, of the colour of gold. Among these eggs, some are
whitish, and some red. The first produce little ones of a
dirtier white, more flatted than the others, and whose brilliant
points have an argentine colour. These individuals, accord-
ing to Reaumur, are less common than the red. They are
erroneously considered, in the countries where they are found,
as the mothers of the kermes.

Towards her second state, the female kermes prepares her-
self for her laying, by approximating the lower part of her
belly to the back. She then resembles a wood-louse half
rolled up. The vacancy formed by this contraction is filled
by the eggs. The mother having acquitted herself of the
duties imposed upon her by nature, very speedily perishes.
Her carcase dries up. The traits which characterized it as
an insect are obliterated, and totally disappear ; nothing more
is perceptible, than a sort of gall.

The eggs exclude the young ; the latter abandon the cradle
of their birth, spread themselves over the leaves of the shrub
on which they have just been born ; and feed upon their
juice, which they extract with their proboscis.

The male at first exhibits the greatest possible conformity
with the female. He fixes himself in the same manner that
she does, becomes metamorphosed into a nymph in his cocoon,
becomes then a perfect insect, raises the cocoon, and issues
forth from it, the hinder part of his body being foremost.

Scarcely does he see the light, when excited by the desire
of love, he hastens to fulfil the grand, and indeed the only
end of his existence. As soon as this is accomplished, he
ceases to exist.

The harvest of kermes is more or less abundant, according
as the winter has been more or less mild. There is every ex-
pectation of its being good, when the winter passes without
fogs or frosts. It has been remarked, that the oldest trees,

ON THE HEMIPTERA. ^91

and which appear the least vigorous., and are the least ele-
vated, are the most loaded with kermes. The soil also con-
tributes to their bulk, and to the vivacity of their colour.
The insect, which comes from shrubs neighbouring to the sea,
is larger, and of a more brilliant colour, than that which
comes from shrubs more remote from it.

It is reported that pigeons are very fond of the kermes,
which renders it necessary to watch them during the period
of its gathering. If some species of kermes do injury to
trees, we are amply compensated for this by the use which is
made of that one of which we have been just speaking. It
holds a distinguished place among the animals which are
serviceable to us. The peasants of certain districts in France,
and those of some other countries, collect in this way every
year, a precious harvest without the trouble of tilling the land
or sowing the grain. They proceed to collect this insect,
which Pliny names cocci granum, and which is also called
in the south of France, graine d'ecarlate^ and vermilion. It
is with this that the syrup of kermes is made. If the advan-
tage derived by medicine from this drug, may be doubted, it
cannot be doubted that the art of dyeing, derives utility from
the kermes, which serves to dye silk or wool, of a fine crim-
son. It must be owned, however, that since the discovery of
the cochineal, the kermes has ceased to be a matter of so
much importance as formerly, and, perhaps at the present
day, it is not applied to the production of so much advantage
as it might be. It is women who gather this harvest. They
remove with their nails the kermes from the shrubs, and one
woman may gather two pounds per day. It is not rare to
have two harvests in the year. The second is found attached
to the leaves. It is neither so large nor so fit for the purposes
of tincture as the first. The kermes destined for this purpose
is wetted with vinegar ; the pulp or red powder enclosed in
the grain is removed. Then these grains are washed in wine,

u 2

292 SUPPLEMENT

and after having been dried in the sun, they are polished by
rubbing them in a sack, and they are shut up, mixed with a
quantity of their own powder. The dearness of these grains
depends on the greater or less quantity of powder which they
afford. The first powder is that which comes out of the
hole, which is on the side where the kermes is fixed to the
tree ; that which remains attached to the grain, issues, it is
said, from a very small hole.

Vinegar changes the colour of the kermes. It is also used
to destroy the posterity of the insect.

There are found on the large oaks many species of kermes,
of different forms, and different colours, one of which being
red, very much resembles that of the little oak. It is not
good, however, for the purposes of dyeing ; but it is con-
sidered as good for the confection of alkermes^ as that
which is attached to the IhtX cocci glandifera.

The females of the kermes, finish their laying without its
being perceived, because their body covers all the eggs.
Nevertheless, there are some species in which it covers but a
part. The eggs of these latter, are lodged in a mass of threads
of silk or cotton, very white, which causes them to be taken for
the eggs of the spider. Those eggs which belong to different
species are found on the yoke-elm, the oak, and the vine.

The mass which covers the nest of eggs, is usually of a
rounded form above. When touched, or deranged ever so
little, the envelope attaches itself to the fingers, which remove
an infinity of threads parallel one to the other. The kermes
do not spin this cottony matter ; it escapes from under their
shell, in the same manner as it escapes from the body of cer-
tain aphides, and of larvae which eat them . It is not from
spinnerets, like those of the caterpillars and spiders, that this
substance issues forth. The kermes have underneath the
belly a great number of imperceptible apertures analogous
to the spinnerets of other insects, which give it passage. The

ON THE HEMIPTERA. 293

principal are around the body. The species which make
these cottony nests, are those, which previously to their lay-
ing, have the form of an inverted boat.

In the kermes nhni, neither proboscis nor any organ as a
substitute for mouth is to be discovered. There is only
visible at the place which it usually occupies in other insects,
some small grains or nipples about ten in number, very close,
five on each side, that is, two which are larger, in front, two
others of the same size behind, and three small ones in a
triangle on each side. These grains are polished, lustrous,
and resemble little simple eyes.

THE EIGHTH ORDER OF INSECTS.

THE NEUROPTERA.

Odonata, and a great part of the Synistata, of Fab.

The two upper wings are membranaceous, usually naked,
transparent, and like the lower in their consistence and pro-
perties. Their mouth is proper for mastication, being fur-
nished with mandibles and jaws. The surface of the wings
is composed of a very fine net-work. The lower wings are
generally of the same size as the upper, sometimes broader,
and sometimes narrower, but longer. The jaws and chin are
never tubular. There is no sting, and seldom an ovipositor
to the abdomen. The antennae are usually filiform, and com-
posed of a great number of articulations. Two or three sim-
ple eyes. Trunk ^formed of three segments closely united
forming one body distinct from the abdomen. The first is
short, forming a collar. The number of the articulations of
the tarsi is variable. The body usually elongated, or slightly
scaly. Abdomen always sessile.

Some undergo but a semi-metamorphosis, others a com-
plete one. The larvae have always six hooked feet.

I shall divide this order into three families, presenting the
following natural relations. 1st. Carnivorous insects ; semi-

ORDER NEUROPTERA. 295

metamorphosis ; larvae aquatic. 2d. Carnivorous insects ;
complete metamorphosis ; larvae terrestrial or aquatic. 3d.
Carnivorous, or omnivorous insects ; terrestrial ; semi-meta-
morphosis. 4th. Herbivorous insects ; complete metamor-
phosis ; larvae aquatic, constructing portable domiciles. "We
shall finish with those whose wings are less reticulated, re-
sembling phalenae, or tineae.
The first family,

SUBULICORNES, Lat.

Antennae awl-shaped, little longer than the head, seven
articulations at most, the last a thread. Mandibles and jaws
entirely covered by the labrum and labium, or by the an-
terior and advanced extremity of the head. Wings separated,
sometimes horizontal, sometimes perpendicular ; lower of the
size of the upper, or very small and even nullified. All have
reticulated eyes prominent, with two or three simple eyes
situated between them.

Some have horny mandibles and jaws ; very strong, and
covered by the lips. Three articulations to the tarsi. Wings
equal. Abdomen terminated by hooks, or foliaceous appen-
dages. They form the genus

LiBELLULA, Lin. Geoff.

Head thick, rounded, or broadly triangular. Two large
lateral eyes, and three simple on the vertex. Antennae in-
serted in the forehead ; five or six articulations, or three at
at least, the last attenuating into the form of a stylet. Scaly
mandibles, strong and denticulated, jaws terminated by a
piece of the same consistence, denticulated, spiny, and
ciliated internally, with a palpus of a single articulation,
applied on the back, representing the galea of the Orthoptera.
There are three leaves to the labium, of which the two lateral
are palpi. An epiglottis, or long vesicular tongue, in the

296 CLASS INSECTA.

interior of the mouth. The corslet thick and rounded, ab-
domen much elongated, and terminated, in the males, by two
lamellary Appendages, varying in form. Feet short, and
curved forwards.

Fabricius divides the libellulas into three genera :

LiBELLULiE (proper). Wings in repose horizontal ; head
nearly globular, eyes very large and approximated. A vesi-
cular elevation with a simple eye on each side on the vertex.
The third by much the largest. The middle division of the
lip much smaller than the lateral. The abdomen ensiform.

^SHNA. Two hinder simple eyes situated on a transverse
keel-formed elevation. Intermediate lobe of the labium
larger, the two others separate, armed with a strong tooth,
and a spinous appendage. Abdomen narrow and elongated.

Agrion. Wings perpendicular. Middle lobe of the labium
divided in two. Third articulation of the lateral lobes in the
form of a membranaceous tongue. Antennae, four articula-
tions. No vesicle on the forehead. Simple eyes, equal, and
disposed triangularly on the vertex. Abdomen almost fili-
form. Serrated lamina; to that of the female.

The other Subulicorn Neuroptera have the mouth
entirely membranous or very soft, and composed of parts not
very distinct. Five articulations to the tarsi : lower wings
much smaller than the upper, or nullified. Abdomen termi-
nated by two or three threads. The genus

Ephemera, Lin.

Body very soft, long and attenuated. Antennae very small,
with three articulations, the last long, and in a conical thread.
Front of the head, hood-like, often carinated and emarginated,
and covering the mouth, Avhose organs are not distinguish-
able, in consequence of their softness. Wings perpendicular
or but little inclined backwards. Feet slender, legs short,

ORDER NEUROPTERA. 297

and frequently but four articulations to the tarsi. The two
hooks of the last are compressed in the form of a palette.
The two anterior feet much longer than the others.
The second family,

Planipennes,

Have the attennae composed of a great number of articula-
tions, and they are considerably longer than the head. Man-
dibles very distinct, and lower wings almost equal to the
upper. Maxillary palpi filiform, or a little thicker at the
extremity, shorter than the head, and with four or five arti-
culations.

This family is divided into five sections :

1st. Panorpat^, Latreille. Five articulations to all the
tarsi, and the anterior extremity of the head prolonged and
narrowed like a proboscis. They constitute the genus

Panorpa, Lin., Fab.

Antennas setaceous, and inserted between the eyes. Hood
prolonged into a corneous plate, conical, and vaulted underneath
to cover the mouth. The mandibles, jaws, and labium almost
linear. Four to six palpi, short, filiform, and the maxillary
with but four articulations. Body elongated, head vertical,
first segment of trunk generally small and collar-like ; abdo-
men conical. The two sexes differ much in many species.

In the greater number the uncovered part of the corslet is
formed of two segments, the first of which is the smallest.
Both sexes are winged, and the wings are longer than the
abdomen, oval or linear, but not narrowed at their extremity.
Such are

Nemopteea, Latr. Oliv. Upper wings separated, almost
oval, very finely reticulated. Lower very long and linear ;
no simple eyes. Abdomen same form in both sexes. Six
palpi, apparently.

298 CLASS INSECTA.

BiTTACUs, Lat. Four wings equal, and horizontal. Sim-
ple eyes, feet very long, tarsi terminated by a single hook,
and without cushion.

Panorpa (proper), Latr. Abdomen of the male terminated
by an articulate tail, with a pincers at the end like the scor-
pions. That of the females finishes in a point. Feet of
middling length, with two hooks, and a cushion at the end
of the tarsi.

In the others the first segment of the thorax is large, and
the two following covered by the wings in the males. These
are oval-formed, curved at the end, shorter than the abdomen,
and wanting in the females. In them the abdomen is termi-
nated by a sabre-like ovipositor. Boreus, Latr.

2nd. The Myrmeleonides. Five articulations also to
the tarsi, but head not prolonged like a muzzle. Antennae
gradually growing thicker, or terminated by a button. Head
transverse and vertical. Only the usual eyes, round and pro-
jecting. Six palpi, the labial longer, and swelled at the end.
Palate of the mouth raised like an epiglottis, first segment of
thorax small. Wings equal, elongated, and roof-like. Ab-
domen long, cylindrical, and with' two projecting appendages
in the males. Feet short. These insects form the genus

Myumeleok,

Divided by Fabricius into two : —

Myrmeleon (proper), antennas almost fusiform, hooked
at the end, much shorter than the body, and the abdomen
very long and linear.

AscALAPHUS, Fab. Antennae long, and abruptly termi-
nating in a button ; abdomen oblong-oval, and but little
longer than the thorax. Wings proportionally broader, and
less long than in the preceding.

3d. Hemerobini, Latr. Antennae like threads, and but
four palpi. They form the genus

ORDER NEUROPTERA. 299

Hemerobius, Lin., Fab.
Some have the first segment of the trunk very small, wings
roof-like, last articulation of the palpi thicker, ovoid, and
pointed. They form the genus

Hemekobius (proper), Latr. Body soft, eyes globular,
and often adorned with metallic colours. Winffs larce, and
much inclined.

Of Hemerobius fulvicephakcs ( Maculatus^ of Fab.),
Latreille has formed his genus Osmylits.

Nymphes, of Dr. Leach, formed on some insects of New
Holland, has the antennas filiform, and shorter.

The others have the first segment of the thorax large,
corslet-formed, wings horizontal, and palpi filiform ; last
articulation conical, or almost cylindrical. Fabricius gives
them the generic name of

Semblis.

This genus is composed of those of Corydalis, Chauli-
oDEs, and Sialis, of Latreille. The first is distinguished
by the mandibles, which are very large, and in the form of
horns in the males ; the second, by pectinated antennae ; and
the third, by mandibles of middle size, simple antennae, and
wings, forming a roof.

4th. Another division, that of Termitin.e, will compre-
hend Neuroptera, that undergo a semi-metamorphosis, all
terrestrial, active, carnivorous, or rodential, in all states.
Except Mantispa, they are very distinct from all the insects
of this order, resembling even Mantis, in the form of their
anterior feet. The tarsi have four articulations . at most,
which removes them from the preceding genera of the same
family. The mandibles are always corneous and strong
The lower wings are nearly of the size of the upper, and
without folds.

Some have from five to three articulations to the tarsi.

300 CLASS INSECTA.

labial palpi prominent and very distinct. The antennas ge-
nerally composed of more than ten articulations, Prothorax
large. Wings equal, and much reticulated.

Mantispa, Illig. Raphidia, Scop., Lin. Mantis, Fab.,
Pall., Oliv. Five articulations to all the tarsi, first two fore-
feet formed for seizing. Antennae short and grained, eyes
large, prothorax very long, thickened in front, and wings
roof-like.

Raphidia, Lin,, Fab. Four articulations to the tarsi.
Head elongated, narrowed behind. Corslet long, narrow,
and almost cylindrical. Abdomen of the females terminated
by a long exterior oviduct, formed of two laminae.

Termes, Hemerohius, Lin. Four articulations to all the
tarsi, wings horizontal, and very long. Head rounded ;
corslet square or semi-circular. Body depressed, antennae
short, and chaplet-formed. Mouth similar to that of the
orthoptera, and labium quadrifid. Three simple eyes, one
not very distinct on the forehead, and the two others, situated
one at each side, near the internal edge of the usual eyes.

Wings transparent, coloured, with very fine and close ner-
vures, not forming a distinct net-work. Two small, conical

points, with two articulations at the end of the abdomen ; feet

short.

The other termitince have two articulations to the tarsi,

the labial palpi not distinct, and very short ; antennas with

about ten articulations. First segment of the trunk very

small, and lower wings smaller than the upper. They form

the genus

Psocus, Lat., Fab., Termes Hemerohius, Lin, Very

small insect, whose body is short, very soft, and often swelled.

Head large, antennae setaceous, maxillary palpi projecting,

wings roof-like, but little reticulated, or simply veined.
5. Perlides. Three articulations to the tarsi, mandibles

almost always partly membranaceous, and small ; lower

ORDER NEUROPTERA. 301

wings broader than the upper, and doubled on the internal
side. They embrace the genus

Perla, of GeofFroy.

Body elongated, narrow, and flatted ; head pretty large, an-
tennae setaceous ; maxillary palpi very prominent ; first seg-
ment of the trunk almost square ; wings horizontal, and
crossed on the body, and abdomen usually terminated by
two articulated threads.

Nemoura, Latreille, differ from Perla by an apparent
labrum, corneous mandibles, articulations of tarsi of an equal
length, and abdomen almost without threads.

The third family of Neuroptrra,

Plicipenxes.

No mandibles ; lower wings usually broader than the up-
per, and folded in their length. It composes the genus

Phryganea, Lin., Fab.

Head small ; two setaceous antennae, generally very long
and advanced. Rounded and prominent eyes, two simple
ones on the forehead, labrum conical, or curved ; four
palpi, the maxillary very often long, filiform, or almost
setaceous, with five articulations ; the labial with three, the
last a little thicker. Jaws and a membranaceous labium
united. Body usually bristling with hairs, and forming
with the wings an elongated triangle. First segment of
thorax small, wings ^veined, usually coloured, or almost
opaque ; silky or hairy in many, and always very much
inclined, in the form of a roof. Feet elongated, furnished
with small spines, and five articulations to the tarsi.

Some have the lower wings evidently broader than the
upper, and folded.

Sericostoma. In one of the sexes the maxillary palpi

302 CLASS INSECTA, &C.

are in the form of valvules, covering the mouth like a
rounded muzzle, three articulations, and under which we
discover a thick and cottony down. Those of the other sex
are filiform, and of five articulations.

Phryganea (proper). Mouth similar in both sexes, and
maxilary palpi shorter than the head and corslet, and but
little hairy.

Some species, as Jilosa^ quadrifasciata, longicornis, kirta,
nigra, with excessively long antennas, and maxillary palpi
equally long, and very hairy, form our sub-genus Mts-

TACIDA.

Others have four narrow, lanceolate wings, almost equal,
and without folds. To this division belongs the genus Hy-
DROPTiLA, of M. Dalman. The antennae are short, almost
grained, and of the same bulk.

Another sub-genus might be composed, (Psychomyi^),
with other phryganece, with similar wings, but whose an-
tennae are long and setaceous, as well as in almost all the
others. We often meet in gardens a very small species, of
great vivacity, the whole body a fulvous brown, and the
antennae annulated with white. This appears to me in-
edited, or imperfectly described.

SUPPLEMENT

THE NEUROPTERA.

The order Neuroptera was established by Linnaeus, and is
named from the peculiar character of the wings, which are
reticulated, naked, and transparent in the majority, and in all
calculated for the purposes of flight. They are in general
beautifully clear, and often present very lively reflections.
Many, however, exhibit diff*erent coloured spots of no great
transparency. Their wings are four in number.

The larvae of these insects are provided with six feet.
Many among them live in the water, and do not issue from
it but in the state of the perfect insect. Others are terrestrial.
Among the latter some live under the barks of trees ; others,
concealed in the sand, lay snares for ants, and other insects ;
others make war upon the aphides. These larvae are in gene-
ral carnivorous, and live solely on other insects. Some are
omnivorous, such are those of the termes. Their metamor-
phoses are not the same in all the species. Some nymphs are
immoveable ; others stir about, and feed, like their larvae, on
insects, which they catch by divers means.

The larvae which live in the water, have organs which at
first appear analogous to the gills of fishes, but which are only
external and tracheal appendages. These are designated by
M. Latreille nndex i\\e x\sca\e oi fausses hranchies (false gills).

304 SUPPLEMENT

Some of them construct sheathes, or cases, after the manner
of the tinecB, of different sorts of materials, and carry them
with them everywhere. They contrive two apertures in them,
which they close up before they change into nymphs, and do
not issue forth but under their final form.

Some Neuroptera, in the perfect state, take little or no nou-
rishment, and live but a very short time ; such are the Ephe-
mercB, S^c. But others are not less carnivorous than their
larvae. The libellulce, for instance, are often seen hovering in
the places where they hope to find their prey, and as soon as
they perceive it, they dart upon it with rapidity from above,
seize, and devour it.

The first family of this order is that of the Subulicornes,
forming the genus Libellula. Those are the insects, to
which, in England, we give the name of dragon-flies.

Notwithstanding the elegant forms of the libellulae, their
inclinations are of the most murderous kind. Far from feed-
ing on the honied juice of fruits and flowers, they hover aloft
in the air, ready to dart down on all the winged insects which
they can discover, as the raptorial birds come pouncing on
their prey. " The name given to them in England," says
Mr. Kirby, " seems much more applicable than Damoiselles,
by which the French distinguish them. Their motions, it is
true, are light and airy ; their dress is silky, brilliant and
variegated, and trimmed with the finest lace ; — so far the re-
semblance holds ; but their purpose, except at the time of
love, is always destruction, in which, surely, they have no
resemblance to the ladies. I have been much amused by ob-
serving the proceedings of a species, not uncommon here,
Anax Imperator, of Dr. Leach. It keeps wheeling round
and round, and backwards and forwards, over a considerable
portion of the pool which it frequents. If one of the same
species comes in its way, a battle ensues ; if other species of
LihellulincB presume to approach, it drives them away, and it

ON NEUROPTERA. 30,5

is continually engaged in catching case-worm flies, and other
insects (for the species of this tribe all catch their prey when
on the wing, and their large eyes seem given them to enable
them the more readily to do this) that fly over the water,
pulling off their wings with great adroitness, and devouring
in an instant the contents of the body. From the number of
insects of this tribe, which are everywhere to be observed, we
may conjecture how useful they must be in preventing too
great a multiplication of the other species of the class to
which they belong.""

In fact they devour all the insects which they can lay hold
of. Not being very difficult as to choice of species, all come
alike to them. They are often seen in the air, carrying ofF
small flies, the blue meat-fly, and even butterflies. It is this
taste for insects which brings them into flower-gardens, fields,
and especially along hedges, on which many flies and butter-
flies repose. This same appetite leads them to the banks of
waters, where numerous insects flit about, and brings them,
in short, into every district which is peopled with their pecu-
liar game.

The libellulae are born in the water, and there acquire their
complete growth. As long as they live there, their form re-
mains tolerably similar to that which they had on issuing
from the egg. They change into nymphs while they are yet
young and small. This change of state produces no sensible
change in their figure. We only perceive on the back of the
nymph, four flat, and oblong bodies, which are the sheaths of
the wings which the perfect insect is to possess. The colour
of these nymphs presents nothing very remarkable. They
are usually of a brownish green, often covered with mud;
their six feet are attached to the corslet, and differ little from
what they are subsequently to be. They have on the fore-
head a sort of convex, rounded mask, which Reaumur has
named casque ; their mouth is armed with four solid, broad

VOL. XV. X

306

SUPPLEMENT

teeth, placed in the middle of its anterior part, and which
cannot be made visible without injuring the nymph. They
are usually concealed by this mask, which occupies all the
front and top of the head. The mask terminates in a sort of
solid chin, of a cartilaginous substance. A suture is there
distinguishable, which divides it into two parts, the anterior
of which, shorter than the other, may be regarded as the
forehead, and the other, longer, is what Reaumur calls the
mentonniere, or chin-cloth. This mask is merely applied
against the head ; it is not adherent to it. It may be easily
removed by means of a fine point : then the mouth and teeth
are to be distinctly seen.

The use of the mask is not merely to cover the mouth, it is
also to supply it with aliment. Beside its transverse suture,
there is a longitudinal one on the front, which divides it into
two equal parts, as far as the transverse suture. By means
of these different sutures, the nymph opens as it pleases, one
or the other of these two parts, or both at once. These
nymphs, which are very carnivorous, and continually in am-
bush for the aquatic insects on which they feed, make use of
these different pieces, which Reaumur has called volets (shut-
ters), to catch their prey. The edges of these pieces have
denticulations, which hold them together when the mask is
closed, and they seem to retain the insect when it is seized.

These pieces furnish one of the principal characters which
distinguish the larvae and nymphs of the libellulse, from those
of oeshna and agris.

The nymphs of the libellulae have the body short, broad,
depressed, and terminated by a very short tail. Their four
teeth, or the parts analagous to the mandibles and jaws of the
perfect insect, are covered transversely by the two shutters,
which have an almost triangular figure, and are a little vaulted.
Their internal sides are denticulated, touch in their entire
length, and thus form a suture, perpendicular to the breadth

ON NEUROPTERA. 307

of the mask. The anterior part of the head, closed by the
shutters, is properly called the forehead. The mask is in the
form of a casque.

The interior of the mouth of these nymphs, presents us, as
in the perfect insects which proceed from them, a rounded
advancement, almost vnembranous, situated under the teeth,
which M. Latreille calls palate^ but which Reaumur considers
a toyigue.

These insects, in the larva and nymph state, present a very
singular phenomenon in the mode in which they absorb the
air which is contained in the water. It is at the end of their
body that the aperture is which gives entrance to the water,
and by which it is subsequently expelled. This aperture is
surrounded by five small, pointed pieces, three of which are
larger and triangular. These pieces, when the insect closes
the posterior aperture of the body, form a sort of pyramidical
tail. Every time that it wishes to respire the water, or eject
its excrements, it opens this pyramid, expanding its extremity.
In the libellulae, the three most projecting points are equal ;
but in the nymphs of the second genus, that of cEshna, the
dorsal piece is truncated, while the two lateral and anterior
are pointed.

These triangular points, also, sometimes constitute for the
insect an offensive and defensive weapon.

It is easy to see, when these pieces are separated from each
other, a round aperture, about half a line in diameter, in the
nymphs of the middle size. Jets of water issue forth from it
by intervals, and are carried to the distance of two or tliree
inches from the insect. These jets are more or less abundant,
according to circumstances. Some may be generally seen to
proceed from the anus every time the insect is put out of the
water. When deprived, for a quarter of an hour, or longer,
of this element, and subsequently put into a flat vessel, where
there is scarcely water enough to cover it, its inspirations

X 2

308 SUPPLEMENT

and expirations become more frequent and more sensible.
At other times, there is only perceived, occasionally, a slow
circulation of the water round the hinder part of the nymph.
The hole, which is at the end of the last ring, is most fre-
quently stopped by some greenish flesh. But without wait-
ing any length of time, we discover there, by intervals, an
aperture, which allows us to see, in the capacity of the body,
three pieces, nearly of equal size, formed like shells, cartila-
ginous, and situated so as to close the aperture at will, and
act in some measure as a valve. When these pieces rise, and
proceed toward the hinder part, the parts which are above,
remove in an opposite direction. We then see through the
hole, the interior of the capacity of the body, which appears
empty. The last five rings are really so, and form a tunnel,
which is filled with air or water. To inspire the water, the
nymph separates the parts of its tail, raises the shell-pieces,
and forms a vacancy in the last rings of its body, by ap-
proaching interiorly to the corslet, a sort of thick bung, or
stopple : the water immediately occupies this capacity. If
the insect be desirous of rejecting this fluid, the parietes of
its body contract, the bung is pushed towards the rump, and
the water is squirted out.

This mass, which Reaumur calls tampon (bung, stopple),
and which performs the office of a piston when the animal
inspires and expires the water, is but a net-work of vessels
which serve for respiration, tracheae without number inter-
laced one with another ; four principal trunks, two on each
side, extend through the whole length of the body, and throw
out, beginning from the middle of their extent, and still more
towards the final rings, and of the interior side, a quantity of
branches. The posterior extremeties of the grosser vessels
are divided, or, as it were, cleft into many small portions.
These organs are evidently tracheae ; their tubular form,
their contexture, which presents a cartilaginous thread, turned

ON NEUIIOPTERA. 309

spirally, and from which Reaumur has wound out a length
of three inches, their whiteness, their satiny lustre, all con-
vince us of this fact.

The insect has several stigmata disposed longitudinally on
the sides of the body. On the corslet there are four very
visible, two especially, those which are placed nearer the
base of the abdomen. Each ring of this last part of the
body, with perhaps the exception of the two at the end, has
two of them, but whether water hinders oil from being ap-
plied there, or whether by closing with promptitude, they do
not permit this last fluid to penetrate to them, the animal
does not perish when it is oiled over the external apertures of
the tracheae.

The alimentary canal proceeds in a strait line, from the
mouth to the anus. But it has, as it were, three inflations,
which Reaumur says may be regarded as three stomachs.
The end of this canal appeared to him to remove from, or
approach to the anus in the different movements which the
insect makes to inspire, or expire the water.

M. Cuvier has seen in the interior of the rectum, twelve
longitudinal ranges of small black spots, approximating by
hairs, resembling so many leaves, which botanists name ivinged.
There are a great number of little conical tubes, of the struc-
ture of tracheae. We observe, that there spring from each of
these trachese some small branches, which lose themselves ia
six large trunks of tracheae predominating in the whole length
of the body, and from which proceed all the branches which
carry the air into all parts of the body. M. Cuvier suspects
that this apparatus of the respiratory organs decomposes the
water, and absorbs the air which is there contained. We
have seen that Reaumur reckoned but four principal trachese :
M. Cuvier has discovered two more. This difference arises
from Reaumur not having seen the two lateral tracheae, into
which the stigmata almost immediately open. M. Cuvier has

310 SUPPLEMENT

also favoured us with some very curious observations on the
structure of the eye of the libellulae, but our limits compel
us to deny ourselves the pleasure of inserting them.

The majority of the larvae of the libellulae, and perhaps
all, live from ten to eleven months in the water before they
can undergo the transformation into the perfect insect.
During this interval they change their skin several times. It
is from the middle of spring to the commencement of autumn,
that their final metamorphosis takes place. The nymphs
which are about to change their form, may be recognised
not only by their size, but also by the figure of the sheaths
of their wings. The two which are on the same side, detach
themselves from one another, and in some species they change
position.

It is out of the water that this grand change from the state
of nymph to that of an inhabitant of the air is accomplished.
Some nymphs are metamorphosed in one or two hours after
they leave the water ; others take an entire day to change
their form. On issuing from the water, the nymph remains
a certain time in the air to dry itself ; it subsequently places
itself upon a stalk, or branch of a tree, where it hooks itself
with its feet, and always fixes so that the head shall be upper-
most. The movements by which the transformation is pre-
pared, go on internally. The first sensible eiFect which they
produce, is to cut the sheath over the corslet. This cleft
elongates, and the libellula disengages its head. Afterwards
it puts forth its feet ; to complete their disengagement from
the envelope, it turns its head downwards. In this attitude
it is only supported by its last rings, which have remained in
the spoil, and which form a kind of hook, which prevent it
from falling. After having remained a certain time in this
posture, it turns about, seizes Avith the hooks of its feet the
anterior part of the sheath, fastens there, and completes the
emancipation of the posterior part of its body. Tlien its

ON NEUROPTERA. 311

wings are narrow, thick, and folded like the leaf of a tree,
which is about to be developed. It is only at the end of one
or two hours that they are entirely unfolded, and sufficiently
solid to enable the insect to make use of them.

As soon as their wings are firm, the libellulae take flight,
and, similar to the birds of prey, they proceed to the chase.
The males soon have another object in their flight, which is
to find the females, with which they may couple. Their
amours, and the mode in which their union takes place, con-
stitute one of the most singular phenomena in the history of
these insects. From spring to the middle of autum, we fre-
quently observe the libellulae, either on plants, or flying in
the air, in pairs. The one which flies the first, is the male,
which has the extremity of its body placed upon the neck of
the female ; both fly in concert, having the body in a right
line.

The females do not retain their eggs very long after they
have been fecundated. They come forth from their body,
through the aperture which they have near the anus. As
these eggs are united, and form a sort of cluster, they lay
them all at once, on the same day in which they have coupled.
They deposit them in the water, the element in which the
larvae are to grow, and undergo their first metamorphosis.

The colours, in the majority of other insects, usually serve
to distinguish the species, but here they most frequently de-
note only the diff'erence of sex. It is therefore essential to
observe, as much as possible, the libellulae, and also the other
insects of this family, at the moment of their amours. Reau-
mur has seen, in the lihellula depressa, the most common
species, some males which were yellowish, like the females,
and others which were of a fine slate-colour. In the agriones,
especially, he has remarked a great number of differences of
colour, among the sexes. He also observes, that the males,
or those, at least, of many species, exceed the females, a little,

ol2 SUPPLEMENT

in size, or are not sensibly smaller, a fact of rare occurrence
in the insect world.

The insects of the sub-genus jEshna, and also those of
ogrio, are called damoiselles, bv the French, as well as the
libellulae. The difference is in their larvae, as well as in the
perfect state. Those of the libellulae are short, the abdomen
is oval, and terminated by five short points, forming a pyra-
mid. The larvse of aeshna have the abdomen similarly ter-
minated, but it is much longer. Their eyes are larger ; their
mask is flat, and provided with two strong talons.

The insects of this sub-genus are remarkable for the ra-
pidity of their flight. They are found, during the fine season,
in gardens, fields, and meadows, and near the banks of waters.
They go there to seek the insects on which they feed. The
species are not nvunerous.

The Agrioxes, also, like the preceding insects, live in the
water, in their larva and nymph states. But their body is
much more attenuated than that of the larvae and nymphs of
the other libellulinae, and terminated by a tolerably long tail.
Their head is broad, with two sorts of hands, crossed over
the forehead, above the mask. This mask is long, open, and
with two divisions at its extremity. Under their last form
they are equally carnivorous, and feed on insects which they
catch upon the wing. Like their larvae and nymphs, they
are by no means particular in the choice of food, taking all
the insects they can catch, seizing them with their mandibles,
and carrying them oif to eat them at their leisure. Accord-
ingly, they are usually found in the country, in such places
as are most populated by insects, along hedges, the banks of
streams, small rivers, &c., where they fly with rapidity, in
search of their prey. The females also come to the water, at
the time of laying, to deposit their eggs. Their organs of
generation, mode of laying. Sec, are similar to those of the
other libellulina?.

ON NEUROPTEllA. 313

The name of Ephemeua has been given to the insects so
called, in consequence of the short duration of their lives,
when they have acquired their final form. There are some
of them which never see the sun ; they are born after he is
set, and die before he re-appears on the horizon. Many
naturalists have made very interesting observations on these
insects. Swammerdam speaks of ephemeroe, which issue from
the rivers of Holland, for two or three days in succession, in
a most surprising abundance. These insects appear at dif-
ferent epochs, according to the species and the country.

The ephemerae of Holland appear in summer ; those of
some other countries at the end of spring ; towards the mid-
dle of summer, there may be seen, in the environs of Paris,
clouds of them, which obscure the air. At certain hours of
the day, they begin to issue from the water, and the hour is
not the same for all the species. Those of the Rhine, the
Meuse, the Lech, the Yssel, and the Wahal, commence to fly
over there towards six o''clock in the evening, about two hours
before the setting; of the sun. The most active of those of
the Maine and the Seine, which have been observed by Reau-
mur, do not rise in the air till the sun is ready to set, and it
is not until after he has quitted the horizon, that the greatest
quantity of them appear. The seasons of the different crops
are not better known by agriculturists, than is the time in
which the ephemeras are about to shew themselves on the
banks of the rivers which they inhabit, by fishermen. What-
ever, during the day, may have been the temperature of the
atmosphere, the hour at which the ephemeras commence to
quit their spoil of nymph, is the same with the greater num-
ber of them, and another hour appears marked, beyond which
it is no longer allowed them to do so.

Those which have been studied in Sweden, by Degeer, are
disclosed towards the end of spring, in the evening, in im-
mense numbers, always at the setting of the sun. They as-

81 i supplp:ment

semble by hundreds, hover about continually, rise above some
large tree, and seldom remove from it. The duration of the
life of these latter, is longer than that of the species observed
by Swammerdam, and Reaumur. These ephemerae commence
to fly, an hour before the setting of the sun, swarm together
in places but little remote from some river or stream, and
remain there until the dew begins to fall in too great abun-
dance. Then they disappear, withdrawing upon walls, and
plants, and remaining there in a perfect state of repose, until
the following day, when they become re-animated, and rise in
the air anew.

In the larva and nymph state, these insects are aquatic.
They occupy holes in the banks of streams or rivers, which
being below the water, it enters there, and they seldom leave
these retreats. Sometimes, however, they swim about, or
walk at the bottom, or remain under sticks and stones.

A difference in the temperature of the atmosphere, may
accelerate or retard the appearance of the ephemerae notwith-
standing the general regularity of its occurrence. Those of
the French rivers, observed by Reaumur, are expected by
the fishermen, who call them manna, between the 10th and
15th of August. These ephemerae supply the fish with a
great quantity of food, and the latter are always caught in
gfeat abundance at this particular season.

" Reaumur first observed these insects in the year 1788,
when they did not begin to shew themselves in numbers till
the 18th of August. On the 19th, having received notice
from his fisherman that the flies had appeared, he got into
his boat, about three hours before sunset, and detached from
the banks of the river several masses of earth, filled with
pupae, which he put into a large tub, full of water. This
tub, after staying in the boat till about eight o''clock, without
seeing any remarkable number of the flies, and being threat-
ened with a storm, he caused to be landed, and placed in his

ON NEUROPTERA. 315

garden, at the foot of which ran the Maine. Before the
people had landed it, an astonishing number of ephemerae
emerged from it. Every piece of earth, which was above the
surface of the water, was covered by them ; some beginning
to quit their slough, others prepared to fly, and others already
on the wing ; and every where under the water they were to
be seen in a greater or less degree of forwardness. The
storm coming on, he was obliged to quit the amusing scene,
but when the rain had ceased to fall, he returned to it. As
soon as the cloth with which he had ordered the tub to be
covered Avas removed, the number of flies appeared to be
greatly augmented, and kept continually increasing. Many
flew away, but more were drowned. Those already trans-
formed, and continually transforming, would have been suf-
ficient of themselves to have made the tub seem full ; but
their nvimber was soon very much enlarged by others, at-
tracted by the light. To prevent their being drowned, he
caused the tub to be again covered with the cloth, and over
it he held the light, which Avas soon concealed by a layer of
these flies, that might have been taken by handfuls from the
candle-stick.

" But the scene round the tub was nothing to be compared
Avith the Avonderful spectacle exhibited on the banks of the
river. The exclamations of his gardener drew the illustrious
naturalist thither ; and such a sight he had never witnessed,
and could scarcely find words to describe. ' The myriads of
ephemerae,** says he, ' Avhich filled the air, oA^er the current
of the river, and over the bank on Avhich I stood, are neither
to be expressed nor conceived. When the snow falls with
the largest flakes, and Avith the least interval between them,
the air is not so full of them, as that which surrounded us
Avas of ephemerae. Scarcely had I remained in one place a
few minutes, Avhen the step on which I stood Avas quite con-
cealed with a layer of them, from two to four inches in depth.

310 SUPPLEMENT

Near the lowest step, a surface of water, of five or six feet
dimensions, every way, was entirely and thickly covered by"
them, and what the current carried off was continually re-
placed. Many times I was obliged to abandon my station,
not being able to bear the shower of ephemerae, which, falling
with an obliquity less constant than that of an ordinary
shower, struck continually, and in a manner extremely un-
comfortable, every part of my face — eyes, mouth, and nostrils,
were filled with them.' To hold the flambeaux, on this occa-
sion, was no pleasant office. The person who filled it, had
his clothes covered in a few moments, with these flies, which
came from all parts, to overwhelm him. Before ten o'clock,
this interesting spectacle had vanished. It was renewed some
nights afterwards, but the flies were never in such prodigious
numbers. The fishermen allow only three successive days
for the great fall of the manna ; but a few flies appear, both
before and after, their number increasing in one case, in the
other diminishing. Whatever be the temperature of the at-
mosphere, whether it be cold or hot, these flies invariably
appear at the same hour in the evening, that is, between a
quarter and half past eight ; towards nine, they begin to fill
the air ; in the following half hour they are in the greatest
numbers, and at ten there are scarcely any to be seen. So
that in less than two hours, this infinite host of flies emerge
from their parent stream, fill the air, perform their appointed
work, and vanish. A very large proportion of them falls into
the river, when the fish have their grand festival, and the
fishermen a good harvest." (Kirby and Spence, Introd.,
Vol. I. p. 284, &c.

Reaumur and Swammerdam both consider that earth is the
only food of the ephemerae. It is the only substance found
in their stomachs, but yet it may reasonably be presumed
that it enters there with decomposed vegetable matter, and
remains undigested. Sand is found in the stomach of many

ON^ XEUROPTEUA. 317

testacea, yet assuredly it does not constitute their food, as
BouUi erroneously supposed.

It is singular enough that the ephemerae, which are never
destined to behold the solar orb, should, like moths, have
such a propensity to fly round any luminous object. Reaumur
gives a very lively description of their gyrations about the
flambeau above mentioned. The dullest spectators of the
scene witnessed it with astonishment. Innumerable circles
of these insects were whirling around the flambeau as a com-
mon centre. They intersected each other in all directions,
and performed a variety of eccentric evolutions. " Each
zone," says INIr. Kirby, " was composed of an unbroken
string of ephemerae, resembling a piece of silver lace formed
into a circle deeply notched, and consisting of equal triangles,
placed end to end (so that one of the angles of that which
followed touched the middle of the base of that which pre-
ceded), and moving with astonishing rapidity. The wings
of the flies, which was all that could then be distinguished,
formed this appearance. Each of these creatures, after
having described one or two orbits, fell upon the earth or
into the water, but not in consequence of having been burned.
Reaumur was one of the most accurate of observers, and yet I
suspect that the appearance he describes, was a visual decep-
tion, and for the following reason. I was once walking in
the day-time with a friend, when our attention was caught by
myriads of small flies, which were dancing under every tree ;
viewed in a certain light they appeared a concentrated series
of insects (as Reaumur has here described his ephemera?),
moving in a spiral direction upwards ; but each series, upon
close examination, we found was produced by the astonish-
ingly rapid movement of a single fly. Indeed when we con-
sider the space that a fly will pass through in a second, it is not
wonderful that the eye should be unable to trace its gradual

318 SUPPLEMENT

progress, or that it should appear present in the whole space
at the same instant." (Ibid. Vol. II., 366, &c.)

We shall oblige our readers with one more description of
the picturesque dances of the ephemerae, from the same ad-
mirable writer, without the presumptuous affectation of sub-
stituting our language for his own graphic and animated style :

" At the same time of the day, some of the short-lived
ephemerae assemble in numerous troops, and keep rising and
falling alternately in the air, so as to exhibit a very amusing
scene. Many of these are also males. They continue this
dance for about an hour before sunset, till the dew becomes
too heavy or too cold for them. In the beginning of Sep-
tember, for two successive years, I was so fortunate as to
witness a spectacle of this kind, which afforded me a more
sublime gratification than any work or exhibition of art has
power to communicate. The first was in 1811 : taking an
evening walk near my house, when the sun declining fast
towards the horizon, shone forth without a cloud, the whole
atmosphere over and near the stream swarmed witli infinite
myriads of ephemerae, and gnats of the genus chironomus^
which in the sun-beam appeared as numerous and more lucid
than the drops of rain, as if the heavens were showering down
brilliant gems. Afterwards in the following year, one Sunday,
a little before sunset, I was enjoying a stroll with a friend at
a greater distance from the river, when in a field by the road-
side, the same pleasing scene was renewed, but in a style of
still greater magnificence ; for from some cause in the atmos-
phere the insects looked much larger than they really were.
The choral dances consisted principally of ephemerae, but
there were also some of chironome, the former, however, being
most conspicuous, attracted our chief attention — alternately
rising and falling, in the full beam they appeared so trans-
parent and glorious, that they scarcely resembled any thing

ON NEUROPTERA. 319

material — they reminded us of angels and glorified spirits
drinking life and joy in the effulgence of the Divine favour.
The bard of Twickenham, from the terms in which his beau-
tiful description of his sylphs is conceived in The Rape of
the Lock, seems to have witnessed the pleasing scene here
described :

" ' Some to the sun their insect wings unfold.

Waft on the breeze, or sink in clouds of gold j

Transparent forms, too fine for mortal sight,

Their fluid bodies half dissolved in light;

Loose to the wind their airy garments flew.

Thin glittering textures of the filmy dew.

Dipt in the richest tincture of the skies.

Where light disports in ever-mingling dyes,

While every beam new transient colour flings.

Colours that change whene'er they wave their wings.' "

These insects come out of the water only to couple and to
lay. According to Degeer, the first observer who witnessed
the coupling of these insects, there are many more males than
females. The latter are distinguished by the threads which
terminate their abdomen. They have three of equal length,
whereas the males have but two, one on each side, and the com-
mencement of a third in the middle. Besides these threads they
have four others very short, underneath the belly, and two
other parts in the form of hooks recurved into an arch, with
which they fasten on the female during the time of coupling.
The sexual organ of the females, which consists externally in
two apertures, is situated underneath the abdomen, between
the seventh and eighth rings — it is through these apertures
that the eggs issue forth. The principal assemblages of these
insects, according to Degeer, are entirely composed of males ;
but as soon as a female presents herself among them, these
males immediately proceed to the pursuit, and appear to
dispute the conquest of her. He who has obtained the pre-

3'20 SUPPLEMENT

ference, flies away with her alone, and the others re-enter the
group, to await the coming of more females. The couple
proceed to place themselves on a wall or a tree, that they may
not be disturbed in their amours. Their union lasts but an
instant of time.

As soon as the females are fecundated they deposit their
eggs. It is in the water that all should place them ; but the
majority leave them on the bodies, on which they have them-
selves been previously situated. There are few insects indeed
which produce so great a number of eggs, or lay them so
promptly. These egg.s are disposed in two clusters as it
were, some of which are three lines in length. Each of these
clusters contains from thi'ee hundred and fifty, to four hun-
dred eggs. Each ephemera has seven or eight hundred eggs
to lay, which is an affair of a moment, for she puts forth the
two clusters at once. To arrange herself for this operation,
she raises the extremity of her abdomen, which she causes
almost to form a right angle with the rest of her body. At
the same time she pushes forth the two clusters, which issue
from the two apertures of which we have already spoken.
Those females that lay in the water rest with the threads of
their tail on the water itself, while they get rid of their eggs.
These eggs, more heavy than the water, fall immediately to
the bottom, and are soon separated from each other. We
are ignorant of the time which they take in disclosing.

The ephemerae appear to us to have a very short existence,
because they remain but a moment, as it were, in their final
form ; but they live much longer than a great number of
insects, in the larva and nymph states. They pass one, two,
and according to some authors, even three years, before they
become perfect insects. The larvae and the nymph live in
the water, or in holes below its surface. These larvas have
six feet, the head is triangular, and provided underneath
with two scaly and curved parts which terminate in a point.

ON NEUROPTERA. 32 I

The body is divided into ten rings ; from the extremity of
the last three issue three threads, ahnost as long as the body,
and more or less furnished with a fringe of hairs disposed like
the barbs of a feather. They are of a brown or yellowish
colour, according to the species. The nymphs do not differ
from the larvae, but in having sheaths of the wings upon the
corslet.

All the larvae of the ephemerae differ among themselves,
only in the peculiar inclinations accorded to them by nature.
Some pass their lives in fixed habitations, each in its own,
which consists of a hole hollowed below the surface of the
water, in the earth which forms the bed or basin of the river.
Seldom does the larvae quit this hole for the purpose of
swimming. This indeed never happens but under such cir-
cumstances as require that it should excavate a new one.
Other ephemeral larvae are as we may say wandering, and
swim or walk at the bottom of the water. When these larvae
remain tranquil, there are remarked around their body, tufts
of a sensible size, which are continually in a state of ex-
treme agitation. In some the hoops are situated like the oars
of a galley, in others they are placed above the body. Some
species have them inclined upon the back, and they are
directed hindwards. The number of these tufts, which have
the appearance of gills, is not always the same in all the
larvae. Some have six on each side, others more. The
most common species has these gills couched or inclined
upon the body, and does not swim habitually. It is one of
those which remain shut up in their holes. These holes are
situated horizontally. Their apertures are a little oval.
They are very near each other, and communicate with a canal
which has two branches, which cannot be better compared
than to a tube of glass which has been bent into two divisions.
Thus the larvae inhabit a lodging of two pieces. These holes
are never found in banks or beds of gravel, the larvae living

VOL. XV. Y

32^ SUPPLEMENT

only in unctuous earth. Its lodging is always in proportion
to its size. All the vacancies which its body leaves there,
are filled by the w^ater with which it is surrounded, as it
would be in the middle of the river. It is there in per-
fect security against the voracity of fishes and aquatic
insects of different kinds. These larvae, according to M.
Latreille, feed on earth, the grains of which they reject
after having assimilated all that is succulent in it. We
have already cited the opinion of Mr. Kirby on this point.

When the ephemerae are ready to quit their exuvia of
nymph, they issue from the water, and proceed to some dry
place. They are not long in getting rid of their skin, which is
cleft above the head and corslet, and as soon as the ephemera
is out of it, it flies off", and proceeds to place itself on some
wall or tree. Although it then has wings, and appears to
want nothing to complete its perfect state, it has still a
moulting to undergo. For this last operation it fastens itself
with its feet upon a wall, puts itself for the most part in
a vertical position, the head upwards, and remains there
sometimes for an hour, until the skin which covers it is cleft
over the head and corslet. In proportion as the cleft in-
creases, the insect draws out all its parts one after the other.
The wings which are stripped, like all the rest, issue by little
and little from a pellicle which covered them, and the exuvia
remains attached to the wall, or on the tree on which the
insect fixed itself. Swammerdam asserts respecting the
species, on which he has given his observations, that this
second casting of the skin is incidental to the males alone.

Previously to this last moulting, the body and wings of
the insect, were of a dull brown. But subsequently, the skin
of the body, and, in many species, the wings, become as it
were varnished, dry and friable. The ephemerae have no
very perceptible mouth, and there is no appearance of their
taking any food, in their final state. They are so weak and

ON XEUROPTEKA. 3^3

delicate as to be wounded by the slightest touch. Those of
the neighbourhood of Paris, mostly every year, towards the
end of summer, present to the inhabitants of the banks of the
Seine a perfect phenomenon. Such a number of them is born
in a few hours, that they form a thick cloud. They hasten
to fulfil the functions for which they were born, not arriving
at the perfect state, and appearing in the air, for any other
purpose than the perpetuation of their species. But after
coupling and laying, what becomes of this prodigious quan-
tity of ephemerae, which hid the face of Heaven as it were,
with a veil, and hung, like a dark cloak over the waters .''
They are for the most part already dead or dying. Some
have fallen into the same river in which they received their
birth. Those which in falling into the water have not be-
come the prey of the fish, soon perish notwithstanding, being
speedily drowned. The others fall on the banks of the river,
and sometimes form there so thick a bed, that the earth is not
better covered in winter by the snow, than it is by their
bodies. The duration of the life of these last is not altogether
so short as that of the others. But this is all the worse for
them. Heaped upon one another, without having the power to
change place, and without shewing much sign of emotion, they
die one after the other in succession. Those whose life ex-
tends the longest, and which may be considered as centenarians
in comparison of the others, do but witness, at the most, the
rising of the sun. Thus these insects terminate their life,
which is long while they are in the larvae and nymph form,
and so short after they have become perfect insects.

Of the Panorp.e, which commence the second family, all
we can say here is that they are found on bushes, in woods,
aiid humid places, and have been named by GeofFroy, Mouches-
scorpions ( Scorpion-^ies). They live by rapine, and their
transformations are unknown.

We insert a figure of a new species of this sub-genus, under

Y 2

324 SUPPLEMENT

the specific name of riifa. It is red ; with tlie wings yel-
lowish, with some longitudinal irreglur bands, and the tip
black ; the latter with four minute spots of white. This
species is from Georgia.

The Neaiopter.e have some approximation to the last men-
tioned genus. Oliver has described many new species which
ho discovered in the Levant and Persia. It is to those coun-
tries to the South of Europe and the North of Africa that
this genus (or sub-genus) appears, hitherto at least, to be
confined.

" These insects," says Olivier, " whose metamorphoses,
and motle of living w^e are not acquainted with, fly very badly,
and transport themselves slowly, and with a painful agitation
of their wings, to small distances, so that they may be always
caught with the greatest possible facility. I have seen them
in infinite numbers, and they appear to me to enjoy a very
short existence. Eight days after their appearance, I could
find no more of them, except when I was going from Bagdad
into Persia. As I was proceeding from a burning climate to
a more temperate region, I have seen during more than
twenty days in succession, and almost always in great abun-
dance, the fourth species which I have described" {Nemop-
tera extensa).

To this remarkable genus Nemoptera, we have figured a
species which is called Africana. It is fulvous, the fore wings
white, with anterior nervures yellowish, the rest black, the
hinder wings long, narrow, with the base fulvous, the apical
half whitish, with a band of black. This species is from
Egypt.

In the genus INIyumeleon or Jntlion, the larvas is an
object of far greater interest than the perfect insect. That of
the most common species in Europe, is denominated ybrmiea-
Leo, antUon^ 4*c., for the same reason that the larvae of
hemerobius has been called by some. Lion of the aphides.

ON NEUROriKUA. 325

This larva is of a greyish colour, has six feet, and a very
remarkable form, the belly being of an extraordinary thick-
ness, in proportion to the corslet and head. The head is
very small, flatted and narrow, armed with two horns, tole-
rably long, mobile, denticulated internally for almost their
entire length, curved towards their extremity, and terminating
in a point. These two horns answer the purpose of pincers
and suckers.

Tliis larva is carnivorous, walks very slowly, and back-
wards. As it could not catch by running, insects which are
much more agile than itself, with which, however, it is abso-
lutely necessary that it should be provided for the purposes
of nourishment, nature has instructed it in the means of
laying snares for them. It knows how to arrange the place
in which it fixes itself, in such a manner as to cause them to
fall into its horns which are ready to receive them. It lodges
in sand, where it remains quietly at the bottom of a hole
which is shaped like a tunnel. There it is entirely con-
cealed, with the exception of the horns which it holds raised
up, and separated one from the other. Unlucky is it for any
imprudent insect, the ant especially, that in proceeding on
its way, should dare to approach this cavern. If one of these
insects is so far remote that the larvae cannot seize it, it
showers upon it such a quantity of sand, with its head, which
it uses like a shovel, that it becomes completely stunned. It
finishes by losing the equilibrium, which it had preserved
with difficulty, in walking on a declivity, and tumbles into
the bottom of the hole, between tlie murderous pincers of the
larva, which immediately grasp and pierce it, by closing
upon it.

When the larva has thus obtained its prey, it drags it
under the sand, to suck it at leisure, and after having drawn
from it all that is nutritive, it throws out beyond the edges of
its hole, the dried carcase, which is no longer of any use to it.

S^26 SUPPLEMENT

These larvae are never found but in sandy soils and such
as are composed of very fine grained earth. It is at the foot
of old walls, in places much exposed to the south, that they
most usually establish themselves. One larva does not pass
its entire life in the same hole. Whenever any derangement
takes place, it changes its domicile, or when it does not
find a sufficiency of prey. When it has determined to
abandon its habitation it walks forth, and traverses the
environs. The path which it takes is marked by a sort of
little foss about a line or two in depth. When arrived at the
place which suits it, it begins to excavate a new habitation,
with indefatigable ardour. To give just proportions to its
funnel, it traces its circular extent, by making a foss similar
to that which it forms when walkina;. This foss encloses a
space of greater or less extent. Those larvas which have
nearly arrived to their complete growth, sometimes inhabit
holes, the diameter of whose entrance is more than tliree
inches. The depth of the newly-formed funnel equals about
three-fourths of the diameter of the large aperture. As soon
as the larvae has finished its hole, which it commences and
completes sometimes within half an hour, it conceals itself at
the bottom to await its prey, where it often remains for a very
long time. But as it is capable of supporting a long fast,
it will remain for several months deprived of aliment without
dying. Notwithstanding this, it is by no means difficult as
to the choice of food : all insects come alike to it, even those
of its own species.

All the nutriment which this insect takes is assimilated,
and contributes to its growth ; or, if there be any residue, it
escapes from the body by insensible perspiration, for the ani-
mal never rejects any perceptible grain of excrement. Ac-
cordingly, it would appear, that it has no perceptible aper-
ture at the anus for this purpose.

The larvae of these insects issue from the eggs in summer.

ON NEUROPTERA. 3^7

or in autumn, and do not change into nymphs until the fol-
lowing year. They undergo their metamorphosis in their
hole, where they seek in the sand a convenient place to form
the cocoon in which they enclose themselves. This cocoon is
round. The exterior is composed of grains of sand, which
are held together by threads of silk, which the larva draws
from some spinnerets, which it has at the extremity of its
body. The interior is carpeted with silk, of a satiny white.
Some of these cocoons are to be found of four or five lines in
diameter. These are the habitations of females. In fifteen
or twenty days after the larva has undergone its metamor-
phosis, the perfect insect issues from the cocoon through an
aperture which it has made there, and leaves the envelope of
nymph at the entrance.

These larvae may be easily reared in sand, providing care
be taken to supply them with plenty of ants, flies, and other
insects.

Bonnet discovered, in the neighbourhood of Geneva, a
larva of Myrmeleon, which differed from those which are
known, by not walking backwards, forming no funnel, and
merely concealing itself so as to catch the insects which come
in its way. It may probably belong to the sub-genus termed

ASCALAPHUS.

Scopoli, indeed, has placed one species of them with the
latter. They inhabit warm and sandy places, remain fastened
to plants, from which they fly off when any one approaches
them. There is even some difficulty in catching them, their
flight being prompt and rapid. Their larvae are not known,
but may be presumed to be perfectly analogous, both in form
and habits, to the myrmeleons.

We have figured a New Holland species of Myrmeleon^
which Dr. Leach has called Erythrocephaium. Its head,
thorax, coxae, and the four anterior thighs, are reddish

328 SUPPLEMENT

brown ; the sides of the thorax, antennae, abdomen, and legs,
black ; the wings are spotted with fuscous brown, es-
pecially the anterior ones ; the posterior margin of all four
tinted with brownish.

We also figure the Aicalaphua Barbarus, a sub-genus of
Myrmeleon. It is black, with head and thorax spotted with
fulvous ; the wings blackish, with nervures yellowish ; it is
from Sicily.

The name of Hemehobius has been given to that genus,
because the little animals which it comprehends, live but a
very few days in the form of the perfect insect. They are
very pretty insects, usually of a green-colour, and the wings
have the fineness and transparency of gauze. The body, ob-
served cross-wise, is of a soft green, and sometimes appears
to have a tint of gold. Their corslet is of the same colour.
Their eyes, of a fine red bronze-colour, have the brilliancy of
the best polished metal. They are frequently found in gar-
dens, where the females go to deposit their eggs, which are
very remarkable.

We often see, on the leaves of different shrubs, little stems,
about the thickness of a hair, about an inch long, of a white
colour, and about ten or twelve in number, placed side by
side, and attached above or underneath the leaf. These little
stems are seldom straight. They have a small curve, and
are terminated in a kind of small, elongated ball, which is
the egg. These eggs, which have been taken by some bo-
tanists for sorts of mushrooms (ascaphorus perennis)^ are
clothed on one of their sides with a viscous matter, proper to
be woven. It is the end which the female applies upon the
leaf, where a part of the matter attaches itself, when she
elongates the hinder part of her body. This matter, which
is elongated, forms a thread, drying up, and becoming hard
in the air. This thread serves to draw the egg out of the

ON NEUUOPTERA. 329

body of the female, and to sustain and carry it when it is
drawn out.

As soon as the larvae issue from the eggs, they spread
themselves along the leaves, in search of aphides, which con-
stitute their ordinary aliment. They seize them with two
sorts of little horns, which they have in front of the head,
and suck them until nothing remains but the skin. They
make so great a carnage of those insects, that Reaumur has
named them '•'■lions des piicerons ''"' (lions of the aphides).
Placed upon a leaf, covered with aphides, the larva is not
obliged to use many movements to procure the food for
which it has occasion. Accordingly, in a very short time,
it destroys an immense quantity of these little animals, which
seem to come and present themselves to their enemy. The
larva being mucli more agile than the aphides, it soon gets
possession of as many of them as it wants. To seize the
largest, and suck them thoroughly, is, for it, but the affair
of a moment. These larvae, so cruel to this species of insects,
are not less so to one another. Whenever they meet, they
attack each other bitterly, and shew no more mercy than they
do to the aphides.

Some other larvse of the same genus have an instinct of
clothing themselves. They form a very inartificial covering
of a considerable thickness, in relation to their body, which
then appears to be loaded with a little mountain. This is
composed of the skins, down, and dried parts of the aphides,
which they accumulate one upon the other. All these parts
are held together only by a sort of rude interlacement, and
this garment is kept upon the back of the larva only by being
ensheathed in the furrows and rugosities of the skin which
separates the rings. Its construction, however, requires some
address on the part of the larva, and especially great supple-
ness and agility in the head, and the sort of corslet to which
it is altaclied. It is with its two horns that the larva takes

330 SUPPLEMENT

up the little mass which it desires to pass over its back. It
rests it upon its head, which it then raises briskly. By this
movement it throws back the mass. If it has not thrown it
to the spot where it wishes to place it, it finally fixes it by
making various contortions with its body, and especially with
its head. The part to which the head is attached, has so
much agility, that when one of these larvae is placed upon its
back, it promptly regains its legs, by turning its head, until
it is between its back and the plan of position. In this atti-
tude it is enabled to make a somerset, which replaces it in its
natural position.

Reaumur distinguishes three sorts of o-enera of hemerobiae.
The larvae of the first two have the body oblong and flatted.
Some have tubercles, with aigrettes of hairs on the sides ;
they form the first genus. Those of the second are destitute
of these appendages. The body of the larvae of the third is
less depressed, and covered from the neck to the rump, as we
have already described, with the exuviae of the aphides which
they have devoured. An individual, from which Reaumur
had stripped its covering, soon formed a new one of some
scrapings of paper with which he furnished it. As to other
matters, the metamorphoses of these insects are similar.

As they live in the midst of abundance, they soon arrive
at the term when their metamorphosis is to take place. It is
usually in fifteen days after they have issued from the egg,
that they are changed into nymphs. At this period they
quit the leaves where they have lived, seek a dry leaf, to
withdraw to conceal themselves in one of its folds, and there
they spin a cocoon as round as a ball, of a very white silk, in
which they enclose themselves.

These cocoons, the largest of which is scarcely of the big-
ness of a pea, are of a very close texture. The larvae employ
in their construction, the silk of which they have store in their
spinnerets, wliich are placed like those of the spiders, at the

ON NEUROPTERA. 331

extremity of their body. In seeing these cocoons, we can
hardly conceive how the body of the larva, curved as it is,
and reduced to occupy so small a space, can furnish a suffi-
cient quantity of threads to fill each cocoon, and arrange them
with so much dexterity. But if we observe one of these
larvas, when tracing the contour of its cocoon, we shall see
the extremity of its body agitated Avith the most surprising
quickness ; and the address with which the entire body
changes place, sliding over the spherical envelope, which is
but sketched out, without deranging the threads which seem
scarcely capable of supporting it, being so slender, is not less
astonishing.

Soon after it has finished its cocoon, the larva becomes
changed into a nymph. If it be in summer that it undergoes
that metamorphosis, it becomes a perfect insect in about fif-
teen days after ; but if in autumn, it passes the winter in its
cocoon, in the nymph-form, and does not issue forth until the
following spring. Although the larva is not large, it is yet
difficult to imagine how it can lodge in so small a cocoon ;
but we are much more surpi'ised when we see the insect which
comes out of it.

The flight of the hemerobiee is heavy. Some species walk
tolerably fast, but, notwithstanding, they are easily caught.
If these pretty insects please the eye by the delicacy of their
form, and the beauty of their colour, some of them are ex-
tremely disgusting, from the odour of the excrements which
they discharge. This odour communicates itself to the fin-
gers, when we touch these insects, and remains there for a
long time.

We have figured a new species of this genus, under the name
Hemerohius longicornis, which is fulvous, the antennag very
long, wings whiteish, with a black spot at summit of each.

In the genus Semblis, we have figured a new species, be-
longing to the Chauliodes of Latreille, under the name of

33':2 SUrrLEMENT

Chaulioden maculipennis. It is black : sides of the thorax,
and beneath, yellow ; the wings blackish, and spotted with
white. This insect is from India, and may be formed into
a sub-genus, under the name of Hermes.

The larva of Raphidia is very long, narrow, of grey and
black mixed, with a scaly head and six feet. It resembles a
little worm. Its vivacity is very great. It walks very fast,
and turns itself in all directions to insinuate itself between the
crevices of trees. It should be carnivorous. The nymph,
according to Linnaeus, walks, and is active until the moment
of its metamorphoses.. It carries its wings in an envelope,
placed on each side of its body. This insect is found in
Kurope.

We now come to those most celebrated insects, the Teu-
MiTEs. They are almost all of them strangers to Europe.
The illustrious Linnaevis considers them, with justice, the
greatest scourge of the two Indies, because they occasion
ravages, equally prompt and destructive to the property of
man. Under the torrid zone, they pierce and devour all
wooden buildings, utensils, furniture, stuffs, and merchandizes
of all kinds, and would soon reduce them completely to pow-
der, if not prevented in time. Nothing but metals and stones
can resist their destructive jaws.

Although the termites of Africa have attracted the atten-
tion of several travellers, by the size and structure of their
nests, we are well acquainted with their manners, only
through the interesting details given by Sparmann, respect-
ing their industry and mode of living.

These insects, which have been called white ants, and
many other analogous names, have, in truth, many relations
to the ants. Like them they live in societies, composed of
three sorts of individuals; like them, they build nests, but
still more extraordinary, and, for the most part, on the su-
perficies of the earth. They issue from these through sub-

ON NKUROPTERA. 333

terraneous passages, or covered galleries, when necessity
obliges them, and proceed from them on their devastating-
excursions. Like the ants, they are omnivorous ; like them,
at a certain time of their life, they have four wings, and then
emigrate and form colonies. The termites also resemble the
ants in their laborious activity, but they surpass the bees, the
wasps, and the beavers, in the art of building.

Each community, according to Sparmann, is composed of
one male, one female, and of workers. He distinguishes
these last by the names of labourers, and soldiers, having
observed the first working, and the others combating for the
defence of their property. The males and females do not
acquire wings, until a short time previous to their being in a
state to reproduce their species. The soldiers, which some
authors have regarded as neuters, or mules, have a different
form from the workers, which have been thought to be males.
But, according to Sparmann, this is an error, the soldiers not
differing from the labourers, but because they approach
within a degree of the perfect state.

Notwithstanding the opinion of Sparmann, it appears very
probable that there are, among the termites, a kind of indi-
viduals, which never acquire wings. The first change wliich
a larva undergoes, in approaching to the perfect state, is
nothing else but its metamorphosis into a nymph. Now, as
all the nymphs, the perfect insects of which are to have wings,
have always the rudiments of these organs, and that the ter-
mites of Sparmann have not the least vestiges of them, we
may deduce, that not being nymphs, in consequence of the
absence of the rudiments of wings, they should form a par-
ticular order, and that thus there are three sorts of indivi-
duals.

In the nests of the termes hellicosnm, are found, says our
author, a hundred labourers for one soldier. The first are
scarcely three lines in length, and twenty-five of them weigh

334) SUPPLEMENT

about a grain. Their mandibles appear conformed to gnaw,
and retain bodies ; whereas, the second, which are much
larger, and half an inch long, have very pointed mandibles,
in the form of awls, proper only for piercing and wounding,
an object which they are found to achieve uncommonly well.
The insect, which after its entire development is provided
with wings, differs from the two other individuals, not only
in these parts, but also in the form of its body. It is then
about eight lines in length. Its wings are as long again, and
it has two projecting eyes, wliich are wanting in the soldiers,
and the labourers, or which, if they do exist, are not per-
ceptible. Tliese winged insects are found in the nests, only
immediately before the rainy season, a period at which they
undergo their final metamorphosis, and after which they com-
mence emigrations, and proceed to form new societies. Thus,
one may open twenty nests, without seeing a single one there,
because they rarely wait for the second or third shower, be-
fore they depart. If the first rain falls in the night, and
leaves much humidity behind it, the following morning, all
the surface of the earth which neighbours their habitation, is
covered with these insects, and especially the waters, because
their wings are only formed to carry them for some hours ;
so that after the rising of the sun, very few of them are found
to have preserved these organs, except the morning has con-
tinued to be rainy. In that case, they are seen, scattered
and isolated, fluttering from one place to another, endeavour-
ing to avoid their enemies, especially one sort of ants, which
pursue them even to the trees \\here they have taken refuge.
Those which escape the murderous teeth of these insects, be-
come the prey of birds, of carnivorous reptiles, which make
war upon them at that moment ; so, that out of many millions
that were hovering in the air, there scarcely remain more than
a few couples to fulfil the first law of nature, and lay the
foundations of a new republic.

ON NEUROPTERA. S35

Besides these enemies, the termites have others of a dif-
ferent species. These are the inhabitants of many countries
of Africa, and particularly those of Guinea, who make them
an article of food. M. Koenig, in his essay on the history
of these insects, tells us, that to catch the termites before
their emigration, the Indians make two holes in the nest, one
to windward, and the other to leeward ; at the latter aperture,
they place a pot, rubbed with aromatic herbs. On the wind-
ward side they make a fire, the smoke of which drives these
insects into the pots. By this method they take a great
quantity, of which they make, with flour, different pastries,
which they sell to the people. This author adds, that in the
season in which this aliment is abundant, the abuse of it
produces an epidemic cholic, which cai-ries off the patient in
twenty-four hours. The Africans are less ingenious in catch-
ing and preparing them. They content themselves in collect-
ing those which fall into the water at the time of emigration.
They fill large cauldrons with them, and grill them in iron
pots, over a gentle fire, stirring them as coffee is stirred.
They thus eat them, without sauce, or any other preparation,
and find them delicious. This gentleman has several times
tasted them cooked in this manner. He has found them de-
licate, and they have appeared to him nourishing and whole-
some.

In the midst of their distress, when thus attacked by such
bitter enemies, the termites sometimes forget their danger.
The majority have no Avings, but they run extremely fast.
The males are very ardent after their females ; but from the
time of their metamorphosis, they are completely degenerated.
One of the most active, the most industrious, the most
eager for prey, and the most ferocious little animals in the
world, becomes at once one of the most indolent and cowardly
of created beings. It suffers itself to be dragged along by
the ants to their nests, without making the smallest resistance,

S3G SUPPLEMENT

and it only escapes, when some labouring termites, which are
running continually near the surface of the earth, under their
covered galleries, perceive it, and come to its assistance.
Those which have not been thus protected, infallibly perish.

The workers, that thus save a male and female from the
teeth of their enemies, immediately place them in shelter from
all dangers, and then shut them up in a small chamber of
clay, proportioned to their size. They leave them at first
but a small aperture, capable of giving entrance to themselves
and the soldiers. They provide for the wants of this couple,
and afterwards for those of the young to which they give
birth, and defend them until the young be in a state to par-
take of tliis task with them. Sparmann, who never witnessed
the sexual intercourse of these insects, believes that this is the
period when it takes place. A little time after the shutting
up of the male and female, the belly of the latter extends by
degrees, and enlarges to such a point, that in an old female,
it is fifteen hundred or two thousand times as voluminous as
the rest of the body. Sparmann presumes, that when it is
three inches in length, the female must be aged more than
two years. It is incessantly putting forth its eggs, to the
number of sixty in a minute ; and our author has observed
some old females lay eighty thousand and upwards in twenty-
four hours. If Sparmann was not deceived in this calcula-
tion, what an astonishing degree of fecundity is this !

After the male has lost his wings, he changes form no
longer, and increases no more in bulk. He usually remains
concealed under one of the sides of the vast abdomen of the
female, and appears to share nothing of the attention of the
other insects.

In proportion as the female lays, the labourers carry off the
eggs, and place them in lodges, separated from that of the
mother. There the young ones which issue from these eggs,
ai*e provided with everytliing, until they are in a situation to

ON NEUROPTERA. 3^7

procure for themselves what is necessary, and to take a share
in the labours of the society.

Having followed Sparmann in his interesting description of
the termes bellicosus, the largest and best known species in
Africa, and which builds the largest, the most curious, and
most numerous nests in the island of Bananes, and in all the
adjacent parts of the continent, and whose societies are the
most numerous, we must now consider the industry of these
singular insects, in the construction of their nests.

Sparmann describes five species of termes, which are —
bellicosus, of which we have just spoken ; mordax, atrox,
destructor, and arborum. Some build their nests on the sur-
face of the earth, or partly above, and partly below. Others,
on the branches of trees^ and sometimes at a very considerable
height.

The external figure of the nests of termes bellicosus, is
that of a small hill, more or less conical, the form of which
approaches to that of a sugar-loaf. Their perpendicular
height is ten or twelve feet above the surface of the earth.
If these edifices be compared with those of man, we will find
that they are in relation to these insects, whose labourers are
scarcely a quarter of an inch in length, what monuments, five
times larger than the pyramids of Egypt, would be to us.
Each of these edifices are composed of two distinct parts, the
exterior and the interior. The exterior is a broad cap, in the
form of a dome, sufficiently large, and sufiiciently strong to
protect the interior from the vicissitudes of the atmosphere,
and the inhabitants against the attacks of their enemies.
Neither man, nor wild bulls can destroy its solidity by mount-
ing upon it. Each of these edifices is divided into a great
number of apartments, which are that of the male and female,
denominated by Sparmann the royal chamber ; those in which
their numerous posterity are brought up, termed nurseries,
by the same traveller, and the magazines. These last are

VOL. XV. z

338 SUPPLEMENT

always well stored with provisions, which consist of gums, or
the thickened juices of plants, assembled together in small
masses. The lodgings occupied by the eggs and the little
ones, are entirely composed of parcels of wood, united together
by gum. These edifices are extremely compact, and divided
into many irregular chambers, the largest of which is not
more than half an inch in extent. They are placed around
that of the mother. This last is placed at an equal distance
from all the sides of the grand body of the building, and
directly under the summit of the cone. All the pieces which
surround it, compose a complicated labyrinth, which extends
on all sides, for more than a foot in distance. The galleries,
which are excavated in the loosest pieces, are wider than the
calibre of a thick gun. They lead to all the departments,
and descend under ground to the depth of three or four feet.
It is from these that the labourers get the fine gravel, which
they convert in their mouths to a solid and strong clay, or
mortar, with which they construct the hillock, and all the
buildings, with the exception of the nurseries.

Other nests, again, are seen of a cylindrical form, about
two feet in height, each of them covered with a roof, in the
form of a cone, the materials of which are the same. Spar-
mann names them turretted nests. These are constructed by
the termes atrooc, and the termes mordaw. The exterior
figure of these nests is more curious than that of the nests of
the termes fatalis ; but the interior is not so well arranged :
all are so solidly built, that it would be more easy to over-
turn them from their foundation, than to break them in the
middle.

The nests of the termes arborum, differ from those of the
other species of this genus, in form and size. They are sphe-
rical, and built in the tree. Sometimes they only attach to
a single branch, which they surround, to the height of sixty
or eighty feet. Some are seen, but rarely, as spacious as a

ON NEUllOPTERA. 339

sugar-hogshead. They are composed of parcels of wood,
gums, and the juices of trees, with which these insects form a
paste to construct their cells. These nests contain an im-
mense number of individuals, of different ages, which the in-
habitants seek out to nourish their poultry with. Sometimes
the termes place their nests on the roofs, or any other part of
houses, and do vast mischief there. But the other species,
which are much larger than this, are far more destructive.
The termes hellicosus and others, advance under ground,
descend under the foundations of houses and magazines, pene-
trate into the stakes which support the buildings, pierce them
from one end to the other, and render them completely hol-
low. The evil is not discovered imtil it is irremediable, be-
cause they never pierce the surface in any part, so that a
piece of wood which appears the most entire, falls in powder
if the hand be applied to it. When a stake in a hedge has
failed to take root, it is their business to destroy it. If it is
encompassed with a sound bark, they enter at the lower end,
and eat all except the bark, which remains, and preserves the
appearance of a solid stake. But if the bark be not suffi-
ciently sound for them to depend upon it, they cover the
entire stake, or stump, with a sort of mortar, and it then has
the appearance of having been dipped in a thick slime, which
has dried over it. They work under this envelope, leaving
only as much of wood or bark, as is necessary to support it.

The termites arhorum, says Smeathman, often enter into a
chest or coffer, make their nest there, and destroy everything
which it contains. Nothing penetrable is in safety against
them ; they discover and destroy everything, and, as if in
concert with the other species, they ruin a house from top to
bottom in a very short time.

The first object with which one is struck at the opening of
a nest, is the conduct of the soldiers. They defend, says
Sparmann, the common property with fury, and bite away

z 2

340 SUPPLEMENT

at every thing they meet. If they can reach any part of the
body of a man, they fasten their jaws deeply there at the first
blow, and never let go. They sooner suffer their bodies to
be plucked to pieces than take to flight. As long as the
attack continues they are in the most violent agitation. But
as soon as the enemy removes, calm is re-established, and in
less than half an Hour they all withdraw within the nest.

The termites viatores are not less curious in the order
which they observe in their march, than those already de-
scribed. This species appears to be much more rare, and
much larger than the termes hellicosus. Smeathmann was
unable to derive any information from the negroes on this
subject, from which he concludes that these insects are but
seldom seen. He himself only saw them by chance. " One
day," says he, " having made an excursion with my gun
along the river Caramankes, passing, on my return, throvigh
the thick forest, while I was proceeding in silence, in the
hope of finding some game, I heard all at once a hissing
sound, an alarming thing in this country, where there are an
abundance of serpents. The second step which I made
caused a repetition of the same sound. I then recognized
what it was ; but I was surprised to find neither covered
ways nor hillocks. The noise, however, conducted me some
steps along the path, where, to my equal pleasure and sur-
prise, I saw an army of termites issuing out of a hole in the
earth, which was but four or five inches in diameter. They
issued forth in very great numbers, moving forward with all
the rapidity of which they were capable. At about less than
three feet from this place, they divided into two bodies or
columns, composed of the first order, which I call labourers.
They were twelve or fifteen a-breast, and marched as closely
as a flock of sheep, describing a right line, without ever
deviating to either side. Here and there was to be seen
among them a soldier, trotting on in the same manner, with-

ON NEUROPTERA. Sifl

out stopping or turning ; and, as he seemed to carry his
enormous head with difficulty, I figured to myself a very
large ox among a flock of sheep. While these were pursu-
ing their route, a great number of soldiers were spread on one
side and the other of the line, some within the distance of a
foot or two from each other, posted as sentinels, or roaming
like patroles, to watch that no enemies approached the la-
bourers. But the most extraordinary circumstance of this
march, was the conduct of some other soldiers, who, mount-
ing upon the plants, which grew here and there in the depth
of the wood, placed themselves upon the point of the leaves,
about ten or fifteen inches from the ground, and remained
suspended above the army in march from time to time. One
or another of them was beating with his feet upon the leaf,
and making the same sort of noise, or clashing sound, which
I had so often observed on the part of the soldier, that per-
forms the office of inspector when the labourers are at work
to repair a breach in the edifice of the termites hellicosi.
This signal among the termites of which I am now speaking,
produces an analogous effect. For every time that it was
given, the entire army replied by a hissing noise, and obeyed
the command by redoubling their pace with the greatest
ardour. The soldiers who were perched, and gave this signal,
remained tranquil during the intervals. They only turned
their heads a little from time to time, and seemed as much
attached to their posts as sentinels of regular troops. The
two columns of the army united at about twelve or fifteen
paces from their separation, having never been more than
nine feet distant from each other, and then descended into
the earth, through two or three holes. They continued to
work under my view for more than an hour, which I passed
in admiring them, and appeared neither to increase nor
diminish in number, with the exception of the soldiers that
quitted the line of march, and placed themselves at different

342 SUPPLEMENT

distances on each side of the two columns, for they appeared
much more numerous before I retired."

The workers of this species are at least one-third larger
than those of the others, and their buildings ought therefore
to be more astonishing than those of the other termites. The
male and female of the termes viator are unknown.

Such are the principal observations made by Smeathmann
on these very extraordinary insects. In his account in the
Philosophical Transactions, in Sparmann's journey to the
Cape, may be found some other details, which brevity obliges
us to omit here. It. may also be remarked, that though
these observations rest on good authority, they have need of
being followed up afresh, and for a considerable time, before
the history of these insects shall be complete. The following
is the substance of some remarks of M. Latreille on a
species which he found in the neighbourhood of Bordeaux,
which is the termes liicifugus of Rossi.

This insect inhabits, in considerable numbers, in the
trunks of some pines and oaks, near the neck of these trees.
It always works under cover, gnawing the ligneous portion,
which is situated immediately under the bark, without the
bark itself being affected, at least externally, and there it
forms a great number of holes and irregular galleries. The
injured part of the wood appears moist, and presents a great
number of little, transparent, gelatinous bodies, similar in
appearance to little parcels of gum arabic. This insect
appears to be furnished with an acid of a very penetrating
odour, which answers the purpose of softening the wood.
This odour is a long time preserved in those boxes into which
these termites have been put. The societies of these insects
are, at a certain period, composed of four sorts of indi-
viduals. They present at all times two sorts of individuals,
without wings, elongated, soft, of a slightly yellowish colour ;
with head, corslet, and abdomen distinct ; agilc; provided

ON NEUIIOPTERA. 843

with six feet, each pair of which is attached to a proper
segment. They have a large head, the essential organs of
which are the same as in the winged individuals, the eyes
only appearing to be wanting, or, at least, very small. These
two sorts of individuals are distinguished by the form of
their heads. In one kind, those that compose the bulk of
the society, the head is rounded, and the mandibles are not
advanced ; in the others, which do not form the twenty-fifth
part of the community, the head is much larger, elongated,
of a cylindrical form, and terminated by projecting mandi-
bles, which cross each other. These last, M. Latreille re-
marks always remain at the entrance of the cavity, where
there is a larger assemblage of the individuals of the first
kind. There are found, at least, towards the end of winter,
and in spring, some individuals, similar in all respects to the
first, but which have moreover certain appendages, in the
form of wings, white, and four in number ; namely, two on
the second ring, and two on the third. The first ring is
here, as in all the preceding, and in the winged individuals,
in the form of a semicircular plate. It is the first segment
of the corslet, that to which the fore-feet are annexed. In
the month of June the completely winged individuals make
their appearance. They resemble those just mentioned in
figure ; but their colour is blackish, and they have two very
distinct eyes, and four wings, two or three times longer than
the body. Some are male, others females. If their colony
be visited a month later, we shall meet some of these indi-
viduals, but few in number, that have lost their wings. We
shall also perceive, in some meanders of the wood, the eggs
of these insects, which are almost an impalpable powder.

From these observations, illustrated by analogy, we may
be permited to draw the following conclusions : 1st, that the
apterous individuals, and short and retiring mandibles, are
larvae ; 2d, that individuals, similar in form, but having

344 SUPPLEMENT

aliform appendages, are nymphs ; 3d, that the individuals,
still figured in the same manner, but having large wings, are
the insects arrived at their final form, and endowed with the
faculty of reproduction ; and that the individuals of this
sort, though deprived of wings, which are met with later, are
females, whose wings are fallen, and which have laid their
eggs; 4th, that the apterous individuals, with cylindrical
head, and projecting mandibles, and which answer to the
soldiers of Smeathmann, form a particular order in the so-
ciety. These last insects always have the same form, never
acquire wings, and do not contribute to the propagation of
the species. They are charged, as it would appear, only
with the defence of the republic. It is certain that the
Avinged termites have essentially the same form which they
had in the larva and nymph states. This is quite in accord-
ance with the march of nature, who, in all cases in this class
of animals, of semi-metamorphosis, as in the orthoptera,
hemiptera, &c., merely developes the primitive type of the
species, which she has established in the larva. Its figure
does not change much when this larva passes to the nymph
state. The habits being the same in all cases, it would fol-
low that there must be few changes of form. We remark,
on the contrary, that the more different the insect is from
what it was in the larva state, the more its earlier manners
become altered. Nature has been unable to prepare, if we
may so express it, these diversities in the modes of existence,
but by condemning the insect, when a nymph, to a state of
inertia, a species of apparent death. Since then the indi-
viduals named soldiers are very different from the winged
insects, since the nature of the metamorphosis of the termites
excludes great changes of form, and since among these
military termites, none are ever found with the appendages
of wings, though individuals with such appendages, and
similarly figured in all respects, are found in the colonies at

ON NEUROPTERA. 345

all periods of the year, it is fair to conclude that the soldiers
compose a peculiar caste, and represent, in some measure in
this genus, the neuters of the ants and bees.

We may presume that the entire development of the me-
tamorphosis of these insects is not effected in less than the
course of two years — since, when the winged individuals
appear, a great number of larvae are found in the nests,
which larvae must belong to a preceding generation, and do
not assume wings, at the soonest, until the following year.

To the termes morio may be referred the termes destruc-
tor, of Degeer, and this, perhaps, is the termes fatalis, of
Linnaeus. It is very common in the West Indies, and
throughout South America. Rochfort informs us, that to
cut off the way against these insects, the inhabitants rub the
places where they would pass with oil of that species of
palma-christi, with which the negroes rub their heads to
protect themselves against vermin. The oil of the manatus
has also the same effect ; and if it be poured upon their nest
they will abandon it immediately. Rochfort calls them
wood-lice, and also tells us that these insects will not gnaw
the printed parts of books, probably having no particular
taste for ink, or peradventure for literature.

Chauvalon, in his " Voyage a la Martinique,'''' after speak-
ing of a species of mite, which introduces itself into the
flesh, says, " another insect, equally common, and still more
hurtful, is that which is called wood-louse (pou de hois).
It has, in fact, the size and appearance of a louse. Its co-
lour is a reddish white. It is without wings. They live in
troops in sorts of hives, from which they communicate when-
ever they please, by covered ways, which are made of the
same substance as the hives.

" This substance is a sort of paste, composed with a fluid
which is natural to them, and which answers for them the
purpose of an universal solvent. In whatever place, or on

346

SUPPLEMENT

whatever thing they place their hives, and their covered
ways, whether on the wood of houses, on the bark of living
trees, on paper, on clothes, on stones, or on metals, all is
corroded and dissolved by this liquid. Mixed with such
materials, it forms, as we have just mentioned, a paste, which
they make pretty nearly of the thickness of a card, to form their
covered ways and their hives. These hives themselves are
but a sort of accumulation of covered ways, assembled one
upon the other in all directions. Almost all the houses in
our islands being constructed of wood, these insects very
speedily destroy the pieces which are most necessary to the
solidity of the building, if their labours and multiplication
are not very speedily put a stop to.

" A means, however, has been discovered equally prompt
and efficacious in arresting their ravages, and destroying
themselves, and that is arsenic. Let but a single pinch of
this be put into their hives, through a small hole made there,
or introduced into one of the covered ways which lead to
them, at the end of some hours the millions of wood-lice
which were assembled in the hive, all perish without exception.

" This insect is a species of ant. It appears to me to be
the same which M. Adanson has spoken of in his voyage to
Senegal, p. 99, under the name of vaguevague. In that part
of Africa it is doubtless more maleficent. This academician
tell us that they bite the skin, and occasion swelling, and
severe pains. They do not bite at Martinique. The only
mischief that they do is by their devastations.

" It is astonishing that they have not yet been informed in
Senegal of the effect of arsenic on these animals, or have not
employed, as in our colonies, where it has been used for so
many years. The accidents which may result from its use,
are not much to be dreaded, since a very small quantity is
sufficient to destroy these insects."

In the southern parts of Europe and in Africa there are

ON NEUROPTERA. 347

some insects analogous to the termites, but having the head
wider than the- corslet, the tarsi with three articulations, the
wings scarcely reaching beyond the abdomen or altogether
wanting, the legs compressed, with the anterior thighs broader;
they have no simple eyes and the corslet is elongated. They
form the genus Embia of M. Latreille. We insert a figure
of a singular insect, which bears some similarity to the genus
Embia ,h\\X, differs in having the antennse as long as the body.
The thorax much longer and more separate from the head,
which is rounded posteriorly, the terminal joints of the palpi
rather larger ; it therefore may be formed into a distinct sub-
genus, which Mr. Gray has named Olyntha.

The species which is figured is from South America, there-
fore is named Brasiliensis. It is black ; thorax and anterior
femora fulvous ; the tip of the antennas white, the wings
blackish, rather lighter between the nervures. In the collection
of J. G. Children, Esq.

Many naturalists have confounded the insects of the genus
Peiila with those of Phrygance, which they resemble in their
antennae and the mode of existence under the larvae form.
But they may be distinguished at once from these insects by
their flatted corslet and the threads of their abdomen.

These larvae, as do those of phryganeae, live in the water,
where they feed on small aquatic insects. Their body is
elongated and composed of several rings. The head is scaly,
and they have six feet. They enclose themselves in a case of
silk, open at the two ends, which they cover with various
substances and transport it every where along with them.
It is in this sheath that they undergo their metamorphoses.
Before changing into the nymph state, the larva opens the
apertures of the two extremities of his habitation, with divers
threads of silk, which form a sort of grill at each end. This
grill, not of a very close tissue, gives passage to the water,
which is necessary to the nymph for the purpose of respira-

348 SUPPLEMENT

tion, and it places it in security from those voracious insects,
which it could not escape without this precaution. It re-
mains but a short time under this form. Before its final
metamorphosis, it breaks one of the grills of its sheath, that
it may issue forth with the greater facility when it becomes
the perfect insect. On quitting their exuvia of nymph, the
perlae become inhabitants of the air ; they do not, however,
remove to any great distance from the water, because the
females deposit their eggs there, after coupling.

These insects do not form a very numerous genus, and all
the species are European.

After the genus Per/a, we placed Eusthenia spectahilis,
of Westwood. The body is dark brown, the upper wings
pale with a brown spot in each cell ; the anterior margin
purplish brown, and with a whitish fasciae rather beyond the
centre ; the hinder wings red, with a very broad bluish-
black margin. Mr. Westwood has established this genus on
account of the jaw being horny and very much dentated.
The habitat of the species is unknown.

The Phryganece have been called by Reaumur, " Mouches
papilionacees,'^ from their resemblance, on the first glance,
to butterflies, or rather to the phalence. The ancients named
their larvae ligniperdcB, from a mistaken notion that they
were injurious to wood.

The larvae and nymphs of all the known species live in the
water. They are to be found in marshes, ponds, and running
streams. They lodge in portable cases which they make with
silk, and cover with various substances. They drag them
every where along with them.

The interior part of this cave, or tube, in which the body
of the larva is lodged, is smooth and polished. Its upper
part is covered with fragments of various substances, proper
for the purpose of strengthening and defending it. The ex-
ternal parts are often bristly, and full of' inequalities. Some

ON NEUROPTERA. 349

larvae form theirs of different pieces, which they arrange
symmetrically side by side. When this sheath or case becomes
too short, or too narrow, they make another of a size propor-
tioned to that of their body. Sometimes the new one differs
as much from that which they have thrown off, as our mo-
dern habiliments do from those of our ancestors, for these
insects employ materials that have no manner of affinity
among themselves. They make use of leaves, or parts of the
leaves of several species of plants, of small cylindrical or
irregular sticks, of stems of plants, of reeds, rushes, bits of
clay, of aquatic shells, and in fact of all the substances which
they can find in the water. Some of these cases are formed
but of one substance, and these are the best fashioned.
Others are composed of all the discordant materials which we
have enumerated, and form a dress equally fantastic and un-
becoming.

Each case is internally formed like a cylinder, at each ex-
tremity of which is an aperture. The one through which the
larva puts forth its head and feet is larger than the other,
which is placed in the middle of a circular plate, attached to
the end of the case, which is partly stopped by it.

Almost all the cases which are covered with leaves, are
flat. But those of this shape are not very common : the
cylindrical form being more general. There are some, the
entire external part of which is composed of particles of
rushes, cemented together. But with whatever materials
they may be covered, it is rare to find any without some
piece which supports the rest, and this piece is necessary to the
perfection of the case. Sometimes it is a bit of stone, a
pebble, or a shell. It frequently happens that these cases
are entirely covered with the small shells of aquatic snails, or
with the shells of mussels which enclosed the living animals.

Cases constructed of such heavy materials would become
a burthen to the insect, if it were obliged always to walk

350 SUPPLEMENT

upon the ground. But as it sometimes walks at the bottom
of the water, and sometimes at the surface, and over the plants
which grow there, the case is carried with but little trouble,
if the different pieces of which it is constructed, be of a
weight pretty nearly equal to that of the fluid. This the
instinct of the animal leads it to accomplish, by making use
of bodies, the specific weight of which is lighter than that of
the Avater.

These larvae have six feet ; the head is brown and scaly,
and the mouth is armed with jaws adapted for cutting the
materials which these insects employ in the construction of
their cases. Their body is composed of twelve rings. The
six feet are attached to the first three rings. On the fourth,
there are three fleshy eminences, through which they draw in
and reject the water. To the other rings are certain threads,
bearing some analogy to the gills of a fish. It is said that
they feed upon the larvae of libellulae, and tipulae, and also on
the leaves of aquatic plants. But it seems more probable
that they are purely herbivorous. When one of these larvae
is stripped of its case, if the latter be left near it the insect
will immediately re-enter, putting in its head first.

When the larva, which cannot swim, is inclined to walk,
it puts its head, and the anterior }>art of its body, out of the
case.

It is not only in the construction of the case that these
larvae exhibit their industry, but they shew it still more in
the manner in which they close the case, before they become
changed into the nymph-state. They all undergo this meta-
morphosis in the water, and in this sort of tube which they have
constructed. If nature had not gifted them with the faculty of
rendering it inaccessible to aquatic insects which are their
enemies, they would become their prey. But they secure
themselves from the murderous fangs of their adversaries by
stopping the two apertures of this tube. Each larva employs

ON NEUROPTERA. 351

in this operation the silk which it has at its disposal, to form
a sort of grating, the meshes of which are close enough to
hinder the carnivorous insects from penetrating into the
interior of the case, and sufficiently separated to leave a clear
passage for the water, which is necessary to the nymph for
the purposes of respiration. But before it closes its sheath in
this manner, the larva is careful to attach it to some solid
substance, that it may quit it with the greater facility when
it wants to issue forth.

The nymph is of a citron yellow, and all the parts which
the perfect insect is to have are clearly distinguishable in it.
Its head is small in proportion to its body, and it exhibits one
remarkable peculiarity. This is a sort of bill formed by two
hooks, situated one at each side of the head. It makes use
of this to detach the grate on that side from which it is to
issue forth. This takes place fifteen or twenty days after its
metamorphosis. The phryganete do not quit their exuvia of
nymph in the water. The nymph comes out of its sheath,
and withdraws into a dry place. There it remains quietly
waiting until the skin which covers it dries up, and cracks,
which it does in a minute or two. At the end of this short
interval, the perfect insect is in a situation to be enabled to
make use of its wings.

These insects usually fly on the borders of streams, marshes,
and ponds. The females deposit their eggs on the plants
which grow in the water. The eggs are enveloped by a
glairy transparent matter, of the consistence of a soft jelly,
which adheres to the plant, almost as soon as it is placed
there.

During the day-time, the phryganeae remain tranquil ; but
towards the setting of the sun, they commence to take their
flight. It is not uncommon to see them in apartments. They
are habituated to fly round the flame of candles, where, like
the moths, they often burn their wings. Their flight is light

352 SUPPLEMENT ON NEUROPTERA.

and lively, and in walking, such is the quickness of their pace,
that they seem to glide along. When they are handled they
leave a disagreeable odour on the fingers which lasts for a
considerable time. Almost all the species are found in
Europe, and many are remarkable for the colour of their
wings, which resemble those of the phalenae.

THE NINTH ORDER OF INSECTS.

The Hymenopteka — Piexata, Fab.,

Again presents us with four membranaceous and naked
wings. A mouth composed of mandibles and jaws, with
two lips ; but the wings, of which the upper are always the
largest, have fewer nervures than those of the neuroptera,
and are only veined. The females have the abdomen ter-
minated by an auger or a sting. Beside the composite eyes,
they all have three simple ones. Antennae variable, not only
as to the genera, but in the sexes of the same species, fili-
form nevertheless, or setaceous in the majority; jaws and
labium, generally narrow, elongate, attached in a deep
cavity of the head by long muscles ; they form a semi-tube
at their lower part, are often folded at their extremity, more
proper to conduct the nutritive juices than for mastication,
and are united in the form of a proboscis in many. The
tongue is membranaceous, either widened at its extremity, or
long and filiform, having the pharynx at its anterior basis,
and often covered by a sort of sub-labrum, or epi-pharynx.
Four palpi, two maxillary, and two labial. The thorax
with three segments united into one mass, the anterior being
very short, and the other two confounded into one. The
wings crossed horizontally on the body. The abdomen most
frequently suspended to the posterior extremity of the corslet
by a small thread or pedicle — finally, tarsi, with five articu-

VOL. XV. 2 A

S54f CLASS INSECTA.

lations, none of which is divided. The auger or oviduct,
and the sting, are composed, in the majority, of three long
and slender pieces, two of which serve as a sheath to the
third, in those which have an auger, and a single one of
which, the upper, has a groove underneath to enclose the two
others. In those in which the auger is transformed into a
sting, this offensive weapon, and the oviduct are denticulated
like a saw at their extremity.

This order is divided into two sections. In the first, that
of Terebrantia, there is an auger in the females. It is
separated into two great families. The first, that of

Securifera,

Is distinguished from the following, by a sessile abdomen, or
whose base is united to the corslet in its entire thickness, and
appears to be a continuation of it, and to have no proper
movement of its own.

The females have an auger, most generally securiform,
and which serves not only for the deposition of eggs, but
also to prepare a place to receive them. The larvae have
always scaly feet, and often others which are membranaceous.
This family is composed of two tribes.

The first, Tenthredineta, has long and compressed
mandibles; tongue trifid, and as it were, digitated- auger
composed of two laminae, serrated, pointed, joined, and
lodged in a groove under the anus. The maxillary palpi
have always six articulations, and the labial four. The
latter are always shorter. The four wings are divided into
numerous little cells. This tribe composes the genus

Tenthredo, of Linnaeus.^

Abdomen cylindrical, rounded posteriorly, composed of nine
rings, so united to the corslet as to seem but a continuation

ORDER HYMENOPTERA. 355

thereof. Their wings appear ruffled, there are two small
rounded bodies like grains, usually coloured, behind the
scutellum, and the general port of these insects is heavy.
The form and composition of the antennae vary. The man-
dibles are strong and denticulated. The extremities of the
jaws are almost membranaceous, or less coriaceous than the
stem. The palpi are filiform or almost setaceous, and of six
articulations. The tongue is strait and rounded ; its sheath
is usually short. Its palpi are shorter than the maxillary,
and their last articulation almost ovaliform. There is a
double mobile auger to the abdomen of the female, &c.

In some the antennae have but nine articulations, there
are two strait and divergent spines at the internal extremity
of the two anterior legs, and the auger does not project be-
hind.

Here, the labrum is always apparent ; the internal side of
the hinder legs has no spines in the middle, or but a single
one.

Sometimes the antennae, always short, terminate either in
a thick inflation, like a cone inverted and rounded at the
end, or a button, or in a large articulation, like an elon-
gated knob, prismatic or cylindrical, and forked in some
males ; there are five articulations besides.

The species in which these organs, similar in the two sexes,
terminate in a button or coniform inflation, and in which the
two nervures of the upper wings are contiguous or parallely
approximate without a large intermediate furrow, compose
the genus Cimbex, Oliv., Fab., Crabro, Geoff*.

On some considerations relative to the articulations of the
antennae, &c.. Dr. Leach has divided Cimbex into several
other genera, one of which, Perga, peculiar to New Holland,
has a moveable spine to the middle of the under side of the
four hinder legs. The scutellum is large and square, with
the posterior angles advanced like teeth. The valves which

2 A 2

356 CLASS INSECTA.

receive the auger are furnished, externally, with numerous
short, frizzled, and silky hairs. The antennae are very short,
with six articulations, and the knob has no vestige of rings.
The genera of the English naturalist, I consider but as
simple divisions of Cimbex.

Those in which the antennas have but three articulations,
the last like an elongated knob, &c., and the two costal
nervures of the upper wings are very much separated from
each other, form the sub-genus Hylotoma, Lat., Fab.,
Cryptic s, Jur.

Some, ScHYZocERA, Lat., Cryptns, Leach, Lepel., have
four cubital cells, and the antennae forked in the males. No
spines to the middle of the legs.

Others {Hylotoma proper), whose wings are like those of
the preceding, have their antennae terminated by a single
articulation. Most have a spine to the middle of the four
posterior legs.

Sometimes the antennae have nine articulations at least,
very distinct, and do not terminate decidedly and abrubtly
in a knob.

There aie some, and the greater number, whose antenna?,
alv/ays simple in both sexes, or at least in the females, have
fourteen articulations at the most, and more commonly nine.

Tknthredo (proper), Lat., Fab., nine simple articulations
to the antennae in both sexes. The number of denticulations
in the mandibles, varies from two to four. Some difference
in the number of radial and cubital cells.*

. Other species, having also antennae with nine articulations,
differ from the preceding, by having them pectinate on one
side in the males. Cladius, Klug., Latr.

* Terms invented by M. Jurine, to express two kinds of little cells, si-
tuated near the external edge of the upper wings. Their presence, absence,
number, form and connexion, are generic characters employed by this
great naturalist.

ORDKR HYMENOPTEUA. 357

Some others, having the body short and compact, like the
hylotomae, have from ten to fourteen articulations to the
antennae, and simple in both sexes. Athalia, Leach.

The following species are remarkable for antennae with
sixteen articulations at the least, pectinate or fan-like, in the
males, and serrated in the females.

Pterygophorus, Kli'ig., antennae with but a single range
of teeth, and simply longer, or pectinate in the males, short
and serrated in the females ; here they are sensibly thicker
towards the end.

LoPHYRUs, Latr., whose antennae, in the males, have a
double range of elongated teeth, forming a large triangular
plume, and are serrated in the females.

Sometimes the labrum is concealed, or not projecting.
The internal side of the four hinder legs, has, before its ex-
tremity, two spines, and often a third above the preceding
The antennas are always composed of a great number of ar-
ticulations. The head is strong ; squared, supported by a
small neck, with the mandibles strongly crossed. They form
the genus Cephaleia of Jurine, which has been divided into
two others : Megalodoktes, Latr., Tarpa, Fab., in which
the antennae are serrated or pectinated, and Pamphilius,
Latr., Lyda, Fab., in which they are simple.

The last Tenthredinae, have the auger protruded beyond
the sheath. The internal extremity of the two anterior legs
has but a single distinct spine. It is curved, and terminated
by two teeth. The antennae are always composed of a great
number of articulations and simple.

Xyela, Dalm , Pinicola^ Breb., Mastigocerus^ Kliig.
Very distinct, by their elbowed antennae forming a kind of
whip, abruptly narrowed towards their extremity, and con-
sisting of eleven articulations, of which the third is the
longest. The maxillary palpi are similarly formed and very
long. The thick or callous point in the upper wings is re-

358 CLASS INSECTA.

placed by a cell. The laminae of the auger are smooth and
without denticulations.

Cephus, Lat. Fab., Trachelus, Jur. Antennae inserted
near the forehead, and thicker towards the end.

XiPHYDHiA, Lat., Fab., Urocerus, Jur., whose antennae are
inserted near the mouth, and more narrow towards the end.

The second tribe, that of Urocerata, is distinguished
from the preceding, by the mandibles being short and thick ;
the tongue entire ; the auger of the females sometimes very
projecting and composed of three threads, sometimes rolled
spirally in the interior of the abdomen, and in a capillary
form. This tribe is composed of the genus

SiREx, of Linnaeus.

Antennas filiform or setaceous, vibratile, with from ten to
twenty-five articulations. Head rounded, and almost glo-
bular, with the labrum very small, the maxillary palpi, fili-
form, of from two to five articulations. The labial, with
three, the last of which is thicker. The body is almost cy-
lindrical. The anterior, or posterior tarsi, and in many the
colour of the abdomen, differ according to the sexes. The
auger is lodged at its base between two valves, forming a
sheath.

Oryssus, Lat., Fab. Antennae inserted near the mouth, ten
or eleven articulations. Mandibles without teeth ; maxillary
palpi long, with five articulations. Abdomen almost rounded
and auger capillary, and rolled spirally.

Si REX (proper), Urocerus, Geoff. Antennae inserted near
the forehead ; thirteen to twenty-five articulations ; mandibles
denticulated internally ; maxillary palpi very small, almost
conical, with two articulations ; extremity of abdomen pro-
longed like a tail, and auger projecting, and composed of
three threads.

ORDER HYMENOPTERA. 359

The second family of Hymenoptera,

The PupivouA,

Have the abdomen attached to the corslet by a simple por-
tion of their transverse diameter, and even most frequently by
a small thread or pedicle, so that its insertion is very distinct,
and it moves on this part of the body. The females have
an auger which serves as an oviduct.

I divide them into six tribes :

The first, Evaniales, have the wings veined, and the
upper at least areolated ; the antennse filiform, or setaceous,
with thirteen or fourteen articulations. Mandibles denticu-
lated internally ; maxillary palpi with six articulations ;
labial with four. Abdomen implanted on the thorax, and in
many under the scutellum ; auger usually projecting, and
with three threads. This tribe forms but a single genus,
that of

FOENUS.

Sometime the auger is concealed, or projects very little,
and is like a small sting. The tongue is trifid.

EvANiA, Fab., Sphecc, Lin. Antennae elbowed ; abdomen
small, triangular or ovoid, abruptly pedicled at its origin,
inserted below the shield, at the posterior and upper extremity
of the thorax.

Pelecinus, Latr., Fab. Abdomen inserted much lower, a
little above the origin of the hinder feet ; elongated, some-
times filiform, very long and arched, sometimes gradually
narrowed towards the base, and terminating like a knob ;
posterior legs inflated ; antennae strait and attenuated.

Sometimes the auger is very prominent, and composed of
three distinct and equal threads.

Some have the abdomen and hind legs, knob-like ; an-

360 CLASS INSECTA.

tennae filiform, or simply marginate. Fcenus (proper), Fab.,
Ichneumon, Lin.

The abdomen of the others is compressed, ellipsoid, or like
a sickle, and all the legs slender. The antennae are seta-
ceous.

AuLACUS, Jur., Spin., in which the abdomen is ellipsoid.

Paxylloma, Brebisson. When it is like a sickle.

The second tribe, the Ichneumonides, have also veined
wings, and in the disk of the upper complete or closed cells.
The abdomen originates between the two hinder feet. The
antennas are generally filiform or setaceous (very rarely in a
knob), vibratile, and composed of a great number of articu-
lations. In the majority, the mandibles are not toothed in-
ternally, and terminate in a bifid point. The maxillary
palpi, always apparent, have most usually but five articula-
tions. The auger is composed of three threads. This tribe
embraces the totality of the genus,

IcHNEUMOK, of Liunasus.

Maxillary palpi elongated, almost setaceous, with five or six
articulations ; labial shorter, filiform, and with three or four
articulations. Tongue entire, or simply emarginate ; body,
generally narrow, elongate, or linear ; auger sometimes ex-
ternal, like a tail, sometimes very short, and concealed in the
abdomen, which then terminates in a point, while it is thicker,
and like a knob terminated obliquely, when the auger pro-
jects. The middle piece is the only one which penetrates
into the places where they deposit their eggs. The extremity
is flatted, and sometimes cut like a pen.

The variety and number of the articulations of the palpi,
may serve as a basis for three principal divisions. In the
first, the maxillary palpi have five articulations, and the
labial foin-. The second cubital cell is very small, and almost
circular or nullified.

ORDER HYMENOPTERA. 36l

We shall form a first sub-division with those, whose head
is never prolonged in front, like a muzzle, whose tongue is
not deeply emarginate, maxillary palpi much elongated, with
the last articulations sensibly differing from the preceding.
The auger is not covered at its base by a large lamina.

Some species are distinguished from others by their almost
globular head ; mandibles terminating in an entire point, or
slightly emarginate, and metathorax elongated. The second
cubital cell is often wanting. Such are

Stephanus, Jur., Pimpla. Bracon, Fab., whose thorax
is very slender in front, and on a level with the origin of the
abdomen at its posterior extremity. The hinder thighs are
inflated. Many little tubercles on the top of the head.

XoRiDEs, Latr., Pimpla, Cryptus, Fab. Metathorax
convex, and rounded at its fall ; abdomen inserted at its
lower extremity, and presenting a very distinct pedicle.

Among the species whose head is tranverse, and mandi-
bles distinctly bifid, or clearly emarginate at their point,
some, as

Pimpla, Fab., have the abdomen cylindrical, with a very
short pedicle.

Others have the abdomen almost ovaliform, with an elon-
gated, narrow, and arched pedicle. These are

Cryptus. Fab. In some of them the females are apterous,
and from this and the division of the thorax into two parts,
they might constitute a particular sub-genus.

Sometimes the abdomen is compressed, like a sickle or
truncated knob.

Ophion, Fab., whose antennae are filiform or setaceous.
Auger a little projecting.

Banchus, Fab. Abdomen in the females narrowed at
the end, and terminating in a point.

Helwigia. Antennae thicker towards the end.

362 CLASS INSECTA.

Sometimes the abdomen is rather flatted than compressed,
either ovaliform, almost cylindrical, or fusiform.

In some the abdomen is remarkably narrowed at its base,
like a pedicle.

\' JoppA, Fab. Antennae remarkably widened or thickened
before the end, and then terminating in a point.

Ichneumon (proper). Head transverse, abdomen ovali-
form, almost equally narrowed at both ends.

Alomya, Panz. Head more narrow and more rounded,
and abdomen more widened towards its posterior extre-
mity.

In others the abdomen attaches to the metathorax in the
major portion of its transverse diameter, is almost sessile,
almost cylindrical, and simply widened towards its posterior
extremity. Such are

Peltastes, Illig-, Metopius, Panz. They have a cir-
cular elevation beneath the antennae, and the lateral edges of
the scutellum are raised, and sharp.

The second and last sub-division of these has the tongue
deeply emarginate, or almost bifid; maxillary palpi with
articulations little varying, or gradually changing. Auger
projecting, and covered at the base by a large lamina.
Hinder legs thick. Head of many advanced, like a muzzle.

AccENiTUs, Lat. Head not advanced into a muzzle.

Agathis, Lat., in which it terminates in the same man-
ner ; but in their wings they approximate to the subsequent
sub-genera.

Our second division of the ichneumons differs from the first
in the number of articulations to the palpi, as there is one
less to the labial. The second cubital cell is most frequently
as large as the first. The auger projects. The point of the
mandibles is bifid or emarginate.

Some have a remarkable vacancy between the mandibles

ORDER HYMENOPTERA.

363

and hood. The jaws are elongated inferiorly underneath the
mandibles. These are Beacon, Jur., Fab.

From them may be detached, under the name of Vipion,
the species whose antennae are short and filiform ; jaws pro-
portionally longer, and forming with the labium a sort of
bill, and maxillary palpi but little longer than the labial.

The species with setaceous antennae, as long as the body,
maxillary palpi much longer than the labial, and jaws and
labium forming a bill, should be excluded from Bracon.

In the others there is no vacancy between the mandibles
and hood. The jaws and labium are not prolonged. The
second cubital cell is very small ; auger and abdomen short.

MiCROGASTER, Lat.

In our third and last division there are four articulations
to the labial palpi, but the maxillary have six.

In some the mandibles proceed contracting, and terminate
in two teeth, or in a single bifid or emarginate point.

Helcon, Nees d'Es. Abdomen above, presents several
rings, terminates with a long auger, and is not vaulted under-
neath.

SiGALPHus, Latr. Abdomen vaulted below, but three
segments above, the auger is withdrawn, and sting-like.

Chelonus, Jur., in which this part of the body is inar-
ticulate above.

Sometimes the mandibles are almost squared, with three
teeth at the end, one in the middle, and the others formed by
the angles of the terminal edge. Alysia, Latr.

The third tribe, Gallicol.e, Diploleparice, Lat., have
but a single nervure in the lower wings. The upper have
some cells, or areolae, two brachial, the internal one incom-
plete ; one radial and triangular, and two or three cubital ;
the second (in those that have three) very small ; the third
very large, triangular, and closed by the posterior edge of
the wing. The antennae are equal, or go on thickening,

3C)4^ CLASS INSECTA.

with thirteen to fifteen articulations. Palpi very long.
Auger spirally rolled in the abdomen ; hinder extremity
lodged in a groove in the belly.
The Gallicolae form the genus

Cynips, of Lin.

They appear as it were humped, having the head small,
and thorax thick and raised. The abdomen is compressed,
carinated at its under part, and truncated obliquely at its
extremity.

Ibalia, Latr., Illig., Sagaris, Panz., Banchus, Fab.
Abdomen greatly compressed ; antennae filiform, radial cell,
long, and narrow, two brachial, distinct and complete ; first
two cubital, very small.

Ftgites, Lat., Jur. Abdomen ovoid, thickened, and
rounded above, either simply compressed, or trenchant un-
derneath. Antennas grained, and proceed thickening ; but
one brachial cell complete ; radial greatly removed from the
end of the wing. Second cubital wanting.

Cynips (proper). Diplolepis, Geoff. Antennae filiform,
and not grained. Cubital cells, three in number. Radial,
elongate.

Fourth tribe, Chalcidi^. Antennae (Eucharis excepted)
elbowed, and proceeding from the elbow, form an elongate
or fusiform knob, the first articulation of which is often
lodged in a furrow. The palpi are very short. Radial cell
usually wanting. Never but one cubital cell, not closed.
Not beyond twelve articulations to the antennae. The genera
of this tribe are referred to

Chalcis, Fab.

Auger often composed of three threads, and projecting.
Some, whose antenna? have always eleven or twelve articu-

ORDER HYMENOPTERA. 36.5

lations, have the hinder thighs very large and lenticular, and
the legs arched.

Sometimes the abdomen is ovoid or conic, pointed at its
extremity, decidedly pedicled, and the auger straight, and
seldom projecting outwards. Wings extended. Some males
have the antennae fan-like. Ciiihocera, Latr.

Those of the others are simple in both sexes. Chalcis
(proper). Vespa, Sphex, Lin.

Some have the pedicle of the abdomen elongated. Sispes
and Clavipes, Fab.

The others have the pedicle of the abdomen very short.
Vespa minuia, Lin., &c.

Sometimes the abdomen appears applied agaiiist the pos-
terior extremity of the metathorax, rounded at the end, and
compressed laterally. The auger is curved on the back.
Leucospis, Fab.

Others, whose antennae have often but from five to nine
articulations, have the posterior thighs oblong, and the legs
straight.

Among those, whose antennae, always simple, have from
nine to twelve articulations, we distinguish at first,

EucHAKis, Lat., Fab., Chalcis^ Jur. The only one of
this tribe in which these organs are straight. Abdomen
pedicled.

Thora(;anta, Lat. Insects collected in Brazil by M.
St. Hilaire, represent, by their scutellary elongation covering
the wings, the hemiptera, called scuteUcra by M. de la
Marck.

The other sub-genera, with antennae always composed of
nine articulations, at least, and simple, but elbowed, and
wings not covered by the scutellum, may be divided into
those whose antennae are inserted near the mildle of the
anterior face of the head, or notably removed from the
mouth, and into those where they are inserted very near it.

366 CLASS INSECTA.

Of the first, some have the abdomen almost ovoid, com-
pressed on the sides, with the auger usually projecting and
ascending. Such are

Agaon, Dalm. Very remarkable for the size and length
of their head ; the first articulation of the antennae very
large, and in the form of a triangular palette, the last three
forming, abruptly, an elongated knob. They are furnished
with hairs.

EuRYTOMA, Illig. Antennae knotty, and furnished with
small hairs in the males. Auger short.

MisocAMPE, Lat., Diplolepis, Fab., in which they are
composed, in both sexes, of very close articulations, with-
out small hairs. Auger long.

The others have the abdomen flatted above, rather trian-
gular, and terminating in an elongated point, in the females ;
or almost heart-formed, or orbicular. The auger is usually
concealed.

Sometimes the nervure of the upper wings is always curved,
the two hinder feet are the largest, the interior spine of the
intermediate legs is small.

Perilampus. Have mandibles strongly denticulated ;
knob of the antennas short and thick ; abdomen short, and
heart-formed ; scutellum thick and projecting.

Pteromalus, Latr., Cleptes, Fab. Thorax short, with-
out anterior contraction.

Cleonymus, Latr. Thorax elongated, and contracted
anteriorly ; abdomen proportionally longer, and antennae
inserted lower.

The nervure of the upper wings is sometimes straight, in-
termediate feet the longest, and their legs have a long internal
spine.

EuPELMUs, Dalm. Nervure curved ; first articulation of
the intermediate tarsi, large, and ciliate underneath.

ORDER HYMENOPTERA. 36f

Encyrtus, Latr. Nervure straight, knob of the antennae
compressed, and truncated at the end.

Spalangia, Latr. Antennas longer, and inserted very
near the anterior edge of the head.

EuLOPHus, Geoff., Latr., Entodon, Dalm. Only from
five to eight articulations to the antennae, and those of the
males branching.

The fifth tribe, Oxiuri, Latr., have, in the females, the
abdomen terminated by a tubular auger, conical, sometimes
internal, and exsertile, sometimes external and caudiform.
Antennae of from ten to fifteen articulations, either filiform,
or in the females claviform. Maxillary palpi long, and pen-
dant ; it is comprehended in the genus

Bethylus, of Latreille and Fabricius.

Some have cells, or brachial nervures, in the upper wings.
The maxillary palpi are always projecting. The antennae
filiform, or very gradually thickening in both sexes.

Sometimes inserted near the mouth.

Dryinus, Lat., Gonatopus, Kliig. Antennae straight,
of ten articulations in both sexes, the last a little thicker.
Thorax divided into two knots ; anterior tarsi terminate in
two large denticulated hooks, one of which is folded back ;
females apterous.

Anteon, Jur. Ten articulations to antennae, but thorax
continuous. All the tarsi are terminated by common hooks.
The upper wings have a large cubital point.

Bethylus, Latr., Fab., Omahis, Jur. Whose antennae
are elbowed, with thirteen articulations in both sexes. Head
flatted, and pro-thorax elongated, and almost triangular.

In some, the antennae always have thirteen to fifteen articu-
lations, and are inserted near the middle of the anterior face
of the head.

*3G8 CLASS INSECTA.

Sometimes they are straight, or almost straight.

Proctotrupes, Latr., Codrus, Jur. In which they con-
sist of thirteen articulations, in both sexes. The mandibles
are arched, and without teeth at the internal side. The pe-
dicle of the abdomen very short and gradual, terminating in
the females in a point, or corneous tail, often long, and form-
ing; the auffer.

Sometimes the antennas are very distinctly elbowed.

Helorus, Lat., Jur. The antennae have fifteen articulations.
Mandibles denticulated at the internal side. The first ring of
the abdomen forms an. abrupt, long, and cylindrical pedicle.

Belyta. Cinetus, Jur. Their antennae are of fourteen or
fifteen articulations, filiform in the males ; more grained, and
thicker towards the end, in the females.

The other oxyuri have neither cells, nor brachial or basi-
lary nervures.

These have their antennae inserted on the front.

DiAPRiA, Latr., Psilus^ Jur. The maxillary palpi project.
The antennae have fourteen articulations in the males, or
twelve in the females.

In those they are inserted near the mouth.

Ceraphron, Jur., Latr. A radial cell. Maxillary palpi
projecting, antennae filiform in both sexes, with eleven articu-
lations ; abdomen conical-ovoid.

Spar AsioN. Antennae of twelve articulations in both sexes,
but thicker at the end or claviform in the females, and the
abdomen flatted.

lliere are again two sub-genera, that have a radial cell ;
the antennae claviform in the females, the abdomen flatted,
but all the palpi very short, and making no projection, or not
pendant underneath.

Teleas, Latr. The antennae of which have twelve arti-
culations.

Scelion. In which they have but ten.

ORDER IIYMENOPTERA. 369

Platygaster. The radial cell does not exist. The an-
tennae have but ten articulations, of which the first and third
are much elongated. The palpi are very short. The abdo-
men is flatted.

The sixth tribe, Chry sides, Lat., have not the lower
wings veined, but their auger is formed by the last rings of
the abdomen, like the tubes of a telescope, and it terminates
with a little sting. The abdomen, which in the females does
not appear composed but of three or four rings, is vaulted, or
flat underneath, and can be folded back against the breast.
This tribe comprehends the genus

Chrysis, of Linnaeus.

Body elongated, and covered with a solid dermis. Their
antennae are filiform, elbowed, vibratile, and composed of
thirteen articulations in both sexes. The mandibles are
arched, narrow, and pointed. The maxillary palpi are usually
longer than the labial, filiform, and of five irregular articula-
tions. The labial have three. The tongue is most frequently
emarginate. The thorax is semi-cylindrical, and the abdomen
semi-oval, and truncated at the base.

Some have the jaws and labium very long, composing a
false proboscis, bent underneath, and the palpi very small,
with two articulations ; such are Parnopes, Latreille.

The others have no false proboscis ; their maxillary palpi
are of the middle size, or elongated, and composed of five
articulations ; there are three to the labial.

Sometimes the thorax is not narrowed anteriorly. The
abdomen is semi-oval, vaulted, and has but three segments
externally ; such are Chrysis, properly so called. Fab.

Those whose four palpi are equal, and whose tongue is
deeply emarginate, form the genus Stilbum, of Spinola,
to which may be united Euchu.eus, of Latreille.

VOL. XV. " 2 B

370 CLASS IN SECT A.

Those whose maxillary palpi are much longer than the la-
bial, and which have the tongue emarginate, with the abdomen
rounded, and smooth at the end, have been generically dis-
tinguished under the name of Hedychrum.

Those resembling the last as to the palpi, but with the
tongue rounded and entire, form the genera Elampus, and
Chrysis, of Spinola.

Sometimes the corslet is narrowed in front, the abdomen has
an almost ovoid figure, with four segments in the females, and
five in the males. Such are Cleptes, of Latreille. The
mandibles are short and denticulated. The tongue is entire.

The second section of Hymenoptera, Aculeata, has no
auger. It is re-placed in the females and neuters, of the
social species, by a retractile sting, composed of three pieces.
Sometimes this does not exist, and the insect defends itself by
ejaculating an acid liquor, enclosed in special reservoirs, in
the form of glands. The antennae are always simple, and
with thirteen articulations in the males, and twelve in the
females. The palpi are usually filiform, the maxillary, often
the longest, have six articulations, and the labial four. The
mandibles are smaller, and often less denticulated in the males.
The four wings are always veined. The abdomen, united to
the thorax by a pedicle, has seven segments in the males, and
six in the females. The larvae have no feet. This section is
divided into four families. The first, that of

Heterogyna,

In which the neuters and females are wingless. In all the
antennae are bent, and the tongue small, rounded, and vaulted,
or spoon-like.

In some which live socially, the antennae gradually thicken
in the females (which are winged) and in the neuters. The
length of their first articulation equals the third of their

ORDER HYMEN OPTERA. 371

total length. The second is almost as long as the first, and
like an inverted cone. The labrum of the neuters is large
and horny, and falls perpendicularly under the mandibles.
They compose the genus

Formica, of Linnaeus.

The pedicle of the abdomen is like a knot, either simple or
double, the head triangular, the eyes rounded, or oval, and
entire, the mandibles generally very strong, but varying
much in form in the neuters. The jaws and labium small, the
palpi filiform, and the maxillary longest. Thorax compressed
at the sides, and abdomen ovoid, provided, the females and
neuters, sometimes with a sting, sometimes with glands
secreting the formic acid.

This genus is divided as follows :

1st. Formica (proper). No sting: antennae inserted near
the front, mandibles triangular, denticulate, and incisive.
The pedicle of the abdomen is always simple.

2nd. PoLYERGUs, Lat. Sting wanting ; but antennae situ-
ated near the mouth. Mandibles narrowed, arched, or very
much crooked.

3rd. PoNERA, Latr. Males and females armed with a
sting. Antennae thicker towards the end, mandibles trian-
gular, head nearly so, without any remarkable emargination,
at its posterior extremity.

Odontomachus, Latr., have also the pedicle of the
abdomen simple, but terminated above like a spine. The
antennae very slender and filiform in the males. The head
of these individuals is a long square, greatly emarginated
behind, with long narrow parallel mandibles, and terminated
by three teeth.

4th. Myrmica, Latr. A sting ; but the pedicle of the ab-
domen formed of two knots, the antennee uncovered, and the

2 B 2

3J2 CLASS INSECTA.

maxillary palpi long, with six distinct articulations ; the man-
dibles triangular.

Species certainly similar, but with linear mandibles, com-
pose the sub-genus Eciton, Lat.

5th. Atta, of Fabricius. Like myrmica, but with very
short palpi, and the maxillary with less than six articulations.

6th. Cryptocerus, Latr. Sting ; pedicle of the abdomen
double, but the head very large and flatted, has a grove on
each side, where the antennae lodge.

The other Heterogyna are solitary, but two kinds of indi-
viduals, winged males, and apterous females, are always
armed with a strong sting. The antennae are either filiform
or setaceous, vibratile, with the first and third articulations
elongated. The length of the first nerve equals the third
of the total length of these organs. They form the genus

MuTiLLA, of Linnasus.

Some, of which the males alone have been observed, have
the antennae inserted near the mouth, the head small, and
the abdomen long, and almost cylindrical — as in Dory las,
Fabr., Labidus, Jur. Mandibles shorter and less narrow,
and maxillary palpi, at least of the length of the labial, and
composed at least of four articulations.

The others have the antennae inserted near the middle of
the face of the head, which is stronger than in the preceding.
These are Mutilla (proper).

The species whose corslet is almost cubical, without knots,
or any appearance of division above, in the females, compose
the genera Apterogyna, Psammotherma, and Mutilla,
of Latreille. The antennae of the males in the first, are long
and setaceous, in the second pectinate, in the third simple in
both sexes.

Those which in both sexes have the thorax equal above,
but divided into two distinct segments, the abdomen conical

ORDER HYMENOPTERA. 373

in the females, elliptical and depressed in the males, compose
the genus Mf rmosa", of Latr. and Jur.

Those in which the thorax of the females is again equal
above, but divided with three segments by sutures, and the
maxillary palpi very short, form the genus Myrmecoda,
Latr,

Scleroderma, of Kliig., have the maxillary palpi elon-
gate, and the second articulation of the antennae uncovered.

Methoca, of Lat., have the upper part of the thorax
knotted or articulate.

The second family of this section, that of

FOSSORES,

Have stings, individuals but of two kinds, all winged, and
, live solitarily, but proper for walking, and in many for digging ;
tongue always more or less wide at its extremity, and never
filiform or setaceous ; the wings are always extended. They
compose the genus

Sphex, of Linnaeus.

The jaws and labium are elongated, and of the proboscis
form in many.

The numerous sub-genera are divided into seven principal
sections.

In the first two the eyes are often emarginate. The body
of the males is generally narrow, elongate, and terminates pos-
teriorly in a great number, in three points, like spines or
denticulations.

1st. Those in which the first segment of the thorax is some-
times arched and prolonged laterally to the wings, sometimes
transversely square, or formed like a knot or articulation ;
feet short, thick, very spiny or ciliated, thighs arched near
the knee ; antennas clearly shorter than head and thorax in

374 CLASS INSECTA.

the females. These are the Scoliet.e of Latreille, thus named
from the genus Scolia.

Some have the maxillary palpi long, the articulations un-
equal, and first articulation of the antennae almost conical.
^ Such are Tiphia, Fab., and Tengyra, Latr.

The others have the maxillary palpi short, composed of
articulations almost alike, with the first of the antennae elon-
gated, and almost cylindrical. Sometimes this articulation
receives and conceals the following one, as in Myztne, Latr.,
mandibles denticulate.

Meria, Illig., mandibles not denticulate.

Sometimes the second articulation of the antennae is unco-
vered, as in ScoLiA (proper), Fab.

2d. The diggers, whose first segment of the thorax is con-
formed as in the preceding, which have short but slender feet,
not spinous, nor strongly ciliate, and whose antennas are in
both sexes as long, at least, as the head and corslet. This
sub-division embraces the family of Sapygat.e of Latreille,
the name of which is taken from the principal genus, Sa-

PYGA.

Some have the antennae filiform, as in Thynnus, Fab.,
eyes entire. Polochrum, Spin., eyes emarginate, and man-
dibles much denticulated.

In the others, the antennae are thicker towards their extre-
mity, or even claviform in some males. Sapyga (proper),
Latr.

3d. The diggers, which approach the preceding in the ex-
tent and form of the first segment of the thorax, but the pos-
terior feet are as long again as the head and trunk. Anten-
nae generally narrow, with elongate articulations, and much
arched, in the females. They are the Sphegydes of Latr.,
from the dominant genus Sphex.

Some have the first segment of the thorax square, either
transversely, or longitudinally, and the abdomen attached to

ORDER HYMENOPTERA. 375

the corslet by a very short pedicle. Their posterior limbs
have usually a brush of hairs on the internal side. The
upper wings have two or three cubital cells complete, or
closed, and another imperfect and terminal. They form
many sub-genera.

Pepsis, Fab. Labrum apparent; antennae almost strait;
composed of close articulations : maxillary palpi little longer
than the labial ; three cubital cells complete. The legs,
and first articulation of the hinder tarsi of the males, com-
pressed.

Ceropales, Latr., Fab. Labrum and antennae of pepsis ;
but maxillary palpi much longer than the labial, pendant,
and with very unequal articulations.

PoMPiLus, Fabr, Antennae of the two sexes arched, and
composed of articulations not very close.

Planiceps, head flat, with the posterior edge concave,
simple eyes very small, and much separated ; ordinary eyes
elongated, and occupying the sides. The antennae are in-
serted near the anterior edge. The two anterior feet are
remote from the others, short, curved underneath, with the
haunches and thighs large. The upper wings have but two
cubital cells complete.

Aporus, Spinol. Only two complete cubital cells ; but the
second receives the recurrent nervures.

In the others, the first segment of the thorax is narrowed
in front, and also the first ring of the abdomen, and some-
times a part of the second. Three complete cubital cells on
the upper wings, and the beginning of a fourth.

Those whose mandibles are denticulated, the palpi filiform,
jaws and tongue long, and proboscis-like, c^-c, are the Aw-
^ MOPHiLus of Mr. Kirby.

The species whose jaws and labium are much shorter, are
the genera Sphex, Pron.eus, and Chlorion, of Latreille.

Others with denticulated mandibles, but maxillary palpi

376 CLASS INSECTA.

much longer than the labial, compose the genus Dolichurus,
Latr.

The last fossores of this third division have no denticula-
tions to the mandibles, which are striated. They are Ampu-
LEx, Jur. PoDiDUM, Lat., and Pelop(eus, Lat., Fab.

4th. In the other fossores the first segment of the thorax
forms only a simple linear and transverse edge, of which the
two lateral segments are removed from the origin of the
upper wings. The feet are always short, or moderate. The
head transverse, the eyes extending to the posterior edge, the
abdomen in a semi-cone, elongate, rounded on the sides near
the base The labrum naked, or very projecting. These are
Latreille''s family of Bembecides, named from the genus
Bembex, Fab.

Sometimes the palpi are very short, the maxillary have
but four articulations, and the labial two. Such is the species
called Apis rostrata, Lin.

Sometimes the maxillary palpi have six articulations, and
the labial four. Monedula, Lat.

The others have no false proboscis, and the labrum is
short and rounded. Such are Stizus, Lat. et Jur.

5th. Other fossores differ, by having the labrum concealed
altogether, or in great part, and a deep emargination near the
base of the mandibles. Three cubital cells in some. These
are our Larrates.

Palarus, Latr., Gotiins, Jur. Antennae very short, gra-
dually thicken. Eyes closely approaching posteriorly. Se-
cond cubital cell petiolate.

LvROPS, Illig., Liris, Fab., Larva, Jur. In which the an-
tennae are filiform. Third cubital cell, narrow, and crescent-
like, and a tooth on the internal side of tlie mandibles.

Laura, Fab. Mandibles without teeth, &c.

Sometimes there are but two cubital cells, closed.

DiNETus, Jur., have the two cubital cells sessile. An-

ORDER HYMENOPTERA. 377

tennae of the males maniliform below, and then filiform.
Three denticulations internally to the mandibles.

MiscopHus, Jur. Antennae filiform in both sexes. Man-
dibles with but a slight projection on the internal side.

6th. Now come fossores with the labrum likewise con-
cealed, jaws and labium forming no proboscis, no emargina-
tion at the lower side of the mandibles, abdomen triangular,
or ovoido-conical, and never on a pedicle. Antennae filiform.

NySSONIAxVI.

Some have the eyes entire.

AsTATA, Latr. Three cubital cells closed, extremity of
the mandibles bifid, and eyes nearly approaching above.

Nysson, Latr., Jur. Mandibles terminating in a simple
point, and eyes separated widely.

OxYBELUs, Latr., Jur., Oliv. Antennas short, arched,
second articulation shorter than the third ; two or three points
in the scutellum, like teeth ; legs spiny, and a large cushion at
the end of the tarsi.

NiTELA, Latr. Antennae longer, almost strait ; second
and third articulations of the same length. Mandibles ter-
minate in two teeth, no points to the scutel, nor spines to the
legs, and cushion of the tarsi very small.

Others have the eyes emarginate. Such are Pison, Spin,
Latr.

7th. The last division of fossores, Crabronit.e, has the
head square ; antennae usually claviform, abdomen ovali-
form, broader towards the middle, narrowed at the base.

Some have the antennae inserted below the middle of the
anterior face of the head, with the band short and broad.

Sometimes the eyes are emarginate.

Trypoxylon, Latr., Fab., Jpitis, Jur., Sphex., Linn.
Mandibles arched and without teeth. Abdomen narrowed at
base, in a long pedicle.

Sometimes the eyes arc entire.

378 CLASS INSECTA.

Here the mandibles are strait, and simply denticulate at
the end, or terminate in a simple point, with a single tooth at
the internal side. The antennge approximate at their base.

GoRYTEs, Latr., Arpactus, Jur.,Mellinus Oa/ybelus, Fab.
Three cubital cells complete ; mandibles moderate, uniden-
ticulate at the internal side. Metathorax, with a sort of
false scutel, furrowed.

Ckabro, Fab. A single cubital cell closed, mandibles
terminate in a bifid point ; antennae bent, filiform, fusiform,
or slightly serrated in some ; palpi short, almost equal, and
tongue entire.

Sticmus, Jur. Thick or callous point on the sides of the
upper wings, black ; two cubital cells closed. Antennae not
bent, the first articulation a little elongated, and like an in-
verted cone. Mandibles arched, and terminated by two or
three teeth.

Sometimes, the mandibles, in the females at least, are
strong, and bidenticulated on the internal side. The antennae
are separated at their base.

Pamphredon, Latr., Fab., Cemonus, Jur. Two cubital
cells complete, and a third imperfect.

Mellinus. Three cubital cells complete, and often the
commencement of a fourth,

Alyson, Jur., Pompylus, Fab. Three cubital cells com-
plete, but the second petiolated.

The last crabronitae have their antennae inserted higher, or
towards the middle of the anterior face of the head. They
are usually thicker towards the end. Three cubital cells
complete, and two recurrent nervures.

Sometimes the hood is almost square. Abdomen, carried
on an abrupt, long pedicle, formed by the first ring. Man-
dibles terminate with two teeth. Psen, Latr., Jur., Try.
j)Oocylon, PelapcBKS, Fab.

Sometimes the hood is trilobed ; first ring of the abdomen

ORDER HYMENOPTERA. 379

narrowed like a knot ; mandibles in a simple point. These
insects compose the genus Philanthus, of Fabricius.

Others restrain this generic division to those whose anten-
nas are separated, and abruptly swelled. Mandibles with no
internal projection, and all the cubital cells sessile. They are,
Philanthus, proper, Latr., Simhlephilus^ Jur.

Those in which the antennas are approximate, much longer
than the head, and gradually thickening, whose mandibles
present at the internal side a tooth, and second cubital cell
petiolate, form the genus Cekceris, Lat., Philanthus, Jur.

The third family of the Hymenoptera Aculeata, that
of

DiPLOPTERA,

Is the only one of this section, with very few exceptions,
which has the upper wings doubled longitudinally. The
antennas are usually bent, and thicker towards the end. Eyes
emarginate. Prothorax carried back on each side, as far as
the origin of the wings. The upper have three, or two cu-
bital cells, of which the recurrent nervures are received by
the second. Many are social, and composed of males, fe-
males, and neuters. We divide them into two tribes. The
first, Masarides, Latr., has for the genus,

Masaris, of Fabricius.

Antennae, apparently with but eight articulations, the
eighth forming, with the following, an almost solid knob ;
tongue terminated by two threads, retractile, into a tube
formed by its base. The upper wings with but two cubital
cells complete. Middle of the anterior edge of the hood
emarginate, and receiving there the labrum.

Masaris proper. Antennae a little longer than head and
thorax. Abdomen long.

Celonites, Latr. Antennae scarcely longer than the
head. Abdomen hardly longer than the thorax.

380 CLASS INSECTA.

The second tribe of Diplgptera (VESPARiiE) is composed
of the genus

The Wasps. Vespa, Linn.

Antennae, always with thirteen articulations in the males ;
twelve in the females, and terminating in an elongated knob,
pointed, and sometimes crooked (males) at the end — always
elbowed. The tongue is sometime divided into four plumous
threads, sometimes into three lobes, having four glandular
points at the end. The mandibles are strong and denticu-
lated. The hood is large. Beneath the labrum is a small
piece, like a tongue. With the exception of a small number
of species, the upper wings have three cubital cells complete.
The females and neuters have a very strong and venomous,
sting. Many live in societies composed of three kinds of
individuals.

The first sub-genus, Ceramius, Lat., Kllig., forms an ex-
ception to the general characters of their tribe. The upper
winss are extended, and the cubital cells are but two in num-
ber. The labial palpi are longer than the maxillary.

Sometimes the mandibles are much longer, than broad,
approached so as to form a bill. The tongue is long and
elongate ; the hood is boat-formed, or oval.

Synagris, Lat., Fab. Tongue divided into four threads,
without glandular points. Mandibles of some males very
large, and like horns.

EuMENEs, Lat., Fab. Tongue, with three pieces, glan-
dulous at their extremity.

Abdomen in some ovoid, or conic, and thicker at the base ;
such are Pterochile, Kliig., with very long jaws, and lip
forming a curved proboscis ; labial palpi with long hairs, and
but three distinct articulations.

Odynekus, Latreille. These parts of the mouth much

ORDER HYMENOPTERA. 381

shorter, and labial palpi nearly smooth, with four articula-
tions.

In the others, the first ring of the abdomen is narrow, elon-
gate, pyriform ; the second bell-like. Eumenes proper ; also
Zethus, of Fab., and Disccelius, of Latreille.

Sometimes the mandibles are but little longer than broad,
with a broad and oblique truncation at their extremity ; the
tongue shortish ; the hood nearly square. They form the
sub-genus, Vespa (proper), Lat.

The fourth, and last family of aculeated Hymenoptera,
that of

The Bees. Anthophila, Latr.,

Is characterised by collecting with the hinder feet the pollen
of flowers. The first articulation of the tarsi of their feet, is
very large, very compressed, and somewhat like a reversed
triangle. The jaws and lips, generally very long, compose a
proboscis. The tongue is like an arrow-head, or very long
thread, the extremity of which is silky, or hairy. These
hymenoptera embrace the genus

Apis, of Linnaeus,

Which I divide into two sections : —

The first, Andrenet.e, Lat., has the intermediate division
of the tongue, heart, or arrow-head-like, shorter than its
sheath, and folded upwards in some, almost straight in others.
These are Andrenes of Fab., and Melites of Kirby. The two
lateral divisions are very short. The mandibles are simple,
or terminated by two denticulations. The labial palpi re-
semble the maxillary, which have always six articulations.

Some have the middle division of the tongue widened at its
extremity, almost heart-formed, and doubled in repose. Hy-
Lffius, Fab., Prosopis, Jur.

Sometimes the body is smooth, second and third articula-
tions of the antenna? almost of a length. But two complete

382 CLASS INSECTA.

cubital cells. They gather no pollen, and are Hyl(eus (pro-
per), Lat and Fab.

Others have the body hairy ; third articulation of the an-
tennae longer than the second. Three cubital cells complete.
CoLLETES, Lat.

The other andrenetae are distinguished from the preceding,
by the arrow-head figure of the tongue. In some, this tongue
folds back on the upper side of its sheath, as in Axdrena,
and Dasypoda, of Latreille. In the females of the last, the
first articulation of the posterior tarsi is very long, and fur-
nished with long hairs. The upper wings in both have but
two cubital cells.

In the others, the tongue is straight, or a little curved un-
derneath. Such are, Sphecodes, Halictus, and Nomta,
of Latreille. Here the jaws are more strongly bent than in
andrena. The closed cubital cells are always three. The
males in Sphecodes have knotty antennae. The tongue is
almost straight, with divisions of equal length. The middle
one is much longer in Halictus and Nomia.

In the second section of Anthophila, that of Apiari^,
Latr.. the middle division of the tongue is as long as the men-
tum, and like a thread, or silky hair. Jaws and labium much
elongated, forming a proboscis, folded underneath, in inaction.
The first two articulations of the labial palpi, have most fre-
quently the figure of a scaly hair, compressed, and embracing
the sides of the tongue. The other two are very small. The
third is inserted near the external extremity of the preceding,
which terminates in a point.

The apiariae are either solitary or social. In the first,
there are but two kinds of individuals. The females have no
brush to their hinder feet, nor particular sinking at the ex-
ternal side of their legs.

A first division of these solitary apiariae, will be composed
of those where the second articulation of tlie posterior tarsi of

ORDER IIYMENOPTERA. 383

the ferriales, is inserted in the middle of the extremity of the
preceding. The external and terminal angle of the latter,
does not appear more dilated or advanced than the internal,
in the following sub-genera.

We may further detach from this group, the Andrendides,
approximating to the last of the preceding section, in their
labial palpi, composed of slender articulations, linear, placed
end to end, almost similar to those of the maxillary, and six
in number. Labrum always short. The females have no
brush to the belly, but their hinder feet are furnished with
hairs.

Some have the mandibles narrow towards the end, termi-
nating in a point, and even like the labrum. Such are Sys-
TROPHA, Illig. Three complete cubital cells. Antennae
curled at their extremity, in the males.

RoPHiTEs, Spin. Two cubital cells, and antennae not
inflected.

Panurgus, Panz. Mandibles not denticulated. Stem of
the antennae, from the third articulation, fusiform, in the
females ; but two cubital cells.

The females of some others, have mandibles almost spoon-
formed, very obtuse, furrowed, and bi-denticulated at the
end. Labrum very hard, ciliate above. Antennae strongly
bent, and filiform ; three complete cubital cells.

Xylocopa, Lat., Fab. The male, in some species, differs
from the female. Eyes large, and more approached above.
Anterior feet, dilated and ciliate. »

The labial palpi of some other apiariae, are like scaly hairs.
The first two articulations very large or long, compared to
the last two, compressed, and the edges membranous, or
transparent. Maxillary palpi always short, and often with
less than six articulations. Labrum in a great number elon-
gated, sometimes in a long square, or triangle.

Cereatina, Lat., Spin., Jur., Megilla^ Prosopis, Fab.

384 CLASS INSECTA.

Maxillary palpi with six articulations, and three com-
plete cubtial cells ; body narrow, and oblong. Antennae
inserted in small fossets, and terminating in an elongated
knob. Mandibles furrowed, and tri-denticulated at the
end. Abdomen ovaliform, and without brush ; labrum
shorter than in the following sub-genera. They belong to a
little group, which we have called Dasygastrce, in which the
abdomen of the female (though this sub-genus is an exception)
is almost always furnished with a silky brush.

All the other dasygastrce have four articulations, at most,
to the maxillary palpi, and two complete cubital cells. First
come the species evidently provided with a silky brush.

Chelostoma, Lat. Body elongated, and nearly cylindri-
cal. Mandibles projecting, arched, narrow, forked, or eraar-
ginated at the end. Maxillary palpi with three articulations.

Heriaues, Spin. Mandibles triangular, and but two ar-
ticulations to the maxillary palpi.

In the following four, the abdomen is shorter, and almost
triangular, or semi-oval.

Megachile, Latr., Anthrophora, Xylocopa, Fab., Track-
usa, Jur. Maxillary palpi composed of two articulations.
Abdomen plane above, and capable of retro -elevation.

LiTHURGUs. Four articulations to the maxillary palpi,
like the following sub-genus, but the abdomen depressed
above. All the articulations of the labial palpi are placed
end to end, and the palpi resemble long scaly hairs, placed
end to end. Mandibles narrow in both sexes, with the ex-
tremity emarginate in the middle, or bidenticulate.

OsMiA, Panza, Anthophora, Fab., Trachusa, Jur. Ab-
domen convex above ; antennae pretty long, in the males.

Anthidium, Fab. Abdomen convex ; but maxillary palpi
with but a single articulation.

The last two sub-genera of this group, approach the fol-
lowing, by the want of the silky brush. But the labrum is

ORDER HYMENOPTERA. 385

parallelogramic, and the mandibles triangular and denticu-
late. The maxillary palpi are very short, and with two
articulations.

Stelis. Panz. No teeth nor spines to the scutellum,
abdomen semi-cylindrical, convex above, and curved at the
extremity.

CcELioxYS, Lat. Two teeth, or two spines to the scutel-
lum ; abdomen triangular, plane above, pointed at the ex-
tremity in the females, and usually denticulate in the males.

Other apiariae, CucuUnce, sometimes almost smooth, some-
times occasionally hairy, have the labrum like an elongated
and truncated triangle, or short and almost semicircular, the
mandibles narrow, going into a point, with a single tooth at
the internal edge. The paraglossae are often long, narrow,
and in the form of hairs. The scutellum of many is emar-
ginate or bidenticulate ; tuberculous in others.

Some almost smooth, have the paraglossae much shorter
than the labial palpi.

Sometimes the labrum is like an elonorated triangle, trun-
cated at the end, and inclined below the mandibles. Never
but two cubital cells complete.

Ammobates, Latr. Maxillary palpi have six articula-
tions.

Phileremus, Latr. Only two.

Sometimes the labium is short, almost semi-circular, or half
oval.

Epeolus, Lat., Fab. Three cubital cells complete, and
a single articulation to the maxillary palpi.

NoMADA, Fab. Six articulations to the maxillary palpi.

Pasites. But two cubital cells complete : four articula-
tions to the maxillary palpi.

The other cuculinae, whose body is very hairy in places,
whose scutellum is often spiny, which have always three

VOL. XV. 2 c

386 CLASS INSECTA.

cubital cells complete, approach the next apiariae in the
length of the paraglossae, which almost equals that of the
labial palpi.

Melecta, Lat. Five or six distinct articulations to the
maxillary palpi.

Crocisa, Jur. But three, and the scutellum prolonged
and emarginate.

OxEA, Kllig. Labrum in a long square, and not semi-
oval ; and maxillary palpi nothing, or reduced to a single
articulation, very small. .

The last solitary apiariae have the first articulation of the
posterior tarsi dilated below at the exterior side, so that the
following articulation is inserted nearer the internal angle of
the extremity of the preceding, than the opposite angle.
The external side of this first articulation, as well as that of
the legs, is charged with thick and close hairs, forming a
sort of tuft : thence called by me Scopulipedes. The under
part of the abdomen is without brush. The cubital cells,
except in a few species, are three.

Sometimes the maxillary palpi have from four to six arti-
culations. In these last, the mandibles have but one tooth
at the internal side. In many males there is a bundle of
hairs at the first and last articulations of the intermediate
tarsi. Others, of the other six, are distinguished either by
their long antennae, or by a more rema\'kable thickening of
the two thighs of the second pair of feet, or of the last.

The species in which the two lateral divisions of the tongue
are as long as the labial palpi, and like a silky hair, and
whose males have long antennae, form the sub-genus of Eu-
CERA (proper).

Melissodes, are Euceree of America, with but four
articulations to the maxillary palpi ; three cubital cells.

The other apiariae of this subdivision, have the paraglossae

ORDER HYMENOPTERA. 387

much shorter than the tongue, and always three cubital
cells.

There are some of them whose maxillary palpi have evi-
dently six articulations.

Melliturga, Latr., whose antennae are short, and ter-
minate in a knob in the males. All the articulations of the
palpi are continuous, and in the same direction.

Anthrophora, Lat. Antennge filiform, four in both sexes,
and the last articulation of the labial palpi in an oblique
stem.

Others have but five articulations to the maxillary palpi,
and those of the labial are continuous. Saropoda.

Others, in fine, have but four articulations to their max-
illary palpi. The first articulation of the posterior tarsi of
the males is very large, curved, and hollowed into a vault,
at its internal extremity. Ancycloscelis. Latr.

In the following, the mandibles have many denticulations at
the internal sides. Centris, Fab.

Sometimes the maxillary palpi have but one small articula-
tion, which in some even becomes invisible. The paraglossae
are very short. Mandibles denticulate.

Epicharis, Kliig. Last articulations of the labial palpi
in the same direction as the preceding ; but little distinct,
and form the point of these organs, which resemble very long
hairs.

AcANTHOPUs, Klug. Last articulations of the labial palpi
form a small oblique stem, lateral.

The last apiariae are social, composed of males, females,
and workers. The hinder feet of these individuals have at
the external face of their legs, a smooth depression for the
reception of the pollen which they have gathered with their
brush on the internal face of the first articulations of the
tarsi. The maxillary palpi are small, and have but a single
articulation. Antennae elbowed.

2c 2

388 CLASS INSECTA.

Sometimes the posterior limbs are terminated by two
spines, as in Eugloss^, Lat., Fab., where the labrum is
square, and the false proboscis of the length of the body,
and labial palpi terminating in a point, formed by the last
two articulations.

BoMBUS, Lat., Fab. Labrum transverse ; false proboscis
much shorter than the body, second articulation of labial
palpi ending in a point, bearing on its external side two
others.

Sometimes the social apiariae have no spines at the extre-
mity of their hinder legs. They form two sub-genera.

Apis (proper), Lat. The workers have the first articu-
lation of the posterior tarsi in a long square, and furnished
at its internal face with silky down, divided into transverse
bands.

The last sub-genus of social Apiariae,

Melipona, lUig. have the first articulation of the pos-
terior tarsi more narrow at the base than in the preceding,
and without striae on the silky brush. Upper wings have but
two cubital cells complete, whereas there is one more in Apis
proper.

SUPPLEMENT

THE HYMENOPTERA.

We discover in the writings of the earher naturaUsts, the
fundamental notion which conducted to the formation of the
order on which we are now about to treat. They have re-
marked, that among the insects with uncovered wings, the
Anelytra, and in which these organs are four in number,
many of these insects, such as bees, wasps, &c. had the
abdomen armed with a sting. Linne, in estabhshing in the
first editions of his Systema Natures, the order sneuroptera
and hymenoptera, did not employ this consideration as the
principal character. Four net-work wings, formed by veins,
constituted the distinction of the first order. Membrana-
ceous wings distinguished the second ; but the wings of the
neuroptera are equally membranaceous with those of the
hymenoptera, and we may say that both have equally a net-
work, only with meshes of greater or less size, or more or
less numerous. The characters, therefore, of these orders,
are not so distinctly marked ; and this probably determined
Geoffroy, in his history of the insects of the neighbourhood
of Paris, to unite both orders into one, under the name of
Tetraptera. Linnaeus subsequently returned to the distinc-
tion which had been originally indicated by the earlier natu-

390 SUPPLEMENT

ralists, and made the existence of a sting, a part of the
essential character of the hymenoptera. In the first editions
of his system of entomology, Fabricius composed with all the
insects with four naked wings, as he had in the brancMopod
and isopod Crustacea, and the insects of the order Thysanoura,
an order which he termed Syyiistates. But in the second
volume of his systematic entomology, published in 1793, he
detached from the Synistates the hymenoptera, and formed of
them a distinct order, which he characterized in the following
vague and insignificant way : corneous jaw — compressed, and
often elongated.

We have in Degeer, who improved the method of
Linne, a more certain and more intelligible guide — " Four
wings uncovered, membranaceous, the lower ones of which
are shorter, with nervures for the most part longitudinal;
mouth armed with teeth ; sting or auger in the female :" such,
according to him, are the distinctive traits of the hymen-
optera.

To the characters which distinguish this order M. Latreille
has added another, not noticed before his time, and which
may suffice in a system founded solely on the organs of masti-
cation ; " a tongue, or labium, enclosed in its base in a coria-
ceous sheath, which is embraced in the sides, within the
jaws."

The order of hymenoptera is so natural that all entomolo-
gists have adopted it, and in the same manner as it was cir-
cumscribed by Linnaeus ; the only variation has been respect-
ing its proper situation in the series of insects generally.
These changes depend on the greater or less importance
attached to characters, derived either from the organs of
flight or from the parts of the mouth, considered under the
general relation of their forms or action, these animals being
either grinders or suckers. If, as in the method of M. La-
marck, we place this distinction in the first rank, and that the

ON HYMENOPTERA. 391

absence or presence of wings, their number and consistence,
form only secondary characters ; or if, as has been done by
M.M. Clairville and Dumeril, we take the latter organs as a
basis, but so as nevertheless to preserve the preceding divi-
sion, the series of the orders will necessarily differ from that
of Linnaeus ; for, in the other methods, the diptera having
but two wings, and being suckers, will be one of the extremes
of the division of winged insects, and contiguous either to the
hemiptera or the lepidoptera. We shall be unable to prevent
the connection of this series of insects, suckers with the
grinders, by the means of the hymenoptera, since they appear
to participate, under this relation, one with the other.

It is thus that M. Lamarck, passing from the more simple
to the more composite, proceeds from the lepidoptera to the
hymenoptera, and that M. Dumeril makes the latter succeed
the hemiptera. In the method of M, de Clairville, which ter-
minates with the latter, his division of the winged insects with
a sucker conducts us from the hymenoptera, which he names,
ridiculously enough, jMebopiera, to insects with two wings,
the first of the series of suckers. But all these arrangements
have the defect of conjoining together insects of heteroge-
neous character, as far as the nature of the organs of flight is
concerned. It is thus that the hemiptera, so much approxi-
mating, in this respect, to the coleoptera and orthoptera, are
placed in the midst of the insects with membranaceous wings.
This is the plan, however, that has been pursued by Mr.
Kirby, who adopts this grand general division of insects.
After all, it does not appear to be of any great consequence
how divisions of this kind are made, providing the organs
selected as the basis of such divisions be of sufficient import-
ance to constitute essential characters. We may, however,
remark, in the insect tribe, that the instruments of flight not
only constitute one of the most obvious, but also one of the
most essential characters. The very names given by all

392 SUPPLEMENT

naturalists to the majority of the orders is quite sufficient to
prove this.

We shall here, as the description in the text is so brief,
enter a little more largely into the peculiar characters of these
insects. The hymenoptera have all composite eyes, often
larger in the males. Three small simple eyes, usually in a
triangular arrangement, in the vertex ; antennae very various
indeed, not only according to the genera, but even in the
sexes of the same species ; nevertheless, for the most part,
filiform, or setaceous, composed of from three to ten articu-
lations, or eleven for the most part in those which have an
auger. There are thirteen (in the males) or fourteen (in the
females) in those which have a sting : there are two corneous
mandibles, also varying according to the sexes. The jaws
and labium are generally slender, elongated, attached in a
deep cavity of the under portion of the head, by long muscles,
in a semi-tube, at their lower part, often folded at their extre-
mity, more adapted to conduct the nutritive juices than for
mastication, and in the form of a proboscis in many. The
tongue is membranaceous, usually trifid, either widened at
its extremity or long and filiform. The pharynx is situated
at the upper face of the labium, of which a small triangular
lamina, concealed by the labium, the epipharynx or epiglottis ^
closes at will the aperture. There are four palpi, two of
which, maxillary, are frequently composed of six articula-
tions, and two, labial, have but four. The thorax is formed
of three segments, united in a mass, sometimes cylindrical or
ovoid, truncated at both ends, sometimes almost globular, the
anterior part of which is very short and transverse, and the
second, which is properly the thorax, is usually more ex-
tended, and intimately united with the metathorax. The
wings are crossed horizontally on the body, membranaceous,
hyaline, or transparent, and the upper ones larger than the
others, having at their origin a little scale, rounded, and

ON HYMENOPTERA. 393

convex. In those in which the reticulation is most compH-
cated, there are but three or four principal and longitudinal
nervures, united in the direction of the breadth by smaller
nervures or veins. The abdomen is most generally narrow at
its basis, in the manner of a thread or pedicle, which sus-
pends it to the posterior extremity of the corslet, formed of
coriaceous or membranaceous segments, the number of which
varies from five to nine, but most frequently six in the
females, with either an auger or sting at the end : seven is
the most common number in the males. The feet are conti-
guous, or very much approximated at their base, terminated
by an elongated and filiform tarsus, of five entire articula-
tions, with two hooks at the end, and between which there is
often a cushion. The two anterior feet are inserted near the
neck, with a spine at the internal side of the legs, and an
emargination at the same side of the first articulation of the
tarsi.

All these parts sometimes exhibit differences according to
the sexes.

The auger, or oviduct, and the sting, are composed, for
the most part, of three scaly pieces ; they are long, narrow,
formed like a thread, usually projecting in the manner of a
tail, in those which have an auger ; one of them, which is the
auger properly so called, is pointed and denticulated, saw-like
at the end, and placed between the two others, which form
its sheath. These pieces are shorter, circular, and concealed
in those species where they form a sting. The upper one
has a groove underneath, which emboxes the two others, or
the sting properly so called, the extremity of which also pre-
sents some denticulations. At the base are two small conical
or cylindrical laminae, in the form of stylets. The auger is
sometimes formed by the last rings, and sometimes scaly, pro-
jecting in the manner of a pointed tail or sting, and sometimes
membranaceous, concealed, and consisting of a series of small

391- SUPPLEMENT

tubes, capable of being elongated or re-entering one into ano-
ther, with a small sting at the end. The sexual organs of the
male are composed of several pieces, the most part of which
are in the form of pincers, or hooks, surrounding the penis.

The varied reticulation of the upper wings of the hymen-
optera has furnished M. Jurine with good auxiliary characters
for the distinction of genera.

These insects are all terrestrial, and undergo a complete
metamorphosis. The most part of their larvae resemble a
worm, and are without feet. Such are the hymenoptera of
the second family, and the subsequent ones. Those of the
third have six scaly feet, and with a hook, for the most
part, beside twelve to sixteen others, simply membranaceous.
In their forms and colours these larvae are very similar to
those of the lepidoptera, and consequently have received the
name o^ false caterpillars. Both have a scaly head, and a
mouth composed of mandibles, or jaws, and a labium, at the
extremity of which is a spinneret for the passage of the silky
fluid, which answers the purpose of composing their cocoon,
when they are about to pass into the nymph state, and in
which they enclose themselves. This substance is elaborated
in certain interior reservoirs.

The females of the hymenoptera with auger do not provide
provisions for their family, and confine themselves to placing
their eggs on the surface, or in the interior parts of animal
or vegetable substances, which shall serve as nutriment to
their young under the larva form. This section oi terebrant
hymenoptera alone presents us with larvae provided with feet,
and what are called false caterpillars. They are all herbivo-
rous, and most part of the latter, like the true caterpillars,
remain uncovered on the leaves which constitute their food.
The other herbivorous larvae of the same section live almost all
in those vegetable excrescences, of very various forms, which
are called galls, and which are formed in consequence of the

ON HYMENOPTERA. 395

pricking or wound which tlie female has made on this part of
the vegetable for the purpose of depositing her eggs. The
other terebrant hymenoptera feed in the same state either on
larvae, caterpillars particularly, of which they gnaw the inte-
rior, without attacking the essential principle of life at first,
or on nymphs or eggs of insects, bodies in which they have
been deposited under this last form by the mother. The
larvae of the hymenoptera, with stings, are destitute of feet,
and resemble worms ; some live solitarily in nests or retreats,
prepared for them by the mother, and often with a degree of
art which must excite our highest astonishment ; some on the
carcases of insects, or the dust of the stamina of flowers,
mixed with a little honey, transported into the habitation
prepared for them by their provident parents. The other
larvae are united in society. These last have need of nutri-
tious substances, both vegetable and animal, more elaborated
and frequently renewed. Some among them are brought up
by females who have survived the winter, and who are subse-
quently assisted in their labours by other individuals of the
same sex, but incapable of coupling and engendering in con-
sequence of the imperfection of their ovaries. Most of the
other larvae, and these constitute the largest number, are
confided exclusively to individuals of the same nature, some
of which are apterous, others winged, and all of which form
very populous societies, and whose works and mode of life
are to us a subject of perpetual admiration.

Tlie hymenoptera, in their perfect state, live almost all
exclusively on flowers, and generally speaking, are more
abundant in southern climates. The duration of their life,
from their birth to their final metamorphosis, seldom extends
beyond a year.

Of all the orders of which the class of insects is composed
that of the hymenoptera is, without contradiction, considered
under the relations of manners and habits, the most worthy

13

396 SUPPLEMENT

of attracting our attention. Notwithstanding tlie numerous
and admirable observations of Reaumur, of Degeer, ofHuber,
and other naturahsts, it still presents to the lovers of nature
a vast field of discoveries. A gentleman, named Christ, has
assembled, in a special work on this subject, almost all that
had been written before his time respecting these insects.
But not to mention that the figures which he has inserted are
rude, and often not to be recognized, this book, in conse-
quence of the progress of classification, is, at the present day,
exceedingly imperfect. The system of Fabricius is a mere
specific catalogue, got up in a hurry, without proper prelimi-
nary and necessary notices on the sexual differences, without
the consideration of natural relations, which is only to be
attained by the constant study of the manners of these insects.
It is frequently inexact in the exposition of the characters of
the genera, and very incomplete with respect to the European
species.

M. Jurine lias published a most excellent work on the
hymenoptera, which was published at Geneva in 1807. He
divides these insects into three orders ; those of the first have
the abdomen sessile ; its breadth is equal to that of the
corslet. The same division had been also adopted by M.
Latreille in his general history of insects. The hymenoptera
of the second division have the abdomen petiolate, the petiole
being fixed on the corslet ; it is inserted behind it in those of
the third order. The absence or presence of those cellulae of
the wings, which M. Jurine terms radial and cubital, their
number, their forms, their connections, the mandibles, and
finally the antennae, have supplied him with characters dis-
tinctive of the genera. Considering this method merely in
a systematic point of view, this philosopher has fully com-
pleted the end which he proposed to himself. He has care-
fully distinguished the sexes: his sections are precise, and
there is no mingling of disparate species. The only thing to

ON HYMENOPTERA. 397

be desired was, that he had facilitated more the study of the
genera of his third order, the most considerable of all, by
divisions. The figures with which this work is illustrated are
beyond all praise.

Mr. Kirby and M. Kliig have done their part also with
respect to this order. The first by his excellent monograph
of the English bees, and the other by the establishment of
several new genera, and by additional monographs of some of
those belonging to M. Latreille's first family of hymenoptera.

The tribe of Tenthredin^ have been termed mouches-a-
scie by Reaumur, GeofFroy, and Degeer, and answer to the
genus tenthredo of Linnaeus. To the general characters
given of them in the text we shall add but a few obser-
vations.

The instrument which in the females serves the purpose
of depositing their eggs, is contained between two scaly
plates, or two grooves, from which it issues forth entirely,
when these insects wish to make use of it. It is itself com-
posed of two denticulated pieces, similar to a saw : it is with
this sort of saw that the tenthredinse notch the branches of
trees, for the purpose of depositing their eggs in them.

The larvse of these insects have more especially received
the name o^ false caterpillars, to distinguish them from the
true caterpillars, from which the lepidoptera proceed. The
most of these larvae have not less than eighteen feet, nor
more than two and twenty; characters which distinguish
them from the caterpillars, which have only sixteen, or even
a less number. Such of the false caterpillars as form an ex-
ception to the general rule, have but six feet, a character
which again distinguishes them from the true caterpillars.
In all, the body is composed of twelve rings. Their heads
are formed of two caps or heads separated by a channelling :
the mouth is furnished with two denticulated jaws, with a
labrum and a labium. Like the caterpillars, they have above

398 SUPPLEMENT

this labium a spinneret, through which issues a sort of silk,
which they employ in the construction of the cocoon, in
which they enclose themselves for the purpose of being
changed into the nymph form. Most of them undergo their
metamorphoses in the earth. The others spin their cocoon
along the branch of some tree. Many of them live in society ;
but the larger number are solitary.

For the purpose of depositing their eggs, the females
notch the branches of trees with the most astonishing dex-
terity. It is easy to observe the labours of the tenihredo
rosce. In the fine days of summer, towards about ten o'clock
in the morning, the female is seen traversing with eagerness
all the branches of this shrub, one after the other. She
usually rests on that one which is nearest to the extremity of
the principal stem, and there makes an aperture with her
saw, the two pieces of which play alternately. When she has
judged that the hole is of suitable dimensions, she deposits
an egg in its cavity : she then remains quiet for a few moments,
always having her ovipositor engaged in the branch : a
moment after, she draws away quickly the largest part of it,
and emits at the same time a frothy liquid, which rises as far
as the external edges of the notch, and sometimes beyond
them. Some authors have thought that the use of this
liquid was to bedew and humectate the eggs ; but Valisnieri
believes that it serves to prevent the aperture from closing.
Be this as it may, after the female has emitted this fluid
she withdi'aws her ovipositor, and proceeds to the fabrica-
tion of another hole. Sometimes she makes but four in a
line, one after the other; most frequently, however, she
makes about a score. The part of the branch which is
notched in so many places, presents nothing very remarkable
the first day of the operation, and it is not until the following
day that it commences to become brown ; and in the sequel
all the wounds become raised, and acquire more and more

ON HYMENOPTERA. 399

convexity every day. This growth is owing to the augmented
volume acquired by the egg, as it daily grows bigger. It
forces the skin of the branch upwards, and the aperture to
grow larger. This last finally becomes considerable enough
to give passage to the larvae, which, in coming out of the egg,
quits its retreat to seek the leaves of the shrub on which it
is nourished.

Some larvae of these insects present very remarkable pecu-
liarities. Those of the pine tenthredo of Linnaeus, whicli
live in society on this tree, often to the number of a hundred,
after having eaten all the leaves of the branch on which they
have been, quit it and proceed off altogether in a march, to
seek out another on which to satisfy their appetite. They
sometimes make very deep holes in the young shoots of the
pine, the bark of which they gnaw. When they are touched,
they let forth from their mouth a drop of clear resin, of the
odour and consistence of that which issues from the branches
of the pine when they are cut. It is this resinous juice
which they draw which nourishes them and makes them
grow.

Those which live on pear-trees and cherry-trees, &c. have
all the upper part of the body covered with a humid, viscous,
and shining matter, of a disagreeable odour, which appears
intended to preserve them from the rain and the rays of the
sun, and especially to assist them in fixing themselves upon
the leaves ; for if it be removed, they are observed to attach
themselves with difficulty, and appear liable to fall to the
ground.

Those of the tenthredo oralis which live upon the alder,
instead of this liquid, have upon the upper part a white
cottony matter, similar to that which covers the aphides of the
vesicles of the elm, those of the aspen, and more especially
those of the beech. It is sometimes there in sufficient quan-
tities to form flakes on the sides and back of the larva. This

400 SUPPLEMENT

matter, which is soft and light, composed of the re-union of
many small flat tufts, which have the figure of a brush,
attaches but very slightly to the skin, and is easily removed :
but what is most singular is, that if it be removed from the
upper part of the larva, at the end of some hours its body
will be found covered again with new matter of a similar
kind, which issues from many small concave spots, which are
perceptible on the skin, and which appear to be so many
spinnerets, through which this mass of cottony threads
passes. After the last moulting nothing more of the sort is
perceptible on the body of the larva, which is then of a
bluish green.

We cannot enter here into the detail of all the varieties of
form which these larvae exhibit : every thing of importance
in that way will come better a little farther on, in our notice
of tenthredo proper.

They almost all enclose themselves in a double cocoon, at
the end of the summer. Some, and these constitute the
greater number, pass the winter in this state. They are
changed into nymphs in the spring, and become perfect
insects in fifteen or twenty days afterwards. The others
undergo their final metamorphoses in a short time after
having formed their cocoon.

The genus or subgenus Cimbex, forms the first division of
this tribe. Geoffi'oy first separated them from the tenthredo
of Linnaeus, under the improper name of crabro. Olivier
substituted the denomination cimbex, which has also been
adopted by Fabricius ; but it would have been more proper
to have preserved to this genus, as M. Jurine has done, the
name of tenthredo, these insects being the largest of the tribe
of which they constitute a part.

They proceed from false caterpillars, with two and twenty
feet, whose body is smooth, with lines or longitudinal bands
of a colour different from that of the ground.

ON HYMENOPTERA. 401

They feed on the leaves of different trees, especially on
those of the sallow, the osier, the alder, and the birch-tree,
on which they remain rolled up in a spiral form. Many of
them exhibit a phenomenon of a sufficiently singular kind ;
when they are touched a little strongly, they cause to issue
from their sides a greenish liquid, as clear as water, which
they shoot horizontally to more than the distance of a foot.
These fits only take place when they are caught upon the
trees : if they are shut up they produce them no longer,
probably because the leaves on which they are fed do not
possess sufficient humidity to supply the source which fur-
nishes this fluid. The apertures which give passage to it
are situated above the stigmata, at the summit of a fleshy
and triangular piece.

Towards the end of summer, the larvae have acquired their
full growth. Almost all of them then quit the trees and retire
into the earth. They there spin an oval cocoon, of a rough
and thick silk, the tissue of which is similar to that of gum :
they pass the winter shut up in their cells, are changed into
nymphs at the commencement of summer, or the end of
spring, and become perfect insects in a little time after this
metamorphosis. Those which do not conceal themselves in
the earth fix their cocoons to the leaves, or to some branches.

The flight of the cimbices is heavy, and in flying they
make a humming noise, similar to that of wasps and bees.
About twenty species are known, almost all of which are pe-
culiar to Europe.

The larv« of cimbex amerince is found upon the leaves of
the sallow, and usually rolled into a spiral form. It is of the
number of those which shoot forth a fluid when they are
touched. It undergoes its metamorphosis in a cocoon of
silk, shining, and of a yellow-brown, which it attaches to a
branch, passes the winter there, and the perfect insect issues
forth at the end of the following spring.

VOL. XV. 2 D

402 SUPPLEMENT.

We here insert the figure of an insect which belongs to
Dr. Leach's section of this genus, which he names perga,
mentioned at page 355, with the specific addition scutellata.
It is of a dark greenish bronze ; the scutellum and dilated
collar pale yellow ; both the wings are fulvous ; and the
mandibles are reddish.

The larvae of the Hylotom^e have from eighteen to
twenty feet, the first six of which alone are terminated by a
conical and scaly crook. The others are membranaceous.

Two celebrated naturalists, Reaumur and Degeer, have
followed the metamorphosis of many species of this genus.
The hylotoma rosce has more especially fixed the attention
of the French naturalist : its larva is particularly remarkable
for the strange and singular attitude which it assumes. It
usually holds the posterior extremity of its body raised, and
often folded in the form of an S. Occasionally it turns it
down. It has eighteen legs, the hinder two of which seldom
move. The fourth ring, the tenth, and the eleventh, have
none. Its scaly legs are terminated by two crooks, which is
a character peculiar to this species of false caterpillar. Its
body above is of a yellowish, bordering on the colour of a
dead leaf, all covered with small black tubercles, from most of
which there proceeds a hair. The sides and under part of
the abdomen are of a green, which is between sea-green and
the colour of water. The under part of the rest of the body
is greenish and transparent. The belly thus allows to ap-
pear a longitudinal vessel, having a movement like the dorsal
vessel, but slower and more feeble. This false caterpillar,
to pass into the nymph state, enters in the earth and con-
structs there a double cocoon, in which it encloses itself.
The exterior envelope is a net-work with large meshes, but
solid and capable of resisting pressure : its threads, seen with
a strong magnifier, seem to be . small cords, like cat-gut,
having inequalities. They have a sort of elasticity which

ON HYMENOPTERA. 403

causes them to resume their original position, as soon as
pressure is removed. The internal envelope, on the con-
trary, is of a very close tissue, but without spring, soft and
flexible. This internal cocoon is not adherent to the other,
of which we may convince ourselves by cutting small portions
from one of the ends of the latter, so as to make a passage.
Having thus provided for its safety, the false caterpillar spins
for itself a second cocoon, the tissue of which is softer and
smoother than the finest satin, and which is to constitute a
soft bed for the nymph.

The external cocoon is of a reddish cinnamon colour, but
the interior is whiter. If earth be refused to the larvae, it
does not the less build for itself the lodging which is neces-
sary for its transformation. The net-work of the external
shell is then more perceptible ; for when the animal makes it
in the ground, it is necessary to clear it that we may be
enabled properly to distinguish the meshes.

The larvae of hylotoma enodis, Fab., fastens itself to the
edge of the leaves by means of six scaly feet. It keeps the
rest of its body stiff and a little raised : it eats much and
with avidity : it spins a double cocoon of an elongated oval
form, composed of silk of a dirty white, without any mixture
of earth: the external part is of the consistence of parch-
ment, the internal is very slender. The perfect insect does
not make its appearance until about ten months after, in the
summer of the following year.

The other subdivisions of this tribe present nothing wor-
thy of notice here.

Our figure, Schyzocera Peleferii, belongs to the subgenus
so named by Latr. (see page 356.) It is from Carthagena,
and is of a dull pale yellow ; with the vertex, the centre of the
thorax, the tip of the abdomen, and the posterior tibiae black ;
the wings brown, with a pale central fascia.

In the tribe of Urocerata, we shall more particularly con-

2d2

404- SUPPLEMENT

sider the genus Sirex, which by some writers, and by our
author, formerly has been called Urocerus.

Reaumur, Degeer, and Linnaeus, in his earlier works, con-
sidered these insects as ichneumons. They were subsequently,
however, with great propriety separated from that genus.

These insects inhabit, preferably to others, cold and moun-
tainous regions, abounding in pines and other coniferous
trees. The species which is most known (gigas) is very
much extended in Sweden. Maupertius has met with it in
Lapland ; and Reaumur, to whom he presented this insect,
named it, in consequence. Ichneumon de Laponie. It is also
very common in the Alps and Pyrenees.

In a work called, ** Ephemerides des curieux de la nature"
is an observation apparently relative to these insects, which
would be very extraordinary indeed, if it be true. It is there
said, that in the town of Czierck and its environs, there
were seen in 1679, some unknown winged insects, which
with their stings mortally wounded both men and beasts.
They fell abruptly upon men without provocation, and at-
tached themselves to the naked parts of the body : the sting-
was immediately followed by a hard tumour, and if care was
not taken of the wound within the first three hours, by
hastily extracting the poison from it, the patient died in a
few days after. These insects killed five and thirty men in
this diocese, and a great number of oxen and horses. To-
wards the end of September, the winds brought some of
them into a small town on the confines of Silesia and
Poland ; but they were so feeble on account of the cold,
that they did but little mischief there. Eight days after,
they all disappeared. These animals have all of them four
wings, six feet, and carry under the belly a long sting pro-
vided with a sheath, which opens and separates in two.
They make a very sharp noise in attacking men. Some of
them are ornamented with yellow circles, and others are

ON HYMENOPTERA. 405

similar to them in all respects, but they have the back alto-
gether black, and their stings are more venomous. The
author of these observations gives an extended description
of one species, that with the yellovv circles, which he accom-
panies with figures ; and, indeed, the character of sirex may
be clearly distinguished, and which M. Latreille would refer
either to the species ^eg-a*, or that o^ fusicornis. The other
of which he speaks, as being entirely black, may be either
spectrum or juvencus.

Our distinguished author is, however, very far from agree-
ing with the observations which we have now detailed.
Nature has given to the insects of the genus sirex, an auger
for the purposes of oviposition in the holes or clefts of trees,
and this is the only purpose to which they can turn it. It is
impossible to believe that these insects could change their
instinct all of a sudden, become the aggressors of man, whom
they should naturally avoid, and convert into an offensive
weapon a body which is simply an oviduct. Even on the
supposition that some persons might have been wounded by
them, nothing could result but the common effects produced
by the wound of a small sharp instrument, without poison,
of a mere thorn or spine. The sUght denticulations with
which the extremity of the auger of the sirex is armed, could
only render the wound a little greater. But ignorance, and
her invariable attendant, superstition, are ceaseless perverters
of facts, and misinterpreters of nature.

The insects of this genus hum while they are flying. The
history of the most common species (gigas) is known through
the observations of Rcesel. The female lays in wood some
eggs which are very much elongated, and pointed at the two
extremities. The larvae is elongated, radiated, yellowish,
cylindrical, with a scaly head, and six very short feet. The
posterior extremity of the body is inflated. For the other

406 SUPPLEMENT

particulars of its metamorphosis!, we must refer the reader to
the author just mentioned.

Of the first tribe of the Pu^ivora, the Evaniales, we can
only notice that the insects of the genus Fcenus live on
flowers, and their usual attitude is with the abdomen raised.
At night, or when the weather is inclement, they remain
hooked by their mandibles, and almost perpendicularly, to
the stems of different plants. They are frequently observed
flying in dry and sandy situations, with solitary bees and
spheges ; but this is not for the purpose of constructing nests
for their young, but on the contrary, to take possession of
those which the preceding insects have formed, or at least to
destroy their hopes by depositing eggs in the interior of their
larvae or by the side of them. When the young of the fceni
are disclosed, they will devour these larvae, and undergo
their metamorphosis in these usurped retreats.

We pass on to the next tribe, the Ichneumonides.

The females of this tribe, when obliged to lay, walk or fly,
continue agitating their antennae, to endeavour to discover
the larvae, nymphs, and eggs of insects, and even those of
spiders and of aphides, which are destined to receive and to
support their posterity. They exhibit in these researches,
an admirable instinct, which leads them to discover the most
concealed retreats. It is under the bark of trees, in their
clefts or crevices, that the females, whose auger is long,
place their eggs : they introduce there the auger, properly
so called, or the thread of its middle, in a perpendicular
direction: it is entirely disengaged from the other two
threads, or half-sheaths, which are parallel with each other,
and supported in the air in the line of the body. But the
females, whose auger is very short, and but little or not at all
apparent, place their eggs in the bodies, or on the skin of
larvae, of caterpillars, and in the nymphs which live uncovered,
or which are very accessible.

ON HYMENpPTERA. 407

The larvae of the ichneumonidae have no fe^t, and resem-
ble small worms. Those which live in the body of larvas or
caterpillars, after the manner of intestinal worms, gnaw at
first only their fatty bodies, or those of their internal parts,
whose existence is not essentially necessary to their preser-
vation ; but when on the point of being changed into nymphs,
they pierce their skin for the purpose of coming forth, or
otherwise very soon destroy them, and quietly undergo their
metamorphosis in the dead body. They all spin cocoons
with silk, in which they pass to the nymph state, and then
become perfect insects.

The females of the genus Ichneumon have, at the extre-
mity of the abdomen, an auger, which, when it is external,
constitutes a long tail. This instrument is an oviduct consisting
of three pieces, from which some authors have taken occasion
to name these insects musca tripilis. It is with the middle
piece that the eggs are introduced, which accordingly is more
scaly than the other two. Though the apparatus of their
ovipositor has the external appearance of a sting, and though
the insect, when taken in the hand, attempts to use it for
that purpose, there seems no reason to apprehend its effects
in general. The ichneumons, indeed, in which this instru-
ment is short, and from that circumstance strong, may be
able to, and in fact do sometimes, pierce the skin in the
thinner parts, and occasion a sensible degree of pain .

From the shortness of the wings, in proportion to their
body, we may conclude that these insects are not capable of
any very long or sustained flight. In fact, we observe them
continually alighting somewhere, and agitating these organs
as well as their antennae ; from this circumstance they have
been named by some writers musca vibratites.

If we have reason to complain of the number of caterpillars,
and of their fatal ravages in the vegetable kingdom, we ought
to congratulate ourselves on the existence of the ichneumons,

13

408 SUPPLEMENT

which are their natural enemies. We know that the ancient
naturahsts designated under this denomination a Utile quad-
ruped inhabiting the banks of the Nile, and which received
divine honours from the Egyptians, in consequence of the
opinion that it destroyed the eggs of the crocodile, and even
entered the mouth of that reptile, and proceeding into its
body, gnawed its entrails. On the latter part of this opinion,
or the absurdity of supposing that any mammiferous animal
could exist within another living body, we have already
expressed our opinion in the proper place. But as the light
of science has dissipated the night of ignorance and supersti-
tion, chasing away the spectral population of credulity, so has
it revealed to our astonished view the marvels of truth, not
less surprising than the miracles of fiction. But its best
result is, that it has taught us to regulate our belief in the
permanent exercise of the laws of nature, instead of forming
our code of faith on their violation. Poets may " spurn the
bounded reign of existence," but philosophers will find ample
room to expatiate within its limits to the end of time. Thus
the name of ichneumon has been well applied to the insects
of which we are treating, since they actually perform, though
not exactly in the same manner, what the quadruped, their
namesake, was but fabled to do. The ichneumons of the ento-
mologists both destroy the eggs, from which the caterpillars —
which may be considered as a sort of little crocodile in vora-
city — proceed, and which we may remark, by the way, are
more extensively mischievous, and the caterpillars themselves,
and the chrysalids which contain them. Protecting, there-
fore, the domain of vegetation from such dangerous enemies,
they are entitled, if not to Egyptian idolatry, at least to some
portion of our gratitude ; or rather let us say, that all our
gratitude is owing to that beneficent Being, who, for whatever
wise purposes he may have permitted evil, has, in all in-
stances, bestowed a compensation of good.

ON HYMENOPTERA. 409

But how, let us inquire, do the females of ichneumons con-
trive to deliver us from those pernicious insects which despoil
nature of her finest ornaments, and restore to us the dreary
spectacle of winter in the midst of the finest days of summer ?
We must not imagine that the ichneumons give mortal battle
to the caterpillars : the latter must certainly perish ; but it is
necessary that they should live for a time, for the purpose of
serving both as cradle and nourishment to the posterity of
their enemies.

We have mentioned that the female ichneumons are pro-
vided with an auger. It may be necessary to add a few
details to what we have said on that subject.

We have mentioned that this instrument is an union of three
pieces : the two lateral ones serve as a case to the middle
piece, being hollowed like a gutter on the internal side, and
convex above. The thread of the middle, or the oviduct,
properly so called, is smooth, and rounded in the major part
of its length ; but near the extremity it is flatted and termi-
nates in a point, sometimes formed like the nib of a pen.
Observed with the microscope, the part of the stem of this
oviduct, which is thick, broad, and flatted, presents on one of
its faces a channelling which proceeds from the base as far as
the extremity. This gutter is such that the piece seems pos-
sible to be divided into two parts, and that the two edges of
the cleft are united only by a membrane which permits them
to separate at the moment of oviposition. The extremity of
the auger allows us to see the opening which gives passage
to the eggs ; we perceive, at the same time, that some soft
and fleshy parts fill the interior of the oviduct. The mem-
brane which unites the two edges of its canal is more appa-
rent at this extremity. The point of the instrument, which
to the naked eye appears simple, in reality is not so. Under-
neath the membrane, and on each side, rises a range of from
five to six teeth, similar to those of a saw. This auger, con-

410 SUPPLEMENT

sidered in this point of view, has some conformity with that
of the cigalae. This instrument, though dehcate and flexible,
is nevertheless introduced into very hard bodies. When the
ichneumon makes no use of it, it is enclosed in the case, and
appears to be composed but of a single piece. Sometimes,
again, this case receives but a part of the stem of the auger,
and then the instrument appears composed of but two pieces.
All this gave rise among the ancient naturalists to the name
which they gave to these insects of musca tripilis — literally,
Jly with one, two, or three hairs.

Now let us consider how the female, with the long auger,
makes use of this instrument.

If any place be favourable for the multiplication of certain
insects, it will prove equally so for that of the ichneumons,
since these last rear their young at the expence of the others.
Consider this ancient wall, with either an eastern or a south-
ern aspect. It answers the purpose of a cradle for the poste-
rity of numerous solitary bees or wasps : its clefts, its plaster-
ing, afford an hospitable retreat to their young. This is soon
observed by some female ichneumon : she well knows that
the larvas which shall issue from her eggs will there find suit-
able aliment. She immediately commences roaming round
the nests of these insects ; she places herself on the plaster
which conceals their larvae, her auger appears to be but of
a single piece, but soon she developes it, raises it, lowers it,
turns it in the different portions of its length ; she contrives
to make it pass under her belly, the point being carried for-
ward. The manner in which the insect is placed upon her
feet, the difference of length which there is between these
parts and the auger, necessitate these movements, and this
direction. The point of the oviduct being brought in front,
the animal conducts this piece as far as it is possible, applies
the extremity of it against the plaster of the wall, making
alternate movements from left to right and from right to left.

ON HYMENOPTERA. 411

The operation lasts some minutes, even as far as a quarter of
an hour. The point of the auger is then constantly placed
in front of the head. Some species have, under these cir-
cumstances, the head turned upwards, others downwards.

Some species, more especially those whose abdomen is
cylindrical, and terminated by a long tail, know how to find
the larvae, which are under the thick bark of large trees, and
in the interior of the wood itself. Their clefts, or external
crevices, permit the intromission of the auger. But the situ-
ation of this piece, relatively to the body, when the insect
sinks it into the wood, is not the same as in the preceding.
Here the oviduct is directed almost perpendicularly, and dis-
engaged entirely from its two semi-sheaths, which are parallel,
between themselves, and supported in the air in the line of
the body.

Some other species of female ichneumons do not experience
the same difficulty in placing their eggs. The bodies which
their auger must penetrate are less hard and more uncovered —
as for instance, the caterpillars and their chrysalids. The
cabbage plant nourishes the caterpillars of certain butterflies,
which, for this reason, are called brassicarice. The first of
these is often devoured by the larvae of a small species of
ichneumon. These larvae live in a family in the interior of
the body of the caterpillar, and spin very handsome cocoons,
which they attach one to the other. The assemblage of these
cocoons has the appearance of a sort of cottony ball. Goedart
and other naturalists, deceived by these appearances, have
said that these larvae were the true offspring of those cater-
pillars. They have even attributed to the latter maternal
feelings, asserting that they spun the silk for the purpose of
enveloping and protecting their beloved progeny. But men
who have better pursued the march of nature, and were better
acquainted with the constant and invariable harmony of her

412 SUPPLEMENT

laws, men such as Swammerdam, Leuwenhoek,Valisnieri, &c.
have proved the fallacy of such conclusions. They have
demonstrated that the larvae which live in the body of cater-
pillars, or in their chrysalids, owe their birth to insects, either
ichneumons, cinips, &c. — in a word, perfectly similar to those
which these larvae produce at the final term of their meta-
morphosis. The only thing which could cause any hesitation
on the subject was the explanation of the manner in which
these larv£e had been introduced into the body of the cater-
pillars.

These parasite larvae live in society, or solitarily. To de-
serve the attribute of social, they must, according to Reaumur,
be in great numbers in the body of the caterpillar, and issue
forth together, for the purpose of undergoing their meta-
morphosis one beside the other. Should there be but one or
two, they must be ranged among the solitary larvas. The
greater part of the known larvae of the ichneumons spin a
cocoon more or less silky and ovoid, for the purpose of under-
going their transformation into nymphs.

The larvae issue sometimes from the body of the caterpillar,
sometimes from the chrysalis, according as the caterpillar was
more or less advanced in age, when it received the eggs of
the ichneumon. The larvae which live in the interior of
cabbage caterpillars, are smooth and without feet. Scarcely
have they issued from the body, the sides of which are
pierced, than they commence to form their little cocoon. All
those which issue from one of the sides descend on the same
side, without removing from each other, or from the body of
the caterpillar. By means of their spinneret, situated at their
under lip, in the same manner as that of caterpillars, they
throw out some threads in different directions, and the result
is quickly a small cottony mass, on which each larva establishes
its cocoon. The tissue of these cocoons is of a fine silk.

ON HYMENOPTERA. 413

which differs but little from that of the silk-worm in its tex-
ture, and which is either of a very fine yellow, or very white,
according to the species.

Reaumur has observed some larvae which had lived in the
body of a caterpillar of the Aristolochiis. He remarked that
those which issued forth all came together, and chose for the
foundation of the cocoon which they were about to make, the
commencement of another cocoon. The cottony mass which
envelopes the whole of these cocoons is only the general in-
terlacing of the stuff which each larva weaves at first. The
skin of these insects being very tender, it was necessary that
on quitting their cradle they should be promptly sheltered.
Accordingly, in less than two hours the cottony mass is com-
pleted.

But what an extraordinary phenomena is this ! These
larvae have lived for a long time, and in prodigious numbers,
in the body of the caterpillar, without the latter appearing to
have suffered any consequential detriment. How can Me
conceive that it could contain within its bosom enemies so
multiplied and so terrible, without succumbing almost imme-
diately to their attacks ? These larvse are taught, by their
instinct, that their own existence depends on the prolongation
of that of the caterpillar. It is therefore incumbent on them
to avoid giving it a mortal wound during the whole period in
which they are attaining their growth. They do not touch
upon the organs which are essential to life. That part, called
the fatty body, which is of considerable volume, and the use
of which appears to be more important to the insect in the
chrysalis than in the caterpillar state, furnishes to the larvae
their habitual nourishment ; but when they have attained all
their growth, it follows of necessity that they must kill the
caterpillar in tearing its sides for the purpose of getting out.
Accordingly, some other larvae, whose body more rapidly in-
creases in bulk, still more abridge the existence of the cater-

414 SUPPLEMENT

pillar in which they have lived. The stems of different
plants, and especially granivorous ones, are very frequently
loaded with masses of cocoons, pretty nearly similar to those
of which we have spoken. The ichneumon which comes from
them is very small. The interior of hives also presents, but
rarely, a sort of little cake formed by an ichneumon, which
probably has lived under the larvae form in the caterpillar of
the tinea. It would almost seem that these larvae, in spinning
their cocoons, were desirous of rivalling the bees, and had
taken their industry as a model.

The silk contained in the reservoirs of the spinning cater-
pillars is sometimes of different shades, which may be refer-
rible both to the quality of the food and to the particular
arrangement of the animal ; from which it follows that the
exterior part of the shell ought then to differ in colour
from the internal layers. Cocoons of the ichneumons are
accordingly to be found, which are of two distinct colours,
disposed in bands. Some are brown, with a white or yellow
band in the middle, others have several bands of these
colours. This variety does not entirely depend upon the
causes which influence the differences of colours of the
cocoons of caterpillars ; for, were that the case, certain por-
tions of the silky matter would be, some alternately white or
yellow, others alternately brown, and these changes would be
repeated much more than in the cocoons of the ichneumons.
Every thing here appears to be reduced to two causes : first,
the first silk which the larvae of the ichneumon spins, that
which forms the external envelope, is white, and the second,
or that of the internal layers, is brown ; second, the cocoon
is more fortified, both by circular spaces in the middle and
near the two ends than any where else. This being granted,
it is clear that the brown colour of the internal layers will
predominate in the places where the layer which is external
to the white silk shall be weak ; while, on the contrary, all

ON HYMENOPTERA. 415

the parts of the external surface which shall have been
strengthened with the silk of this last colour will predominate
over the brown — from this circumstance arise the brown and
white bands. One may convince himself of this by scraping
off with the point of a penknife some portions of a white
place. The brown will appear then in proportion as the in-
equality of thickness of the upper layer diminishes. The silk
of these cocoons is of an extreme fineness ; it possesses a
brilliancy and splendour equal to that of varnish, or of a hard
body polished in the best manner. These cocoons may be
observed on the broom tree in the commencement of autumn.
The larvae is of a greenish white, passes the winter in its
cocoon, and is not metamorphosed into a nymph until spring.
Some ichneumons place their eggs in the body of some
caterpillars, which are on the point of passing to the state of
chrysalis, or are preparing themselves to pass into it. The
larvae issue subsequently from the chrysalis, and spin their
cocoons, if they belong to the spinning species, in the interior
of the chrysalis, where they are more in safety : other larvae
are transformed into naked nymphs, under the skin of the
caterpillar, or chrysalis, which they have devoured.

We meet on the oak the cocoon of an ichneumon singular
in many points of view. It is suspended to a leaf or small
branch by a thread of silk, which proceeds from one of
the extremities of the cocoon. Its form is almost the same
as that of the others, but less elongated : in the middle there
is a band of a whitish colour. This, however, is not the cir-
cumstance which renders it most remarkable. It presents a
phenomenon which has fixed the attention of the illustrious
Reaumur. The cocoons which he has detached, and enclosed
in boxes, were observed to jump there. Placed upon the
hand they executed the same movement, and raised them-
selves to the height of about eight lines, and even occasion-
ally to that of from three to four inches. Reaumur explains

416 SUPPLEMENT

this extraordinary fact by supposing that the larva, shut up
in the cocoon, acts as a kind of spring, which is let go. With
this illustrious naturalist, let us suppose this larva shut up in
its cocoon, and lodged there at its ease, and placed upon one
of its sides ; let us imagine that it curves itself by degrees, so
that the middle of its back becomes the middle of the con-
vexity of this curve ; that the most convex portion touches
the interior and most elevated surface of the cocoon, but that
its belly is not contiguous to the interior and inferior surface ;
that the two extremities alone of its body touch the cocoon ;
let us grant to this larvae a sufficient force to make it suddenly
assume the same curve in an opposite direction — that is to
say, that the middle of its belly, instead of being concave,
becomes convex ; that the belly is carried towards the bottom
of the cocoon, and the hinder part of the head towards the
lower part of this same cocoon ; in fine, let us suppose that
this most elevated point be struck suddenly, before the belly
has touched the upper part, the two blows given by the head
and the tail will push the cocoon upwards, will force it to
raise itself obliquely, and to go forward ; and this composite
direction results from the obliquity with which the two strokes
have been given. But to what end has this larva received
from nature this faculty of jumping ? There is reason to
presume, with Reaumur, that this natural situation of being
suspended in the air by means of the thread of its cocoon, is
a means of preservation for the insect — that the wind, or
other circumstances, happening to displace the cocoon, to
bring it in contact with other bodies, it was necessary that
the animal should be able to resume its ordinary situation,
and for this purpose that it should cause its cocoon to jump.
Reaumur, in fact, observed that the larva had recourse to this
method when it was disturbed. This naturalist obtained from
these cocoons a species of ichneumon, and a fly with four
wings, whose body is short, of a blue back, and the abdomen

ON HYMENOPTERA. 417

thick, and rather short antennae (a species of chalcidites).
This naturalist was thus unable to tell precisely what is the
natural inhabitant of these singular cocoons. M. Latreille
found in the Bois de Boulogne a small cocoon, suspended, in
like manner, to the leaf of an oak by means of a thread ; a
species of ichneumon proceeded from it, which he has de-
scribed in the " Bulletins de la Societe Philomathique ;" but
he does not think that this cocoon is of the same species with
that of Reaumur : his (M. Latreille's) was of an uniform
colour. Muller and Degeer have found similar cocoons,
from which also ichneumons were produced. These insects
are, therefore, in all probability the true inhabitants of them.
The eggs of the lepidoptera are certainly very small ; but,
nevertheless, they serve as nutriment to one larva of the
ichneumon. This may be easily conceived by the smallness
of its volume.

The female ichneumons are endowed with so surprising an
instinct that they discover the insects in the body of which
they are to place their eggs, however concealed they may be.
The larvae of the mason-bees, the leaf-rolling caterpillars, the
wing caterpillars, the tinese, the gall-insects, and even the
spiders, cannot guard themselves against them, and become
the prey of their larvse. It was worthy of that Supreme
Wisdom which regulates the universe thus to oppose a barrier
to the prodigious fecundity of hurtful insects.

The larva of the ichneumon rufus, as we are told by Degeer,
lives in the body of a caterpillar; it is white, without feet, and
with a scaly head : it shuts itself up in an oval, yellowish
cocoon, pointed at the two ends ; it suspends itself by means
of a long slender thread of some lines in length. The cocoon
from which Degeer obtained the ichneumon which we have
already mentioned, was fixed to a paper covering of the box
in which was the caterpillar which had nourished its larva,

VOL. XV. 2 E

418 SUPPLEMENT

and near it. The ichneumon, in coming forth, made a small
piece jump out, in the form of a cap, at the lower end of the
cocoon, and this piece remained attached there.

The females of the ichneutnon aphidum deposit their eggs
one by one in the body of an aphis. The larva there finds a
sufficient nutriment, pierces underneath the empty skin of the
dead body of the insect, attaches it by means of a thread of
silk on the leaf where it is, then lines with a bed of white the
interior of the skin of the aphis, and there becomes trans-
formed into a nymph. It passes the winter there, and issues
forth in spring, forming a circular aperture, towards the
posterior extremity of the skin of the aphis.

When the eggs have been deposited at the commencement
of the summer, the metamorphoses take place quicker, and
the insect appears with its wings a short time after.

The females of ichneumon lutedus, one of the ophions of
Fabricius, deposit their eggs on the bodies of caterpillars, par-
ticularly on those which are named forked tails. The eggs
are implanted there by means of a pedicle, tolerably long and
slender ; they are black. The larvae live and grow on the
exterior of these caterpillars, and at their expence. Their
skin is tight, smooth, and shiny, as if it had been wetted.
Their colour is of a dirty white, with a broad band of obscure
green on the back, and some shades of the same colour on the
sides. Degeer has remarked that their posterior extremity
remained engaged in the cocoon in which they were born.

The Stephanus we have figured from Mr. Westwood, and
which that gentleman considers to be new, under the name of
Braziliensis, is of a shining black colour, with the posterior
tibiae dilated in the centre and at the tip : it is from Brazil.
The insect which Mr, Westwood distinguishes generically
under the name Shegalyra, belongs to the family Ichneumoni-
dse : the species he names Fasciipennis, is a dull black

ON HYMENOPTERA. 419

colour and hirsute, the wings whitish, transparent, with a
brown band near the apex ; — this insect is from Mehille
Island.

We shall now pass on to the next tribe, the Gallicol^, in
treating of which we shall confine our observations to the
genus Cynips, and say a few words respecting the nature of
galls in general.

GeofFroy injudiciously designates under the name of diplo-
lepes, the insects comprised by Linnaeus in his genus cynipsy
and applies his last denomination to other hymenoptera, there
ranged with the ichneumons. He supposes that those vege-
table excrescences, called galls, are equally produced by one
and the other. Naturalists, however, of other countries have
followed the Linnaean nomenclature, and M. Latreille very
properly imitates their example, reserving to the insect whose
pricking gives rise to the galls, their primitive designation of
cynips. The name of Diplopus he has thought proper ta
suppress, because, in consequence of its injudicious employ-
ment by Fabricius, it has encreased the confusion of nomen-
clature.

The cynips are distinguished from the other hymenoptera
by many characters. They have no nervures to the lower
wings : their antennae are straight, filiform, or scarcely thicker
towards their extremity, and usually composed of from thir-
teen to fifteen articulations. Their palpi are always very
short. The auger of the females, very analogous to that of
the ichneumons in its form, is lodged either entirely, or at least
towards its origin, in a cleft or external furrow, formed along
the belly. Their upper wings have a complete radial cell,
long, almost triangular, and two or three cubital cells, the
third of which is very large, and reaches to the end of the
wing.
' Passing over other details of organization, we shall make a
few remarks on the auger or ovipositor of these insects. The

2 e2

420 SUPPLEMENT

abdomen of the female cynips is disposed in a manner very
favourable for the play of this instrument. The upper laminae,
each of which forms usually a little more than half of a ring,
or segment, make here almost an entire circle, and envelope
the laminee of the under semi-rings. That of the base is the
largest. The others are short, and form, by the dilatation of
their extremities, or at least of some of them, and by their
sharp and oblique convergence, the lower keel of the belly.
From the oi'igin of the abdomen, and from the middle of its
inferior base, proceeds a small piece, more or less long, almost
cylindrical, scaly, flowing longitudinally between the upper
laminas of the beliy to their point of re-union, and serving as
a crest to the keel of the abdomen. The auger, which
GeofFroy, injudiciously enough, calls aiguillon (sting),is lodged,
previously to its issuing forth, in the furrow or groove of this
piece. This instrument, intended to deposit the eggs, is
slender, capillary, of the nature of a scale, of a length which,
in many of them, equals that of the circumference of the
abdomen, measured in its length. As this auger is but little
projecting externally, or is even not at all so, it is necessary,
seeing its length, that it should be folded back within the
abdomen. In fact, it forms there a sort of arch, the curve of
■which is removed but little from that of a circle a little elon-
gated ; it forms one or two spiral turns. If we figure this
instrument, taking its origin from the middle of the upper and
lower part of the abdomen, directing itself towards its origin,
applying itself on the upper edge, and almost circular, of any
powerful muscle, compressed, in the same manner as the
cord of a pulley, let us suppose the auger prolonged so as
that it shall reach the lower part of the abdomen, and shall
glide into the canal of the crest ; and then figure to ourselves,
at the extremity of the belly, underneath the anus, two small
semi-cylindrical pieces, hollowed interiorly into a gutter, to
receive the point of the auger, and we shall have an idea of

ON HYMENOPTERA. 421

the relative direction and disposition of this oviduct. The
two small stems which we have mentioned are much longer in
many female ichneumons. These are the two lateral threads.
They are, on the contrary, very short in the insects with a
true sting, such as wasps and bees ; in fact, they are nothing
but two small pieces, in the form of a stylet, and are inserted
on the muscle of the ovipositor.

This ovipositor, or auger, is not simple, as might be sup-
posed at the first glance. It is hollowed like a gutter, and its
extremity is furnished with small lateral teeth, resembling
the iron point of an arrow. It is with these teeth that the
insect enlarges the notches which it makes on the different
parts of vegetables, for the purpose of placing its eggs there.
The juices of these vegetables expanding through the vessels
which are open in this place, form there an excrescence or
tuberosity, which is called a gall, in which the egg is en-
closed, and which by little and little acquires volume and
consistence. From these eggs come small larvae, without
scaly feet, but often provided with a dozen or fourteen
membranous feet or nipples. These larvae find in their re-
treat the means of nutriment : they suck and gnaw the in-
terior of the gall, which grows and acquires solidity in pro-
portion as they eat the interior.

Many of these galls, considered in general, have a cavity
which encloses a certain number of larvae living in society.
Others have many small cavities, between which there are
communications. In some others, we see more than a hun-
dred cells, each of which is inhabited by a single larva. In
fine, other species of galls have but a single cell, which is
inhabited by a larva that lives in a solitary state.

Galls present great varieties in their form. A little further
on we shall enter more at large into their description. Here
a few general views may suffice. The most common galls
are rounded. That, which is the best known of all, which

422 SUPPLEMENT

enters into the composition of ink, and which is employed in
dyeing, is an excrescence produced by an insect of this genus.
The colour and the figure of some galls have caused them to
receive the name of certain fruits to vv^hich they bear some
degree of resemblance. Some are found on the oak, which
are called apple, gooseberry, or pippin galls. Some are
seen which resemble fruits in their spongy texture. Among
those which are of a round form, some are attached upon
the plant, others only hold there by a short pedicle. There
are irregular and composite ones, and some of a very curious
structure. Some appear to be a portion of the plant tume-
fied and thickened : such are those observed upon the willow
and the osier. Various vegetables, and their different parts,
exhibit galls differently figured. There is a species of fibrous
gall which is a very singular production ; its nut is hard,
and solid, and bristled all over with long filaments detached
from one another. It is found on the eglantine, which some-
times has three or four of these galls. The same shrub
presents another species, more rare than this last ; it grows
at the end of its branches, where it forms a mass composed of
a dozen little galls of different forms. These two species
appear to owe their origin to the same insect. The bristly
gall of the rose-tree usually encloses ichneumons, chalcidites,
and cynips. For a long time it was a matter of doubt to
which of these three insects the production of this excre-
scence was to be attributed. It is now clearly ascertained
that the species of two of these genus are parasites, which
have lived at the expense of the real inhabitant, namely, the
cynips.

Of all trees, the oak is that on which the greatest number
of these tuberosities is found. Some have the form of little
apples, isolated or joined together; others are prickly:
there are some which are branched, and some which resem-
ble little artichokes or mushrooms. Some leaves are loaded

ON HYMENOPTERA. 4?3

with little rough galls, which have the appearance of buds.
Other leaves of the same tree possess a species which resem-
bles a small open goblet : these are flatted, even, or crisped.
Some are ligneous, and others spongy, according as the eggs
have been inserted in a ligneous or pulpy portion of the
wood. We shall take no further notice here, however, of
the variety of their figures : simply observing that the form
and consistence of these excrescences, seem mainly to depend
upon the insect which they enclose.

It is not easy to throw much light on the causes of the
varieties presented by galls, on their first formation, or on
their growth. The majority of them increase in volume
with a surprising rapidity. Those of the largest species
grow in a few days, and even, as it appears, before the larva
has issued from the egg, so that when it is born its lodging
is ready made, and has no necessity of further increase. But
a singularity worthy of remark, and one which is observed
only in these kinds of insects, is that the eggs of cynips and
tenthredo, encrease in volume. This proves that they are
surrounded by a flexible membrane, rather analogous to that
which envelopes the human foetus, and that of quadrupeds,
thSn to the shells of eggs in general.

The larvae acquire their growth very speedily, but they
afterwards remain five or six months in the gall, before they
become changed into nymphs. Some undergo this meta-
morphosis in the gall itself, from which they do not issue
forth but under the form of the perfect insect, after having
made a small hole in it. Others quit the gall to enter into
the ground, until they have taken their final form. A little
time after they have quitted their exuvia of nymphs, these
insects couple, and the females deposit their eggs. All do
not place their eggs on plants.

There is a very curious operation performed at the present
day in the Levant, with one of those insects, which is termed

424 SUPPLEMENT

caprification. The object of it is to hasten the maturity of
figs ; and the species employed for that purpose is the cijnlps
ficus caricce, or cynips psenes of Linnaeus : it consists in
placing on a fig-tree, which does not produce flowers, or
early figs, some of these last strung together with a thread :
the insects which issue from them, full of fecundating dust,
introduce themselves through the eye into the interior of the
second figs, fecundate by this means all the grains, and pro-
voke the ripening of the fruit. The first figs, as is well
known, appear a month before the others : the second ripen
successively from the month of August to October, and even
later.

This operation, of which some ancient and modern authors
have spoken with admiration, appeared to M. Olivier, who
had resided for a long time in the islands of the Archipelago,
to be nothing but a tribute paid by man to ignorance and
prejudice. In many parts of the Levant caprification is un-
known. It is not used in France, Italy, or Spain : it has
even begun to be neglected in some islands of the Archipe-
lago where it was formerly practised. Notwithstanding this,
good figs are to be every where obtained without this opera-
tion. If it were absolutely necessary, either that fecundation
should be produced by the seminal dust which spreads itself
abroad, and is introduced solely through the eye of the fig,
or that nature should employ to transmit it from one fig to
another, a small cynips, as has been commonly believed, it is
clear that these first flowering figs could not fecundate at
the same time, those which are arrived to a certain growth,
and those which hardly appear, or do not appear at all, as
yet, and which do not ripen for two months after the others.

Putting aside all the marvellous in this business of capri-
fication, which will hardly go down now-a-days, and sticking
simply to our observations of nature, we must agree that this
operation cannot be of any utility ; for each fig contains

ON HYMENOPTERA. 425

some small flowers towards its eye, capable of fecundating all
the female flowers in the interior, and moreover, this fruit
will grow, ripen, and become excellent to eat, even when the
grains are not fecundated.

Bernard, on this subject, has given some observations
equally interesting and instructive. He has I'emarked that
the figs which are cultivated in the south of France, are
never attacked by cynips, while they are constantly found in
the grains of the wild figs. When the figs are large enough
for the female flowers to become sensible, cynips penetrate
into the interior through the eye, and proceed to deposit on
each seed the germs by which these insects are to be re-
produced. A month is suflicient to bring the larva to its
final metamorphosis. The cynips issue from each grain by
an aperture which constantly follows the direction of the
pistil.

We shall conclude this notice of cynips with a few more
observations on galls in general ; a subject of considerable
interest in natural history, and for an account of which this
place appears to us to be the most fitting.

Most of these galls are merely objects of curiosity ; but
there is one of them which is the object of a considerable
commerce, namely, that of the oak of Asia Minor, known
under the name of nut-gall, of which great use is made in
dyeing and other arts.

It is to Reaumur, exclusively, that we owe the few notions
we possess concerning the nature of galls in general. The
more modern naturalists have been well employed in the
description of the insects which produced them, but they
have given us little or nothing concerning their formation.

There has been much disputation on the means which
nature has employed to produce galls so different from one
another, from the wound made by an insect, on such or such
a part of a plant ; but we must aver that the result of all

426 SUPPLEMENT

these speculations is far from being satisfactory. Respecting
the cause of the regularity of the growth of these singular
productions, we can as yet (and it is to be feared that such
will be the case for some time) do little more than avow our
ignorance.

Galls may be divided into true dindi false. The first are
those which form an excrescence, exactly closed on all sides,
and in which one or many larvae of insects live, which quit
this habitation either before or after their metamorphosis.
The second are those which are formed, contrary to nature,
on a part of the plant produced by the wound of an in-
sect, but in which the cavity is often open, or but incom-
plete.

The true galls are subdivided into si7nple galls ; that is to
say, those in which there is but a single lodging for the ani-
mal, no matter whether there be one or many insects there ;
and into composite galls, formed by the union of many lodges
which grow together. In both divisions the forms are various;
they are globular and smooth, globular and more or less
rough, foliated, hairy, osseous, fungous, &c.

In the majority of galls, it is a difficult matter to obtain
perfect the insects whose larvcs they contain. Many of
these larvae die the very instant that the gall is removed
from the plant to which it was attached ; and others require
for their transformation, conditions which are either un-
known or difficult to be produced.

A great number of insects spring from galls. Coleoptera,
hemiptera, lepidoptera, and diptera, are produced from
them. The genus, however, particularly consecrated by na-
ture to their formation, is that one of the hymenoptera
which we have been just considering. All the species which
compose it are born in galls. These two are the only true
galls. The most remarkable among them are the following :

T^\\Q gall of the rose-tree, which is sometimes cdXXeA bede-

ON HYMENOPTERA. 427

guar : it is as large as an apple, and covered with long red-
dish and pinnated filaments ; it grows on the stem of the
eglantine, and is produced by the cynips roses. It has been
placed among the remedies which may be successfully em-
ployed against diarrhoea and dysentery, and useful in cases
of scurvy, stone, and worms.

The fungous gall of the oak. It is as large as the pre-
ceding, but smooth externally : it grows at the extremity of
the young branches of the oak, is composed of a great num-
ber of osseous lodges, enclosed in a fungous matter, and is
produced by cyyiips terminaUs.

The grape-like gall of the oak, which grows on the pedun-
cle of the male flowers of this tree ; it is about the size of a
grape, semi-transparent, and has but a single lodge : its
insect has not been described by Fabricius.

The artichoke-like gall of the oak. This comes on the
buds or germs of the oak, which acquire a monstrous growth,
similar to an artichoke, or a cone of the fir-tree. It is pro-
duced by another eynips.

The gall of the oak-leaves. It grows on the lower surface
of the oak-leaves : it is of the size, form, and colour of a
cherry ; it contains but a single lodge which is inhabited by
cynips querciisfoUi,

The gall of the toza-oak, which comes on the young
branches of this tree in the Pyrenees. It is round, and as
thick as an ordinary apple : and at two-thirds of its height
are seen a range of pointed tubercles.

The common gall used in commerce, or the nut-gall,
which grows on the branches of the gall-oak in Asia
Minor, is very hard, and most frequently tuberculous. It is
to Olivier that we owe the knowledge both of the insect
which forms it, and of the oak on which it is produced.
It is much more esteemed when gathered before its matu-
rity, that is to say before the insect issues from it. The

428 SUPPLEMENT

galls which are pierced, are of a clearer colour and less
heavy. The orientals are particular to gather the galls at
the precise moment which experience has taught them to be
the most advantageous. This is the time when they have
acquired their full growth. In consequence, the agas are
careful that the cultivators shall traverse, in the commence-
ment of July, the hills which are covered with oaks. The
first galls are set apart, and known in commerce under the
name of hlack or green galls. Those which have escaped
the first search are called white galls, and are sold at a less
price.

The galls of the neighbourhood of Moussoul and Tocat
are inferior to those of Aleppo and of all the interior of
Natolia.

The nut-gall is of very great usage in dyeing, to produce
black colours and all the shades which depend upon them.
It is also employed in the preparation of leather, in the
fabrication of ink, and in medicine, as an astringent, either
internally or externally. It in general possesses, but to a
higher degree, the properties of the oak, that is, it contains
a certain quantity of tannin, or of the astringent principle.

The gall of the roots of the oak, is ligneous, and composed
of a great quantity of lodges united. It grows on the roots
of the old oaks, which come out from the ground. It is the
hardest of all that grow in our climates.

The gall of the field- cir slum, which is only a swelling of
the stem of the same plant, formerly enjoyed a very great
reputation, because it was considered, when carried simply in
the pocket, as a sovereign remedy against hemorrhages, a
virtue which it owed only to its resemblance to the principal
sign of this disease, the swelling of the vein. It is composed
of many lodges, almost ligneous, and produced by a cynips
which has not been described.

The gall of the ground-ivy, grows upon the stalks and

ON HYMENOPTERA. 429

leaves of this plant. It is hairy, and encloses a small number
of ligneous lodges, in the centre of a spongy and spheroidal
sort of flesh. It is produced by the cynips glecome. These
galls have been sometimes eaten ; they have an agreeable
taste, and to a high degree the odour of the plant which pro-
duces them.

The sage gall, which much resembles the preceding, is
found on a species of sage (^salvia pomiferd). The inhabi-
tants of the island of Crete, where this plant grows, gather
these galls every year, as an article of food, according to the
report of Poumefort, confirmed by Olivier, who adds, that at
Scio it is confected with honey, and that this confection is
very agreeable, and of great stomachic virtue.

The gall of the bircJi, is produced by the cytiips fagi, and
sometimes covers the leaves of the birch-tree, under the form
of small, very shining, and very hard cones.

All these galls, independently of the insect which produces
them, often furnish to those who preserve them in very close
boxes, insects of other genera, such as the ichneumon fly , &c.
These last have been nourished at the expense of the larva
of the insect which has produced^ the gall : they have con-
tributed in no manner to its formation.

Among the galls not produced by cynips, species so well
known as those which we have just mentioned cannot be
cited ; but they are not less abundant in nature. The flower-
ing buds of the common broom are pierced by a gnat, ap-
proximating to the tipulae, and belonging to M. Latreille's
genus Cecidomye. These buds are not developed, and form
a pointed gall, which is sometimes so abundant, that in some
years almost half the flowers of the genista in the forest of
Montmorency, in the neighbourhood of Paris, have proved
abortive from this cause. There is never more than a single
larva in each gall. The branches of the brier may be seen
towards the end of summer charged with tuberosities, in

430 SUPPLEMENT

which there are many cells inhabited by larvae, which change
in spring into dipterous flies.

The leaves of the viburnum are often loaded with galls,
which traverse them from part to part. These give birth to
a coleopterous insect, apparently belonging to the genus
Crioceris.

There are some places, in which the leaves of willows and
osiers are furnished with oblong galls, which, like the preced-
ing, project on each side, and which are so abundant, that
there are few leaves which have not got one or two of them.
These galls, tolerably solid, furnish a retreat to a false cater-
pillar, which, when it has arrived to certain bulk, pierces the
gall, and proceeds to undergo its transformation in the
ground. From this proceeds an insect of the genus Ten-
thredo.

It is probable that the hot countries of the old and the new
world contain a quantity of galls, proportioned to the num-
ber of plants which grow there. Travellers have, however,
hitherto but little troubled themselves with them. M. Bosc
is perhaps the only naturalist to whom we are indebted for
any account of them. He described and designed sixteen
species of them during his short residence in Carolina, but
he was unable to obtain the insects of any of these species.
There, as here, the oak is the tree which furnishes the
greatest quantity of them ; for among these sixteen species
eight appertained to it alone. Two of them were especially
worthy of attention.

The first comes on the buds of the red oak. It is spheri-
cal, muricated, similar to the fruit of the styrax-tree, but
very downy. It is composed of a considerable quantity of
galls united. The moment it is touched its hairs sink down,
and no more resume their former position. It is necessary
to see it to form any idea of it; the effect which it produces
cannot be given in description.

' ON HYMENOPTERA. 431

The Other grows upon the leaves of an oak figured by
Michaux, in his superb work on the American oaks, an oak
which he regards as a variety of that with willow-leaves, but
which certainly forms a distinct species, since it never rises
to more than two feet in height, and its thickness rarely sur-
passes that of a goose-quill, while the true oak with willow
leaves, is one of the largest trees in the country, and arrives
to the thickness of a man's body. This gall is round, green,
about the thickness of a pea, and is formed upon the princi-
pal nervure of the leaf. It is hollow in its interior, and its
parietes are so thin as to be semi-transparent, and allow us
to see in the interior a little bail which rolls there, and
which is not more bulky than a grain of millet. It is in this
ball that the larva lodges of the insect which has produced
the gall. Though M. Bosc has opened hundreds of these
galls, he could never conceive how the little ball could re-
main free in the great one, grow there, or at least retain
sufficient freshness to give nutriment to the larva which
inhabits it. This fact gives rise to many reflections.

The false galls are not less common in nature than those
of which we have been speaking. They are found upon a
very great number of plants, and some are very remarkable,
both for bulk and abundance. They appear, however, on
fewer parts of the plant or tree, being almost solely con-
fined to the leaves or flowers, or the neighbouring and deli-
cate parts. There are few persons who have not remarked
hollow, reddish vesicles, which grow in bunches on the
branches of the elm, and which sometimes cover entire
branches. These, as we have already seen, are the produc-
tions of the aphides. When they are young, but a single
mother is found within them. But in the middle of the sum-
mer some hundreds of insects are found there. Sometimes
these galls are entirely closed ; sometimes they have a com-
munication with the exterior.

13

4-32 SUPPLEMENT

We find in the southern parts of Europe, and in Turkey,
on the terebinthus, some galls analogous to these last, which
in Spain, Syria, and China, enter into the composition of
scarlet dyes. In Syria they are termed Baizonges.

The leaves of the black poplar are also often deformed by
vesicles of the same nature, as well as those of the willow.

The flowers of the germander are sometimes swelled and
entirely closed ; they acquire neither the form nor the colour
of the others. An insect of the genus Acanthia (clavicornis)
is the cause of this.

There are observed in the flowers of some other didyna-
mous plants, analogous concavities, which, without doubt,
are owing to insects, but which have as yet been but little
studied.

Many species of tipulee, of flies, all the psili, &c. produce
monstrosities on the leaves and flowers of a great number of
plants, which may also be considered as galls. It may also
be observed, that there are many excrescences on trees
which are termed galls, but which are not the production of
insects. With such, of course, we have nothing to do here.

The genus Epistenia of Mr. Westwood, is nearly allied to
cleonymus of M. Latreille ; but it is distinguished by the
penultimate joint of the antennae, and by the posterior seg-
ments of the abdomen being contracted, which have the ap-
pearance of a tail. The species we have figured he names
Coeruleate. It is of a rich blue colour, and punctured, the
basal segments of the abdomen shining and iridescent: its
habitat is unknown. The specimen is in the collection of the
British Museum.

We have also figured a species of which Mr. Westwood
has established a new genus, under the name of Phasgono-
phora, which is also allied to cleonymus; but it differs in
having the ovipositor exserted and as long as the abdomen,
which is subsessile : the antennae is more slender for the sex ;

ON HYMENOPTERA. 433

the posterior trochanters are elongate, and the femora com-
pressed, and oval : the species is named sulcata. It is black,
with the thorax punctated ; the abdomen sulcated at the
base, and the posterior femora are red. The habitat of
this also is unknown ; the specimen is in the collection of the
British Museum.

On the next tribe, the Chalcidites, we can only observe
in general, that they are small insects, often adorned with
very brilliant colours, and possessing the faculty of jumping.
The auger of the females is composed of three threads, like
that of the ichneumons, and answers the same purposes,
namely, that of depositing their eggs in the bodies of cater-
pillars, larvae, or in chrysalids and nymphs. Some females,
extremely small, lay in the interior of the eggs of other in-
sects ; and even in those of some small ichneumons, already
placed in the eggs : others place them in galls, and their
young ones destroy the natural inhabitants, the cynips.
GeofFroy appears to have been mistaken, in attributing to
the chalcidites the formation of these galls, as well as to
cynips ; for, from all that we have already recounted of the
observations of Reaumur and others, it seems incontestible,
that the production of the true galls is owing to the cynips
alone. Furthermore, the caterpillars or larvae of the last,
are frequently destroyed by the chalcidites, proving that
while those feed on vegetables, these, on the contrary, are
carnivorous. Degeer, indeed, had already remarked, that the
chalcidites, which he, as well as Linnreus, had placed with the
ichneumons, were the enemies of the natural inhabitants of the
galls, and never produced the latter. He even says, that the
females lay but one egg in each of them, because the larva of
cynips living there solitarily, its carcase would not suffice for
the nutriment of several individuals of these parasite insects.

The larvae of the chalcidites resemble those of the ichneu-
mons, and are deprived of feet.

VOL. XV. 2 F

434 SUPPLEMENT

On the OxiURi we can add nothing here.

The Chrysides are hymenoptera, remarkable for the rich-
ness and brilliancy of their colours. They may in this
respect well compare with the colibris and humming-birds.
They are seen moving, but always in a continual state of
agitation, and with great swiftness, over walls, and old wood
exposed to the heat of the sun. They are also very fre-
quently found on flowers. They deposit their eggs in the
nests of the solitary apiarias, and in those of some other
hymenoptera, where the larvae feed on the offspring of those
insects. When they are touched they put themselves into a
ball, curve their belly underneath, bringing its extremity into
contact with the head ; at the same time they apply their feet
and antennae against the corslet, and enclose all the other
parts in the cavity of their belly. The females having only
a false sting, may be touched without any danger.

In the sub-genus of chrysis Stilb'ium, we have established
a species under the name princeps. It is of a bright rich
green colour, entirely punctured, with a purplish tint in the
middle of the thorax ; the wings pale brown, with the ner-
vures rather darker. This insect is from Melville Island.

We now arrive at the first family of the second section of
hymenoptera, the Heterogyna, and have to consider those
most admirable and well-known insects the Ants (genus
Formica). In treating of them, we must dismiss here every
consideration of structure, as their habits are too interesting
to be passed very briefly over.

These insects live in a state of society, like the wasps and
bees. Their society, like those of the others, is composed of
three sorts of individuals ; of males, of females, and of
workers or neuters ; but these neuters are apterous. It may
be also remarked from the great analogy between the female
organs and those of the neuters, that it may be presumed
that the latter, like the working bees, are barren females,
13

ON HYMENOPTERA. 435

vvliose organs of generation have not acquired an entire and
perfect development.

It is known that the Greeks called these insects myrmex
or myrmica. The ancient naturalists distinguished many
species of them, under different names ; but their early his-
tory, as was to be expected, is intermingled with a variety of
fables. It was discovered, however, that they drew their
origin from a worm, which at first very small and rounded,
becomes elongated, developed by little and little, and re-
ceives the suitable form ; and that some of these ants had
wings.

Leuwenhoek, Swammerdam, and Degeer, were the first
who presented the world with sure and positive notions
respecting these animals. But of all naturalists, there is
none who has observed them with so much attention and
sagacity, as M. Pierre Huber, son of the celebrated philoso-
pher of the same name. From him we shall borrow most of
our observations on this subject.

The societies of ants are either simple or mixed ; that is,
solely composed of individuals of the same species, or having
moreover, some neuter individuals of one or more species of
the same genus. The first six chapters of M. Huber's work
are devoted to the history of ants which are united in simple
societies ; and such are those which most frequently come
under our inspection. The author considers these insects
successively, in their mode of building, their reproduction,
their metamorphosis, and their other peculiar habits.

A species, one of the most multiplied in Europe, and
whose larv£e and nymphs are given as food to young par-
tridges and pheasants, is the formica rufa. M. Huber dis-
tinguishes two varieties of this, according to the difference
of the colours of the back, or upper part of the corslet, which
is black in one and red in the other. The latter inhabits

woods in preference, and its habitation is larger ; the former

o P o

436 SUPPLEMENT

establishes itself along hedges and in meadows: their habits
are otherwise but little different.

The habitation of these ants is composed of blades of
stubble, of ligneous fragments, of pebbles, and shells of small
volume, and of all objects which they meet with of easy
transportation ; and as they often gather, for the same pur-
pose, grains of wheat, barley, and oats, it has been believed
that they laid up provisions for winter, and a period of want.
Their laborious life and their foresight, have been celebrated
throughout all antiquity ; and from the wise Solomon down
to the amiable La Fontaine, the sluggard has been referred
to the ant to " learn her ways and be wise."

The habitation of the formicce rvfm, is in the form of a
hillock or rounded dome, the base of which is often covered
with earth and small pebbles, and above which the ligneous
materials are raised, like a sugar-loaf. All at first appears
disposed without order ; but an attentive eye will soon dis-
cover that all is arranged, so as to keep off water from the
ant-hill, to defend it against the injuries of the atmosphere,
and from the attacks of its enemies, to procure for it the
heat of the sun, and to preserve that of its interior. The
most considerable portion of the nest is concealed, and ex-
tends more or less deeply into the earth. Avenues in the
form of rather irregular tunnels lead from the summit of the
edifice into its interior. Their number is proportioned to
the population, and their aperture is more or less wide.
Sometimes a principal one is formed at the upper part ; there
are also often many pretty nearly equal, and around which
are placed, circularly, from the base of the hillock to its ex-
tremity, many more narrowed passages. Very different from
some other species of the same genus, which remain volun-
tarily in their nest, and sheltered from the sun, the red ants
seem to prefer living in the open air, and carry on their
labours without any apprehension of our presence. The

ON HYMENOPTERA. 437

habitations, like a dome, of many other ants, are closed with
earth on all sides, and have but one issue, rather small, near
their basis, the way to which is frequently only by a tortuous
gallery, which winds through the turf. One would be
tempted to believe that the red ants have less foresight,
since their dwelling is pierced with a great number of doors,
where the rain-water and the enemies of these insects find
an easy entrance. But they take care at the decline of day,
or on the approach of bad weather, to close the passages and
barricado themselves. They bring, at first, little beams near
the galleries, whose entrance they are desirous of diminishing,
and even sometimes sink them into the mass of the stubble ;
they then go in search of others, but weaker ones, which
they place upon the preceding, but in a contrary direction :
finally, they employ pieces of dry leaves, or other materials
of a broader form, to cover the hole. The last gates being
shut, some individuals are placed behind them, to guard and
watch over the safety of the rest. On the return of the
morning sun, the barricadoes are removed, and the ordinary
passages re-established. These labours are renewed every
day, evening and morning, during the fine season ; if, how-
ever, the weather should be rainy, the gates remain closed.

The ancients believed that the ants, when the moon being
too nearly in conjunction with the sun, gives no light, were
not in the habit of working.

These ants commence their habitation by hollowing in
the earth a cavity more or less spacious. Some then proceed
to search in the environs for the materials proper for the
construction of the exterior frame-work, and dispose them
in an order of no great regularity, but which nevertheless
covers the entrance of the dwelling. Other workers bring
parcels of earth which they have detached in forming the
excavation, mingle them with the substances which have
already been employed in the work, so as to fill the vacan-

438 SUPPLEMENT

cies, and strengthen the edifice. To judge from its external
part, one might suppose it to be massive ; but it is not so :
its interior is divided into several stories, and presents gal-
leries and spacious rooms, which, though low, and rudely
constructed, are convenient for use. The larvae and
nymphs are transported thither at certain hours of the day.
The largest room is almost at the centre of the edifice : it is
much more elevated than the others, and traversed only by
beams supporting the ceiling. All the galleries lead thither,
and it is there also that the greater number of the ants so-
journ. The earth being moistened by the rain-water, and
afterwards hardened by the sun, forms a sort of mortar
which gives solidity to the edifice. The water itself, even
after long rains, penetrates there but little beyond a quarter
of an inch from the surface, when it is inhabited, and has
not been deranged The subterraneous portion cannot
be observed, but when the edifice is situated against a de-
clivity. If the hillock of stubble be removed, the interior
division of the building may be seen : lodges worked hori-
zontally in the earth, compose these subterraneous dwell-
ings.

M. Huber then describes the architecture of those ants
which he terms masons, because their nests, always in the
form of hillocks, like those of the red ants, are composed
merely of earth, without a mixture of other materials, and
their interior, divided in the manner of a labyrinth, presents
lodges, vaults, and galleries, more artificially constructed.

Many kinds of mason-ants are distinguished. The earth
which some species of a certain size employ, such as the ash-
coloured and mining ant, is of a coarser mould than that of
which the habitations of some other smaller mason-ants are
formed, as the yellow, the brown, and that which he names
microscopic.

The hillock raised by the ash-coloured ant always exhibits

ON HYMENOPTERA. 439

thick walls, composed of a gross and rough earth, and in the
interior very well defined stories, as well as broad vaults, sus-
tained by solid pillars, the strength of which is proportionate
to the breadth of these vaults. Every where about may be
seen great vacancies and rude masses of earth-work. There
are no paths or galleries, properly so called, but passages, in
the form of a bull's eye.

The brown ant is much more industrious : its nest is con-
structed of stories of four or five lines in height, the partitions
of which are no more than half a line in thickness, aud the
material of which is of so fine a gi-ain that the interior linings
of the walls appear to be extremely smooth. These stories
follow the slope of the soil, and are not always arranged with
the same regularity, or on a well determined plan. But the
upper one always covers the others, and this concentric dis-
position continues as far as the subterraneous lodges. At
each story we observe cavities carefully worked, lodges more
narrow, and elongated galleries, serving for the purposes of
communication ; small columns, and very slender walls — in a
word, real buttresses, support the most spacious places. Here
the chambers have but a single entrance, and the origin of
which corresponds with the lower story; there we discover
broader spaces, which form a kind of cross-roads. The cham-
bers and the broader spaces are inhabited by the adult ants,
but the nymphs are always united in lodges more or less ap-
proaching to the external surface, according to the hours and
temperature ; for these insects appear to be very sensible to
the impressions of the atmosphere, and to know the degree of
heat which is suitable to the family which they are bringing
up. If this heat be too strong, they transport the young ones
into the lower stories. When the ground floor becomes un-
inhabitable, in consequence of rain, or moisture from any other
cause, they ascend to the most elevated part of the habitation.

440 SUPPLEMENT

In this part there are often more than twenty stories, and there
are at least as many more beneath the surface of the soil.

The ant-hill which these insects often place in grass, on the
edges of pathways, has a rounded form. Dreading the heat
of the sun, they shut themselves up there during the day, or
do not issue forth, although the nest has two or three aper-
tures at its surface, except through subterraneous galleries,
the issue of which is at the distance of some feet. They do
not walk on their habitation except when the weather is fresh,
when the dew covers the earth, or after the setting of the sun.
To cement the terrene particles which they employ exclusively
in the fabrication of their works, having no other resource but
water, they do not devote themselves to labour, but at the
moments of the day when they are induced to do so by a
gentle shower. They particularly avail themselves of the
spring rains, and at that period of the year even the night
does not suspend their activity : entire stories are constructed
from the evening to the morning. M. Huber has often in-
duced them to work by means of an artificial shower.

The ants scrape with their mandibles the earth from the
bottom of their domicile, detach the molecules from it, unite
them into a littlj pellet, carry it off with their teeth, and
apply it to the place where it is to remain. They divide it,
and push it on with these organs, so as to fill the little irre-
gularities of the walls or pillars which they at first commence
to construct : this is always the beginning of their work.
They feel every moment with their antennae the bits of clay ;
and after having given them the suitable form, they strengthen
them with their anterior feet. This labour goes on very
quickly. The foundations of the pillars and partitions being
laid, they throw them more into relief by the superposition of
new materials. Often, when two little walls, destined to form
a gallery, raised opposite one to the other, and at a little dis-

ON HYMENOPTERA. 441

tance, are at the height of from four to five lines, they occupy
themselves with the construction of the ceiling, now working
in a horizontal direction. They attach against the superior
and interior edge of the wall certain bits of moistened clay,
and thus form a border, which, extending by little and little,
comes at last to meet that of the opposite wall. The breadth
of the gallery is often more than a quarter of an inch, and the
partitions are almost half a line in thickness. The ceiling is
arched. The summits of the pillars, the angles produced by
the meeting of the walls, the upper edges, are always the
resting points and foundations of the vaults and ceilings, or of
the lodges, the halls, and the places, which divide the interior
of the stories. We cannot avoid admiring their activity in
carrying the mortar, the order which they observe in their
operations, and the harmony which reigns between them.
The rain augments the cohesion between the parts, and causes
the inequalities of the masonry to disappear. When at times
it is too violent it may destroy chambers, the vault of which is
not yet finished. But the ants very speedily raise them again:
often a complete story is finished in the space of from seven
to eight hours. M. Huber has, nevertheless, seen these in-
sects destroy chambers that were not yet covered, and distri-
bute the materials on the last story of the habitation, after a
violent north wind, which, by drying up the masonry too
quickly, diminished the adherence of its parts, and conse-
quently its solidity. These ants are as well acquainted with
mining as with building, and their labours proceed in concert
equally in their excavations underneath as in their fabrica-
tions in the upper part of their habitation, which is raised
above the soil. They also construct with earth, and after the
manner of the termites, covered ways, which they carry from
their nest as far as the roots of trees, and even to the origin of
their branches, so that they may be more in safety in the
excursions which they make in search of food.

442 SUPPLEMENT

The ash-coloured ants possess but a very rude and simple
style of building, in comparison with the brown ants. To give
more elevation to their dwelling, they commence by covering
with a thick layer of earth, brought from the interior, or from
the soil which is near the aperture of the ant-hill, the top, or
ridge of the edifice. They hollow passes there, more or less
approximating, and of a depth pretty nearly equal. The
masses of earth which separate them serve as a foundation to
the walls and partitions of the apartments. The useless earth
is employed with the most sage economy, and furnishes the
materials for this as well as those of the ceilings, which cover
the chambers. M. Huber describes with much interest the
manoeuvres of one of these ants, which he had observed for a
long time. Each individual working on his own side, their
constructions do not always exactly coincide ; but these in-
sects discover the error and repair it. Thus this naturalist
has observed one of these ants destroy a tottering vault, and
rebuild another, after having given to the wall which com-
posed the preceding more elevation, and that because its
architect had not put it on a level with the parallel wall, des-
tined to support the other extremity of the vault.

'* I have convinced myself," says M. Huber, *' that each ant
acts independently of its companions. The first that conceives
a plan easy of execution immediately traces out a sketch of it :
the others have only to continue what she has commenced.
These last judge by the inspection of the first labours con-
cerning those v/hich they ought to undertake ; they know how
to rough-sketch, continue, polish, or retrench their work,
according to occasion. Water furnishes all the cement of
which they have need ; the sun and air harden the materials
of their edifices. They have no chisel but their teeth, no
compasses but their antennae, no trowel but their fore-feet,
which they employ with the most admirable dexterity to work
and consolidate their moistened earth."

ON HYMENOPTERA. 443

These insects derive the most advantageous part from the
local and accidental circumstances which may happen to
favour their labours. Blades of grass, chaff of stravi^, or any
other bodies which they may meet with in their nests, are
skilfully employed in the construction of the lodges, or the
other portions of their building.

The sanguine ant composes with earth, dry leaves, and
other materials, a close tissue, difficult to be broken, and im-
penetrable to water.

The details which we have now presented may serve to
give a sufficient idea of the industrious proceedings of the
mason-ants ; but there are some, such as the red ant of Lin-
naeus, and the yellow, which develope, if they establish them-
selves in the hollows of trees, another species of talent. The
yellow ant, for instance (and our observations will equally
apply to the other, or the myrmica), chooses the finest parcels
of the rotten wood of these trees, mixes them with a little
earth, and the webs of spiders, forms a substance of the con-
sistence of papier macht, and with it constructs the entire
stories of its habitation.

It serves as a sort of compass to the inhabitants of the Alps
when they have wandered out of their way during the night,
or are environed by thick fogs or mists. The ant-hills of
these insects, much more multiplied, and much more elevated
in the mountains than any where else, have an elongated,
regular form, and are constantly directed from east to west.
Their summit, and the most sudden part of their declivity, is
turned towards the east in winter; but they proceed in a
slope on the opposite side. M. Huber has verified, by obser-
vation on thousands of these ant-hills, the facts which were
communicated to him by the mountaineers. He found no
exceptions, except in the case of such hillocks as had under-
gone some alteration from the intervention of men or animals.

444 SUPPLEMENT

These nests do not preserve this form in the plains, where
they are more exposed to accidents.

Other ants exhibit an architecture of a different kind.
These are commonly termed the carpenter ants. Such is the
F.fuliginosa, called the emmet in this country, where it is
less common than those we have already noticed, though occa-
sionally to be met with. The republics of this insect, com-
posed of a great number of individuals, inhabit the interior of
many trees, but especially those of the oak and the willow,
" Let us figure to ourselves," says M. Huber, " the interior of
a tree, entirely carved out, stories without number, more or
less horizontal, the floors and ceilings of which, at five or six
lines distant from each other, are as thin as a playing-card,
supported sometimes by vertical partitions, which form an
infinity of chambers, sometimes by a multitude of small slight
columns, which allow to be seen between them the depth of a
story almost entire, the whole composed of a blackish and
smoke-coloured wood, and we shall have a tolerably just notion
of the cities of these ants."

" The majority of vertical partitions which divide each
story into compartments, are parallel ; they follow the direc-
tion of the ligneous layers, always concentrical, which gives
an air of regularity to the work. The floors considered
altogether, are horizontal. The little columns are from one
to two lines in thickness, more or less rounded, of a height
equal to the elevation of the story which they support,
broader above and below, than in the middle, a little flattened
at their extremity, and ranged in a line, because they have
been cut into parallel partitions."

" What numerous apartments, what a multitude of lodges,
of halls, and corridors, do not these insects form for them-
selves, solely by their own industry? and what labour must
not such enterprizes have cost them?"

ON HYMENOPTERA. 445

Without our being able positively to assign the cause, the
wood worked by those insects is always blackish, externally,
and even internally, where it is most thin. The vegetation
of the tree does not appear to suffer, yet M. Huber has
found at its foot a black, liquid, and very abundant juice.
The same fact has been observed by M. Latreille. The
natural colour of the wood, which serves as an habitation to
the other species of carpenter-ants, does not change in this
manner.

Not having been enabled to accustom the fuliginous ants,
or emmets, to work under his inspection, M. Huber attempted,
by carefully decomposing the different parts of their edifices,
to conceive the order of the labours which they demanded.
He thus describes the fragments, the distribution of which
he had studied : —

" In one place are horizontal galleries, concealed in a great
measure by their parietes, which follow the ligneous layers
in their circular form. These parallel galleries, separated by
very thin partitions, have no inter-communication, excepting
through some oval holes, formed within certain distances of
each other. Such is the sketch or outline of these light and
delicate fabrics.

" Elsewhere, these avenues open laterally, still preserving
between them some fragments of parietes, which have not
been thrown down ; and it may be remarked, that the ants
here and there have contrived transverse partitions in the
interior even of the galleries, to form chambers there, by
their uniting with other partitions. When the labour is more
advanced, we always see round holes, encased by two pillars,
cut out in the same wall. In the course of time these holes
will become square, and the pillars, at first arched at their
extremities, will be changed into straight columns, by the
chisel of our sculptors. This is the next step in their archi-

446 SUPPLEMENT

tecture, and it is probable that a portion of the building is
destined to remain in this state."

But there are fragments worked altogether differently, in
which these same parietes or walls, now pierced in all parts,
and artificially hewn, are transformed into colonnades which
support the stories, and leave a free communication through-
out their whole extent. We may easily conceive, that parallel
galleries, excavated on the same plan, and of which the walls
have been thrown down, leaving only, from space to space,
what is necessary to sustain their ceilings, should form toge-
ther a single story ; but as each has been pierced separately,
the flooring cannot be very level ; it is, on the contrary, very
unequally hollowed, which is a great advantage for the ants,
since the furrows are better adapted to retain the larvae which
they deposit there.

The stories which are excavated in thick roots are less
regular, but of a more light and delicate construction. We
sometimes see fragments of from eight to ten inches in depth
and height, divided into an infinite number of chambers, the
partitions of which are as thin as paper. At the entrance
of these apartments, worked with so much care, are pre-
sented spacious apertures, formed by arcades pierced in the
strata of the wood, and which may be considered as vesti-
bules of the lodges. They leave a free passage in all direc-
tions to the insects.

The Ethiopian ant, and that which by reason of its size
has received the name of Hercules, excavate in the trunks of
old trees, and especially of chesnut-trees, long galleries, and
large lodges, forming sorts of labyrinths ; but their works are
much less perfect than those of the F.fuUginosa, and scarcely
represent the infancy of art. What is most remarkable,
according to M. Huber, in the Ethiopian ant is the use
which she makes of decayed wood and of its dust. She

ON HYMENOPTERA. 447

employs it in stopping chinks at the bottom of the chambers,
stopping useless passages, and dividing into compartments
the portions of her dwelling which are too large.

To observe the ants in their domestic occupations, M.
Huber made use of glass apparatus. But the extreme reluct-
ance of these insects to suffer the light of day to penetrate
into their nest, their continual state of alarm and disquietude,
at first rendered useless all the means which he employed.
He was obliged to call into requisition all the resources of his
mind, to invent an apparatus which should finally answer his
expectations. He compared the conduct of the yellow ants,
which he retained as prisoners, with that of these same ants,
when they enjoyed their entire liberty in the fields, and was
never able to observe, in this respect, any sensible difference.

In one place the nymphs are heaped in spacious lodges : in
another, the neuters surround a heap of larva?. A little fur-
ther, the eggs are accumulated together. We also see females
who are laying as they walk along, and whose eggs are imme-
diately raised and caught up by the workers. They carry
them in a little heap to their mouth, turn them over and over
perpetually with their tongue, and moisten them. These eggs
differ. The smallest are cylindrical, white, and opake. The
most bulky are transparent, with one of their extremities
slightly arched. Those of a middle size are only semi-trans-
parent. In their interior, a sort of white cloud is visible,
more or less elongated. In some, nothing is observable but
a transparent point at the upper end. Some present a clear
zone, both above and below the little cloud. In the largest
we only observe a single opake and whitish point. There
are some, in fine, whose interior is perfectly limpid, and in
which we may already perceive very marked rings. M. Huber
has observed these last disclose their young. The shell
breaks, and the larva appears. Those which are just laid
are constantly of a milky white, entirely opake, and one-half

448 SUPPLEMENT

smaller. These eggs then acquire a sensible growth, and the
longest are the only ones which this naturalist has seen
disclosed. Whether the workers communicate to them a
necessary degree of humidity, or whether they have any
other secret for preserving them, it is certain that the most
advanced eggs dry up and perish, if they are removed from
the care of these ants.

The larvae issue from their shells in fifteen days after the
laying, and their body is then perfectly transparent : many
workers, raised upright on their feet, with the belly forward,
watch for their defence ; others are occupied in clearing the
conduit; others are in a state of inaction. But if the sun
should happen to enlighten the external part of the nest, the
ants which are at its surface descend immediately with pre-
cipitation to the bottom of the ant-hill, strike their companions
with their antennae, even sometimes seize with their teeth
the antennae of such individuals as appear not to comprehend
them, drag them to the summit of the habitation, and leave
them there, for the purpose of returning to those who are
guarding the young. All is immediately in motion ; the
larvae and nymphs are transported in all haste to the top of
the nest, and receive for some hours the influence of the sun.
The larvae of the females, which, in consequence of the
greater volume of their body, and greater weight, give more
trouble, are placed alongside of the others. At the end of
a quarter of an hour, the ants withdraw them into lodges
proper for their reception, under a layer of stubble, but
which does not entirely intercept the heat. Many of these
ants take advantage of the sunshine themselves, extend
themselves before it, and, heaped upon each other, appear
to enjoy repose. Among the rest, some are employed in
working on the ant-hill, and others, when they perceive that
the sun is beginning to decline, bring back the little ones
into the interior of their habitation.

ON HYxMENOPTERA. 449

The larva, according to the observations of M. Latreille,
resembles a small white worm, without feet, thick, short, and
of a conical form; its body is composed of a scaly head, and
t\velve rings ; its anterior part is more slender and curved ;
its mouth presents two small, separated crooks, which are the
rudiments of mandibles, and underneath, four small points,
two on each side, besides a nipple, almost cylindrical and
retractile, through which the animal receives its nutriment :
the workers supply it with this every day. If the larva be
sufficiently grown, it raises up its body, and sucks with its
mouth that of the neuter ant, which then separates its
mandibles, and allows the larva to suck in the nutritious
fluid. M. Huber does not believe that this has undergone
any preparation in the body of the working ants, because he
has often seen these insects present to the larvae the nutri-
ment which they had themselves just taken in, and which
consisted of honey, or sugar dissolved in water. But they
have not always at their command similar materials, so easy
of deglutition. It is known, moreover, that they live, and
that very frequently, on animal substances, such as caterpillars,
coleoptera, the carcases of small quadrupeds, birds, &c.
Now they cannot feed their larvse but with the most essential
and fluid extract of these substances, or with the sort of
chyle which they derive from them, which evidently appears
to require a particular elaboration. It is probable, as M.
Huber conjectures, that the working ants proportion the
quality of the regimen of the larvae, to their differences of
age and sex. They keep them in a state of the most
extreme cleanliness, constantly cleaning their bodies with
their tongue and mandibles. Near the epoch of their trans-
formation, they pull off" their skin, which is softened and
relaxed.

The larvae of certain ants pass the winter heaped together
at the bottom of their chambers. The body of those which

VOL. XV. 2 G

450 SUPPLEMENT

have this destination, is hairy during this season, — a new proof
of the foresight of Nature. M. Huber has observed, at this
epoch, some very small larvae in the nests of the yellow ant,
and of some other species. But those of the wood-ant
(riifa), of the ash-coloured and mining ants, had none ;
According to him, the larv^ of males and females are only
to be found in spring, and they do not metamorphose until
the beginning of summer. All these differences are to be
explained by those of the epochs in which this last change
takes place; for the wood-ants, the ash-coloured, and the
mining, are developed in spring, nvhile the others appear
much later.

The larvae of the ants proper, and of the jjolyergi, or for-
micariae, without sting, all spin a cocoon of silk, of a close
tissue, very smooth, cylindrical, elongated, and of a pale
yellow, when they are on the eve of being changed into
nymphs. Having enclosed themselves in this, they are strip-
ped of their skin, and the black spot, in the form of a point,
which is often remarked at one of the extremities of the
cocoon, is formed by the residue of the aliments which these
insects have rejected previously to this operation. The ant,
in the nymph state, presents the form and size of the perfect
insect ; but it is weak, of a consistence yet tender, and its
limbs, incapable of action, are each enclosed in a particular
sheath, which is composed of a pellicle of silk. Their body,
a little time after this transformation, becomes immoveable,
and its colour passes from white to pale yellow, then to red,
and in some species becomes brown, or almost black.

These nymphs have still occasion for the assistance of the
working ants. They would perish in their cocoons, if the
latter did not open a passage for them at the proper moment,
by tearing, or even cutting, this cocoon with their mandibles,
in a longitudinal and band-like scissure. They bring them
forth from their cells, remove the satiny pellicle which

ON HYMENOPTERA. 451

envelopes the parts of their bodies, draw it away delicately,
especially contribute to extend the wings of such individuals
as are provided with them, and second with all their own
efforts, the efforts of Nature. They then hasten to impart
to them some of their provisions, or give them aliments of
some description. The new-born, whether males, females,
or neuters, now enjoy their full liberty, and the active faculties
with which they are endowed. The debris of their cocoons
are sometimes placed by the nursing ants in the lodges most
remote from the centre of the domicile, or are heaped up
together in some other lodges ; sometimes they are transported
to the exterior surface of the habitation, or even to a consi-
derable distance from it.

The nests of the ash-coloured ants present naked nymphs,
or nymphs shut up in their cocoons. M. Huber has often
seen the neuters open the cocoons, a little time after the
larvae had been metamorphosed into nymphs. The mining
ants do the same. But wherefore do the neuters anticipate
this operation for a certain number of individuals? This is
a question, which our knowledge does not yet enable us to
answer. It would be necessary to study the nature of those
individuals, thus stripped, before the epoch of their final
transformation : for perhaps this operation takes place only
with regard to the males and females. M. Huber has often
drawn from their cocoon larvae which had but just spun it.
They have changed their skin, but have not been able to dis-
engage their feet. These have remained attached to the
abdomen, and the nymphs have speedily perished. It appears
then, that for them, the cocoon is as it were a necessary
prop, or support.

The neuter ants continue during some days to watch over
the individuals which have been just developed; they nourish
them, accompany them into all places, appear to teach them
the paths and labyrinths of their habitation, assemble in the

2g2

452 SUPPLEMENT

same chambers the males which are dispersed, keep them in,
when they are desirous of issuing forth before the weather
be favourable, and when it is so, conduct them out of the
ant-hill.

M. Huber has never observed the working ants to lay, and
the approaches of the male have always proved the forfeit of
life to those whom he has surprised in the fact. He asks,
what can be the object of Nature in condemning those neuter
individuals, as well as those of the wasps and bees, to eternal
sterility ? May it not be, he says, for the purpose of aug-
menting the number of individuals of the same family,
without producing a multiplication which should be propor-
tionate to that number, and thus keeping the race within
proper limits. But a better cause may be assigned, to which
we have already alluded in our general article on insects,
— this is, the proper attention to, and preservation of,
the young. If the neuter ants are deprived of wings, they
are well compensated for their absence, as this judicious
observer remarks, by this natural maternal sentiment, and
this unlimited power which they enjoy over the other indi-
viduals of the society at large.

M. Latreille has observed, as well as M. Huber, that the
winged individuals do not issue forth from their domiciles,
but when the temperature is elevated to at least fifteen or
sixteen degrees of the thermometer of Reaumur; accordingly
it would seem that most of our indigenous species of ants do
not vmdergo their final metamorphosis until summer, or even
autumn. If the weather be favourable, the neuters open
many issues for the other individuals, at the external entrance
of which, the latter come to respire. Many of them are
sometimes even observed parading over the ant-hill ; but if it
be touched at that moment, the neuters hurry forth to
di'ive the others in. It is usually in the after part of the day
that the males and females abandon their cradle, and take

ON HYMENOPTERA. 453

their flight. The neuters remain alone in their habitation,
and, according to M, Huber, carefully close up all its
avenues.

M, Huber has depicted, with a charm and interest pecu-
liarly his own, all the details of these emigrations. After
having described what occurs in relation to the turf-ants
{Myrmica), the solicitude of the workers for the winged
individuals, the cares which they lavish on them, the efforts
which they make to retain them, and finally, the sort of
farewell which they seem to address to them, he expresses
himself after this fashion : —

" But what brilliant objects are those which we observe
on that other hillock, which rises above the verdant turf?
These are the male ants, which are issuing by hundreds from
their subterraneous retreats, and parading their silvery and
transparent wings on the surface of the nest. The females,
fewer in number, are dragging along, in the midst of them,
their broad and bronze-coloured abdomen, and also unfolding
their wings, whose varying brilliancy increases the gratifi-
cation derived from this pleasing assemblage. A numerous
train of workers accompany them over all the plants which
they traverse. Already disorder and agitation prevail upon
the ant-hill; the bustle increases every moment; the winged
insects mount with vivacity along the blades of grass, and
the workers follow them, run from one male to another,
touch them with their antennae, and present them with nu-
triment. The males at last quit the paternal roof; they rise
into the air, as it were, by a general impulse, and the females
quickly follow them. The winged troop has disappeared, and
the workers return for a few moments, over the traces of
these cherished beings, whom they have fostered with so
much perseverance, and whom they are destined never to
behold again."

454 SUPPLEMENT

" The variety of the colours and forms of this muhitude
of insects sometimes presents very striking pictures. In
some, the body has but a single tint throughout. The
workers are yellow, the males are entirely black, and the
females of a light gold-colour. Their glittering wings ex-
hibit all the colours of the rainbow. In other species, all
the workers are of an ashen- black, with red spots upon the
corslet ; the males, whose body is black, have the feet of a
fine yellow, and the wings whitish, while their females have
the corslet and abdomen spotted with fawn-colour, on a
brown ground, and the wings transparent, and blackish at
their extremities."

We have now seen the ants make the first essay of their
wings, and begin to spread themselves through the air. This
is the theatre of their amours. But speedily these insects
fall, two by two, like rain, either upon the ground or on
plants, where many of them consummate their union. The
object of nature being accomplished, some individuals take
flight again, and rejoin a cloud of winged ants, assembled
on some tree, or sporting round its summit.

The males and females of another species of ants, assemble
together in the manner of a swarm, which balances itself in
the air, rising and sinking alternately, in the space of about
ten feet, but at no great height above the soil, and but little
distant from the ant-hill from which it issued forth. These
movements are executed with great slowness. The males
which form the mass of the swarm, fly obliquely, and in zig-
zag, with great rapidity. The females, suspended like balloons,
and turned against the wind, appear motionless ; neverthe-
less, they follow the movements of the swarm, until the males
take hold of them, and draw them away from the crowd.

These swarms are common in the month of September.
They disperse upon the least wind, but are not long before

13

ON HYMENOPTERA. 455

they re-unite, and are even frequently confounded with others.
The general humming produced by these insects does not
equal that of a single wasp. These swarms are sometimes
placed above our head, and follow us in our walk. We find
in the memoirs of the Berlin Academy, a description of a
prodigious swarm of these insects, observed by M. Gleditch,
which from afar produced an effect somewhat similar to
that of an Aurora Borealis, when from the edge of the
cloud shoot forth, by jets, many columns of flame and
vapour, many rays like lightning, but without its bril-
liancy. Columns of ants were coming and going here and
there, but always rising upward, with inconceivable rapid-
ity. They appeared to raise themselves above the clouds,
to thicken there, and become more and more obscure.
Other columns followed the preceding, raised themselves
in like manner, shooting forth many times with equal swift-
ness, or mounting one after the other. This phenomenon
continued for the space of half an hour. Each column
resembled a very slender net-work, and exhibited a tremu-
lous and undulating movement. It was composed of an
innumerable multitude of little winged insects, altogether
black, which were continually ascending and descending in an
irregular manner.

Some authors have advanced, but without proof, that the
male ants, after fecundation, undergo the same fate as the
drones among bees, ^nd that the female ants return to their
habitation to confide to the same neuters which have taken
care of their infancy, the germs of their posterity. But the
first individuals, far removed from their native home, deprived
of the assistance of their nurses, almost incapable of providing
for their own sustenance, exposed to the inclemency of the
weather, and to many other dangers, very speedily perish
after the epoch of their amours, from these causes alone.
The bees, humble bees, and wasps, can find their habitation

456 SUPPLEMENT

again, according to M. Huber, by an instinct peculiarly their
own. They turn round about it, examine its position, and,
in fact, adopt every measure which prudence can suggest, to
prevent them losing their way, before they issue forth, for
the first time, from their dwelling, The queen bee does the
same, when she flies out of the hive for the purposes of
reproduction. But the winged ants, when they quit the
nest, turn their backs upon it at once, and proceed forward in
a right line, until it becomes totally out of sight.

The female ants, after having been fecundated, and only
then, cause their four wings to fall off, weakening at first, by
divers movements, the muscles which serve as an attachment
for them, and afterwards compressing them by means of their
hinder feet, which they pass over them at a little distance
from their basis. This fact has been confirmed by many
observations, both of M. Huber and M. Latreille. These
organs are so slightly attached to the corslet, under these
circumstances, that they almost always come away, when
these insects are laid hold of

All the females, however, do not quit their primitive dwell-
ing. Such are those that couple in the ant-hill, or round
about it, and which are retained or brought back by force,
by the workers. They tear off their wings, guard them
with the greatest assiduity, never permit them to go out, feed
them with the greatest care, and conduct them into those
parts of the habitation, the temperature of which is most
suitable for them. These female prisoners become accus-
tomed by degrees to their confinement. Their belly enlarges,
and a single sentinel, who is regularly relieved, watches over
them. But when every thing indicates that they are on the
point of becoming mothers, they receive, according to M.
Huber, the same attentions that are paid by the bees to their
queen. They are accompanied evei-y where by a dozen or
fifteen of the working ants, who lavish on them caresses of

ON HYMENOPTERA. 45 #

all kinds. They lead them along with their teeth, and even
carry them about into the different quarters of the habitation.
The body of the female is then crooked, and suspended to
the mandibles of the ant that carries her, and rolled up like
the proboscis of a butterfly. She is so well fixed under the
corslet of the latter, that she does not, by any means, embar-
rass the motions of her carrier. Sometimes they are con-
tented with dragging her along ; but if the ant which is
charged with this burthen is too much fatigued, another takes
its place, and in this moment of repose, the female is envi-
roned by her suite, which pays her all kinds of attention.
The eggs, from the moment of their being laid, are gathered
and united around her.

The fuliginous ants, among which the departure of some
individuals takes place more slowly, are more easily observed
in operations of this kind. M. Huber ingeniously compares
the general movement which goes on in their hillock, to a
sort of national festival, in which all the individuals of the
population take an active part. Many females can live with-
out experiencing any rivalship, or suffering any injury, in the
same nest. They contribute equally to the increase of the
society, but are possessed of no power, or influence : autho-
rity exclusively belongs to the neuter ants. The naturalist
whom we have just cited, gives to the females the title of
queen. He preserved, from the month of November to the
end of April, some yellow ants, with one of their females and
a number of small larvas. The box which enclosed this nest,
having remained in his chamber, these insects were not
benumbed by the cold, and therefore he had ample opportu-
nities of observing the attentions of the workers towards this
female. They surrounded her, or rather covered her so com-
pletely, that her existence could only be ascertained from a
very slow movement of this living mass. They constructed
for her, at different times, a particular lodge, inviting her, by

458 SUPPLEMENT

all kinds of caresses, to come and take possession of it. M.
Huber has also been the first to inform us, that some females,
independently of the assistance of the workers, will lay the
foundations of a new colony. Animated by maternal love,
they construct lodges, which are sometimes common to other
similar individuals, lay their eggs there, take care of them,
and bring up their family. By repeated experiments and
observations, M. Huber convinced himself of the truth of
these facts which we have just recited. Some virgin females,
and provided vnth. wings, have opened the cocoons of the
nymphs of working ants, which he had placed with them in
an apparatus where these females were isolated. He has
surprised them occupied in delivering other workers from
their last envelope, and without appearing at all embarrassed
by the part which they were playing for the first time, and
one contrary to the presumed intention of nature.

The attachment of the working ants to their females ap-
pears to extend even beyond the existence of the latter ; for,
according to M. Huber, when a fecundated female perishes,
five or six of the workers remain about her, brushing and
licking her body incessantly, for several days, as if they
wished by their cares to restore her to existence.

Such is the political economy of the ordinary societies of
ants, considei'ed as to the principal end of their institution.
We have contemplated them engaged in the construction of
their habitations, in rearing their family, and in perpetuating
their race ; let us now exhibit a few of their more peculiar
habits.

All the relations which exist between the individuals of
their different orders, their harmony, the union of all wills
for the completion of one grand design, all presuppose, in
the opinion of M. Huber, the intervention of some kind of
language, or some mode of expressing their designs, their
wants, in a word, all the impulses of their instinct.

ON HYMENOPTERA. 459

If any ants on the external part of the nest be attacked,
some of them, while the others are defending themselves, hurry
down to the bottom of their galleries and spread the alarm.
The individuals set a guard over the young, in the upper
stories, and hasten to carry off their precious deposit into the
deepest recesses of the habitation, for the purpose of placing
it in shelter from the dangers by which it is threatened.

The Hercules ants, which are the largest belonging to
these countries, which form their dwelling in the excavations
of the trunks of trees, and which do not issue forth from it,
but in spring, to accompany their males and females, have
furnished to M. Huber many curious observations of this
kind. When he disturbed the individuals who were most re-
mote from the others, either by examining them too closely, or
breathing slightly upon them, they immediately ran towards
the former, gave them little blows with the head, against the
corslet, went from one to the other, traversing in a semi-
circle, and jostled several times against those that, by their
inaction, manifested no signs of fear. When they became
acquainted with the danger, the latter also set forward, de-
scribing in their turn different curves, and stopping occa-
sionally to strike with their heads the other ants which they
met with on their route. The alarm became general : the
ants of the interior quitted their retreats, and augmented the
tumult ; but the males appeared to be more insensible, or
less terrified. They sought no asylum, nor retired preci-
pitately into the interior of the trunk, excepting when the
working ants, having approached them, had given them over
and over, the signal for flight. All these facts, related by
M. Huber, are of the most exact truth, and have been fur-
ther verified by M. Latreille, who has often had occasion to
observe this species, which is extremely common in the
southern departments of France.

M. Huber placed the feet of an artificial ant-hill in troughs

460 SUPPLEMENT

full of water, so as to prevent the ants from getting away. This
water proved to them a source of great enjoyment ; for like
the bees, butterflies, and other insects, they are fond of
quenching their thirst during hot weather. He disturbed
some ants one day, that, assembled at the foot of their habi-
tation (which was constructed of wood, in the manner of a
hive, and surmounted with a bell), were eagerly licking the
little drops which filtrated through the wood, and which
they appeared even to prefer to the water in the troughs :
most of the ants re-ascended directly ; the rest, without any
appearance of fear continued to drink. But one of the first
re-descended, approached one of its companions that was still
drinking, pushed it repeatedly with its mandibles, lowering
and raising its head by jerks, and at length succeeded in
making the other depart. It then addressed itself to another
drinker, and finding that there was no use in striking its ab-
domen, it gave it a few smart blows on the corslet, with the
end of its jaws, and finally succeeded in forcing it to return
to the upper part of the habitation. A third, warned in the
same manner, also yielded to the suggestions ; but a fourth
remaining alone at the edge of the water, was so obstinate,
that though seized by one of its hind legs, it still resisted,
and even seemed by opening its mandibles to testify, so that
its adviser passing to the front, was obliged to take it up with
its mandibles, and drag it back into the nest.

It has been remai'ked that the ants, when they are pro-
ceeding along in file, may be stopped by simply passing the
finger several times across the line of their miarch. From this
it has been concluded that they conduct each other recipro-
cally by the smell, since their march cannot be suspended,
but by the interruption of the odorant emanations which they
leave on their route. The majority, however, soon get over
this obstacle, and resume their direction. A fosse of several
inches deep excavated around them, will at first disconcert

ON IIYMENOPTERA. 461

them, but nevertheless does not hinder them, within a certain
time, from returning to the path which leads to their nest.
Impetuous winds, rain, and other causes, may efface the
traces of their steps, yet, notwithstanding this, they always
arrive at their habitations. Certain sensations may otherwise
embarrass them ; for instance, if the traces of those emana-
tions hy which they are guided, should form various lines,
crossing each other in divers directions. Without denying
the utility of this sense of smell to the ants, M. Huber pre-
sumes that other means, such as the inspection of objects,
the memory of localities, or some other causes to us unknown,
may enable these insects to recognize their way. He has
sometimes amused himself, by disposing in the middle of a
chamber, the debris of a small ant-hill of earth. The ants
spread themselves on all sides, and wandered in every direc-
tion at hazard ; but when one of them had discovered some
cleft in the floor, or some other place of safety, it returned
into the midst of its companions, and indicated to them, by
certain motions of the antennae, the route which they should
take, or even accompanied them to the entrance of the re-
treat it had discovered. These, in their turn, conducted
others thither. Every time they met, they struck each other
with their antennae, in a very perceptible manner, and all the
ants thus repaired into this asylum. Those which penetrate
into closets where confections, sugar, or fruits are kept, of
all which they are remarkably fond, receive information in the
same manner, from oneof their companions who has made the
discovery. It is observed, either in going from or return-
ing to the domicile to inform them of their good fortune, to
hesitate, and pause at intervals, as if it wanted to recognize
the localities, and assure itself of the right road. Another
ant will frequently put it right by a touch of its antennse.
There are many species which are thus directed by the use
of these organs.

462 SUPPLEMENT

These insects, if their habitation be too much shaded, too
humid, exposed to the insults of passengers, or near a hostile
ant-hill, proceed to lay elsewhere the foundations of a new
city, and this is what M. Huber terms migration. It is not a
colony, for the entire nation transports itself to a new settle-
ment. Many naturalists had already noticed a usage very
common with ants — namely, that of carrying each other from
place to place — but they were ignorant of the cause of this.
M. Huber having one day deranged the habitation of a horde
of yellow ants, perceived that they were changing their domi-
cile, and saw, at ten paces distant, the new ant-hill, which
communicated with the old one by a path beaten through the
grass, and along which these ants were passing and repassing
in great numbers. He remarked that all those that were
going towards the new establishment were loaded with their
companions, while those who were proceeding in the opposite
direction marched one by one. This circumstance proved a
ray of light to our observer. By dint of torturing, with
repeated demolitions, these republics of ants, he succeeded in
obliging them to change their locaUty. It was natural to
expect that the scene which he had witnessed would be re-
peated, if the migration of those insects had been the cause of
it. The number of ants which carried others was, however,
but small at first : he observed but two or three in the path ;
but it soon increased, and many of the colonists, thus trans-
ported, returned again to recruit in their turn. Sometimes
they invited the others to desert, simply by caresses ; some-
times they seized, them by surprise, dragged them out of
their ancient habitation, and carried them off with celerity.
If these latter ants were disposed for the journey, the carriers
caught them with their mandibles, and when they turned
round to carry them off, the others suspended and rolled
themselves round the neck of their bearers. The number of
recruiters augmented in such a rapid progression, that the

ON HYMENOPTERA. 463

path of communication became full of them, and the external
surface of the primitive ant-liill was perpetually exhibiting
examples of these abductions. In certain glass apparatus, in
which M. Huber had shut up some ants, he again witnessed
a similar spectacle : he observed that by taking away the first
recruiter, the emigration was stopped until another had dis-
covered the place proper for the new establishment. This
sort of recruiting lasted for many days, and only ceased when
all the ants had acquired a perfect knowledge of the road to
their new habitation. The locality being prepared, and the
young family transported, the road of the old ant-hill is aban-
doned altogether. The tranquillity which prevails in the old
ant-hill at the period of migration, seems to prove to M. Huber
that the design of expatriation is by no means generally
known, but that begun by one individual, it is exe(;^ted gra-
dually. Sometimes, indeed, several working ants form at the
same time the plan of establishing a new city, and this gives
rise to the momentary existence of several ant-hills. But they
are very soon confounded into one, by means of a final enhst-
ment. It also happens, that if the ants be discontented with
the site which they have chosen, they will change three or
four times, and even return to the first : but the last emigra-
tion has always the advantage over the others. In case that
the new habitation is very much removed from that which
they have abandoned, intermediate lodgings, or kind of relays,
which clearly represent, with smaller dimensions, and a less
considerable population, true ant-hills, are prepared upon the
road, and become points of repose : sometimes these are so
many little colonies dependent upon the metropolis. M. Huber
has even seen in fir-woods some large ant-hills in the prox-
imity of each other, and communicating together by beaten
routes, sometimes a hundred feet in length, and several
inches in breadth, and excavated by the ants themselves.

464 SUPPLEMENT

But this art appertains exclusively to the wood-ants {F.
rvfa).

The species called Hercules, Ethiopian, ash-coloured, san-
guine, and mining, also carry on the recruiting system.

The turf-ants {myrmicce) have, like the brown ants, the F.
emarginata, &c., an instinct of directing each other by means
of signs, and of carrying each other, but not precisely in the
same fashion. The companions with whom they charge
themselves, and also seize with their mandibles, have their
body in the air, and the head downwards. Boinut has trans-
formed this act of duty into one of discord and combat.

The brown and fuliginous ants, which have not the habit
of carrying one another in their migrations, nevertheless
know how to employ this means with the males, the females,
and the workers, which have been but just metamorphosed.
This would prove, according to M. Huber, that these latter
individuals are not yet well acquainted with their language,
and the art of directing themselves. M. Latreille is more
inclined to think that this kind of transportation only takes
place in time of danger, and because these individuals are not
yet sufficiently strong to evade it.

The ants do not yield to the bees in devotionate affection
to their family. They defend it with the greatest courage
and pertinacity. Their abdomen might be separated from
the rest of their body, before they would let go the larva or
nymph which they are carrying between their mandibles ; and
they would drag themselves along, as well as they were able,
so as to put it in a state of perfect safety. The courage and
audacity which they exhibit in defence of their property, are
well known, and have often excited the repentance of the
aggressor. M. Latreille tells us a very singular story in his
history of these insects, illustrative of their mutual affection.
He deprived an ant of its antennae; one of her companions,

ON HYMENOPTERA. 465

that no doubt perceived the nature of tlie evil which had
occurred to her, distilled upon the wound a drop of yellowish
and limpid fluid from her mouth.

M. Huber reports two other traits of similar attachment: —
Having taken, in the month of April, from the woods, an
ant-hill, for the purpose of peopling one of his glass appa-
ratus, he set a portion of the ants at liberty. The freed ants
fixed themselves at the foot of a large chesnut-tree, in the
garden of the house which he inhabited. The others re-
mained four months prisoners in his cabinet. At this period
he transported them into the garden, within ten or twelve
paces of tlie preceding. Some of the prisoners succeeded in
escaping, met, and recognized their ancient companions.
" They were observed," says M. Huber, "to gesticulate, and
caress each other mutually with their antennae, and catch
each other with their mandibles. The ants of the chesnut
tree led the others into their nest, came soon in crowds to
seek other fugitives, even ventured to glide under the bell of
those which were captive, and produced a complete desertion,
by carrying them off successively."

Some yellow ants, which this naturalist had assembled in
another artificial ant-hill, the base of which, instead of being
perpendicular to the table which supported it, was inclined
by some degrees, not liking this disposition, went to esta-
blish themselves under a bell which was above the table.
M. Huber hoped to make them return into the chest, by
warming its glass work by means of a flambeau. Some ants
which were in this part, very much pleased with this tempe-
rature, and manifesting their delight by brushing their head
and antennae with their feet, adopted the resolution, after
hesitating a few moments, of re-mounting to the upper stage,
or above the bell. Two of these ants re-descended very
soon into the chest, bringing in their mouth two of their
companions, which they deposited in the warmest place, and

VOL. XV. 2 H

466 SUPPLEMENT

returned immediately into the upper part. Those which had
newly arrived, after having been warmed, also mounted under
the bell, and brought back others with them. This manoeuvre
soon became general, and not a single ant remained above.

When M. Huber ceased to warm the chest, these insects
remounted under the bell, and he made them repeat this trait
of sociability every time that he brought back the flambeau.
" These observations," says he, " recall to our minds those
ideal republics, where all goods were supposed to be in com-
mon, and where public interest is the rule of action to all
the citizens. It appertained, however, only to Nature to
realize this chimera, and it is only amongst insects, exempt
from passions like ours, that she has established such an
order of things. She has given to the ants the faculty of
communicating together by the touch of their antennae. By
this means, they can mutually assist each other in their labours,
succour their companions in danger, find their way again, when
they have wandered from it, and make known their wants to
their consimilars. The insects which live in societies are then
in possession of a language, and should not this relation, which
they have with us, though in an inferior degree, elevate them
in our eyes, and does it not even contribute to embeUish the
grand spectacle of the universe ?"

The ants give chace to the insects which they meet with,
especially to caterpillars, cock-chafers, 8cc. If they are not
sufficiently numerous to arrest their prey, they go in search of
succour; and the little animal, overcome by so many aggres-
sors, incapable of delivering itself from them, and often even
of walking, succumbs, and is quickly dragged within the ant-
hill. They attack by open force ; their mandibles, like hooks
or pincers, and an acid and irritating fluid, which chemists call
formic acid, a sort of poison, which they pour into the wounds
produced by their bite, curving the posterior extremity of
their abdomen, where it is contained, and applying it against

ON HYMENOPTERA. 467

the injured part, are very formidable and dangerous weapons
with which Nature has provided them. Other formicarise, as
the myrmices, make use of their sting, and though but equal
in size, are superior in power to the species which are not
provided with this organ. We know that ants are very dex-
terous dissectors of the carcases of quadrupeds, birds, and
reptiles of small size, and that we may avoid the trouble of
preparing their skeletons, by leaving the dead bodies in
certain ant-hills, especially those of the yellow ants.

If they perceive one of their enemies, but at a distance to
which they cannot reach, they stand up on their hind feet,
pass their abdomen between their legs, and shoot simulta-
neously, and with force, some jets of their acid. Its odour is so
penetrating, that its action is felt, particularly in hot weather,
at a considerable distance from the ant-hill. In the woods,
where the yellow ant is very common, an agreeable lemonade
may be procured, by placing a piece of sugar in their nest,
and leaving it there some minutes. It soon absorbs a certain
quantity of formic acid, which is a perfect substitute for that
of lemon.

Some other species of the same genus are those of all their
enemies that our indigenous ants are most afraid of. The
smallest, by hooking themselves to their feet, and to other
parts of the body, and often in great numbers, are far from
being the least formidable. The strongest species, in the
combats which they have with the latter, are even obliged to
act by surprise ; for when the others provoke the attack, they
proceed to advertise their companions, and reinforcements
come to determine the victory in their favour. These insects
are so bitter against their enemies that they will sooner suffer
themselves to be torn to pieces than let go their hold. The
Hercules ants sometimes wage a cruel war against the sanguine
ants, which they proceed in search of even to the gates of
their habitation. The latter, only one half as big, but con-

2h 2

4G8 SUPPLEMENT

siderably superior in number, remain on the defensive, and to
avoid such dangerous enemies, in general prudently determine
to remove their habitation to a greater distance. This they
perform by a regular levy, such as we have already de-
scribed, while small bodies of troops are posted within a little
distance from their nest to cover their retreat. " But," says
M. Huber, *' if we want to see armies in presence of each
other, and a war in all its regular forms, we must go into the
forests, where the wood ants have established their domination
over all the insects which are found within their tracks. We
shall there see populous and rival cities ; beaten roads, pro-
ceeding from the ant-hill like so many rays, and frequented
by an innumerable crowd of combatants ; wars between rival
hordes of the same species ; for they are naturally hostile and
jealous towards every neighbouring territory. There have I
observed two of the largest ant-hills engaged in arms against
each other. I cannot say what might have kindled the torch
of discord between these republics. They were of the same
species, similar as to size and population, and situated at a
hundred paces distant one from the other. Two mighty
empires do not possess a greater number of combatants.
Figure to yourself a prodigious crowd of these insects filling
all the space which separated the two ant-hills, and occupying
a breadth of two feet. The armies met half way from their
respective habitations, and there gave battle ; thousands of
ants, mounted on the natural projections of the soil, struggled
two by two, holding by their mandibles, and opposite to each
other. A greater number were brought out, attacked, and
dragged along as prisoners. The latter made vain efforts to
escape, as if they had foreseen that when arrived at the
hostile ant-hill, they would experience a cruel fate.

" The field of battle was two or three feet square : a pene-
trating odour was exhaled from all quarters. A number of
ants were to be seen there dead, and covered with poison ;

ON HYMENOPTERA. 469

Others, composing groups and chains, were hooked together
by their feet or pincers, and dragging each other by turns in
opposite directions. These groups were formed successively.
The struggle had begun between two ants, who seized each
other by the mandibles, raised themselves on their legs to let
their belly pass in front, and mutually spouted venom against
the adversary. They squeezed so close that they tumbled on
the side, and fought for a long time in the dust ; they soon
rose again, and tugged away at each other, each endeavouring
to drag off his antagonist. But when their strength was
equal, these athletse remained motionless and crooked to the
ground, until a third ant came up to decide the advantage.
Most frequently one and the other received assistance at the
same time : then all the four, holding by one foot, or one an-
tennae, again made vain efforts to gain the victory : others
united themselves to the former, and sometimes these were
again seized in their turn by new comers. In this manner
were formed chains of six, eight, or ten ants, all hooked to
each other. The equilibrium was broken only when several
warriors belonging to the same republic advanced at once ;
they forced those that were enchained to let go, and the
private combats were recommenced.

" At the approach of night each party re-entered gradually
into the city, which served it as an asylum, and the ants which
were killed or taken prisoners not being replaced by others,
the number of the combatants diminished, until at last no
more remained. But the ants returned to the fight with the
dawn of day, the groups were formed, the carnage recom-
menced with increased fury, and the place of the encounter
was six feet in depth and two abreast. The success was for
a long time doubtful ; nevertheless, towards the middle of the
day the field of battle was removed ten feet from one of the
hostile cities, from which I concluded that that one had gained
ground. The bitter obstinacy of the ants was so great that

470 SUPPLEMENT

nothing could distract them from their enterprize : they did
not perceive my presence, and though I was immediately at
the edge of their army, none of them climbed upon my legs :
they had but a single object in view, that of finding an enemy
that they could attack."

Nevertheless, the habitual labours of the two riyal so-
cieties were not interrupted. Order and tranquillity pre-
dominated in them. The war terminated without any very
fatal result : rains of long duration put an end to it ; and the
belligerent ants no longer frequented the road, which might
have proved the occasion of new combats. M. Huber has
witnessed many battles, similar to that of which he has
given us so admirable a description.

The sanguine ants, which are often attacked by the wood
ants, when their nests, though sufficiently remote from each
other, are placed along the same hedge, and the paths
lengthened into their respective territories become a subject
of discord, defend themselves like partisans, and carry on a
little war, very amusing to the observer. The two parties
put themselves in ambuscade, and suddenly rush out upon
each other. If the sanguine ants observe that they are in-
ferior in force, they call in succour, and immediately a con-
siderable army issues from the gates of their city, advances
in mass, and envelopes the hostile platoon.

Let us not envy the inhabitants of the equatorial countries
of the new world the enjoyments which the riches and
beauty of their climates seem calculated to procure fur them.
The gifts of nature are too well counterbalanced there, by
calamities without number, and we may felicitate ourselves
on not having such compatriots as those ants which Malouet
observed, in visiting the forests of Guiana, and of which he
has spoken in his travels into that part of the globe. He
perceived in the midst of a level savannah, and as far as the
eye could reach, a hillock which he would have attributed to

ON HYMENOPTERA. 471

the hand of man, if M. tie Prefontaine, who accompanied him,
had not informed him, that in spite of its gigantic construction,
it was the work of black ants of the largest species. He pro-
posed to conduct him, not to the ant-hill, where both of them
would infaUibly have been devoured, but to the road of the
workers. M. Malouet did not approach within more than forty
paces of the habitation of these insects. It had the form of a
pyramid truncated at one-third of its height, and he estimated
that its elevation might be about fifteen or twenty feet, on a
basis of from thirty to forty. M. de Prefontaine told him that
the cultivators were obliged to abandon a new estabhshment,
when they had the misfortune to meet with one of these for-
tresses, unless they had sufficient strength to form a regular
siege. This even occurred to M. de Prefontaine himself, on
his first encampment at Kourva. He was desirous of form-
ing a second a little further on, and perceived upon the soil
a mound of earth, similar to that which we have just de-
scribed ; he caused a circular trench to be hollowed, which
he filled with a great quantity of dry wood, and after having
set fire to it in every point of its circumference, he attacked
the ant-hill with cannon-shots. Thus every issue was closed
to the hostile army, which to escape from the invasion of
the flames, and the shaking of the ground, was obliged to
traverse, in its retreat, a trench filled with fire. The largest
formicariag, which come from Cayenne, are of the genus
ponera, and it is presumable that it is of those that M. Ma-
louet speaks.

M. Huber has further observed some singular facts rela-
tive to the wood ants, one of which presents to us a sort of
gymnastic scene. Having one day approached one of their
habitations, exposed to the sun, and sheltered on the north
side, he saw these insects heaped in great numbers upon its
surface, and in a general movement, which he compares to the
appearance of liquid in a state of ebullition; but having set

472 SUPPLEMENT

himself to follow separately the manoeuvres of each ant, he
discovered that they were sporting together, in a sort of
mock fights, similar to those in which we often observe
young dogs to indulge. Our observer suspected that local
and favourable circumstances, such as the happy situation of
the nest, abundance of food, and a solitude which places
these ants in security from ordinary perils, had disposed the
animals to sports of this kind.

The other ants, half warlike, and half social, rarely gave
M. Huber an occasioa for similar observations. Initiated in
the mysteries of the life of these insects, he has made us
acquainted with two of their maladies : one is a species of
vertigo, occasioned, as he thinks, by a too great heat of the
sun, and which transforms them for two or three minutes
into a sort of bacchantes. The other malady, much more
severe, causes them to lose the faculty of directing themselves
in a right line. These ants turn in a very narrow circle, and
always in the same direction. A virgin female, enclosed in
a sand-box, and attacked by this mania, made a thousand
turns by the hour, describing a circle of about an inch in
diameter : it continued this operation for seven days, and
even during the night.

In their habitual relations with their companions, the ants
make such continual use of their antennae, that M. Huber,
further developing those ideas which we have already no-
ticed, and bringing further facts to their support, endeavours
to persuade us of the existence, in these insects, of a lan-
guage of tact, which he names antennal.

It has been known for a long time, that many ants are ex-
tremely fond of that fluid which the aphides eject through
two horns at the posterior extremity of their body, or through
the natural passages, and which is a secretion from the juice
of the vegetables on which they feed. Accordingly we see a
great number of ants spread over the trees and plants which

ON HYMENOPTERA. 473

abound in aphides, and other insects from which a similar
secretion proceeds, hurrying to get this sort of honey, or
manna, at the moment when these animals eject it in little
drops. Their abdomen, much more voluminous then than it
was before, shows us how partial they are to this species of
aliment. But a fact unknown before, and discovered by M.
Huber, is that these ants in flattering and caressing, as it
were, those insect providers of theirs with their antennse,
and striking alternately with one of those organs the poste-
rior extremity of their body, obtain directly from them, and
voluntarily, this secretion which is so precious to them. M.
Huber has many a time seen the brown ant, and some other
species, though not so often, employ these singular processes
to procure themselves tbis provision, and always with suc-
cess. They are soon, however, satisfied with these liba-
tions. The red ant catches dexterously the drop of fluid
with the swelled extremity of its antennae, which it then
carries to its mouth, and causes it to enter by pressing alter-
nately with one end the other of these organs, as if with
real fingers.

The yellow ant, very different from the others in the re-
lation of their habits, scarcely ever issue from their subter-
raneous abodes : they are not to be met with on trees and
fruits : they do not even proceed to the chase of other in-
sects, and nevertheless they are greatly multiplied in mea-
dows and orchards. How then do they sustain themselves?
This is a difficulty which naturally presents itself to the
mind. To find the explanation of it has led M. Huber to
the discovery of many other facts far more strange. Hav-
ing one day turned up the earth of which the habitation of
these ants was composed, he found some aphides in their
nest. The roots also of the gramineous plants which shaded
the ant-hill, presented some others of different species, and
assembled in families tolerably numerous. The ants seemed
13

474 SUPPLEMENT

to watch near them for the moment of their melliferous secre-
tion, or otherwise they were endeavouring to produce it
by the means which we have above described. It was impor-
tant to know whether this kind of cohabitation was general ;
M. Huber proceeded to search in a great number of the nests
of yellow ants, and he always found aphides there, especially
after warm showers. He was soon a witness of the interested
affection which the ants have for them, which even proceeds
to a degree of jealousy. They often took them in their
mouth, and carried them to the bottom of the nest ; at other
times they assembled the aphides in the midst of them, or
followed them with great assiduity and solicitude.

The estabhshment of one of these hordes of ants, with their
aphides, in a glass case, gave him a facility of again corrobo-
rating these observations, and of convincing himself that
they preserve the aphides with the same diligence, and treat
them with the same care as if they formed a part of their own
family. As the body of these aphides is remarkably soft, what
delicate precautions must these ants employ, when they are
desirous of detaching them from the vegetable to which they
are affixed by their proboscis, so as to be able afterwards to
transport them into their dwelling ! It is always by caress-
ing them with their antennae, that they engage them to with-
draw the instrument which is infixed in the plant, and which
answers the purpose of pumping up its juices. Some neigh-
bouring ants will often attempt to carry them off; but the
proprietors are too well acquainted with the value of these
little animals, and stoutly defend their possession.

'* An ant-hill," says M. Huber, in his agreeable way,
" may be considered more or less rich according to the num-
ber of aphides which it possesses. These are its cattle,
cows, or goats. We should never have guessed that the ants
were a pastoral people."

It might be believed that the aphides had come voluntarily

ON HYMENOPTERA. 475

to establish themselves in the ant-hill; but it seems more
probable that the ants have transported them thither, at
least in a great part.

There are four or five species vihich thus possess aphides,
but in a fewer number, and less constantly than the yellow
ants. Those species now alluded to being more active and
wandering, can climb upon the trees which are loaded with
aphides, and milk them in the manner we have described,
without displacing them. There are even some that con-
struct with earth a tunnel which leads from their domicile to
the tree, in which their nurses, if we may so express our-
selves, dwell. They are there under cover, out of the view
of other ants, and can without any fear bring back the
aphides to their lodging. The red ant, the turf, the brown,
and another species which is nearly microscopic, have always
in autumn, in winter, or in spring, a supply of these insects.
Those which inhabit with the last mentioned species, are of
a size proportioned to its littleness.

Other ants, still more provident and ingenious, build with
earth around the stalks of plants, little houses destined for
the reception of the aphides which they assemble there.
Sometimes these are of a spherical form, smooth and hard
within. Such was one which M. Huber found in the middle
of a, stem of iithi/fjialus. It had, in the lower part, a very
narrow aperture, through which the brown ants, the proprie-
tors of this fold, came in and out, and were always in the
neighbourhood of their own proper habitation. Sometimes
this dwelling of the aphides (as was the case with one which
the same naturalist observed at the foot of a thistle, and the
construction of which he attributes to the red ants,) has the
form of a tunnel, two inches and a half in length, and one and
a half in thickness. Having opened it at the bottom, he
perceived that the ants were living there, with their larvae
and some aphides.

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The brown ants, of which we have just spoken, avail
themselves, sometimes, of the arrangement of the leaves of
the tithymalus, to construct around each branch so many
elongated lodgings. M. Huber having destroyed one of
these buildings, the insects immediately transported the
aphides into their nest, which was situated around the roots
of the plant. But in a few days afterwards, the lodge was
repeopled and repaired.

M. Huber has seen a habitation destined to the same use,
which, at about five feet above the soil, environed a little
branch of poplar, at the end of the trunk. It was composed
of rotten wood, of the vegetable earth of the tree itself, and
formed a blackish and rather short tunnel. The ants arrived
thither from the excavations in the interior of the tree, and
an aperture formed at the origin of the branch allowed them
to introduce themselves into the habitation of the aphides,
without appearing in the light.

The aphides of the common plantain withdraw, when its
stem is dried up, under the radical leaves. Ants will follow
them thither, and shut themselves up along with them, wall-
ing in with humid earth all the vacancies which they find
between the soil and the edge of the leaves. Then by exca-
vating the earth which is underneath, they give themselves
more space to approach the aphides ; and they contrive
subterraneous galleries, which lead from thence to their own
proper habitation.

The ants do not fall into a lethargic state until the tempe-
rature is two degrees above congelation in the thermometer
of Reaumur, and when the winter is not rigorous, the depth
of their nest preserves them from it, and their activity conti-
nues uninterrupted. Without some particular resources they
would be then exposed to perish. The aphides supply their
wants, and what is most remarkable, the latter insects fall into
a lethargic state exactly at the same degree of cold that the

ON HYMENOPTERA. 477

ants do, and also recover from their lethargy at the same
time. The ants which do not possess the instinct of appro-
priating these animals, are at least acquainted with the places
in which they are concealed, and bring back to their com-
panions what little honey they have been able to gather from
them. The evaporation of this fluid at such times is very
slow, and almost insensible. A bed of earth, and their close
aggregation, which perhaps augments the interior heat of
their domicile, preserve them against the cold, if its incle-
mency should increase.

The preservation of aphides is an object of so much
interest to the ants, that even the eggs of these insects are
objects of their solicitude. This is what M. Huber has
observed in relation to the yellow ants. They assemble and
preserve these eggs with the greatest solicitude. They lick
them continually, invest them with a gluten which cements
them together, and in a word, perform all the conditions which
are necessary to their preservation and fecundity. In con-
sequence of all this, these eggs disclose the young in the
habitation of the ants, just exactly as if they had been
abandoned to the cares of nature. M. Huber observes, after
Bonnet, that the aphis, in the egg form, in consequence of
the want of nutritive aliment, not being capable of growing
like other germs similarly enclosed, we cannot strictly pro-
nounce these insects to be oviparous, at least in the same
sense as we do the others.

Most of these very curious facts which we have now de-
tailed, have been verified by M. Biot, a gentleman who
stands in the very foremost rank of the philosophers of Eu-
rope, and who has devoted a large portion of his leisure to
the study of the insect world.

To complete the history of indigenous ants, it remains for
us to speak of those which form mixed societies. By this
we mean societies where there are to be found workers of

478 SUPPLEMENT

one or two other species, beside the original founders. These
last individuals have been taken away by force from their
own societies, in their early age, by the workers of these
mixed hordes, and when arrived to the perfect state, become
the auxiharies of the others, or are even exclusively charged
with the labours of the ant-hill, and the education both of
the family of their ravishers, and of the young of their own
species, which have undergone the same fate. All the neuter
warrior ants have neither the same form, nor the same func-
tions. Some, which have been distinguished by M. Huber
under the name of Amazons, have long, narrow, and arched
mandibles, without denticulations, and formed like fangs, and
which, in consequence of this conformation, are very little
adapted for the transportation and arrangement of the ma-
terials of their habitation. They are more properly weapons
than tools for mechanical operations; accordingly, these ants
are purely warriors. Their trade is war, and the construction
of the nests which they inhabit, and the education of their
little ones, are exclusively confided to the strange workers
which they have carried off: the latter even feed them. The
other workers of the mixed ant-hills do not give themselves up
to rapine of this kind, except under certain circumstances, and
when pressed by extreme necessity. Having received from
nature organs entirely analogous to those of ordinary ants,
having all their habits, and occupying themselves, like them, in
all the labours which are necessary to the support and well-
being of their society, they confine themselves to taking some
assistants, who partake their cares, and defend their young
family at those times when they are themselves absent from
their family. The amazon ants, when the heat of a serene
day begins to decline, and regularly at the same hour, at least
during many consecutive days, quit their nests, advance in a
serried column, more or less considerable, in proportion to
the extent of their population, and proceed thus, in battle

ON HYMENOPTERA. 479

array, towards the ant-hill which they intend to spoliate, and
the local situation of which has most probably been indicated
to them by some one of their companions, who has made the
discovery of it. They penetrate thither in spite of the prompt
opposition and obstinate defence of the proprietors, seize with
their teeth the larvae and nymphs of the neuter ants of these
societies, and transport them, still observing the same order,
to their habitation. It is on the species called ash-coloured
and mining that they exercise rapine of this kind, always,
however, taking care to make choice of those of the species
already established in their domicile. Their societies present
in alternation one or the other sort of these expatriated
workers, and which are compared by M. Huber either to
helots, slaves, or negroes : the males or females of such
species are never found there. He has observed that they
receive the amazons with pleasure, when the latter bring home
the trophies of their victories, and when the reverse is the
case they testify their disappointment. Having shut up thirty
amazon ants with the larvae and nymphs of their own species,
and twenty of the ash-coloured larvee in a glass hive ; having
again put a little honey into a corner of their prison, but
without associating any auxiliary ants with them, most part of
them died of hunger in less than two days. The others were
languishing and weak ; but having given them one of their
companions of the ash-coloured species, the latter, although
alone, re-established order, formed a lodging in the earth,
assembled the larvae there, unswaddled many nymphs, and
preserved the hfe of the amazons which were still existing.
It then appears that the fate of these latter insects is alto-
gether dependent on the presence of the ash- coloured workers
in their nests. In educating their posterity the latter pay
equal attention to the larvae and nymphs of the members of
their own species, and thus strengthen the establishment of
their conquerors : but more of this anon.

480 SUPPLEMENT

The sanguine ants present us a second example of the
mixed societies, but different from the last, inasmuch as all
the workers have forms essentially similar, and concur in the
same labours.

They have great relations with the wood ants {F. rufa),
both in the form and colour of their bodies, and in their mode
of building. Their ant-hills, composed of earth, mixed with
pieces of leaves, blades of grass, moss, and small stones, the
union of all which constitutes a very solid mortar, are usually
along hedges with a southern aspect. These appear to be
very common in the cantons of Switzerland, which were the
theatre of M. Ruber's observations. The sanguine ants
often proceed in pursuit of another small species of their own
family, of which they make their prey, and they are never
assembled but in small bands. They lie in ambush, according
to the report of this naturalist, near an ant-hill, and dart sud-
denly upon the individuals which are sallying forth : such
other insects as they meet upon their route also become their
prey. Nevertheless, they also go in search of aphides : but
this is rather the province of the auxiliaries. The latter open
the gates in the morning, for all the external passages of the
ant-hill are closed every evening. The sanguine ants more-
over provide themselves with ash-coloured workers, by mili-
tary expeditions similar to those of the amazons. M. Huber
thus describes their hostile operations.

" On the fifteenth of July, at ten in the morning, the san-
guine ant-hill dispatched forward a handful of warriors. This
little troop marched in haste as far as the entrance of a nest of
ash-coloured ants, situated at about twenty paces from the
mixed ant-hill : it disperses itself around the nest. The in-
habitants perceive the strangers, rush out in a crowd to attack
them, and take several of them prisoners ; but the sanguine
ants advance no further, they appear to be waiting for assist-
ance. Every moment I behold arrive little bands of these

ON HYMENOPTERA. 481

insects, which issue frorft the sanguine ant-hill, and come to
reinforce the first brigade. They then advance a little fur-
ther, and seem more disposed to risk an engagement. But
the more they approach the besieged, the more eager they
appear in sending back couriers to their own nest. These
arrive in haste, spread an alarm throughout the insect ant-
hill, and instantly a fresh swarm sets Out to join the army.
Even still the sanguine ants do not press forward much to
seek the combat : they alarm the ash-coloured only by their
presence. The latter occupy a space of two feet square in
the front of their habitation, the great majority of the nation
having issued forth to meet the enemy. All around the camp
we begin to see frequent skirmishes, and it is always the
besieged that attack the besiegers. The numbers of the ash-
coloured being very considerable bespeak, a vigorous resist-
ance ; but they are distrustful of their strength, think before-
hand of the safety of their little ones, and present us, in this
respect, with one of the most singular traits of prudence, of
which the history of insects can furnish an example.

Long before success can possibly become doubtful, they
bring out their nymphs from their subterraneous recesses,
and heap them together in a part of the nest opposite to
that side on which the sanguine ants are making their attack,
so that they may be able to carry them off more easily, if
adverse fortune should oblige them to retreat. The young
females take to flight on the same side. The danger now
approaches ; the sanguine ants finding themselves in sufficient
number, rush into the midst of their opponents, attack them
in all points, and get even as far as the dome of their city.
The ash-coloured, after a sharp resistance, renounce all idea
of defence, take up the nymphs which they had assembled
outside of the ant-hill, and carry them off to a distance.
They are pursued by the sanguine ants, who endeavour to rob

VOL. XV. 2 I

482 SUPPLEMENT

them of their treasure. The whole body of the ash-coloured
is in flight, nevertheless, some are seen to throw themselves
with the utmost devotion into the midst of their enemies, and
returning to the nest, penetrate into its caverns, from which
they withdraw some larvae, and carry them off in haste. The
sanguine ants, however, proceed into its interior, possess
themselves of all the avenues, and appear to establish them-
selves in the devastated city. Small troops then arrive from
the mixed ant-hill, and they begin to carry off what remains
of the larvae and nymphs. A continuous chain is established
from one dwelling to the other, and the day passes in this
manner. Night arrives before they have transported the
entire booty. A good number of the sanguine ants remain
in the city which has been taken by assault, and on the fol-
lowing morning, at dawn of day, they recommence the trans-
ference of their prey. When they have taken off all the
nymphs, they carry one another into the mixed ant-hill, until
but a very small number remains outside. But there may be
perceived some couples going in an opposite direction. Their
number increases. A new resolution has doubtless been
adopted among these truly warlike insects. A numerous enlist-
ment is set on foot in the mixed ant-hill, in favour of the pil-
laged city, and the latter becomes the abode of the sanguine
ants. All is transported thither with promptitude ; nymphs,
larvae, males, females, auxiliaries, and soldiers, all that the
mixed ant-hill contained, is deposited in the conquered habi-
tation, and the sanguine ants renounce for ever their ancient
country. They establish themselves in the settlement of
their ash-coloured congeners, and from there undertake
new invasions."

M. Huber remarks, that the ash-coloured ants, when
attacked by the sanguine, conduct themselves differently from
what they do when their business is with the amazons. The

ox HYMEXOPTERA. 483

impetuosity of the last leaves tliem no time for defence.
The tactics of the besiegers being different, those of the
besieged must also be different.

The invasions of the sanguine ants are much more rare
than those of the amazons. They attack but five or six ant-
hills of the ash-coloured race in the course of a year, and
content themselves w^ith a certain number of domestics.
Besides, as it is necessary that they should assemble in a
single month all the nymphs which they want, and which are
all developed in August, the period of their depredations is
very limited. Very carnivorous, and always occupied with
the chase, the sanguine ants cannot do without these auxilia-
ries, for their little ones would then be without defence. The
mining ants, also carried off from their nests when young,
render them the same service. But it is very remarkable,
that there are some sanguine ant-hills in which these two
species of auxiliaries are to be found. Such is the substance
of M. Ruber's observations on these subjects : a naturalist
from whose authority there can be no appeal, and whose
name does equal honour to his country and to science. M.
Dupont de Nemours has also treated of these insects, but
there is more of imagination and wit, than of authentic
fact, in his speculations.

We are far from being in possession, relative to the foreign
ants, of knowledge as extensive and as certain, as that for
which we are indebted to M. Huber, with respect to indige-
nous species. The others are known only by their ravages.
It is for enlightened men, resident on the spot, armed with
courage and with patience, enthusiastic and persevering in
their studies, and not for travellers, who stop scarcely a day
in one place, and who adopt popular prejudices and errors,
that the task is reserved of preparing the materials for the
history of these most interesting insects. The ants are, un-
happily, a scourge, even in Europe. They cause considerable

2 I 2

48 1< SUPPLEMENT

ravages in gardens, injure fruits, attack them before their
maturity, and communicate to them a disagreeable odour.
They also damage the roots of many useful plants, by exca-
vating the galleries which lead to their habitation, and trans-
porting thither a considerable quantity of corn. All the
mischief, however, which is done by the European ants, is
nothing in comparison of the devastations of the ants of
America, and the West Indies. They are sometimes so
numerous, according to the report of Mr. Castles, that they
lay waste entire plantations of the sugar-cane.

These insects, according to this observer, appeared for the
first time nearly fifty years ago in Grenada ; it was believed
that they came from Martinique. They soon destroyed the
sugar canes, and all other vegetable productions. Their
multiplication was so prodigious, and their ravages became
so alarming, that the government offered, but without effect,
an immensely large reward, for the discovery of some
means of their destruction. These ants are of a middle size,
elongated form, deep red colour, and remarkable for the
vivacity of their movements. They are particularly dis-
tinguished by the impression which they make upon the
tongue, by their infinite number, and the choice which they
make of particular places in which to construct their nests.
All the other species of ants which are found at Grenada
have a bitter, musky taste ; these, on the contrary, are acid
in the highest degree, and when many of them are crushed
between the hands, they emit a strong sulphureous odour.
Their number is prodigious ; Mr. Castles has seen roads of
several miles in length covered with these insects ; they were
so numerous in some places, that the traces of the horses'
feet were perceptible only for a few moments, that is, until
the ants which were around had taken the place of those
which had been crushed. The common black ants make
their nests around the foundations of houses, or of old walls,

ON HYMENOPTERA. 485

some of them in the trunks of hollow trees ; one large species
selects the savannahs, and enters the earth through a small
aperture. The sugar-cane ants, of which we are now
speaking, place their nests between the roots of the canes, of
the lemon, and the orange-trees. It is in making their nests
between the roots of plants, that these insects become hurtful.
Castles informs us that there was much difficulty in preserv-
ing cold meat from their attacks. The largest dead animals
were carried off by them, as soon as they began to be in a
state of putrefaction. The negroes who had sores and
ulcers, found the greatest difficulty in defending themselves
against the approaches of these ants ; they had entirely
destroyed all the insects, and even the rats, from the sugar
plantations. It was with the greatest difficulty that fowls
could be reared ; the bodies of these birds, when they were
dying, or dead, were in an instant covered with these insects.
Two methods were employed of destroying them, poison and
fire ; — arsenic and corrosive sublimate, mixed with animal
substances, such as salt fish, crabs, &c., were immediately
carried off by them. In this manner, thousands of them
were destroyed ; it was even remarked, that such of these
insects as had touched the corrosive sublimate, fell into a
frenzy, previously to their death, and killed the others. The
contact of their bodies was also sufficient to cause the
destruction of many. But these poisons could not be spread
in sufficient abundance to cause a very sensible diminution of
these insects. The employment of fire appeared at first to
be more efficacious ; it was observed that wood burned into
charcoal, but which emitted no flame, when placed upon their
path, attracted them immediately, and that, precipitating
themselves upon it by thousands, they speedily extinguished
it. Mr. Castles tried this experiment himself; — he put
some burning coals into a place where there was at first but
a small number of ants : in a moment, he beheld thousands

13

486 SUPPLEMEXT.

arrive, and cast themselves upon the fire ; and they continued
to come, until the fire was totally extinguished by the dead
insects, which entirely covered the coals. In consequence of
this, hollows were formed in the earth at certain distances
from each other, in which fires were made; the ants immedi-
ately threw themselves upon them, and when any of the fires
was extinguished, the mass of insects which had perished in this
manner was so great, that it formed a hillock elevated above
the level of the soil. Though a prodigious number of these
insects were thus destroyed, yet, after all, there did not
appear any very sensible diminution of them. This scourge,
which had resisted all the efforts of the planters, finally dis-
appeared, and was replaced by another, the hurricane of 1780,
Without this accident, which destroyed the ants, the people
M'ould have been obliged to abandon, at least for some
years, the cultivation of the sugar-cane in the best parts of
Grenada. These happy effects, as Mr. Castles tells us,
were produced by the rain, which disturbed the nests. It
appears that these insects cannot multiply, except under
ground, or under the roots which shelter them from lesser
rains and disturbances.

We read in the History of the Insects of Surinam, by
Mademoiselle de Merian, that there is a species of ant in
America (Atta Ceplialotes, Fabr.^, which travels in troops.
In the country it bears the name of the visiting ant. On its
appearance, the people open all the cupboards, closets, &c.,
in their houses : the ants enter, and exterminate rats, mice,
Jcakerlacs (a species of blatta peculiar to this country), in '
fine, all hurtful animals, as if they had received an especial
commission for the purpose of delivering mankind from nui-
sances of this nature. Some historians of these insects
pretend, that if any one was so ungrateful as to annoy them,
they would set upon him, and reduce to atoms his shoes and
slippers. The misfortune is, that their visits are not frequent;

ON HYMENOPTERA. 487

they are sometimes three years without making their appear-
ance in the habitations.

They do not always make so good an use of the large jaws
with which they are armed: they often despoil, in a single
night, the trees of their leaves, to such a degree, that in the
morning they might more readily be taken for brooms than
trees. Some of these insects cut the leaves, while others re-
ceive them on the ground and carry them into the nest.

These ants occasionally excavate a sort of cellars in the
earth, which are sometimes eight feet deep, and they fashion
them precisely as men might do. When they are desirous of
passing from one branch to another, they form a sort of
bridge, in the following manner : the first places itself on
the nearer branch, and then attaches itself to a piece of
wood, which it holds closely between its teeth; a second
attaches itself behind the first, and so on. In this manner
they suffer themselves to be carried by the wind, until the
last of the string finds itself on the other side. Immediately
a thousand ants pass over these which serve them as a
bridge. Such is the account of Mademoiselle de Merian ;
but it is by no means confirmed by Capt. Stedman, who on
the contrary, declares, that in traversing the places frequented
by these insects, he could never gain any knowledge or in-
formation of its truth or falsehood. We shall here cite two
curious passages from this last-mentioned writer, concerning
the exotic ants.

" During the day we were continually assailed by entire
armies of little ants, termed in this country ^re ants, in con-
sequence of the burning pain produced by their bite. These
insects are black, and remarkably small ; but they are accu-
mulated in such vast numbers, that, from their thickness,
their hillocks in some measure obstruct the way ; and if un-
luckily, you should chance to stumble over one of them,
your legs and feet are immediately covered by these animals,

488 SUPPLEMENT

which seize the skin so sharply with their pincers, that they
will suffer the head to be separated from the body, sooner
than let go. The kind of smart which they occasion, does
not, in my opinion, proceed solely from the very acerated
form of their pincers. I think that it may also be produced
by some poison which they cause to flow into the wound, or
which is drawn in by the latter. I can assure the reader
that I have seen them cause such a starting among an entire
company of soldiers, that you might have said that they had
been just scalded by some boiling water.

"After having passed the Cormoetibo Crique, we went
south-west by south as far as the Cottica, on the banks of
which we embarked. We saw nothing remarkable the first
day of our march, except a great number of ants of an inch
at least in length, and perfectly black. The insects of this
species despoil a tree of its leaves in a very little time : they
cut them into small pieces about the size of a sixpence, to
carry them under the earth. It was very pleasant to see
this army of ants, each with its piece of green leaf, perpe-
tully following the same route. We are so much prone to
believe in the marvellous, that some persons have pretended
that this devastation was made for the benefit of a blind
serpent. The truth is, that these leaves serve as food to the
young of the ants, which have not strength to procure it for
themselves, and which sometimes are lodged in the ground
at the depth of more than six feet."

In this last conclusion. Captain Stedman is quite mistaken.
From the conformation of the mouth of the larvae, it is im-
possible that they could eat these leaves. The ants carry
them off to employ them in the construction of their nests.

The ants have many formidable enemies : among the
quadrupeds are the ant-eaters, the tatOu, the pangolin ; na«
tives of both Indies. Among us, many birds, and some in-
sects, as the ant-lion. The wood-pecker especially feeds on

ON HYMENOPTERA. 489

ants. It introduces its long tongue into their nest, and does
not withdraw it till it is completely covered with these insects,
which are then swallowed. Other birds also destroy a great
quantity of ants : they carry off the nymphs and larv£e, to
present to their young. But the most terrible of all their
enemies is man ; he overturns and destroys their habitations,
to obtain their larvae as food for the birds which he is rear-
ing, — more especially for pheasants and partridges. These
insects also furnish him with an acid : this is shed so sensibly
by the formica riifa, (wood ant) when an ant-hill is stirred,
that it can occasion an inflammation. If a living frog be
fixed upon an ant-hill which is deranged, the animal will die
in less than five minutes, even without having been bitten by
the ants. Many experiments have proved that this acid could
occasion very serious accidents. This acid, which the che-
mists have named formic, will answer all the same purposes
as the acetous acid. It is obtained in two modes; 1st. by
distillation : the insects are introduced into a glass retort,
distilled by a gentle heat, and the acid is found in the re-
cipient. 2dly. By the process called lixiviation : the ants
are washed in cold water, spread out upon a linen cloth,
and boiling water poured over them, which becomes charged
with the acid part.

Fourcroy has published an article on the chemical nature
of the ants, in which he tells us that these insects are formed
of a great quantity of carbon, united to a small quantity of
hydi'ogen, and doubtless also to a little oxygen. This com-
position is mixed with phosphate of lime, which constitutes
the solid part of the body of these animals. It also appears
that the formic acid is composed of the acetous and the
malic acid in a state of very considerable concentration.

Many modes of destroying these insects have been de-
vised. The most common, and which is known to gardeners.

490 SUPPLEMENT

is to put water and honey in a bottle, which is suspended to
the trees, which are attacked by the ants. The odour of the
honey attracts them, and entering the bottle they are drowned.
This mixture must be boiled, that the honey may be the
better dissolved, and the water prevented from floating
above it, and that the odour of the honey may spread with
more force, and attract a greater number of ants. The bot-
tles should never be more than half full. There have been
many other methods pointed out, which it would be but a
waste of space to dilate on here, as the best method, after all,
appears to be diligent cultivation. In lands that are properly
attended to, ant-hills are seldom found.

The remarks which we have now made upon the ants in
general, apply more or less to all the sub-divisions of this
family, on which our limits will not permit us minutely to
dwell. But that to which we have already slightly alluded,
namely, the amazons, polyergus of the text, is worthy, from
its peculiar interest, to detain our attention a little longer.

M. Huber has made us acquainted with facts respecting
these insects, of so marvellous a nature, that we might at
first be tempted to take them for mere reveries of imagina-
tion. But independently of this gentleman's being utterly
incapable of deceiving others, or of suffering himself to be
deceived by fallacious appearances, there were many other
men of science, among the rest M. Jurine, who were wit-
nesses of his discoveries. M. Latreille, in the neighbour-
hood of Paris, has had frequent occasions of verifying the
observations of M. Huber ; and that no doubt might re-
main, he invited many naturalists to accompany him in his
researches, among these were MM. Bosc, Monges, and
Olivier. To all these authorities, we shall add one which,
singly, is sufficient to dissipate every shade of doubt, — we
mean that of our distinguished countryman Mr. Kirby, who

ON HYMENOPTERA 491

in company with M. Latreille, was a witness of one of the
military campaigns of the amazons, or, as he terms them,
rufescent ants.

M. Huber thus relates the first discoveries he made res-
pecting these animals.

" On the 17th of June, 1804, walking in the environs of
Geneva, between four and five o'clock in the afternoon, I
saw at my feet a legion of tolerably large ants, red or
reddish, which were traversing the road. They were march-
ing in a body with rapidity ; their troop occupied a space of
from eight to ten feet in length, and about three or four
inches in breadth. In a few minutes, they had entirely
evacuated the road : they penetrated through a very thick
hedge, and repaired into a meadow, whither I followed them.
They took a serpentine direction over the turf, without losing
themselves, and their column always remained unbroken, in
spite of the obstacles which it had to surmount.

" Soon they arrived near a nest of ash-coloured ants, the
dome of which was raised in the grass, at about twenty paces
from the hedge. Some ants of this species were at the door
of their habitation. As soon as they discovered the army
which was approaching, they darted forth on those which
were at the head of the cohort. The alarm was spread at
the same instant in the interior of the nest, and their com-
panions sallied forth in crowds, from all their subterraneous
caverns. The rufescent ants, the bulk of whose army was
but two paces distant, hastened to arrive at the foot of the
ant-hill. The entire troop precipitated itself thither at once,
and overturned the ash-coloured ants, which after a very
short, but very sharp combat, retired to the bottom of their
habitation. The rufescent ants clambered up the sides of
the hillock, collected on its summit, and introduced them-
selves in great numbers into the avenues. Other groups
of these insects were working with their teeth, to procure

492 SUPPLEMENT

themselves an opening in the lateral part of the ant-hill.
This enterprize succeeded, and the rest of the army pene-
trated through the breach into the besieged citadel. They
made no long stop there ; three or four minutes afterwards,
the rufescent ants re-issued through the same passages, each
holding in his mouth a larva or a nymph, belonging to the
invaded ant-hill. They resumed precisely the route by which
they had come, and proceeded, without order, one after the
other. Their troop was easily distinguished on the turf, by
the peculiar aspect of this multitude of cocoons and white
nymphs, carried by so many red ants. These last a second
time traversed the hedge and the road in the same place
where they had passed at first, and finally directed their
course into grass fields in full maturity, whither I regretted
that I had not the power of following them.

" I returned towards the ant-hill which had suffered this
assault, and there I found a small number of the ash-coloured
workers, perched on blades of grass, holding in their mouth
some larvae which they had saved from pillage. They were not
long before they brought them back into their habitation."

Having on the following day returned to the same place,
and at the same hour, M. Huber was eye-witness to a new
expedition. But the rufescent, or amazon ants, which had
not been so fortunate as the rest, or which had brought back
no booty, formed a particular column, which, while the other
division was triumphantly regaining its domicile, directed
itself against a second ant-hill, where it was amply compen-
sated for the inutility of its first attempt. This time our
observer had the pleasure of following the entire march of
the army to the place of its encampment. But he was not a
little astonished to find, at the surface of the habitation, and
within the exterior layer which he raised up, a multitude of
ash-coloured ants ; to see them receiving the conquerors with-
out the least opposition, approaching them, flattering them,

ON HYMENOPTERA. 493

as it were, by touching them with their antennae, giving them
food, and relieving some of these amazon ants of their burthen,
by seizing the larvae which they were carrying, and descending
with them into the interior of the nest, where the others
having arrived, were also depositing those with which they
had been charged. The amazon ants came out no more for
the entire day. The ash-coloured remained outside for some
time, but they re-entered the nest before night.

One of these ant-hills having been opened, the last-men-
tioned individuals immediately busied themselves in re-esta-
blishing it, after having taken the precaution to transport into
the subterraneous parts the larvae and nymphs which had been
thus uncovered. But the amazons took no part in those
labours, and after having wandered some time on the surface
of the nest, retired for the most part into the interior of the
habitation. These annoyances, however, did not hinder them
from trying on the same day a new enterprize. " But," says
M. Huber, " at five o'clock in the afternoon the scene
changed ; all on a sudden I saw them issue from their retreat.
They were agitated, and they advanced to the external part
of the ant-hill : some of them wandered from it, but in a
curved line, so that they speedily returned to the edge of
their nest. Their numbers increased every moment : they
traversed larger circles ; one gesticulation was repeated con-
tinually among them. All these ants went from one to ano-
ther, touching with their antennae and forehead the corslet of
their companions. The latter in their turn approached those
which they observed coming, and communicated to them the
same signal : it was that of departure. It produced no equi-
vocal effect. Those that received it were observed imme-
diately to put themselves in motion and join the troop. The
column was soon organized ; it advanced in a right line, and
directed itself into the turf: all the army proceeded on, and

494 SUPPLEMENT

traversed the meadow. No amazon ant was seen to remain
near the ant-hills. The head of the legion seemed sometimes^
to wait until it was rejoined by the rear-guard : it then spread
itself right and left without advancing. The army assembled
afresh into a single body, and set forwards again with rapidity.
No particular chief was to be remarked : all the ants were
first by turns : they seemed to seek to outstrip each other.
Nevertheless some amongst them I observed to go in an oppo-
site direction : they came down from front to rear, then
retraced their steps, and followed the general movement.
There was always a small number returning back, and it was
probably by this means that they directed their course.
Having proceeded to about thirty feet from their habitation,
they stopped, dispersed, and felt the ground with their an-
tennae, just as dogs scent out the traces of game. They
soon discovered a subterraneous abode of ants. The ash-
coloured ants had retired to the bottom of their habitation.
The legionaries finding no opposition, penetrated into an open
gallery. All the army entered the nest in succession, took
possession of the nymphs, and re-ascended through several
apertures. I saw them immediately resume the road back to
the mixed ant-hill. They no longer constituted an army dis-
posed in column, but an undisciplined horde. They issued
forth in file from the scene of their pillage with rapidity. The
last which came out from the besieged ant-hill were pursued
by some of its inhabitants, who attempted to deprive them of
their prey: but they very seldom succeeded.

On their return to their domicile the amazon ants deposited
their burthens at its entrance, and resumed their way to the
habitation which they had robbed. Their ash- coloured aux-
iliaries hurried out to raise up, one after another, the nymphs
which were heaped together, and to transport them into the
subterraneous apartments. They often even unburthened

ON IlYMCNOrTERA. 495

the amazons, after having saluted them in a friendly manner
with their antennae, and the latter delivered up to them, with-
out difficulty, the nymphs which they had carried off.

During this interval the inhabitants of the invaded ant-hill
had time to recover themselves, and to place guards at every
portal. Intimidated by these means of defence, those of the
amazon ants which had taken the front for a new attack, fall
back several times, and wait until the majority of the troop be
arrived. All the army then casts itself in mass on the habi-
tation, penetrate thither after having put the proprietors to
the route, carry off their nurselings in haste, but without
taking any adult prisoners. When returned to their domicile
the amazon ants again experience from the ash-coloured ants
that live along with them the best reception, and on their side
they confide to their faithful auxiliaries the fruits of their
conquest. M. Huber has seen them return a third time to
pillage. But they then experienced more resistance, and
were forced to undertake a formal siege. Instructed by so
many reverses, the ash-coloured ants had taken new precau-
tions to defend their dwelling. They had taken care to bar-
ricade their gates and strengthen the interior guard ; but these
measures did not more than retard their defeat. Their
enemies, after some moments of hesitation, gave the signal,
poured in upon the habitation with extraordinary impetuosity,
separated with their teeth and feet all that could bar their
passage, and penetrating by hundreds into the ant-hill, soon
issued forth again with new trophies of their victory. But
this time they did not deposit their spoils with their associ-
ates ; the amazons themselves entered the subterraneous
apartments, and appeared no more for the rest of the day.

According to the account which M. Huber has made of
another expedition of these ants, which took place the twenty-
third of the same month, at a quarter to five o'clock in the
evening, and also according to the observations of M. La-

496 SUPPLEMENT

treille, their project was indicated by some precursory signs.
Within about an hour before their departure, some indivi-
duals quit their retreat, to parade about the neighbour-
hood, and very soon re-enter ; others, but few in number,
come to respire at the entrance of the galleries. Many of
those which first go forth return, after having advanced a
little, to their domicile, approach, by turns, all the ants
which are found above it, and determine this rear-guard to
join the body of the army. The troop sometimes halts, and
the warrior ants then extend themselves in all directions, in
search of booty. If their search is not fortunate, they con-
tinue their march, and M. Huber has seen them remove
from their domicile to the distance of fifty paces. M. Latreille,
from his own personal observations, informs us, that in cases
of urgency, they will go double that distance. The ash-
coloured and mining ants being the only ones they press into
their service, the amazons will not stop if they meet with ant-
hills of another species. It is M. Latreille's opinion, that
they do not commit themselves wholly to chance in campaigns
of this kind : he has frequently observed them go in a right
line, and in spite of many obstacles which they had to sur-
mount, towards the ant-hill which they were about to attack.
It is doubtful whether they send forward scouts to take cog-
nizance of the territory, or whether their sense of smell is
their only guide ; at all events, it is quite certain, from the
observations both of M, Huber and M. Latreille, that some
of these ants are to be met with, a little time before the
departure of the troop, wandering here and there, at a greater
or less distance from their residence, seeming to look out for
chances, or to proceed to discoveries, and that the expedition
takes place immediately on their return. Arrived under the
walls of the place, the column stops, and is concentrated, that
it may rush forth simultaneously, and with greater force.
Although it does not preserve, on its return, the same dis-

ON HYMENOPTERA. 497

cipline, and the same regularity of march, as in going; and
though it then hurries on, yet still it preserves, according to
M. Latreille, some sort of order in file, or in approximating
groups. Their most distant expeditions generally last an
hour, or a little more. M. Huber has sometimes seen their
column go in one direction, return immediately to the nest,
and set out again from an opposite side. It also occurs,
though rarely, that it is divided into two bodies, which go in
different directions. That which is inferior in number, per-
ceiving the inequality of their forces, will return back, and
join the other. If the two troops are pretty nearly equal in
number, they will go separately to plunder, and each return
loaded with booty : they succeed more by the impetuosity of
their attack, and the terror which they inspire in the ash-
coloured ants, than by their actual degree of strength. M.
Huber has seen an army, composed, at the most, of but a
hundred and fifty of these amazons, attack an ant-hill, take it
by storm, and carry off the plunder. According to him, the
signal of departure is various ; sometimes it is with the man-
dibles, sometimes with the forehead that they strike each
other, and sometimes it is merely the play of the antennae.
What is especially remarkable in their order, is, that none
of the ants, which compose the troop, run constantly in
the same direction. In proportion as they arrive at the
head of the column, they make a little circuit, and re-enter
the body of the army ; then, as we have already mentioned,
they return to the rear-guard, to give directions to those
that they find behind. The front of the army is always
composed of from eight to ten ants, that appear to endeavour
to outvie each other in the advance ; but as soon as they have
passed their companions they return into the crowd. Thus
their van-guard is continually renewed.

M. Huber has never seen any female in the ranks of the
amazons ; and the neuters only, as in other species of this

VOL. XV. 2 K

498 SUPPLEMENT

family, are exposed to the hazards of war. These insects do
not go on feeling their way, but run in the suite of their com-
panions in arms, without any apparent fear of losing their way.
If one of them should wander, which, however, very rarely
happens, it is brought back to its habitation by one of the
ash-coloured ants, which has perceived its embarrassment.
M. Huber says, that he never perceived but once an army of
these legionaries to be deceived respecting their route. After
having put itself in movement, according to custom, instead
of following a right line, it described a curve. It went on
more than fifty paces, stopping several times ; and after having
spread itself on all sides, without finding any ant-hill, it re-
assembled and returned by the same road to its domicile,
without having reaped any fruit from its expedition. The
amazons, upon this occasion, were very ill received by their
auxiliaries. The latter assailed them individually, worried them
in all ways, dragged them out of the nest, and forced them to
defend themselves. But these hostilities soon ceased, and peace
was re-established. The ash-coloured ants, says M. Huber,
wei'e surprised to see them return without the cocoons which
they usually brought, and which, as he somewhat fancifully im-
plies, might be a sort of passport for them with their auxiliaries.
The amazons are not carnivorous. M. Huber has often
thrown amongst them caterpillars, worms, and cooked meat,
without their ever touching any of them; but the ash-coloured
ants immediately took possession of these viands. He also
presented them with honey and fruits, but equally to no pur-
pose. When they are hungry, they approach their auxiliary
ants, and the latter disgorge into their mouth the juices which
they have derived from their intercourse with the aphides.
This observer never saw them take nourishment in any other
manner. He has often put his hands across the army in its
march, and the amazons passed quietly between his fingers,
without being alarmed at his presence, or attempting to bite.
13

ON HYMENOPTERA. 499

M. Latreille, however, informs us that they pinch very
strongly when they are seized ; and the fear of death will not
induce them to let go their hold, for their head, separated
from the trunk, has often, in cases of this kind, remained
attached to his fingers.

In almost every fine day in summer, the spectacle of those
warlike expeditions which we have described may be enjoyed
upon the continent, for the amazons are not natives of our
country. The hour at which they take place varies, accord-
ing to the length of the day and its temperature. Thus, in
the climate of Paris, and for the first fortnight in August,
the amazons do not enter on their campaign until about four
o'clock in the afternoon. M. Latreille has seen them set out
half an hour sooner, but then the season was moi'e advanced.
As we mentioned above, M. Huber has seen them undertake
those expeditions in the day, but it was during the summer
solstice, and the ant-hills which they invaded were, in all
probability, not very remote from their own habitation. It
may be well supposed that when the days are less long, and
the heat is abated, that they have no longer the same facili-
ties for their operations. M. Latreille has never observed
them make, towards the end of summer, more than one expe-
dition of this kind in the day. They are never seen, accord-
ing to M. Huber, to issue from their retreat, unless the tem-
perature of the atmosphere be above sixteen degrees of
Reaumur in the shade. The general rendezvous is usually
about five in the afternoon. They sometimes, however, says
M. Huber, set out sooner, but never before two o'clock, or
later than five. They return about six, or half-past, and
never go out unless the weather be fine.

The amazons sometimes procure, and by the same means
of violence, another kind of auxiliaries, namely the neuter
mining ants. But this is only in case of the want of the ash-
coloured species, for only one or the other of these species

2k2

500 SUPPLEMENT

is ever to be seen in their cells. The mining ants are a little
larger than the ash-coloured, and although approximating to
them in the mode in which they construct their habitations,
differ, nevertheless, in their manners. They are lively, car-
nivorous, and extremely courageous, while the others are
timid and pacific. Accordingly the mining ants, when attacked
by the amazons, defend their property obstinately, and do not
fear to measure weapons with their aggressors. They attack
them with fury, fight body to body, dispute the ground to the
very last extremity, and frequently snatch from them the
nymphs and larvag which they are carrying away. Notwith-
standing, however, all this resistance, the amazons come off
finally triumphant. Knowing also that they have to do with
courageous enemies, that will continue to harass them to a
considerable distance, they resuir.e their route in good order,
with close ranks, and forming but a single legion, in fact, in
an arrangement perfectly similar to that of their first march.

During the contest, some hundreds of the mining ants have
the prudence to remove from their nests, carrying the larvae,
the nymphs, and young females with theip, which they are
desirous of saving from pillage. The most part of those which
are thus loaded, climb on the surrounding plants. Others
are assembled under thick bushes. When the danger is
passed, all are transported into the city, the gates of which are
barricaded, and a great number of sentinels placed over them.

The amazons re-enter their dwelling peaceably, and are
received as its mistressesby the auxiliaries. But often the
hope of a new conquest engages them in another enterprize.
" I see them," says M. Huber, in his animated style, " set
forward again in close column; they direct their course towards
one of the most considerable of the mining ant-hills, in suffi-
cient force to be able to grapple with the proprietors. They
precipitate themselves in a crowd into one of the galleries
which they find carelessly guarded. But their number not

ON HYMENOPTERA. 501

permitting them to enter all at once, the mining ants which
were upon the top of the ant-hill precipitate themselves on
the strangers. While they combat in a state of desperation,
their fellow-citizens, in innumerable crowds, having probably
abandoned the hope of being able to defend their habitation
and their young, issue forth from the nest, carrying with them
the nymphs and larvae of the youngest ants. They are seen
flying on all sides, and their multitudes cover the entire
surface of the soil, for a distance of several fathoms from the
ant-hill. Every moment the fight grows hotter. Here, the
amazons are attempting to seize the nymphs which the others
are carrying away ; there, the besieged are despoiling the
victors of the fruits of their rapine. All is in confusion : the
legionaries and the mining ants attack each other with impe-
tuosity, and often in their fury are deceived in their object,
and fall upon their companions, which, however, they imme-
diately let go. All this takes place at the rear-guard of the
legionaries. In the mean time, a great part of their army
issues forth from the subterraneous recesses, loaded with
booty, and return in a square battalion to their native city,
always assailed by the mining ants, that follow them to a con-
siderable distance from their habitation. It is only by their
address, the rapidity of their movements, and the use of their
sting, that the amazons are enabled to disengage themselves
from the pursuit. I have often observed, during these com-
bats, some females of the mining ants in flight, and carrying
the nymphs in their mouths ; but they do not meddle with the
defence of the nest. These affairs did not last for any length
of time. In less than a quarter of an hour, the amazons
resumed the road to their domicile, and, in spite of the cou-
rage and obstinacy of both parties, but a small number of
ants were destroyed."

M. Huber is erroneous in supposing that the amazon ants
have a sting. M. Latreille discovered, on examination, that
these insects are possessed of no such organ.

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We have hitherto considered the amazon ants only in their
external relations, or military manoeuvres. It remains for us
to speak of their form of government, their internal economy,
and domestic life. To do this, it will be requisite for us to
explain briefly the physical and moral characters of the vari-
ous members of this singular union, which M. Huber has
judiciously named the mixt society of ants, or, to translate
him literally, the mixed ant-hill.

During the greater part of the year, the interior of this
ant-hill is peopled only by the neuter and wingless individuals
of the amazon and ash-coloured ants, or of the mining ants,
though occasionally females are found there. A greater or less
considerable quantity of insects of the same family, but not yet
entirely developed, or even very young, compose the rest of
the population. If the neuter amazons be compared with those
of the ash-coloured or mining ants, there can be no hesitation
in pronouncing the former to be a particular species, perfectly
distinct from either of the others. Some of these specific dif-
ferences are of importance to be acquainted with, because they
serve to explain to us the diversity of habits in these insects.

The head of the amazon is square, almost vertical, with
very small and round eyes. In the auxiliary ants it is trian-
gular, advanced, and with large and oval eyes. The man-
dibles of the amazon are long, narrow, arched, and pointed,
without denticulations, and, in a word, exactly formed
like large hooks. Those of the ash-coloured and mining
species are broad, thick, hollowed like a spoon, and denticu-
lated at their interior edge. The first can only act, like crooks,
or harpoons ; the second have a conformation which renders
them proper for various labours, such as those of the pioneer,
the mason, and the carpenter. The other parts of the mouth
of the amazon ants are extremely small, so that their action on
the solid substances on which they ought to feed, must be
very slow and feeble. It appears that these insects have
need of aliments altogether prepared or masticated. In the

ON HYMENOPTERA. 503

auxiliary ants, these same organs have the ordinary proportions
and distinctions. M. Huber has observed, but rather rarely,
among the amazons, some individuals of the size of the
females, larger than the neuters, but otherwise similar to
them in the forms of the body and other characters. He has
never seen them mix with these latter individuals in their
excursions, and he suspects that they are females, but with
peculiar modifications, so that these individuals form the pas-
sage from the neuters or workers to the ordinary females, or
such as are provided with wings. He does not, however,
know if they are capable of laying eggs, or what are their
peculiar functions.

The societies of some other species of ants present a simi-
lar anomaly, but M. Latreille thinks that those extraordinary
individuals ought not to be the less classed among those
which are designated under the name of neuters. A more
abundant nutriment, and other favourable circumstances, may
have extended their development beyond the ordinary pro-
portions, and this appears more probable, as the neuters of
the myrmice hamata, of Fabricius, a foreign species of the
same family, vary much, not only in this respect, but also in
the relation of the relative length of the mandibles. Thus
the ash-coloured and mining ants, though united in society
with the amazons, are perfectly strangers to their race. It
would appear that they must have been born in the habitation
of the latter, since their number predominates there, and no
observation has tended to prove that they ever came there of
their own accord to settle ; every thing, on the contrary, goes
to show, that the amazons carry away from the ant-hills, which
they are continually invading, nothing but nymphs and larvae.

If, on the other hand, we compare these auxiliaries with
the neuters, which are the proprietors and natural inhabitants
of the plundered ant-hills, we shall soon perceive that their
physiognomy is perfectly similar, and that they must have
had a common origin. We surely are authorised to deduce

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from all these facts, that the larvae and nymphs which have
been kidnapped from their native soil by the amazons, and
transported into their habitation, have undergone their meta-
morphoses there, and are the same auxiliary ants which we
now find there in such numbers. The very striking dissimi-
larities which we observe, on a comparative examination of
these insects in their perfect state, ought also to be again
observed in their nymphs ; for the organization of these
nymphs, though under contracted forms, is essentially the
same as that of the insect in the full enjoyment of all its
faculties, or arrived at its complete developement. Now the
fact is, that all the nymphs found in the nest of the amazon
ants are only of two sorts : the one presents us with the type
of the amazon, but under three sexual modifications ; the
other is the perfect mould of the ash-coloured ant, and all the
individuals of this species of nymph are entirely similar.

If we examine the interior of the formicary, from the end
of July to the middle of August, we shall find winged indi-
viduals in which we cannot possibly mistake the characteristic
traits of the amazon ants. Among these individuals, some,
much smaller, of a shining black, are the males, and cannot
be confounded with those of the ash-coloured ant. The
others, of an orange-yellow, larger than the amazon neuters,
but having great relations with them, are the females : but
at this time, as well as at every other favourable time of the
year, we should vainly seek to find any males or females of
the ash-coloured or mining species. All the individuals of
those two species, developed in the nest of the amazons, are
exclusively of the cast of neuters or workers. The same
parallel might be extended to the larvae of these insects ;
but that would be quite superfluous.

Let us now consider what has been the object of Nature,
in the institution of these mixed formicaries ; and what we
shall say respecting the functions of the ash-coloured aux-
iliaries (or, as Mr. Kirby calls them, the negroes), will be

ON HYMENOPTERA. 505

equally applicable to the mining species. The destiny of
the auxiliary ants is to construct the habitation, to keep it in
order, to augment it, if necessary, by excavating new gal-
leries, to guard and defend its entrance, to bestow all kinds
of attention on the young family of the ant-hill, to procure
provisions for it, to nourish, educate, and protect it, thus
laying the favourable foundation for a new generation ;
finally to provide for the wants and security of their ravishers,
and the preservation of their existence. "The aniazons,"
says M. Huber, " in tranquillity at the bottom of their sub-
terranean abodes, wait for the proper hour of their depar-
ture, reserving all their courage, strength, and skill to seek
in a neighbouring ant-hill for thousands of larvae, which they
confide to their housekeepers, and which are to become in
their turn useful to the community. These insects have no
other object in their excursions but that of carrying off ants,
so to speak, yet in their cradle, from a laborious community,
and to make helots of them, which shall perform their work,
educate their young, and furnish them with provisions. It
is on this account that they never take away any but the
larvae and nymphs of the workers. The males and females
would be of no use to them, besides that Nature would not
thus permit the destruction of the ash-coloured ant-hills,
which would be totally contrary to the interest of their in-
vaders. These warrior ants are acquainted with all , the
habitations of the others in their neighbourhood, they visit
them by turns, they vary their direction every day, and as
we have already said, they sometimes pillage the same nest
several times ; but they never destroy the ant-hills from
which they have removed a portion of the young. Very few
ash-coloured ants perish in these engagements, the object of
which is not to make prisoners, nor to dispute the possession
of the invaded city.

M. Latreille has frequently caught many amazons, when

506 SUPPLEMENT

they were returning to their domicile loadedwith the fruits
of their victories ; he has carefully examined the nymphs
which they were carrying, and been perfectly satisfied that
they were all of the working class.

From the nature of the architecture which the mixed for-
micaries exhibit, where the ash-coloured species is domici-
liated, we can easily discover that the ants of this species are
the sole architects. The general form and internal arrange-
ment of their ant-hills are the same as those of the nests of
this species, when its members are in a simple society, or
one solely composed of their consimilars. In consequence
of the double population, however, the mixed ant-hills are
more extended. The ash-coloured ants especially avail
themselves of the rains, to raise new stories, and construct
saloons and apartments at the edge of the ant-hill. Some-
times in the space of three or four days they have added a
complete suburb to the original enclosure. Their number
being more considerable than that of the workers of a simple
society, they advance their work with very great rapidity,
and without having need of overseers, or of being excited to
labour. Very different from all this, the amazons are afraid
of rain, and continue in an absolute state of inaction. It is
curious to observe the activity of the auxiliaries in trans-
ferring the others from the old quarter into the new. The
emigration of the horde, the urgency of which is decided,
and the execution directed, by the workers, presents a still
more interesting spectacle. Having once chosen a place pro-
per for an establishment, as, for instance, a soil which is
easily mined ; they at first carry one another thither. Some
of those that have first arrived begin to hollow cavities,
while the others return to seek their companions. Without
waiting until the new habitation be finished, they occupy
themselves with the carriage of the amazon ants. A file of
the ash-coloured, loaded with these amazons, and whose

ON HYMENOPTERA. 507

colour contrasts with that of their conductors, extends along
the road which communicates from the new city to the old.
The males and females are brought in succession, and de-
posited before the gate, where other ash-coloured ants take
them up with their mandibles, and conduct them into the
interior of the nest. The transportation of the larvae and
nymphs finally terminates this operation. There are to be
seen constantly around the ant-hill, ash-coloured ants, some
of which go to a distance to seek provisions, and others are
returning loaded with them. Many of the latter have their
stomachs filled with the honey which they have derived from
the aphides ; but the amazons are never seen to go in search
of this, and rarely do they even issue forth from their retreats
in the morning. It will sometimes happen that some of
them wander, or appear not to know their way : tlie ash-
coloured ants soon perceiving this, come to their assistance,
and bring them back into the ant-hill. Some of them may
occasionally be seen, who, appearing to fear that they may
themselves be mistaken, leave the amazon in its embarrass-
ment, return to the habitation to make the issues from it,
and then go back to recover their companion.

It appears very clearly from all that we have stated now,
and from the experiment made by M. Huber, of putting
these ants into a glazed box, which we mentioned in our
general account of this family, that the amazons cannot sub-
sist without the aid of their auxiliaries. However it appears
from another anecdote of their transporting their compa-
nions to a deserted ant-hill, and which we have also men-
tioned before, that they will occasionally exert themselves.
From this circumstance, this naturalist conjectures that the
amazons which live few in number near their mother, not
being at first accustomed to an idle life, do not confine them-
selves to military operations, but also mingle in domestic
labours, and that for a time their society is composed only

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of individuals of their own species. He was unable to fol-
low the expatriated females, that, having lost their wings,
were running here and there, and seeking an asylum. The
primitive formation of these hordes, in consequence of the
want of proper observation, is extremely difficult to con-
ceive. How could they possibly, at this early epoch, pro-
cure auxiliaries, when they are altogether destitute of the
strength and numbers that would enable them to undertake
invasions ? It appears unquestionably that at such a period
they must be obliged to shift for themselves as well as they
can ; and such is the presumption of M. Huber on the sub-
ject. M. Latreille thought that he could observe, that these
societies are sometimes composed of a small number of indi-
viduals, and without any mixture of auxiliaries. But he adds
that this observation was but casual, not confirmed by conse-
quent research, and that it is possible the ash-coloured ants
might have escaped his notice.

" On the 30th of July," says M. Huber, " at half-past ten
in the morning, I saw issue from a mixed ant-hill several small
black males : a great number of ash-coloured workers accom-
panied them. The number of males was continually in-
creasing. Many amazon ants sallied forth also, and paraded
in the midst of them, although it was an unseasonable
hour for them : they approached the males and licked
them, just as the ash-coloured ants do. The latter were
the most numerous. Afterwards came the large females.
They climbed upon the grass, and met with, in their
turn, from the ash-coloured and amazon neuters, the same
reception as the males. At eleven o'clock the latter began to
grow animated ; they climbed along the plants, ran one
against the other, clapped their wings, overthrew each other,
and ended by taking to flight. The females followed their
example, and quitted the mixed ant-hill. I saw more than
fifty females depart, and four times as many males. I waited

ON IIYMENOPTERA. 509

some time at the gates of the city which they had abandoned,
to see if they would return ; but I saw none of them do so."

As for the preservation of these mixed societies, M. Huber
seems to think that it is effected in the same way as that of
the other societies of ants. Some female and fecundated
amazons are reserved to keep up the population. He has seen
very often, and in all seasons, females without wings in ant-
hills of this kind. He opened in the middle of April some
mixed ant-hills, and saw, in the most elevated parts, some
female amazons, having near them their eggs agglomerated
together, and a train of auxiliaries. The larvae of the male
amazons do not begin to spin their cocoons to pass into the
nymph state until the month of June. The larvae of the females
are more tardy. The auxiliaries do not draw the nymphs
from their cocoons but at a little time before their final trans-
formation. This takes place at the end of July, or the com-
mencement of August. The mixed ant-hills exhibit at this
period a great number of nymphs of neuter amazons, but
there are as yet no ash-coloured or mining nymphs. Those
which have been carried off the preceding year have been
developed before autumn, since the last invasions take place
in the month of September.

The amazon neuters do not commence their campaigns,
before the time when they are ready to be metamor-
phosed ; so that they have not above two months and a half to
assemble in their habitation the larvae and nymphs of the
auxiliary ants. They sometimes sally forth individually ; but
then the ash-coloured ants always bring them back, at least at
this period, into the interior of the ant-hill.

If the amazons, as M. Huber informs us, could pil-
lage before the above-mentioned time, they would be
able to take a great number of the young ash-coloured
ants: but in that case they might get hold of the males
and females, which would be contrary to the intention of
Nature. Accordingly, in the opinion of this naturalist, to

510 SUPPLEMENT

prevent the grievous inconveniences which might result from
this error of the amazons, Nature has not permitted them to
commit their robberies until after the metamorphosis of the
males, females, and auxiliary ants. But M. Latreille, with
greater probability, attributes still more wisdom to the regu-
lations of Nature in this respect, by supposing that the exclu-
sive choice made by the amazons of the other auxiliary ants
is the result of a superior instinct, incapable of any mistake.
Besides, the observations both of M. Latreille and of Degeer,
are in contradiction to the assertion of M. Huber, on the
subject of the metamorphosis of the ash-coloured ants, which
he supposes to precede that of the amazons. The first takes
place, according to M. Latreille, from the end of July to that
of the following month. Degeer, on the 19th of July, de-
taching the bark from a carious tree, found underneath a
large family of ash -coloured ants, accompanied with a great
number of larvae, nymphs, and cocoons. Moreover, it is
certain that, at least in the month of September, the nests of
the ash-coloured ants contain young larvae of males and females
of this species ; and how should the amazons, in a hurried
choice, made in the midst of confusion and obscurity, avoid
committing such an error, were they not guided by an infallible
instinct, with which Supreme Wisdom has endowed them ?

For the purpose of having such interesting insects conti-
nually under his inspection, and of better observing the in-
ternal administration of their society, M. Huber obliged them
to establish themselves in a glazed hive, with shutters, and
of a very ingenious construction, the model of which he has
given.

He filled the lower part of the apparatus with fine earth,
slightly moistened, and poured honey upon several parts of
it : some holes made in the upper part served to introduce
the same substance, or water, when it was necessary. M.
Huber then got possession of a great part of one of the most
considerable mixed ant-hills, in which he found many males

ON HYMENOPTERA. 511

and young female amazons, and put it into a sack of thick
cloth, which he had transported into his cabinet. To the
opening of this sack was fitted one of the ends of a wooden
canal, glazed above, and communicating by the other extre-
mity with the hive. By means of this apparatus, placed upon
the turf, full liberty being allowed to the insects of going
backwards and forwards, he corroborated most of the facts
which we have already stated ; such as the indefatigable
activity of the ash-coloured ants, their tender solicitude for
the amazons and their nurselings, the neglect and inertia of
the latter, respecting all domestic duties and their own wants,
their military excursions, and the departure of the winged
individuals. Once, however, he observed one of these ama-
zons occupied in removing the last pellicle from an ash-
coloured nymph, which was ready to make use of its limbs,
and conducting this operation with the same delicacy with
which the other ants perform it. He remarked that the
cocoons of the amazons, less numerous than those of the ash-
coloured species, were one-third longer, and of a brownish
kind of silk. The embarrassment of some of these ants to
disengage themselves from a heap of earth, by which they
had been overwhelmed, presented to his view a scene which
was truly touching. He saw the auxiliary ants, whose suc-
cour they seemed to implore, run to them, search out in every
corner, visit the smallest clods, sweep with perseverance the
debris of their nest, and draw out their companions, both of
one and the other species, which they carried in their mouth,
and then introduced into the hive. They brought back
thither the individuals which had wandered, and sometimes,
not being sufficiently strong to deliver their unlucky com-
panions, proceeded quickly in search of a reinforcement.
" They reminded me," says M. Huber, ingeniously, *' of those
celebrated dogs, which seem associated in the charity of their
masters, for the purpose of getting out those unfortunate

512 SUPPLEMENT

travellers who are caught in the Alpine snnws." He was
always able, by means of his hive, to study the distribution
of their apartments. They were excavated in rather irre-
gular stories : some were larger than others, some loftier,
some more elongated and narrow, and some were observed,
for which the ants rather mine the earth than work it into
mortar. The earth which they had thus drawn from the
interior was heaped above the last roof, but the work was
altogether so massive, that the weight of this matter, thus
heaped, could not cause it to sink in. Here the nymphs and
larvee were accommodated together in large rooms, there
resided the amazon horde, and elsewhere the majority of the
ash-coloured auxiliaries were assembled. The latter, con-
tinually and exclusively occupied with their labours, were
carrying, according to the hour, and the direction of the sun,
the nymphs into different quarters. They divested them of
their envelopes, under the very view of our observer. The
larvae of the two species were assembled, at least at that time,
in different passages, their wants being relative to their age.
The amazons, always fixed in groups to the ceiling of their
subterraneous apartments, never stirred, except to approach
the ash-coloured ants. The latter lavished on them all kinds
of attentions, nourished them, brushed them, and carried or
conducted them from one quarter to another, and that princi-
pally when the temperature was warmer, and re-united them
to their companions. Around a female which had lost its
wings were assembled other ash-coloured ants, whose cares
for her were of the same description. A numerous train
accompanied, outside the ant-hill, some other females and
males, which quickly, however, took to flight, and returned
no more.

M. Huber saw no amazon worker approach the larvae and
nymphs, (except in the instance above cited,) nor touch any
of the provisions of various kinds, with which he presented

ON HYMENOPTERA. 513

tliem, though apparently suited to their taste. He constantly
observed, that the amazons, on their return from their expe-
ditions, confided to the ash-coloured ants the booty which
they had taken. Annoyed, perhaps, by the pertinacious
observations of this naturalist, these latter ants ventured, at
the end of some time, to emigrate. He thought to prevent
them by placing the hive elsewhere ; but they soon found out
a new situation, which determined M. Huber to replace his
artificial formicary in his cabinet. Finding that he had col-
lected all the facts which this mode of observation could
enable him to do, he resolved to make his hive subservient to
an experiment, which he had had a long time in contempla-
tion, namely, of engaging in combat two armies of legionaries.

He carried his hive to the front of a mixed ant-hill, situated
in his garden, the moment he saw a legionary army issue
from it. At the conclusion of a slight combat, which took
place at the door of the hive, the amazons of its interior sallied
forth in a crowd. The hostile column appeared to wish to avoid
the battle, took at first another direction, then returned, and
re-entered the habitation. Several ants from the hive rushed
to the pursuit, many went as far as the ant-hill, but most of
them were kept there, and but two or three succeeded in
escaping, and returned in a great hurry — then all the ama-
zons from the hive sallied forth ; but when the column had
gone on some paces, it went back again. However, a platoon
of about three hundred individuals resumed the road,
proceeded to the ant-hill, and penetrated into it, in spite of
the obstinate resistance of the proprietors. But after having
destroyed nearly half of the legionaries of this habitation,
the assailants ended by giving way themselves. M. Huber
having replaced his hive on the turf, the ash-coloured ants
emigrated as above mentioned.

Such is the political economy and truly extraordinary
system of these mixed societies of ants, called by M. Huber

VOL. XV. 2 L

514 SUPPLEMENT

aniazons and legionaries. The workers of the ash-coloured
and mining species are, in some sort, their negroes or
slaves. Taken from their country at the tenderest age,
their instinct appears to be modified to such a point, that
these insects identify themselves with the family of their
ravishers, which they consider and treat as they would
have done their own. They even unfold new industrious
faculties for the supply of wants which they would not have
known in their native state, namely, to nourish and protect
the amazons, at all their ages. This institution of Nature,
however, cannot be adduced as an argument or sanction for
the existence of slavery among men. The barbarous cupidity
which tears the Lybian from his country and his home, to sub-
ject him to a life of cruel and thankless servitude, can find
neither advocation nor analogy in any of the laws of Nature.
Although transplanted to a foreign soil, our auxiliary ants
experience neither slavery nor oppression; they enjoy liberty
in its fullest sense; live with their companions like sisters, and
find, in a sort of maternal sentiment, the recompense of all
their labours. In a word, their original destination has
undergone no essential change. We shall find in a family
of laborious insects, such as the apiariae, that Nature, in rela-
tion to the nomades melecles, &c. has deviated from her
general plan, by giving parasite habits to the species of these
genera. These apiarise profit by the labours of some other
hymenoptera of the same family. They place their eggs in
the nests of the latter, and their young ones are nourished
and developed there, at the expense of the posterity of the
others. The alimentai'y subtances deposited in these retreats
are preserved until the larvae of these parasite apiariae are
transformed into nymphs.

The food of the larvae of ants is more liquid, more various,
and must be renewed daily. The young ants must be fed by
the mouth. Their situation, in other respects, calls for other

ON HYMENOPTERA. 515

cares, which they cannot receive but from individuals ex-
pressly formed for the purpose, charged with this function,
and assembled in a numerous society. In establishing in the
family of the ants a society of parasite species, Nature has
not been able to preserve their posterity from a certain and
general extinction, but by instituting a new order of things,
such as we have now explained, and which, notwithstanding
its apparent anomaly, is perfectly consonant with the wisdom
by which all her operations are directed.

M. Latreille, in terminating his history of the amazon ants,
very judiciously invites naturalists to make the following expe-
riments, for the purpose of completing it — 1st. To transport
into their primitive habitation the auxiliary ants, and to intro-
duce the neuters of those species which have remained on
their native soil, into the mixed ant-hills. — 2d. To take away
from these last habitations, the larvae and nymphs of the
auxiliary ants, for the purpose of ascertaining whether the
affection which the neuters of these species have for the
nurselings of their own kind, be not the sole motive which
retains them. — 3d. To deprive, by an inverse change, these
mixed ant-hills of the young amazons. — 4th. To retain and
preserve their females, immediately after fecundation, at first
solitarily, afterwards in company, with workers either of their
own species only, or with the auxiliary ants.

Having dwelt so fully upon the formicariae, our limits now
oblige us to pass over all the subsequent divisions mentioned
in the text (respecting the habits of which we could say but
little). We have, however, the pleasure first of inserting a
short notice of our figures of several new species belonging
to these subdivisions.

In the subgenus Apterogyna, we have figured a species
under the name Ehrenhergli. It is black, entirely clothed
with fuscous pubescence ; the wings reddish brown. This
species is from Africa.

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We have also figured a species under the name of Camp-
lognetha testacea, of Dr. Leach's MSS., but which may
probably be the Eciton hamata of Latreille. It is of a pale
testaceous colour, and slightly hirsute, with the mandibles
long, and very much curved.

Our Mutilla Klugii is hirsute, black, the abdomen ful-
vous, with the base black, and is from South America.

In the subgenus Myrmecodes, of Latreille, we figure a
species which Dr. Leach has named Australls. It is fulvous,
the head and thorax reddish brown, and the abdomen with
transverse arch bands of black. This insect is from New
Holland.

Of Scolia we have figured a species which we call Fulva.
It is black, but entirely clothed with fulvous hairs; the basal
segment of the abdomen and posterior femora black ; the
former shining ; it is from South America.

Of the genus Pepsis we have figured a species under the
name of Apicalis. It is a bronze green, the antennae black,
with the three last joints pale bufT, the wings reddish brown,
with the exterior margin dark.

Of the Fabrician genus Pompilius, we have figured a
species under the name of Bifasciatus. It is black, shining ;
the wings brown; the anterior with two contra arched bands
on each, black. This species is from Brazil.

And, finally, Mr. Westwood has added a fine species of
Podium, of M. Latreille, under the name of Nigripes. It is
of a shining black colour, with the thorax clothed with
greyish brown pubescence ; the wings dark, testaceous. This
insect is from South America.

We shall proceed at once to those hymenoptera, beginning
with the tribe Vespari^.

The WASPS {Vespa), like the ants and bees, live in society.
They are comparable to the latter for their industry, and

ON HYMENOPTERA. 517

approximate to the former in the extent of their ravages.
The bee, continually occupied with its labours, lives only on
what it gathers from flowers, and the sting with which it is
armed, is merely a defensive weapon, never unsheathed but
for the protection of itself or its country. But the wasp, on
the contrary, is ferocious, and subsists only on rapine and
destruction. Its sting is an offensive weapon, a means of over-
powering animals more feeble than itself. Nevertheless it is
not less ingenious than the others, nor less attached to its
offspring. United in a single republic, the wasps spare neither
care nor labour. The works which they perform evince their
dexterity, their patience, and the delicacy of their instinct.
The peculiar style of their architecture is worthy of admira-
tion.

Among them we particularly distinguish two species, the
hornet (vesjm crabro), and the common wasp (vulgaris). The
first makes its nests sheltered from winds and heavy rains,
either in barns or the holes of old walls, but most frequently
in the large trunks of trees, the interior of which is rotten.
There these insects form a large cavity, by detaching frag-
ments of the wood, which is ready to fall into dust. It is in
spring that the females, after having passed the winter in a
lethargic state, and now re-animated by the heat of the
atmosphere, issue from their retreat, to find out a suitable
place in which to establish their nest. This place once found,
they lay there the first foundations of the edifice, which con-
sist of a thick and solid pillar of the same material as the rest
of the nest, but much harder, and more compact. The mate-
rial of which the wasps make use, is the bark of the slender
branches of the ash, which they detach in filaments. Then
they grind and bruise it with their mandibles, so as to form a
paste, which hardens after it has been employed in building.
They collect, at the same time, a clear and saccharine
fluid, which drops from the places which have been recently

518 SUPPLEMENT

gnawed from the branch which they have been despoiling.
This pillar is always placed in the most elevated part of the
vault, and the hornets attach to it a sort of cap or covering of
the same material, which is to serve as a roof to the edifice,
and prevent the dirt, &c., detached from the upper part of
the general cavity, from falling on the combs. Within this
cavity or vault they place a second pillar, which is in some
sort only a continuation of the first. This is to serve for a
base to the first comb of the cells. These cells are hexagonal,
and their aperture is turned downwards. The mother con-
structs some of them. As none but females are found in
spring, it is probable that they have been fecundated previ-
ously to the winter. What is certain is, that the females
commence laying as soon as they have constructed a few
cells in which to deposit their eggs. These eggs soon dis-
close the young, and the mother feeds the young larvae which
issue from them, with the products of the chase. When the
latter have acquired their full growth, they line their cells
with silk, and stop them with a covercle of the same material.
Beneath this envelope they undergo their metamorphoses.
They do not come forth from it until they are perfect insects.
The wasps which are first born are workers. Analogy leads
us to the belief that, as among the bees, they are only females
destitute of the ovarise. They are designed for the occupa-
tion of constructing the nest, and nursing the larvae. As the
female continues to lay, the family increases, and the lodging
becomes too small. Then the workers increase the covering
and the comb, and when the latter is pushed to the edge of this
envelope, they construct another immediately. This last is
attached to the first by one or many pillars. Speedily the cover-
ing is finished, and filled with new combs. Then there remains
but a single aperture to the nest. This aperture corresponds
to that of the hole which is the gate through which the wasps
arrive at their nest. It is often no more than an inch in diameter.

ON HYMENOPTERA. 519

It is only towards the commencement of autumn that the
young females and young males come forth from their nymph
state. All the larvss which could not become perfect insects
until the month of October, usually are put to death before
this period, especially when the cold begins to be sensibly
perceptible. The wasps, instead of continuing to nourish
the larvae, are then solely occupied in plucking them out of
their cells, and flinging them out of the nest. The nymphs,
or pupae meet with no more mercy. The males and workers
are daily perishing, from the growing inclemency of the sea-
son ; so that at the end of the winter, none but some females
remain, which have passed that season in a state of lethargy,
at the bottom of the nest.

In autumn, males and females are to be met with on trees,
from which acid and saccharine fluids exude. They return
no more to the nest, and perish miserably on the first approach
of cold. Thus invariably finishes this society, whose largest
population but little exceeds one hundred, or one hundred
and fifty individuals.

The common wasp makes its nest in the ground, usually
at the depth of about half a foot. The entrance to it is a
conduit of about an inch in diameter, and very seldom in a
straight line. The edges which are at the surface of the
earth look as if they were ploughed.

The most usual form of the vespiary is that of a ball. It
is thirteen or fourteen inches in diameter : its envelope is a
sort of paper or paste-board, which is sometimes more than
an inch in thickness. Its colour is a grey of different shades,
disposed in bands. This envelope is rough, and appears
formed of pieces, in the form of valves of shells placed
one upon the other, so that nothing is seen but their
convex exterior. When finished, this envelope has two
gates, which are two round holes, through which the
wasps enter and go out. The interior of the nest is occu-

13

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pied by several combs, parallel, and pretty nearly hori-
zontal : they resemble those of the bees in form, but are
composed of a very different material. The vespiary some-
times contains fifteen or sixteen combs of a diameter propor-
tioned to that of the envelope. All these combs are, as it
were, so many floors, disposed in stories, which furnish the
means of lodging a great number of inhabitants. Free pas-
sages are left between them. In these intervals are sorts of
columns, which serve to support the combs. The founda-
tions of the edifice, (if we may use such a solecism) are, at
its highest part, for the wasps, unlike other builders, begin
their work at the top, and descend as they go on with it :
these pillars, formed of the same material as the combs and
envelope, are massive ; their base and capital are of greater
diameter than the rest.

These wasps, which work under ground, are concealed
from our inspection ; they must therefore be drawn, that we
may observe the manner in which they construct their nest.
When a nest is procured, which is easily done, there is no
fear that they will abandon it. It may then be placed under
a glass hive, where we can have the pleasure of seeing these
insects at their work.

As soon as they are lodged, they begin by repairing the
■ disorders which the vespiary may have suffered, after having
attached it solidly to the hive, and they increase the thick-
ness of its envelope.

This envelope deserves a description a little more detailed.
Its thickness, which is often more than an inch, is not mas-
sive. It is formed of several layers, which have vacancies
between them : each layer is as thin as a sheet of paper. In
proportion as the wasps thicken this envelope, they build
another layer on those which are already formed. The
number of these layers sometimes exceeds fifteen or sixteen.

Nothing can be more amusing than to see these wasps

ON HYMENOPTEUA. 521

working for the purpose of extending or thickening this en-
velope. Several of them are engaged at this work, which
they perform with the greatest celerity, and without the least
confusion. They proceed into the country to find the neces-
sary materials : she that has collected some, returns loaded
with a little ball composed of a soft paste ; she holds it be-
tween her jaws. Arrived at the vespiary, she takes it to the
place where she intends to labour, and immediately applies
it there. She walks backwards ; at each step which she
makes, she leaves before her a portion of the ball, without
detaching it from the rest, which she holds between her two
fore feet. When she has thus applied it all, she unites and
smooths it, by repassing over it several times. The mate-
rials which she employs are filaments of wood, which she
tears off with her mandibles: she moistens and kneads them
well previously to use.

These vespiaries contain males, females, and workers :
these last, as among the bees and other social insects, are
charged with all the labours of the society. Those that go in
search of provision are continually employed in the chase ;
some seize on insects by main force, which they bring back
almost entire to the nest ; others pillage the shops of
butchers, where each one attaches herself to the piece of
meat which she prefers, and when she is satiated, cuts oflT a
piece, sometimes larger than herself, to carry it home.
Others again plunder the fruits of gardens and orchards :
they gnaw or suck them, and bring back the juice. All
share their spoils with the males and females, and even with
the other workers ; and the division is made with the most
})erfect good will on all sides.

The mothers do not fly into the country, excepting in
spring and autumn. During the summer, they are shut up
in the interior of the vespiary, occupied in laying, and espe-
cially in nursing their larvae.

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A vespiary which has all its combs usually contains fifteen
or sixteen thousand cells, each of which is filled by an egg or
a nymph. It is the larvae principally that occupy the atten-
tion of the wasps. The latter feed them in the same manner
in which birds feed their young, giving them from time to
time the bill-full, after having softened in their mouth the
aliments which the larvae could not otherwise digest.

Twenty days having elapsed since the eggs were laid, the
larvae are now ready to be metamorphosed into nymphs.
Like those of the hornet, they inclose themselves in their
cells, and become perfect insects eight or nine days after they
have been changed into nymphs. The cell which a young
wasp has quitted does not remain a long time vacant. An
old wasp cleans it out, and renders it fit for the reception of a
new egg.

The cells destined for the eggs which produce the workers
are never placed among those which contain the eggs destined
to give birth to males and females. The edifice built by the
wasps, and which occupies them during some months, is to
last no longer than a year. This habitation, so populous
during summer, is almost deserted in the winter, and entirely
abandoned in the spring : most of its inhabitants have perished
the preceding autumn. Some females destined to perpetuate
the species pass the winter in a state of numbness, and in the
following spring each of them becomes the foundress of a new
republic, and the mother of all the individuals which compose
it. The workers, as being the most useful, are the first who
are born : the males and females do not appear until towards
the end of summer, or the commencement of autumn : they
couple in the vespiary itself in which they were born.

The occupation of the males in the vespiary is limited to
cleaning it out and removing the dead bodies : they are smaller
than the females, and larger than the workers, which are the
smallest of the three kinds of individuals which compose the

ON HYMENOPTERA. 523

society. Like the males of the bees, they are destitute of a
sting. The mothers and the workers are alone provided with
this organ. The sting of the females is longer than that of
the workers, and the wound which the wasps inflict is more
severe, and causes a sharper pain than that made by the bees.
The violent smarting which it produces is, however, caused
in the same manner, by a poisonous fluid, which is introduced
into the wound.

Peace does not always reign in the societies of the wasps.
Combats often take place among the workers, or between
them and the males. The last individuals are more cowardly
or weaker than the others ; but these combats are rarely
fatal.

When the cold weather first approaches, the workers snatch
from their cells the larvae which are not yet metamorphosed,
and assisted by the males, turn them neck and heels out of
the nest. It appears that they know that the little ones could
not support cold and hunger during the winter season, when
at this early period they can scarcely find wherewithal
to nourish them. To cause them thus to perish is, therefore,
an act of mercy, not of cruelty. It is the quick prevention of
a long and lingering state of misery.

Notwithstanding all the admirable industry of the wasps,
agriculturists are not the less desirous to get rid of these in-
sects, which do most particular damage to fruits, even pre-
viously to their maturity. Many means have been pointed
out for destroying the species which live in a social state,
especially the common wasp. When the places which they
inhabit can be discovered, it is easy to dispatch thousands of
them in a little time. Some have adopted the plan of putting
glue on blades of straw, and placing them in the neighbour-
hood of the nest, but this method is long and troublesome.
Boiling water cast into the hole may be used with success.

524 SUPPLEMENT

But when the nests are remote from houses, a sufficient quan-
tity cannot well be obtained to destroy the wasps : sulphur
matches are far more efficacious. The aperture of the hole
which conducts to the vespiary must be widened a little, and
lighted matches introduced into the hole, after which its
entrance must be closed with small stones, so that the wasps
cannot get out without mining, which they cannot do in a
little time : they will then assuredly be suffijcated by the
vapour of the sulphur. Care must be taken, however, not to
close the hole so exactly as to prevent all access of air, and
give no issue to the smoke, for then the matches would be too
soon extinguished.

Our history of the wasps would be very imperfect without
some notice of one or two of the subdivisions of this tribe, on
which, however, we must be as brief as the interest of the
subject will allow us to be.

The subgenus Odynerus of the text comprehends those
wasps of Linnaeus which live in a solitary manner, without
constructing hives, and are very remote from the wasps we
have been reviewing, and from some which we shall by and
by have occasion to notice. All those build nests with combs,
are united in societies more or less numerous, and composed
of three kinds of individuals, males, females, and neuters,
whose labours, vigilance, and care, concur to the preservation
and well-being of the state.

Not so the solitai'y wasps. The species of this genus,
whose manners are best known, is the vespa muraria of Lin-
naeus, the history of which has been given us by Reaumur.

This insect goes to work in the commencement of June,
and continues to operate until July. Its first operation is to
excavate a hole in the sand, the diameter of which but little
exceeds that of its body, and the depth is a few inches. It
raises above this with the grains of earth or sand, which it

ON HYMENOPTERA. 525

draws from it, a cylindrical tunnel, the direction of which is
at first straight and afterwards turns a little. This tunnel is,
as it were, made like a rude kind of filigree work, or rather
waved. It is formed of thick, grained, tortuous threads,
leaving vacancies between them in some places. These in-
sects soften the sand and separate its molecules with greater
facility, by moistening it with some drops of water, which
they disgorge. They scrape this paste afterwards with their
teeth, when it becomes soft. The feet of the first pair receive
what the teeth have thus detached : they knead it, and com-
pose a little pellet, about the bigness of a currant. This pellet
is the material which is to serve as a foundation for the tube.
The circuit of the subterraneous gallery which the insect
desires to excavate being determined, this paste is quickly
turned about, flatted, and employed. The gallery is then
prepared ; and the grains of sand, detached by the raking
up, are successively applied on the layers which form the
basis of the tube. But as the provision of the fluid which
the insect disgorges, for the purpose of moistening the sand,
is quickly exhausted, it goes in search of more, whither it gets
it, from the water of some neighbouring rivulet, or derives it
from plants, or fruits, or flowers. The length of this tunnel,
and the depth of the hole, vary a little, according to circum-
stances, which depend more or less upon the soil, its nature
and situation. The tube is about two inches long. The
materials which do not enter into its construction are thrown
out, and this rubbish falls upon the ground, if this tube is
placed in a wall ; or falls round the base of this tube, if it is
situated in a horizontal ground.

It is easy enough to divine the object of the insect in
piercing a hole in a mass of sand ; but we do not see so clearly
with what design it builds the tunnel, the construction of
which requires considerable art, and which, by the way, is

526 SUPPLEMENT

destined to almost immediate ruin. Reaumur conjectures,
that it is to supply materials at hand proper for stopping up
the hole, when the egg of the insect shall be deposited there.
This explanation, though plausible enough, still leaves some-
thing to be desiderated. Many other hymenoptera excavate,
in like manner, holes for the reception of their young in
walls, stop them with earth, but form no tubes or tunnels of
this description. Many apiariae of the genus anthophorus
do the like. There is but a single species of that genus
whose mode of modification is somewhat similar, and that is
the Megilla Muraria of Fabricius. Wherefore then, may we
ask, has Nature thus changed the habits of congenerous
animals ? Must there not be some sufficient motive which
determines this mason to perform this additional work, which
the others do not? May it not be, says M. Latreille, to
render the habitation which it has commenced for its young,
more difficult of access to the ChrysiSf Cinips, and to some
other apiariae, which would come thither to deposit their
eggs? This is also the conjecture of Reaumur. But why is
not this foresight common to all the insects of the same
genus ? Their interest is surely the same, as they are all
liable to similar invasions. It is nothing but future study and
observation, that can lead us to an explanation more soHd
and more certain.

Reaumur says on this subject, " while the wasp is absent,
some ichneumon fly might come and deposit in its nest
an egg, enclosing an insect fatal to its young. The ichneu-
mon fly will not so readily enter a hole, when, to approach it,
it is necessary to make a long journey, and pass a tube which
prevents it from seeing if the wasp be absent. I have ob-
served one, which, after much hesitation turned and returned
around the mouth of the tube, and at last ventured in ; I
also saw that this was very mal a propos, for the wasp hap-

ON HYMENOPTERA. 527

pening to be at home, presented itself before the ichneumon,
who had believed it out of the way, so that there was nothing
left for the latter, but to take speedily to flight *."

Reaumur has found, in the cavities of these holes, larvae
similar to little caterpillars, but without feet, green, with
bands of a clearer colon;', and others of a deeper hue, with a
brown head. There were eight, and sometimes even ten or
twelve in number in each hole, placed in file, one after the
other, and rolled together in the form of rings. The larva
of the insect, which is the exclusive proprietor of the habi-
tation, will thus have a sufficient provision for its complete
growth. It may thus feed, at its ease, on the victuals which
are placed within its reach, without fearing any thing from
the movements and attack of the larvae which are shut up
with it, and which being so closely packed, are totally inca-
pable of hurting it.

We shall conclude our account of the wasps, by some notice
of the operations of the vespa nidiilans, Fabricius, which will
be found under Polistes, in the text. It is also called vespa

* There is one observation which we mil hazard here, before we dismiss
this subject. We know, that though the general plan of Nature be the
same, at least in essentials, she developes her works in an endless variety
of modifications. This diversity of operation is one of the best proofs
that all is the result of design and choice, and not of blind necessity.
Were all things formed exactly on the same model, were there no diversity
or deAiation, we are not aware that a very sufficient answer could be given
to the pantheist, who maintains the eternal self-existence of the universe.
But such phenomena, as the one we have just described, prove that the
works of Nature are not works of compulsion ; that there is a directing
power which can vary when it will, and from the diversity observed here,
can doubtless form other worlds, on plans totally different from that of
ours. Therefore we may be satisfied with the explanation of Reaumur,
and conclude, that if a similar instinct, for the better presen'ation of their
offspring, be not granted to the congeners of the sohtary wasp, that such
is the will of the great directing Mind, who certainly has thought proper
not to grant equal advantages to all the beings of his creation.

528 SUPPLEMENT

chartaria^ from the material of which its nest is composed.
The paste-board nests, which are in the form of a truncated
cone or bell, very common at Cayenne, and to be found in
several collections, are the production of this insect. Some
other species make their nests of a material and form some-
what similar.

The works of these insects are, perhaps, superior even to
those of the bees. The latter are obliged to find a retreat, an
edifice prepared by Nature, or the hand of man, in which to fix
their establishment. They do no more, if we may so express
ourselves, than furnish the house — they do not build it. The
materials which they employ are easily found, and are fashioned
without diflSculty, in consequence of their softness. Their nature
too, being very frail, the work which results from them is of
no long duration. The insects of which we are now treating,
and which might be called paste-hoa,v^ wasps, construct even
the walls of their habitation, raise it in the air, and have need
only of a resting-place or support, which is usually a branch
of a tree. The material of their edifice is of the same nature
as that of a most excellent pasteboard, and will resist the
most abundant rains. Let us consider, for a moment, what a
degree of labour, what pains, its formation must have required.
It was necessary to detach from the different trees an incon-
ceivable quantity of small hgneous particles, to chop, moisten,
and knead them, to compose the paste of this papyraceous
substance. The- bee, besides its mandibles, and the other
organs of manducation, possesses instruments proper for
gathering, in a more prompt and commodious manner, the
substances which enter into the fabrication of its combs. The
pasteboard wasp has almost no other means, than those which
are furnished by the parts of its mouth. Moreover, the inte-
rior of its habitation exhibits as much art, as much symmetry,
in a word, as much perfection, as the interior of the hive. It
is therefore past a doubt, that if the labours of the paste-

ON HYMENOPTERA. 529

board wasps were as useful to us as those of the bees, we
should not hesitate to give the preference to the former.

Some of the nests of these wasps are more than a foot and
a half in length. This nest is a sort of box, composed of a
paste-board, remarkable for its fineness, its polish, and its
whiteness, in the from of a bell, more or less elongated, and
more or less wide, having no other aperture than a little
circular hole, placed in the centre of the lower plan, which
forms a convex covercle or lid. It is suspended vertically in
its natural situation to a branch of a tree, by means of a ring
situated at the upper part, and composed of the same mate-
rial. The interior is filled with combs, distributed in hori-
zontal stories, like those of other vespiaries. But they are not
supported by columns, and are immediately attached to the
parietes of the box, on the external surface of which their
place may be distinguished, and they may be counted by
means of little circular reliefs, or knots, which they form at
the points of union. Each comb represents a sort of cap,
the convex part of which is underneath, but which, instead of
being rounded, is raised in a point towards the summit. The
summit is pierced with a small circular hole, which is the
external and only door to the habitation. All these holes are
thus in one vertical and central line, which permits these
insects to go from one extremity to the other, or to get at
pleasure at any one of the combs. If the lower lid of the box
be removed, it will be easily perceived, that the cells or
alveoli, which, like those of other vespiaries, are hexagonal,
occupy all the convex part of the combs, which is underneath,
and that the insect had previously constructed the floor or
foundation of the comb which bears them. These combs are
also perfectly alike. It is easy to conceive why their con-
vexity is the same underneath as that of the lid which closes
the box : it is that each of these combs has successively
served as a lid. We may imagine the box having as yet but

VOL. XV. 2 1,1

530 SUPPLEMENT

two combs ; to make a third, the insect lengthens the enve- '
lope underneath, by bringing its edges beyond the lid; then
it constructs underneath a new lid, and this operation being
finished, it raises new cells, on the convex parts of the old.
When it recommences the same operation the insect will close
the last lid, and make it serve for a similar purpose.

We now come to, if not the most wonderful of the insect race,
at least to those which must ever prove most interesting to us,
from their utility, and whose works, though perhaps not in all
respects comparable to some that we have already reviewed, are
yet, from their ingenuity and precision, worthy of the highest
admiration. We need scarcely say that we mean the Bees.

Originally, the name of bee was given only to the valuable
insect which furnishes us with wax and honey. The appli-
cation of this name has since become more general, and is
extended, in most part of the works on natural history, to
insects of the same order, whether solitary or living in society,
that collect the fecundating dust of flowers, or as it is usually
termed, their pollen.

Although Scopoli, Degeer, and Fabricius, had already
restrained the genus Apis of Linnaeus, it still exhibited a very-
heterogeneous group, both in the organization and habits of
the species which were preserved in it, and of those subse-
quently referred to it. M. Latreille, and more especially
Mr. Kirby, our distinguished countryman, have done much
towards its reformation ; but in this place we can but afford a
mere reference to their labours, contenting ourselves with as
brief a notice of the habits of the domestic bee, and some
analogous species of the same family, as the interest and
importance of the subject will permit.

The societies of these insects present us, like those of other
social insects, with three distinct kinds of individuals. The
icorking bees, or mules, form the mass of the population, and
are charged with all the labours. The males (sometimes

ON HYMENOPTERA. 531

called drones), whose number varies in each hive, are des-
tined only to fecundate the third sort of individuals, the
females, often designated under the name of queens by the
moderns, and under that of kings, or chiefs of the society,
by the ancients. There is generally but one of them in each
hive.

The vrorkers and females are armed with a sting ; the males
have none. It is by means of a little brush, which invests the
internal side of the first articulation of the posterior parts,
that these little animals gather the fecundating dust of the
stamina of flowers.

We shall now give a short description of the sting. It is com-
posed of three threads, extremely slender, which are enclosed
in a sort of case or sheath. The two pieces which form the true
sting are scaly, and furnished each, at the extremity, with ten
or sixteen denticulations. If the bee be much agitated or
enraged, it will leave this sting in the wound, and die in con-
sequence. To little animals this sting is fatal. jMan himself
is more or less exposed to dangerous consequences from it,
according to the delicacy and sensibility of the parts which
receive the poison. Many accidents annually take place from
this cause. Dioscorides long ago recommended a solution of
salt, or merely sea-water, as a remedy for the sting of a bee.
This very simple remedy is sufficiently efficacious. The essen-
tial precaution, however, for calming the pain, and abridging
its duration, is in the first instance to withdraw the sting.
Alkali and chalk have also been recommended, and are not
without their merit. It is the poison lodged in a bag at the
end of the sting, which produces the disagreeable effects
experienced from it.

The workers have been, as we long since alluded to, in
describing analogous genera, discovered to be only imperfect
females. M. Huber has ascertained a difference between
them, in consequence of which he has divided them into wax-

2 u 2

532 SUPPLEMENT

ivorJcers and mirses, or large and small. To the former are
confided the charge of external affairs, the gathering of the
honey, of the wax, its preparation, and the establishment of
the cells, which they shape, pohsh, regularize, and modify at
will, according to the end which they have in view, or rathei
according to the sort of inhabitant who is to be lodged in
these receptacles. The nurses, on the contrary, are formed
for retirement ; more feeble, and less adapted for the business
of carriage, they are scarcely employed except in cleaning
the alveoli, and procuring for the young larva the aliment
which is suitable to it.' The ancients appear to have been
acquainted with these facts, for Virgil, in treating of the bees,
in the fourth book of the Georgics, expresses himself in a
manner to lead us to that conclusion.

" Namque alicB victu invigilant, et foedere pacto
Exercentui' agris : pars intra septa domonim.
Narcissi lachrymam, et lentum de cortice gluten.
Prima favis ponunt fundamina ; deinde tenaces,
Suspendunt ceras : alice, spem gentis, adultos
Educunt foetus."

The great difference, however, between them, is in point of
size.

All the parts which enter into the organization of these
insects, have been formed for one determined end. By those
of manducation, the harvests are gathered in, the carriage
performed, the cells cut out, and the magazines filled. It is
to the works of Swammerdarn and Reaumur, that we must
refer for a full description of these different organs. The
mandibles, composed of a solid substance, and moved by
powerful muscles, with the assistance of the upper lip, can
tear and dig into vegetable substances, and detach from the
trees the mastic which is employed for stopping up the chinks
of the internal part of their habitation. Their jaws and lips
form a very elongated proboscis, which they plunge into

0\ HYMENOPTERA. 533

the bottom of the calyx of flowers, to extract the honey.
Sometimes they will even pierce the tube of the monopetalous
corolla, when they are either too much closed, or it is impos-
sible for them to reach to their lower extremity.

Reaumur had already observed, and the observation has
since been corroborated by M. Latreille, that the bee, to
pump out the nectarious juices, carried to right and left,
bent back, and turned the extremity of its tongue, and seemed
to lick, or lap like a dog. The liquid matter which the
insect extracts, passes near the jaws and the sides of the
tongue, flowing under the lateral divisions of the latter.

The corslet offers very considerable resistance ; thus it is
enabled to support the successive efforts of the wings and
feet which are united in it. The feet in bees have some
particular uses, independently of the business of locomotion.
The disposition of the tarsi and of the hinder limbs, gives
them the faculty of gathering and transporting at will, the
substances of which the insects make use.

M. Huber furthermore accords to them the faculty of touch,
on which hypothesis, the hinder parts being, as we above
mentioned, provided with brushes, must possess this advan-
tage in a high degree. This writer also thinks that the
wings are employed for the ventilation of the hive, during
very hot weather, or when it is necessary that the air should
be renewed. The experiments which he has made, prove
that there is some degree of probability in his opinion. All
the oi'gans of the abdomen serving for digesting, are in their
uses similar to what we observe in other animals ; but among
the secondary functions relating to this primary use, there is
one which is so peculiar to the bees, that it is to be met with
in no other animated being. It is the secretion of a sub-
stance, which is nothing but an elaboration of the saccharine
matter of honey. Wax was a long time considered by natu-
ralists as a conversion of the dust of the stamina performed

534 SUPPLEMENT

by the stomach of the bee, which, as they thought, dis-
gorged it for the making of the combs. M. Huber, but little
disposed to acquiesce in this received opinion, resolved to
ascertain the truth by experiment. ' This was the only way
of confirming or destroying the common belief. Reaumur
himself was desirous of penetrating into the origin of this
business. He concluded, after many experiments, that the
dust of the stamina was only one of the principal ingredients,
but he never affirmed this in a positive manner. Some time
after, a cultivator of Lusace observed some plates of wax
under the rings of the abdomen. M. Willemi communicated
this to M. Burnet, who, however, did not change his opinion
on this subject. In 1793, M. Huber observed similar plates
to those which we have mentioned, at the same place, where
a long time before they had been discovered. This natu-
ralist made some observations, which confirmed this fact
positively. Our countryman. Hunter, was also led to the
same results. Nothing could be more interesting than the
careful study of this phenomenon.

Accordingly, the Genevese naturalists, after having scru-
pulously examined the abdomen of some bees, after having
made a comparison of the different species of a hive, and
those hymenoptera which have the closest relations with the
bees, submitted to divers chemical reactions some plates
newly formed : all proved to him their identity with wax.
He had not, however, discovered any canal of communica-
tion between the second stomach and the innumerable little
lodges which serve as receptacles for the wax. He was
therefore obliged to suppose their existence, founded on a
great number of probabihties. Although he had recourse
to the assistance of the celebrated Madlle. Jurine, the only
fruit of their researches, was the discovery of a soft, trans-
parent, yellowish membrane, of an extreme degree of tenuity.
He saw that this lined the wax-boxes, adhering to the hot-

ON HYMENOPTERA. 535

torn of these little cavities, and to the abdominal membrane ;
it appeared to him destined for the secretion of a humour of
no great abundance, which appeared to be intended to pre-
vent the immediate contact of the wax, and of the membrane
between which it was situated.

Being overcome by a mass of evidence, M. Huber found
himself obliged to conclude that the whitish plates which he
had found under the rings of the abdomen in the working
bees, were of a nature identical with that of wax, although
less elaborated. Thus he overturned the received opinion
on the preparation of this substance, while, at the same
time, by other experiments he determined its origin. To
establish this last truth, he fed some bees for several days ;
some with honey and water, others with fruits and pollen,
having taken the necessary precaution of hindering those
insects from going out. The first, after a seclusion of five
days, exhibited five cakes of this substance ; while the second
had formed none, after eight days. All this was decidedly
in favour of the nevv discovery, and well recompensed the
observer for the pains which he had taken.

A pound of sugar-candy, reduced to a syrup, and clarified
with white of egg, produced ten drachms and fifty-two grains,
of a wax less white than that which the bees extracted
from honey. Brown sugar of an equal weight, produced
twenty-two drachms of a very white wax. The same effects
were obtained with maple sugar.

M. Huber h^s made various experiments relative to the
respiration of these insects, the result of which may perhaps
prove interesting to our readers.

He found, by comparative experiments, that the various
gases acted diflferently on such bees as he submitted to their
influence, either in consequence of their more or less dele-
terious principles, or in consequence of the diversity of sex.
Sometimes the bees perished ; sometimes they remained but

13

536 SUPPLEMENT

for a moment in a state of asphyxy, and returned to life as
soon as they were placed in contact with the atmosphere.
To strengthen these experiments more, the observer made
new trials, on benumbed individuals, in whom respiration
did not exist. In vain he submitted them for a long time to
the action of the same gases which he had employed in ex-
perimenting on bees in full vigour. He easily recalled them
to life by the heat which he communicated, by placing
them upon his hand. If the first experiment left any doubt
on what particular part the gases acted, whether it was to
their influence over the whole body, that the phenomena must
be attributed, or merely to that which they exercised over
the organs of respiration, the final trial put an end to the
difiiculty, and decided in favour of the last opinion. He was
the better able to confirm the reality of his experiments, in-
asmuch as the air contained in two cells, which had been
closed, each containing one hundred and twenty worker?,
produced asphyxy in some, put out candles, &c. He had
already convinced himself of the asphyxy, by a complete and
long immersion in water. In this experiment he saw four
stigmata, which had been discovered by Swammerdam, and
two others wliich had escaped the dissections of this skilful
anatomist. One of these stigmata is situated at the place
where the corslet is united to the head by a little fleshy
pedicle, and the other at the opposite end, quite close to the
pedicle of the abdomen.

The immersion of the head did not cause the bees to suf-
fer. It was not the same with the immersion of the corslet,
and abdomen. That of the first destroyed them, that of the
second only produced in them a degree of agitation. It was
therefore easy to conclude in which of these three parts were
placed the most important organs of respiration. This first
experiment necessarily conducted M. Huber to those which
he afterwards attempted with such great success.

ON HYMENOPTERA. 537

This most positive determination of the existence of res-
piration in these insects, led to the indication of the source
of the heat, observable in hives, which had falsely been at-
tributed to the fermentation of the honey. As bees respire,
phenomena must result from the exercise of this function,
analogous to those which accompany it in other animals.
Some trials had already demonstrated the alteration of the
air through the influence of this operation. The contact of
this fluid with the animal and living parts, arranged to be in
relation with it, must also cause them to experience modifica-
tions, similar to those which they undergo, in the high degrees
of the animal economy, with proportional differences.

The modes of relation of the bees with the other beings of
nature, and their method of reproduction, are equally worthy
of the researches of those who delight to recognize, even in
minute things, the sublime laws of the universe, and of those
elevated minds, who possess the faculty of observing, mea-
suring, and comparing all phenomena, and deducing from
them felicitous and important results.

The numerous discoveries made concerning the manners of
these interesting hymenoptera, suggested the idea of in-
quiring into the secret springs of their actions. Observa-
tions were consequently made ; they weakened all doubts
which might have been started concerning the existence of a
great number of senses in these insects. M. Huber, in fine,
came to the belief, that he could not only pronounce with
certainty on their existence, but even indicate with precision,
the seats which some of them occupied.

It is not possible, however, as yet, to assign their limits :
thus, for instance, is sight the exclusive property of the com-
plex eyes ; or is the faculty divided between them and the
small simple eyes which surmount the head? Taste, bees
do not appear to possess in any great degree of delicacy, for
indifferent in their choice, they gather their provisions on

538 SUPPLEMENT

aromatic and sweet plants, and on those which exhale an
infectious and nauseating odour. Now, if the elements
which enter into the composition of honey are so different,
is it astonishing to find so much variation in their properties?
The water with which these insects slake their thirst, is not
selected with a greater degree of discrimination. They
sometimes appear to prefer that which stagnates, and is in a
state of decomposition in the most disgusting marshes.

But if they do not possess taste in any perfection, the de-
licacy of their smell appears to compensate them for this
defect. On presenting odorant bodies to these insects, M.
Huber could observe that some appeared to displease, and
others to attract them. Besides such trials on their bodies
in general, he made others on particular parts, as on the
eyes, the antennae, and the proboscis; and because he
thought that he perceived more marked effects on the ap-
plication of odorant bodies, at the origin of this last organ,
he has concluded that the sense of smell exists in the mouth.

The proofs brought forward for the existence of hearing,
are far from being convincing, although some facts seem to
confirm it. It must, however, be left to future research and
observation, to decide the negative or affirmative of this
question.

In the bees, one of the most important of all the senses is
that of touch : nevertheless, on first consideration, every
thing in their composition would seem calculated to diminish
its sensibility ; — hardness of envelope, abundance of hairs,
and deficiency of numerous parts adapted for studying and
measuring surfaces. The tarsi, but more especially the an-
tennae, parts less hairy and more mobile, have been regarded
as the depositories of this faculty.

What proof can be stronger in favour of the opinion
which would place the sense of touch in the antenna?, than
the conduct of the bee, when occupied in the obscurity of

ON HYMENOPTERA. 539

its retreat, in seeking out the cell where its honey is to be
deposited in the pollen accumulated for the support of the
larvas. There we perceive it directing in all ways those
useful and supple instruments which supply the place of
sight, which is no longer serviceable, and seem to enable it
to recognize that particular cell for which its labours have
been called into action. To be perfectly assured of the im-
portance of these organs, we have only to remove them from
a certain number of bees. In vain, after this operation, will
they attempt to find their own proper hive. The cares of
it are abandoned. If some, after many efforts, have suc-
ceeded in getting up upon the combs, they very speedily fall
down again, and, as if they were conscious that their pre-
sence is useless in a place where they can work no longer,
they speedily make their escape to return no more.

On data like this, the existence of the sense of touch has
been established, and the parts by which it is exercised have
been determined.

Provided with all these senses, the bees have difterent
functions to fulfil: their number, which is sometimes as
much as fifteen, eighteen, or even thirty thousand, is
divided by Nature into four kinds, to each of which she has
assigned their particular functions. The queen, which is
usually single in each hive, and the males, from two hundred
to a thousand and upwards, are charged with the business
of reproduction : the others form the multitude of the popu-
lation, do not participate in the sex of the precediirg, and
are, as we have already observed, distinct among them-
selves.

Fecundation takes place in the air. It is difficult to say
how the female and the male recognize each other ; how
one is informed of the presence of the other in the atmos-
phere. No doubt but that the discovery of this would lead
to some further interesting results, concerning these curious

540 SUPPLEMENT

animals. Taste, smell, and touch, useless when removed
from bodies in which they re-act, do not appear under those
circumstances to guide the instinct of the bee. Some noise,
perhaps, made by the queen, or some peculiar movement,
may strike the hearing, or the sight of the numerous males
which are spread through the atmosphere.

However this may be, the young queen, five or six days
after her birth, feeling the desire of uniting with an individual
of. her own species, having issued from the hive, abandons
herself to the caresses of the first male she encounters. If,
on her first excursion, fecundation should not take place,
another soon follows. When the queen returns to her dwell-
ing in a state of fecundation, she becomes a new stimulus
to exertion for the labouring population. Every thing is
then done with greater care. The workers, encouraged,
hasten to finish the alveoli which they have commenced, lay
new foundations, and appear to be fully conscious of the im-
portance of their activity. The progress of their labours is
the signal by which the female is directed in the laying of
her eggs.

According to M. Huber, a single coupling is sufficient to
vivify the eggs which the female shall lay for two years, and
perhaps for all those which she shall lay during her entire
life. The male who co-operates to the existence of so many
thousands of lives, never enjoys the pleasure of beholding his
posterity ; he dies immediately after coupling. By this union
he is deprived of the organs of generation, which remain with
the female. The laying of the eggs continues about a
month. The extraordinary fact to which we have just alluded
is sufficient to overturn the opinion of Butler and Swammer-
dam, who pretended that the impregnation of the female was
caused solely by effluvia from the male. The ancients were
not less opposed to the truth, when they imagined the gene-
ration of bees to be similar to that of fishes.

ON HYMENOPTERA. 541

Occupied with the care of laying her eggs, the queen visits
the dwelling destined for the new individuals to which she is
to give birth. She enters there, head foremost, traverses the
place, and examines the most retired parts of it. It is only
after this operation, that she introduces the extremity of her
abdomen into the alveolus, to make her precious deposit
there. The egg remains cemented to the upper angle of the
cell. It is retained there by the viscous humour, which
Swammerdam observed in the neighbourhood of the ovaries.
Many hundreds of the eggs are often laid duringa single day
in spring. Should there happen not to be cells enough, she
deposits several eggs in one, leaving to the workers that con-
struct them, the care of making a new division. This is
particularly observable, according to Reaumur, in a young
swarm.

The laying is over in autumn, because the pollen being
then wanting for the existing larvae, the honey which is
gathered becomes necessary for them. It is thus Nature
prevents both the exhaustion of the magazines, and the dearth
which a great population would induce, at a time when the
renewal of provisions is impossible. The suspension of the
laying in winter, is a matter of course, for then the queen
is in a state of lethargy. On the return of spring, at the
appearance of certain early flowers, she awakes. She then
regulates the laying of her eggs, which she recommences
according to the temperature. Cold diminishes her activity
in this respect, and heat increases it. The eggs of the work-
ers appear the first, because they being destined to nourish
the larvae of the other species, require to be developed before
them. At the end of two months, those of the males are
laid — some eggs of the females follow. All are deposited in
the cells which are suitable for them. The queen never lays
a male egg in the alveolus of a female, nor a female egg in
that of a nicile. Both are oval, elongatetl, a httle curved, of

542 SUPPLEMENT

a bluish white, and about a Une in length. The temperature
of the hive, which is often considerably elevated, and always
above that of the atmosphere, is sufficient to make them dis-
close in three, four, five, or six days.

The bee is then in its second state. It is a worm, without
feet, wrinkled circularly, and always rolled round, at the
bottom of its cell, where it moves with difficulty. We are not
aware whether it changes its skin like the larvae of other
insects.

The nursing bees take care of the larvae with the utmost
solicitude. They visit the cells incessantly, enter them, re-
main there a certain time, during which they give to each the
matter on which it is fed, or more properly speaking, renew
it. This substance is a kind of insipid jelly, thick and whitish,
but becoming more transparent and saccharine, in proportion
as the worm advances towards its metamorphosis. It is also
more or less succulent, and more or less copious, in propor-
tion as it is designed for the nourishment of the females, or of
the population. It always forms a bed at the bottom of the
cell, on which the worm is placed, which, thus in the bosom of
abundance, opens its mouth when it is hungry, and this food,
so to speak, enters it.

The nature of this jelly was not known, until M. Huber,
the younger, made several experiments, which demonstrated
it to be a mixture of honey and of pollen, which undergoes
some modification from the workers.

Six days are sufficient for the worm to acquire its complete
growth, when the temperature is high. At this period the
nurse knows, by a kind of instinct, that other phenomena are
about to take place. She no longer furnishes to the larvae
a nutriment that is no longer necessary; but she encloses it
in the cell with a convex lid. This is what distinguishes this
cell from those which contain honey, and which have a flat
lid or cover : both; however, are composed of wax.

ON HYMENOPTERA. 543

The prison being thus closed, the larva thenceforth em-
ploys itself in lining it with a fine and delicate silk. When
this labour is finished, it changes into the nymph state. All
the parts which it is to have in the sequel, are observable
through a white and transparent skin. In twelve days after
its seclusion, it is sufficiently developed, and sufficiently strong
to tear its envelope, and issue from its cell, after having
gnawed away the lid. These young bees have scarcely broken
the bonds which retained them captive, when the nurses
hurry around them, begin to lick and clean them, and present
them with food. Many of them hasten to take possession of
the abandoned cells, so as to arrange them for the reception
of a new egg on that very day. Experiments have been made
to determine the influence of air, and of gases more or less
deleterious, on the eggs, the larvte, and the nymphs, as well
as on the perfect insect. The same results have been obtained.
There was always a consumption of oxygen, and a formation
of carbonic acid ; only the larvae consumed a greater quantity
of the first than the eggs, and less than the nymphs, whose
death almost immediately followed the experiment. The
azotic gas and carbonic acid appeared to be less pernicious to
the larvae than to the perfect insects, and considerably less so
than to the nymphs. Their effects were altogether nullified
during the lethargic state. It was not the same with the
influence of the air which had been respired by the bees ; for
it prevented the eggs from becoming developed.

In seeking to be acquainted with all that took place, at
each epoch in the life of the bees, it was requisite to observe
the mode in which they escape from prison. This mode is
the same with all the individuals that compose a hive. The
female, being retained captive a longer time, after the last
metamorphosis, is able, in her less confined prison, to lick her
wings, and acquire all the vigour necessary for flight, so that
she may issue forth on her first excursion, to prevent her

544 SUPPLEMENT

destruction; and that individuals may be preserved to the
species, the workers instinctively throw obstacles in the way
of those efforts made by the queen to approach those who
are soon to replace her ; they take care to keep guard over
the cells while the metamorphoses of the young queens are
going on.

Far from being able to follow their companions to the field
on issuing from their cells, the workers are obliged to pass an
entire night upon a comb, where they dry, wipe, and prepare
the delicate organs which are to transport them into the
air.

By its grey colour, and the number of hairs by which
its body is shaded, a young bee is easily distinguished from
an old one, which is redder, and less furnished with hairs.
It has been endeavoured, but in vain, to determine the num-
ber of years which this insect can live. The opinion of the
ancients was, that it could live seven years.

All writers once considered the workers as insects deprived
of sex. But M. Huber, the elder, and his observations have
been confirmed by his son, was perfectly convinced that they
are all originally of the female sex, and consequently provided
with ovaries, though Swammerdam and Reaumur were not
able to find any. He cites, in support of his proposition, the
discovery of M. Schirach, who observed, before him, in
certain hives, workers converted into females. But not
knowing how this phenomenon, unheard of before, could take
place, he endeavoured to find out by experiments. His
observations convinced him that such bees are never to be
seen except in hives deprived of queens, and that they are
indebted for this metamorphosis to the workers ; that when
these last have lost their mother, a fact which they very
promptly discover, if there are found in the combs any eggs,
or larvae of workers not more than three days old, they soon
hasten to choose themselves another queen. They immedi-

ON HYMENOPTERA. 545

ately enlarge the cells of some of these larvae, prepare some
paste, similar to that which they usually give to the larvae of
the females, and nourish with it those which they destine to
the maternal state. Finally, by dint of care and labour,
they succeed in producing a female, which replaces the
one that they have lost. From these circumstances, this
author concludes that if all the workers are not proper for
reproduction, it is because in the larva state they have re-
ceived but a small quantity of a paste, much less active than
that given to females, and because they have been lodged in
too narrow a cell. These two causes have so much influ-
ence over them, that they prevent the development of the
ovaria.

M. de Riemps has made a discovery which appears equally
astonishing with what we have just related. Having shut up
some pieces of comb in several boxes, from which pieces he
had removed the eggs, along with some workers, he subse-
quently found eggs upon these very combs. He judged that
those could not have been laid except by the workers ; thus,
according to him, there are sometimes fruitful workers ; a thing
the possibility of which was not before suspected. But M.
Huber tells us that he has been able to make some working
bees fruitful in his hives, whenever he thought proper. His
method is to remove the female from a hive. " Immediately
the bees hasten to replace her, by enlarging many of the
cells which contain the larvae of workers, and giving to the
w^orms which they contain the royal jelly. They also let
fall some of this jelly, in a small quantity, on the young
worms lodged in the neighbouring cells ; and this nourish-
ment developes their ovaria to a certain point. Therefore,
fruitful workers are always born in hives, when the bees are
occupied in repairing the loss of their queen ; but it is very
rarely that they are found there, because the young queens
brought up in the royal cells, fall upon and massacre them.

VOL. XV. 2 N

546 SUPPLEMENT

To save their lives, it is necessary to remove their enemies ;
then the fruitful workers finding no rivals in the hive, are
well received; and a few days after they will lay male eggs,
but never any other."

In the fine season, the number of bees which are daily
born in a hive gives rise to the formation of swarms. No
equivocal signs indicate their expedition ; those which an-
nounce it for the same day are when there appears in the
interior of the hive a great number of males or drones, when
few worlvcrs issue forth in the morning to gather in provi-
sions, and when those which return bring back no wax upon
their feet ; in fine, when an extraordinary noise is heard. If
at that moment we examine what is passing, we shall see the
female traversing every corner, with a degree of agitation
which is communicated to the workers : the last give over their
labour, and assemble together. Heaped one upon the other,
they experience a heat, which is still further increased by
the rays of the sun. Not being able to support the fatigue
any longer, they repair in a crowd towards the door, sally
forth with precipitation, and often drag out the mother along
with them. It is always in calm weather, when the sky is
serene, between nine in the morning and four in the evening,
that they determine to quit their habitation. If the female
is not found among the first which issue forth, she is not
long in repairing to them, and in less than a minute she is
followed by all the bees which are to compose the swarm.

As soon as they are abroad they disperse in the air, hover
about, and seem in search of a place where they can re-unite.
By degrees they fix themselves upon a branch, form a group
there, by hooking themselves one to another with their
feet, although they are exposed. They remain quiet, and
often in less than a quarter of an hour, we see scarcely more
bees hovering round a swarm than we see around a hive in
warm weather.
13

ON HYMENOPTERA. 54-7

If at the moment of their sally they direct their flight to-
wards some large trees, there is reason to fear that they may
rise too high, and wander from the limits of the hive, which
sometimes happens. But a method of making them descend
when they are only at a certain height, is by casting handfuls
of earth and sand upon them. This kind of rain forces
them to get lower, and the nearest shelter appears to them
the best. Two or three discharges of a gun or pistol loaded
with powder only, will produce the same effect upon them.
It does not appear that it is the female that makes choice
of the place where they go to settle ; for when a certain
number of bees fix upon a branch, the female remains with
some others on a neighbouring branch, and goes to join the
first, when they are assembled in sufficient quantity to form
a group.

Although the swarm remain tranquil, it must not be left
long in this position, without presenting it with a lodging,
especially if the sun be warm ; because it would speedily
go elsewhere in search of a new situation. Thus, therefore,
in the swarming season it is necessary to have hives quite
ready, to make use of as occasion requires. If there are
none at hand at the moment, a sort of tent must be made for
the swarm, with some linen wetted to keep off the heat, and
hinder the swarm from quitting the tree before a hive is
procured. The interior of a hive should be well cleaned
before it be presented to the bees, for they are fond of clean-
liness. To render it agreeable to them, the sides are rubbed
with flowers of melissa, and bean-flowers, of the scent of
which they are fond. Some parts of it are also moistened
with a slight layer of honey.

To cause the swarm lo enter into the hive, an operation
which is not difficult, it is brought near the branch on which
the swarm is fixed. It is held up reversed, and with
small branches the bees are made to fall in. The hand may

2 N 2

548 SUPPLEMENT

even be used with safety, for under these circumstances the
bees will not employ their stings. It is sufficient if the greater
portion of them be in the hive, to induce the others to enter
it. Then it may be turned, taking care to manage the aper-
tures so that those which are outside may be able to get in.
If any should persevere in remaining on the branch, they may
be forced to quit it and join the others, by rubbing it with
leaves of rue and elder, the scent of which displeases them.
After the setting of the sun the hive may be taken to the
support which is destined for it, providing it be carried cau-
tiously and gently.

The swarms do not always place themselves so that they
can be easily obtained. Some seek a very elevated branch,
others a thick hedge, and others again take refuge in the trunk
of a tree, or the hole of a wall. These last must be watched
until the sun has quitted the horizon, and their retreat ap-
proached only at the coming of night, because then the bees
are less formidable, and may be removed without danger.
The hive is brought to the foot of the tree or wall, held there
with the aperture upwards, and the bees may be taken with
the hands, or a large spoon to put them in. As they are
somewhat benumbed by the coolness, they will suffer them-
selves to be taken in quantities without making the least
resistance. If they cannot be all obtained in this manner, the
hive may be reversed and placed on the ground, pretty near
the others, so that they may enter it on the following day.

A well-peopled hive furnishes two, and sometimes even
three swarms during the year. But the last weakens it very
much, and puts it in danger of perishing during the winter.
The first is always the most numerous and the best, because
the bees go to work in a favourable season, which furnishes
the harvests of wax and honey in abundance, and they have
more time to labour before winter. A good swarm will weigh
five or six pounds. Reaumur has found some weighing

ON HYMENOPTERA. 549

eight pounds, but this is rare. He has calculated that there
were forty thousand bees in that swarm. The last swarms
are sometimes not more than three or four thousand in
number. M. Schirach, after the discovery which he made of
the conversion of workers into females, imagined that he
might derive some advantage from this in the formation of
artificial swarms. His process consisted in taking away, in
the month of May, from the interior of a hive, some pieces of
combs containing eggs, larvas newly issued from eggs, others
ready to be metamorphosed, and nymphs. You shut up the
combs in as many boxes as you are desirous of having swarms,
and in each you put seven or eight hundred workers, with a
small provision of honey, so that the bees which cannot get
out may have wherewithal to eat. The boxes are to be
placed in a warm situation, without approaching them to the
fire. The workers, deprived of females, but having the
power of producing them, set themselves immediately to the
construction of a cell to rear a larva for this state. In two or
three days after they have been shut up they are allowed to
go out. They take advantage of the liberty which is given
them to go into the country, and they return to their new
habitation. At the end of fifteen days the box is opened to
see the state of the cell which they have made. If it is gnawn
on the side, it is a proof that the female is dead : if, on the
contrary, it is pierced in the middle, the operation has suc-
ceeded. Then the new female should be placed in a more
commodious lodging.

This method of forming swarms has had several partizans in
Germany ; but two very strong objections are made against it.
The first is that it is very injurious to the hives thus to sub-
tract any part of their brood ; the second, that it hinders them
from swarming. To the first M. de Schirach replies that the
brood is removed only from very populous and powerful
hives, which have subsisted for several years ; and to the

550 SUPPLEMENT

second, that we are frequently exposed to lose the natural
swarms, because they can issue forth without being perceived,
and that, by his process, this inconvenience is obviated ; that,
besides, the artificial swarms are infinitely better than the
others, because they are composed of laborious bees, and less
disposed to form new colonies, which is a very great incon-
venience to the swarms, which are continually weakened
thereby.

When the bees are newly in a hive that is agreeable to
them, they set themselves promptly to work. They often
work more wax during the first fifteen days after their settle-
ment than for all the rest of the year beside. Sometimes, for
the first two or three days that they are there, they do not
go out in search of provision. During this time they employ
the wax which they had the precaution to bring with them,
before they go to seek for any more.

Before men began to occupy themselves with their culture,
bees lived wild in the woods. But we are ignorant of the
places which they naturally inhabit. They are to be found
wild in the forests of Russia, in different parts of Asia, and
even in Italy, and the Southern departments of France. As
they do not know how to make a nest, they retire into some
large cavities, to shelter themselves from the inclemency of
the weather. They live in very numerous societies, which
some authors have named republics.

The hives in which they are usually kept are of different
forms, and different materials, in different countries. Some
are merely the trunk of a hollow tree ; others are made of
four equal planks, which form a kind of long box, placed
upon one of its ends, with a lid upon its upper part. The
form of the greater number is that of a bell or cone. These
are generally sorts of baskets. Some are made of osier, or
of some other pliant wood ; others are composed of twisted
straw. We shall mention by and by those invented by M.

ON HYMENOPTERA. 551

Huber. The invention of glass hives is comparatively recent.
The ancients, who were unacquainted with glass, had hives
into which the light could penetrate. Pliny informs us that
a Roman senator had some of very transparent horn.

A well-peopled hive contains one female, from two hundred
to eight hundred males, and from fifteen to sixteen thousand
workers, and often more. When the bees enter into a new
hive, their first care is to close its apertures. They do not
make use of wax for this operation : they employ a material
which stretches and attaches itself better. This material v/as
known to the ancients, who termed it propolis. They derive
it from the young germs of the poplar, the willow, and other
trees, before the buds are blown. They also cover with it
the sticks which support the combs, and sometimes the in-
terior of the hive.

As soon as the bees have taken possession of the hive, the
workers proceed to gathering the dust of the stamina of
flowers, and honey, to nourish their larvae and construct their
combs. If it is spring time this labour occupies them the
entire day. In the great heat of summer they give it over
about ten o'clock in the morning. After a bee has remained
on a flower the necessary time for collecting its provision, until
all its hairs are covered with this dust, it collects it with its
feet, which it uses as brushes, forms two small pellets of it,
which it places under each of its hind legs, and returns to
the hive.

The bees construct combs parallel to each other, and leave
a space between them : these are so many paths by which
they arrive thither. Very often their combs are not attached
to the top of the hive, but by a sort of foot of small extent.
Each comb has its two surfaces of pretty nearly an equal
number of cells, of an hexagonal figure, applied one against
the other. All are composed of many pieces, fabricated with
art and regularity. These pieces are assembled by a con-

552 SUPPLEMENT

siderable number of bees, who work at the same time. Some
are placed on one of the surfaces of the comb, or a part are
occupied in elongating the sides of the tunnels. Others sketch
out the bases of the new cells, while others do the same for
the opposite surface. A certain number of cells serve to
preserve the honey. The female lays her eggs in the others.
Those in which the workers are to be born are well distin-
guished from the rest : they are smaller than those in which
the males are born. That of the female is much larger than
the others ; it has not the same form ; it is usually placed
upon one of the surfaces of the comb ; it generally hangs to
one of its lower edges in the manner of a stalactite, and is
suspended only by sorts of pedicles: their form is oblong. A
single cell of this kind contains more wax than is required for
a hundred common ones. The workers do not begin until
they find the female occupied in laying male eggs, which takes
place when she has already laid a considerable number of
workers' eggs, and, according to the younger M. Huber, only
when the hive is sufficiently peopled to furnish a swarm. In
some hives there are but two or three of these cells ; in
others, from thirty to forty.

This skilful naturalist has perfectly distinguished the dif-
ference of these cells of the first rank, or, as our naturalists
call them, royal cells, by the pentagonous form of their tube,
and the modification which takes place on the pieces which
compose the bottom. All other cells are hexagonal. Their
tube is consequently formed of six fronts, which are cut under
a right angle at one of their extremities — that which forms
the orifice of the cell — while the opposite extremity is exactly
adajited to the angular contour of the pyramidal bottom on
the edge of which they are raised. Each cell, in whatsoever
place It may be found, is formed of two distinct parts. The
first, or bottom, is the basis which supports the second.
Accordingly, the bees appear to work there with more care

ON HYMENOPTERA. 553

than they bestow upon the tube : they seem to foresee, as
this observer has demonstrated, that every thing must depend
on this first work, as, for instance, the form of the tubes, their
close union, the soUdity of the combs, and the economy of
the wax.

The bottom of the royal cells presents on one of the faces
of the comb a slight concavity, and a proportional protube-
rance on the other. Such are the results of the manner in
which the pieces are cut, which compose the cells, and of
their respective inclination. Instead of being hexagonal, like
all the cells which follow them, the royal cells have but six
sides. One of these, the upper, is a horizontal line, formed
by the top of the hive, to which the comb is suspended.
Four pieces of wax, therefore, alone enter into the structure
of the tube ; two, oblique to the horizon, united at their lower
edge in an obtuse angle, form the entire contour of the
alveolus, and two are placed vertically. The cells, of what-
ever kind, are so inclined, that their raised orifice, and low
foundation, prevent the flowing off of the honey which they
contain, while those intended for winter magazines are closed
by a lid.

It is impossible to witness, without a feeling of the highest
admiration, what passes at the moment in which the founda-
tions of these cells are laid. A worker detaches herself from
the chain which she had concurred to form, presses herself
through the crowd, and proceeds to place, after having cut
it properly, the wax, in pentagonal plates, which she carries
under the second, third, fourth, and fifth rings of the abdo-
men. The fragments produced by this operation, far from
being abandoned as useless, are carefully collected, and pass
into a cavity on each mandible. When the plates, whose
diameters are equal, and whose form is similar to the diame-
ters and form of the plates which cover them, are entirely
employed, the fragments of the wax re-appear, but in a differ-

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ent manner. Softened and rendered more tenacious by their
mixture with the fluid which flows from the tongue of the
wax-worker, they issue forth in the form of a narrow ri-
band, which is cut into laminae, serving as a base for the new
cell. Nothing more remains to complete the cells, than to
invest them with a certain quantity of propolis. By this the
union of the pieces is consolidated. The workers extend this
substance with their tongue. For longer details we must
refer to the equally instructive and amusing work of M.
Huber, or to the not less excellent Introduction to Entomo-
logy, by Messrs. Kirby and Spence.

Besides the gathering of propolis and wax, the bees have
another store to make, namely, that of honey. After having
fdled their stomach with this, all that does not serve for the
purposes of nutriment is carefully carried to the hive, where
they disgorge it into the cells, some of which are destined to
receive what is for daily consumption, and others to contain
what is laid by for the season in which no honey can be
gathered. Sometimes, before re-entering the hive, a worker
finds the means of getting rid of some of her store. If she
meets another worker, who has had no time to procure any,
she lets some drops issue forth, as far as the aperture of her
mouth, and the other sucks them in with the end of her
proboscis. She also renders the same service to those whose
occupations retain them in the hive.

The manner of deriving the best advantage from these
insects, is to lodge them commodiously, to place the hives in
situations convenient for the bees in gathering their stores,
and sheltering them from the effects of a too powerful heat,
and still more from the cold, which would destroy them dur-
ing winter. When there are a certain number of hives an
apiary may be constructed, which will obviate these incon-
veniences. This is a kind of a cabin, raised something more
than two feet from the ground, near a wall. Some pieces of

ON IIYMENOPTERA. 555

wood planks, and some unctuous earth, will answer for this
purpose. The roof should be made with straw. The hives
placed within this shelter are much better than in the open
air. An aspect favourable to the bees must be chosen for
this apiary. A northern aspect is fatal to them, nor is an
eastern one very suitable. The preference is to be given to
a southern position, M. Wildman prefers a western to every
other, because the workers that remain late in gathering their
stores, will have more light to find their habitation again.
But the south is, after all, preferable. The brood is less
liable to fail in hives thus placed, becavise it is not so liable
to be chilled by the northern winds, as in those which have
an eastern or a western aspect. Moreover, it has been
remarked, that the bees in hives thus situated, swarm six or
eight days sooner than the others. Hives, thus placed, and
not protected from the heat of the sun by an apiary, require
a little attention during the summer. It is necessary to cover
them with leaves, and wet cloths, on very hot days, to prevent
the wax from softening too much, and the honey from run-
ning out.

The apiary should be built, as far as it is possible, in the
neighbourhood of a meadow, in a garden, and near a stream.
The bees will thus find the water, of which they have need.
Columella assures us, that when this fails them, it is impos-
sible for them to make wax and honey, and to rear their
offspring. There is no place more favourable for the culture
of bees upon a large scale, than those plains upon which mea-
dows abound, or where buck-wheat, &c., is cultivated, and
which are near woods and mountains covered with aromatic
plants. There they find, in sufficient quantity, all that is
necessary for them. Though dry, arid, and sandy countries,
do not present such advantages, they are still able to gather
something in them.

Some agriculturists are in the habit, v*hen the season uf

556 SUPPLEMENT

flowers is over in tlieir district, of transporting tl)eir hives to
some other place, where the season continues longer. This
plan was known even to the ancient inhabitants of Egypt.
Niebuhr tells us that he met on the Nile, between Cairo and
Damietta, a convoy of four thousand hives. The Italians in
the neighbourhood of the Po embark theirs upon that river.
The inhabitants of Beauce, in the same manner transport
their hives. It is equally the practice of the agriculturists
who inhabit Mont-Blanc. They reap an abundant harvest in
this way, from the arteniisia alpestris, which flourishes better
there than any where else. These methods seem deserving
of general imitation.

For a long time back, many have employed themselves in
devising means how to render the lodging of the bees adapted
to make them work as much as possible, and to favour their
multiplication, so as to derive all possible advantage from
them. Such motives have induced many celebrated men,
amateurs of these useful insects, to construct hives of differ-
ent forms, and if they have not completely attained the end
which they proposed, their labours are yet entitled to the
gratitude of mankind.

These newly invented hives present some advantages not
to be found in the old ones. If they do not possess all the
perfection which could be desired, perhaps by some altera-
tions their defects might be remedied. This, however, can
only be learned in the course of practice.

To enter into any description of these different kinds of
hives, though many of them are very ingenious, would be
totally beside our present purpose, not to mention that mere
verbal descriptions of complicated machinery, are in general
very useless, from the great difficulty of rendering them
intelligible. The things themselves must be seen, or the de-
scriptions accompanied with suitable figures, otherwise no
clear ideas concerning such matters can possibly be attained.

ON^ HYMENTOPTFRA. 557

We shall only observe that glass hives are very commodious
for observing the operations of the bees. Reaumur gave
them a variety of forms, and it was by means of such hives,
that this celebrated naturalist, and many others, became ac-
quainted with the manners and habits of these insects, on
which they have left us such interesting works.

To constitute a valuable hive, it is requisite that it should
be well peopled, and its inhabitants should be young and
active. Whether they possess these qualities or not, is easily
discovered by their colour, by the vivacity with which they
issue forth from their habitation, and re-enter it, when the hive
is clean and abundantly provisioned. We know that it is well
peopled, when, on striking it slightly, in the evening, when
all the bees have re-entered, or in the morning, before they
come out, we hear a humming noise in the interior, following
the blow. When this humming is dull, and repeated at dif-
ferent intervals, the hive is well furnished with bees, and with
provisions. The reverse is the case, when the sound is clear,
and finishes almost immediately after it has been excited.
The whiteness of the wax is also a certain indication of the
goodness of the hive.

The most favourable season for transporting hives from one
place to another, is the end of the winter, or the commence-
ment of spring, because the bees, not being yet awakened
from their lethargy, are better able to support the fatigue of
their journey. Two or three days after they have arrived at
their destination, they must be allowed to come forth to take
the air, and the hives must be examined, for the purpose of
removing the combs which may happen to have been broken.
When the bees have constructed a great number of combs,
and the hive is so full that they can work no longer, they lose
all courage. In spite of the fecundity of the mother, which
above all attaches them to their habitation, they become dis-
gusted with it, because they can no longer build cells in which

558 SUPPLEMENT

to lodge their eggs. A part of them then determine to quit
the hive ; but this emigration may be prevented by removing
a portion of the combs.

This operation is performed at different seasons. The
most favourable, according to M. de Palteau, is the com-
mencement of summer, because the bees have then repaired
the losses of the winter, and made considerable stores. No
hives should be thus treated in spring, excepting those where
the provision is superabundant. But he recommends to
prune them all in this way in autumn, even though it may
have been done before, because in that season the honey is
excellent, and it would lose its quality by remaining in the
hive during the winter. The wax is also finer, and can be
more easily bleached than when it has remained too long in
the hive, where it acquires a reddish hue. In spring,
which is the time when the queen lays her eggs, care must be
taken not to derange the brood, and only to remove the combs
in which there are no eggs.

In whatever season this operation is performed, the divi-
sion must always be made with discretion, so as to leave suf-
ficient for the bees to live on, especially before the approach
of winter, when it would be impossible for them to get any
provision.

It is not every person who is fit to prune the hives in this
manner, because it is necessary to be able to distinguish
among the combs those which contain honey, from those which
enclose the future posterity of the bees. In the common
hives used by the country people, the eggs are usually in the
fore part, being the most convenient situation for excluding,
and for nourishing the young. In the combs the cells which
contain the larvae and nymphs ready to be metamorphosed,
are easily recognized by the lids, which are convex, and some-
what brown ; whereas, those which close the cells containing
nothing but honey, are flat and white.

ON HYMENOPTERA. 559

Tlie attempt to remove the combs from the middle of the
hive, where thousands of well-armed bees are ready fiercely
to defend their property, may be considered as a kind of
military expedition. He who undertakes it must carefully
cover his hands and face, to protect himself against their
stings. Nevertheless, M. Bosc thinks such precaution use-
less, and that firmness alone is sufficient for the task. He
advises to seize, for this operation, the moment when a great
number of bees are out, to burn a rag at the aperture of their
dwelling, and to approach by so much the more as the hum-
ming increases. Then, he tells us, that the bees which are
sentinels advertise the others of their danger, and speedily all
hurry off to envelop their queen, and defend her at the peril
of their lives. The evening before the day fixed on for this
business it is necessary, at the approach of night, to detach
the hive from its support. If there be no fear of cold, it may
be turned upon its side, and the following day, before the
rising of the sun, it should be smoked for some moments.
For this purpose, at a hole made in the top is placed the tube
of a funnel: some old linen, or even cow-dung, is burned.
The smoke is directed with a bellows into the mouth of the
funnel, and spreads through the hive ; something may also
be burned underneath the hive. The smoke from this causes
the bees to mount to the top. In a little time they lose their
activity, and are easily driven from the combs that we wish to
remove.

Swarms may be managed in the same manner as old hives,
but still greater moderation must be used with them.

There are hives, sometimes old as well as new, which are but
badly provisioned, because the bees cannot always gather a
sufficient harvest to put a portion in reserve. In this case it
is necessary to provide for their wants, so that they may suffer
no famine. The best nutriment which they can receive, which
suits them best, and is most to their taste, is honey and raw

560 SUPPLEMENT

wax. If these are not to be had their place may be supplied
by the juice of pears or apples cooked, in which a quarter of
a pound of honey, or brown sugar, is mixed, which is boiled
until it is reduced one-third. When it is in a syrup it is
poured into a wooden vessel. On the top some straws are
placed to enable the bees to take it more easily, and it is
placed in the hive. All fruits baked in the oven in their own
juice may also be given to them in time of want. According
to M. de Palteau, a pound and a quarter of honey, or syrup,
per month, suffices for the consumption of the bees of the
best populated hive. But he advises to give them more at
the approach of winter, and at the return of spring, as in
these two seasons they gather nothing.

When the first cold begins to be felt, it will be neces-
sary to prevent the bees from leaving the hive, lest, excited
by the sun which makes its appearance during the day, they
may be induced to wander into the country, and proceeding
too far, be seized by the cold, and perish. To hinder them
from attempting such expeditions, which could be of no use,
a grating should be placed at the door of the hive, which,
while it leaves a free circulation of air, will force them to re-
main in the interior.

This precaution alone is not sufficient to protect the bees
from the effects of an excessive degree of cold. It is, more-
over, necessary, before winter, to shelter them in some close
place, such as a cellar, &c. and to cover with mats, or some-
thing similar, those hives which are but thinly populated,
taking care to leave a passage for the air. If we intend to
preserve our hives, we must visit them in the month of Fe-
bruary, to see if the bees have still any provisions, and to
supply them with some, if they are in want. In spring,
when the weather grows mild, and the sun begins to exercise
a genial influence, they should be restored to their liberty, but
not if the weather be unfavourable.

ON HYMENOPTERA. 561

In this season they are sometimes subject to a malady
which has been named dysentery : the excrements which
they then pass, instead of being of a yellowish red, are black,
and have an insupportable odour. Many writers attribute
the cause of this to the flowers of the linden-tree, and the
elm, of which they are remarkably fond : others, to the new
honey, which they eat to excess, for the first few days after
they issue from the hive. But it seems more probable that
it is occasioned by the long stay which they have made in
the hives, and by their food, which, for want of raw wax, con-
sists entirely of honey. This contagious and mortal malady,
may destroy an entire hive, if remedies be not quickly ap-
plied. It may be prevented, they say, by putting into the
hive, a syrup made with equal quantity of good wine and
sugar ; and remedied by giving to those bees which are al-
ready attacked by it, some cakes containing raw wax. The
weakest bees are the soonest to be attacked by this disease.

It appears that the poisonous quality of some plants, occa-
sionally produces in these insects a fatal and incurable ma-
lady, which some writers call vertigo. Those attacked by it
run about, and turn and twist in all directions near the hives.
Their hinder limbs and the hinder part of the body, appear
uncommonly feeble. This malady generally appears towards
the end of spring.

The bees are also subject to another disorder, which is
not quite so dangerous. It appears in their antennas, the
extremity of which becomes very yellow, swelled, and resem-
bles the bud of a flower just ready to blow. The front of
the head is also of the same colour. The bees attacked by
this malady become languid and weak : their vivacity may
be restored by giving them Spanish wine, which is placed in
a saucer under the hive that they may the more easily reach
it. This remedy strengthens and cures them.

A fourth malady by which they are visited, which is con-
VOL. XV. 2 o

562 SUPPLEMENT

tagious, and a kind of plague amongst them, is what M.
Schirach, and after him the French naturahsts, call faux-
couvain (false brood). This name is given to the larvae and
nymphs which are dead and rotten in their cells. This ac-
cident occurs when the mother has deposited her eggs in
the cells so badly, that the larva cannot break its envelope
to get out, or when the cold has been sufficiently great to
affect the larvae, or when they have received unwholesome
food. The only remedy is to remove the combs which are
infected, to clean the hive thoroughly, perfume it by burning
under it some aromatic plants, to suffer the young bees to
fast for some days to give them time to void their excre-
ments, and finally to give them some Spanish wine to
strengthen them.

We are not precisely acquainted with the term of life
allotted to bees. Virgil and Pliny assure us that they may
live seven years. Some extend this term as far as ten years.
But from the experiments of Reaumur, we may believe that
it is far from being so long. This indefatigable observer,
marked in the month of April five hundred bees with red
varnish, and in the month of November, there was not a
single one alive. It may be well believed that these insects
share the fate of all others, which die soon after they have
fulfilled the functions for which they were intended by na-
ture. The female lives longer than the workers. The males
are condemned to perish sooner than the latter : not a single
one remains during winter in the hives ; the workers will not
suffer them. These bees, which are so attentive, and lavish
their cares indiscriminately on all the larvse, make in the last
two months of summer a horrible carnage of the males.
This continues for two or three days, until they have killed
all that exist, or may be produced from the existing brood.
They carry off from the cells the larvje of which they had
taken^- so much care, and tear away the nymphs which are

ON HYMENOPTERA. 5G3

about to be metamorphosed. But, according to M. Huber,
the males are spared in those hives where there is no female,
and in those where there are only fertile workers, and in all
where the massacre does take place, it never happens until after
the swarming season.

As to the hives, with proper attention to the brood, they
may be preserved for a long time. Some have been known
to last from twenty-five to twenty-eight years.

A!l the hives which are so well peopled during the fine
season are infinitely less so at the end of autumn. Many
bees perish every year, some naturally, others by a violent
death. They have many enemies, some of which insinuate
themselves into the hives, others catch them on the wing.
Mice, rats, field mice, &c. sometimes introduce themselves,
and chiefly in winter, into a hive, and destroy a great number
of bees, eating only the head and corslet. Spiders spread
their webs in the neighbourhood of their habitation, and
catch numbers. Toads place themselves near the entrance,
and swallow many. Several birds, such as sparrows, swallows,
the kingfisher, hens, &c. are partial to these insects. Foxes
sometimes turn the hives over in the winter to get at the
honey. Ants penetrate into the habitation of the bees, being
very fond of honey, and even occasionally attack the eggs.
The odour which exhales from some species is very disagree-
able to the bees. The death's head sphinx, when it enters
the hive, occasions great confusion there, and causes many
bees to perish.

Among their most dangerous enemies we must not forget
to enumerate wasps and hornets, which will make their nests
even in the very hives. The most destructive enemy of all is
that known under the name of the wax-moth, ^a/Zeria cereana,
Fab. This lepidopterous insect is not afraid of depositing its
eggs in the best populated hives. From these eggs spring
caterpillars, which make a silken gallery in the combs, where

2 o 2

564 SUPPLEMENT

they remain secure, and devour the wax in tranquillity.
They pierce the cells in different directions, and if their
number is considerable, they soon force the bees to abandon
the liive.

These caterpillars, for the transformation into the nymph
state, envelop themselves in a cocoon, which serves them as a
defence. Neither the vigilance of the bees, nor the arms with
which nature has provided them, can protect them from these
fatal parasites. It is the business of man to destroy them, by
visiting the upper part of the hives where they remain by
preference, and changing the hives at least every four or five
years. These moths especially attack the old wax. A mite
(acarus gynopterorum) is sometimes found upon the bees, but
this insect is not dangerous, or at all events not particularly
injurious to the population of the hive.

The best method, in general, of protecting the bees against
these dangers is to raise the hives to a tolerable distance from
the earth, to isolate them as much as possible, and to watch,
by assiduous visits, the enemies which threaten those inte-
resting insects.

"And to what occupation," saysM. Latreille, with the
enthusiasm of a philosopher, " more innocent and more agree-
able can any person dedicate his leisure moments? Here the
philosopher may find ample room for meditation, the physician
discover secrets important in his art, the geometrician find
problems to resolve, the friend of nature and the poet de-
lightful associations ; the man of commerce an object of
luxury, the agriculturist a powerful resource against the
capriciousness of the soil, and the pernicious influence of cold
and stoi'ms. The latter, confining himself to what is merely
necessary, will have but few expences to incur. Some bun-
dles of straw and osiers, a few stakes, useless in the forest,
constitute all that is necessary for his operations. During the
long evenings of winter, during the rigorous days when the

ON HYMENOPTERA. 565

cold or rain shall confine him to his dwelling, he may employ
those moments, lost by so many others, in the construction of
his hives. The happiness of labour, the expectation of the
future, of riches to be gained without danger, and enjoyed
without remorse, all concur to inspire his heart with gaiety.
He is not, however, entirely absorbed by one single care : his
hives must be duly visited, the snow which may cover them
be removed, and every aperture carefully closed which might
admit the rain. Has spring returned with all her genial influ-
ence, and is the cold no longer formidable ; already the
working bees begin to busy themselves with the construction
and regulation of their storehouses and habitations. If the
meadows are adorned with but few flowers the cultivator must
sow his seeds in abundance, in the neighbourhood of his
hives, to compensate his bees for long and fruitless excur-
sions, and time bestowed in vain. The recompence of his
labours is at hand. A new nation is about to found another
colony, and to people the habitation which his winter's in-
dustry has prepared for it. What multitudes are yet to
spring from this scion of his ancient stock ; what advantages
must redound to him from their production ? Reflections
like these will sweeten all his present toils and cares, while in
anticipation he enjoys the good which is at least as certain in
reversion as any other in this sublunary scene of perpetual
mutation."

We could not be expected, even if our limits permitted, to
enter into any lengthened details concerning the culture of
bees, a subject more strictly appertaining to rural economy
than to natural history. We shall merely observe that the
cares which they require may be referred to three different
periods of the year. The first extends from the moment in
which they awake from their lethargy to the destruction of
the males, the second from the end of July to the end of
October, and the third from this last time to that in which

566 SUPPLEMENT

they shake off their winter's skimbers. Each of these periods,
which are no further fixed than by the temperature of the
atmosphere, require different cares. In spring the winter
covering must be removed from the hives. The bees, which
are too weak, whose magazines are exhausted, and cannot be
replenished for the want of flowers, must be fed. Syrup,
composed usually of good wine, honey, and sugar, nourishes
them, purges them, and cures them of the dysentery. But an
abuse of this resource would be followed by some incon-
veniences.

When the swarms are once commenced the bees must be
left in peace and tranquillity ; when they are formed, their
flight must be watched and prevented. Cases of this must be
prolonged to the end of July, and it must be most particularly
remembered that these insects be never suffered to want
water. The use of this liquid is facilitated to the bees by
some plants growing on the edge of the fountain where they
quench their thirst, or some blades of straw placed upon the
dish or trough in which this beverage is presented them.
The neighbourhood of great lakes is often very pernicious to
them. Should they traverse one of these, at the period of a
storm, they are liable to be precipitated into the water and
drowned. As they often lose their females in the month of
August, at which time they cease to lay eggs, a critical era
for the queen, they deliver themselves up to pillage. Those
to whom this accident occurs unite themselves to the inhabi-
tants of another hive. If the period of their gathering be
past, their provisions must be augmented. As the lethargic
state puts an end to all their wants, we have nothing to do in
the third period but to moderate the influence of cold upon
these insects.

The numerous subgenera of the apiariae will not detain us
much longer. To notice them all, or even the greater part,
would be to extend this portion of our work far beyond the

ox HYMEiVOPTERA. 567

limits of a volume. We shall therefore conclude with a very
brief review of those more immediately allied to the hive-bee,
to which we have thought proper to accord the foremost rank,
without attending to the order in the text.

The HUMBLE BEES (BoMBus) have sometimes been con-
founded with the males of our domestic bee (at least in name),
but which they are as unlike as possible. They are insects
very common and very w^ell known, especially by children,
who often deprive them of life for the sake of the honey
which they contain. They live like our bees, in societies, but
much less numerous, and which end at the close of autumn to
recommence in spring. They make a loud humming noise,
from which originate their Latin and French names {Bombus
and Bourdon), and they are still termed in many parts of
Britain bumble-bees, a name much more appropriate than
their other English denomination.

The humble bees live in subterraneous habitations, united
in a society of fifty or sixty individuals, and sometimes as
many as two or three hundred, and which is dissolved at the
approach of winter. It is composed of males distinguished
by the smalhiess of their size, and relative proportions, of
females, which are larger than the other individuals, and of
mules or workers of an intermediate magnitude. Reaumur
distinguishes two varieties of these workers : the first stronger,
and of a middle size ; the second smaller, and to all appear-
ance more lively and active. The younger M. Huber has
verified this fact. According to him, many of the workers
born in spring couple in the month of June with the males
that proceed from their common mother, lay soon after, but
only bring forth individuals of this last sex. These again
fecundate the ordinary or later females, which do not appear
until the after season, and which in the spring of the following
year are to lay the foundations of a new colony. All the

568 SUPPLEMENT

Other individuals, without excepting even the small females,
perish.

Such of the ordinary females as have escaped the rigours
of vv'inter take advantage of the first fine days to make their
nest. One species {Bombus lapidarius) establishes itself at
the surface of the earth, under stones, in a manner which we
shall presently explain ; but all the others place their nests in
the ground, and often at the depth of one or two feet. Mea-
dows, dry plains, and small hills are the places which they
select for this purpose. These subterraneous cavities, of a
very considerable extent, and more wide than high, are in the
form of a dome. Their vault is constructed with earth and
moss, which they bring in blade by blade, entering backwards.
A sort of cap, of a rude and inferior kind of wax, invests the
interior walls. Sometimes a simple aperture, formed at the
lower part of the nest, serves as a passage ; sometimes a tor-
tuous path, covered with moss, and one or two feet in length,
conducts to the habitation. The bottom of its interior is
carpeted with a bed of leaves, on which the brood is to re-
pose. The female first places there masses of brown wax
irregularly, and nipple-formed, which Reaumur calls patee,
and which he compares, in consequence of their figures and
colours, to trufiles. Their interior vacancies are intended to
enclose the eggs and the larvae which proceed from them.
These larvae live in society until the time when they are about
to change into nymphs. They then separate, and spin cocoons
of silk, which are ovoid, and fixed vertically one against the
other. The nymph is there always in an inverted situation,
or with the head downwards, like those of the females of the
domestic bee in their cocoons. Accordingly these cocoons
are always pierced at their lower part, when the perfect insect
has issued from them. Reaumur says that the larvae live on
the wax which forms their lodging ; but in the opinion of

ON HIMENOPTERA. 569

M. Huber, it simply guards them from cold and humidity,
and the nutriment of these larvae consists of a tolerably large
provision of pollen, moistened with a little honey, of which
the workers take care to furnish a fresh supply when it is
exhausted. For this purpose they pierce the lid of their
cells, and then shut them again. They even enlarge them,
by adding a new piece, when these larvae, from their growing
size, are confined within too narrow limits. There are found,
moreover, in these nests three or four small bodies, composed
of brown wax, or the same material as the patee, in the form
of goblets, or little pots, almost cylindrical, always open, and
more or less filled with honey. These form an agreeable
refreshment to the mowers, when they light upon any of these
nests. The places which are occupied by these reservoirs of
honey are not always the same. It has been said that the
workers make use of the empty cocoons for the same purpose ;
but this appears doubtful, as these cocoons are of a silky
material, and always pierced underneath.

The larvag issue from the eggs, four or five days after the
deposition, and finish their metamorphosis in the months of
May and June. The workers remove the wax which embar-
rasses their cocoon to facilitate their issue. It was believed
that they produced none but workers, but, as we have already
seen, males also issue from them. The workers assist the female
in her labours. The number of cocoons which serve as a
habitation to the larvae and nymphs increases, and these co-
coons form irregular combs, rising by stories, and on the
edges of which the brown wax, cdXleA. patte by Reaumur, is
especially distinguishable. According to M. Huber, the
workers are exceedingly fond of the eggs which the female
lays, and even, sometimes in her absence, partly open the cells
in which they are enclosed, to suck the milky matter which
they contain ; a very extraordinary fact, since it seems to belie

570 SUPPLEMENT

the well known attachment of the workers for the germ of
the race of which they are the natural nurses and guardians.
The wax which these insects produce is of the same origin as
that of the domestic bee, or but an elaborated honey, which
also transudes at intervals, between the rings of the abdomen.
Several females live in good intelligence under the same roof,
and do not testify any mutual aversion. They couple outside
their dwelling, either in the air or on plants.

The CARPENTER-BEES (Xylocopa, Latr.) so much resemble
the humble-bees, that Fabricius has placed some of their
species with the latter : these are the abeille-perce-bois of
Reaumur. The species to which he has particularly given
this name is the apis violacea of Linnaeus, an insect which we
only begin to meet with in temperate Europe. It is observed
to appear in the first fine days of spring ; it flies humming
round walls exposed to the sun, round windows which have old
outside shutters, window-frames, projecting beams, &c. It
thus seeks out a favourable place for the deposition of its eggs,
which it always places exclusively in old wood. One indi-
vidual will prefer a vine-prop, another the pieces of wood
which serve for a support to the hedge-rows ; some will
choose an outside shutter, some an old bench or beam. In
all cases it is necessary that the wood be dry, and that it has
commenced to rot, the insect having then less difficulty in
excavating it. It requires a very persevering strength and
courage to enable this little creature to complete its enter-
prize. The hole which it opens is at first directed obliquely
towards its axis. At some lines in depth its direction changes,
and it becomes nearly parallel to the axis. The wood is
pierced like a flute obliquely, yet sometimes from one end to
the other. The cavity should be tolerably spacious, to enable
the insect to turn about in it. Reaumur says that he could
put his fore-finger into it. These holes are often more than
13

ON HYMENOPTERA. 571

a dozen or fourteen inches long, and are tliree or four in
number, if the thickness of the wood will permit it. The
mandibles and teeth are the instruments employed by this
insect in the work of excavation.

It is in these tunnels that the carpenter-bee lodges her eggs.
Each tunnel is composed of a range of several chambers or
compartments. It is generally divided into about twelve of
these compartments, which have no communication with each
other. Each lodge encloses an egg, and a quantity of paste,
necessary for the growth of the larvae which is to be born
there. This paste has the consistence of soft earth, and is
tolerably similar to that with which the humble-bees nourish
their young. It is doubtless the dust of the stamina of flowers,
mixed with a little honey. The larva at first is lodged within
a narrow space, as the paste almost entirely occupies the cell.
But the consumption which it makes by little and little pro-
duces a vacancy which sets it at its ease. In each range of
cells the larvse which are in the lower are older than those in
the upper, and are transformed and issue forth first.

We lastly come to the mason-bees, which form three sub-
genera in Latreille — osmia, megachile, and anthophora.
The history of the first will comprize almost all that we need
say about them, and also about what have been called by
English naturalists the upholsterer-bees.

These insects, like those of the preceding germs, are soli-
tary. Reaumur, Degeer, and Spinola have collected some
traits of their history, which have been illustrated or confirmed
by M. Latreille. The first, after having made us acquainted
with the manners of that species of mason-bee called muraria,
speaks of some other species of the same family, which are
likewise masons. The mortar which the latter make is not so
good as that of the former ; it is nothing but a fine earth, the
grains of which are cemented together by means of a fluid.
It would be useless to give to this mortar more solidity, be-

572 SUPPLEMENT

cause these insects know how to construct their cells in places
where they are not exposed to be injured by the rain. They
seek out stones which have cavities, to serve as an habitation
to a single one of their larvae. They cover with earth the
walls of this cavity, fill it in part, and leave no vacancy except
the space necessary to contain the provisions destined for the
nutriment and growth of the larvee which is to issue from the
egg deposited close by. To shorten the duration of their
labours, these bees choose such cavities as are not too large,
and the apertures of which have scarcely more diameter than
is necessary to allow them to pass. If the apertures be too
wide they contract them, by attaching some earth to their
interior edge, and leaving in the middle a very circular hole,
and proportioned to the magnitude of their bodies. The
paste which Reaumur drew from some of these holes had the
consistence of bouillie. The honey which served to moisten
the pollen, of which this paste was composed, had a very
agreeable flavour. Having provided for the wants of its pos-
terity, the insect closes the entrance of the cell with earth
prepared for that purpose. Another species mentioned by
Reaumur (bicornis), makes in old wood works similar to
those which the preceding execute in stone. By no means
fearing the presence of man, and being, as it were, quite tame,
it nidificates in doors and the frames of windows, when it
finds cavities in such places, proper to become the cradle of
its young. The individual observed by this great naturalist
had taken advantage of a hole in one of the doors of his
kitchen. The movements of the persons who were going and
coming continually did not alarm it : it never interrupted its
labours, even when any one stopped to inspect them. Whe-
ther the door was open or shut, it did not the less continue
its work, entering into its hole and coming out many times in
the course of the day. It invested with earth the walls of this
cavity ; and after having laid its eggs there, it sealed up the

Oy IIYMENOPTERA. 573

two ends of the habitation of its young with the same mate-
rials- Reaumur having waited three weeks or more before
he deranged the interior of the nest, when he came to exa-
mine it, found it empty.

The females of these two species, and those of some
others of this group, present a peculiarity worthy of atten-
tion. There are two projections on the head, in front, in
the form of horns, which are, in fact, but elongations of the
sides of this part ; another species (tricornis) has even an
additional one. The interval which separates them is more
or less sunk, more or less extended, and usually smooth and
shining ; it is a kind of trough, for we often observe there
parcels of earth and mortar. It is possible that these horns
may answer the purpose of enlarging the cavity in which
these insects nidificate, and rounding its walls and centre.
The mandibles may perform the office of trowels.

Degeer has given us the history of the Osmia coerulescens,
Latr., Ajiis venea, Lin. He had remarked, for many years
in succession, in the inequalities of a wall, built with large
stones of granite, some oval plates, embossed, and of the
colour of dried potters' clay. On examining them closely,
he perceived that they were formed of earth and grains of
sand intermingled, and forming a tolerably solid mass ; but
that they were easily detached with the point of a knife,
and fell immediately into powder if touched a little roughly.
These masses are the nests of this bee. Having opened
one in the month of May, Degeer saw two or three cells in
its interior, each filled with an oval cocoon of silk, of a dirty
white, and which contained one of those insects full of life,
and ready to break forth. These nests had been constructed
the preceding year. The same observer found another,
made of the same materials, in a thick bed of argilla, mingled
with lime, with which, in his country, they are accustomed
to line the walls of wooden houses. In this nest there was a

574 SUPPLEMENT '

larva, which passed the winter in that state, and was not
transformed into a nymph until the beginning of June in
the following year.

A very curious species is that which Reaumur names
Abeille tapissiere, and which we call the upJiolsterer-bee. It
at first excavates in the earth a perpendicular hole of some
inches in depth, cylindrical at its entrance, more wide at
bottom, and resembling a sort of bottle. Some portions of the
petals of the flowers of the wild poppy, which the animal cuts
in a semi-oval form, and transports with its mandibles, are em-
ployed to line the walls of this cavity, and prevent their
falling in. To make these pieces enter, it folds them in two,
then opens and extends them as smoothly as possible. This
tapestry often extends some lines beyond the aperture of
the hole, and forms all round it a flame-coloured riband,
which attracts the attentive eye of the observer. As this
invests all the interior of the burrow, it naturally takes its
form, and the nest may be drawn out of the hole without
losing its shape. Having placed at the bottom a paste,
composed of pollen and honey, the insect lays an egg there,
and closes the nest by folding down the superior extremity
of the tapestry. If the hole is tolerably deep, it raises a
second nest above the first. A little earth closes and con-
ceals the entrance to the habitation. If the flowers of the
poppy be rare in the neighbourhood, this insect will use
others, as the flowers of rape, which being of a very different
colour from the others, it is evident that the animal, in this
case, acts more by virtue of its instinct, than from the im-
pression made on its senses by external objects. It is also
remarkable that the nymphs of this insect do not disclose,
except during the season in which these flowers are in
bloom.

Another of these insects makes its habitation in the spheri-
cal galls, which have been abandoned by the cinips. As

ON HYMENOPTERA. 575

these are not sufficiently spacious, it increases them consider-
ably, and polishes the interior.

The larvas and nymphs of all these bees are exposed, like
those of many other insects, to the attacks of the ichneumon
and other parasitical hymenoptera. The Osmia fulviventris,
when in its perfect state, is sometimes covered with a prodi-
gious quantity o? acari.

In this third family of stinging hymenoptera, the diploptera,
we are enabled to add figures of several new species belong-
ing to its different genera.

In the singular genus Si/nagris, of M. Fabricius, we have
re-figured the cornuta of the above-named author. It is of
a dark orange colour, with the vertex, the centre of the
thorax, and the abdomen, of a dull black, the wings blackish
brown, rather shiny. This insect is from Fernando Po, and
the specimen is in Mr. Hope's collection.

In Polistes we have figured a species we call apicalis. It
is brownish black ; the wings black at the base ; the apex
much lighter. This insect is from Brazil, and is in the col-
lection of the British Museum.

We insert a beautiful species of Crocisa, which is named
mtidula, by Fabricius, This insect is from India ; it has the
antennae and head black, with the front of the latter silvery
blue ; thorax shining black, with seven spots of silvery blue ;
scutellum black ; the abdomen black, with the base of the
first segment and of the sides of each segment marked with
silvery blue.

Mr. Westwood has formed a new genus in this family,
called Aphaneura, which is allied to Ancyloscelis, but is
distinguished by the flat and dilated form of the poste-
rior tibia in the female: the first joint of the posterior tarsi
being large and flat. The species figured he names rufes-
ccns. It is reddish brown ; with the head and thorax dirty

576 SUPPLEMENT ON HYMENOPTERA.

yellow, with the centre of the latter blackish ; the wings yel-
low, with the nervures reddish.

Lastly, we have inserted the type of MM. Lepeletier and
Serville's genus Aglce ; the specific name is coeyulea. It is
of a very shining violet blue, covered with black hairs ; the
antennae black ; the sides of the abdomen and wings brown,
with a very slight reflection of gold ; the labrum and scutellum
very smooth ; the trunk is testaceous. This genus is from
Cayenne.

THE TENTH ORDER OF INSECTS *.

Lepidoptera. Glossata, Fab.

Terminates the series of insects with four wings, and dis-
plays, exclusively, their characters.

The wings are covered on both sides with small coloured
scales, like farinaceous dust, which comes off by touch ; a
trunk, called a tongue, rolled up spirally between two palpi,
beset with scales, or hair, forms the most important part of
their mouth, and is the instrument with which these insects
absti'act the honey of flowers, which is their only food.
We have seen, in our general remarks on the class of insects,
that this trunk was composed of two tubular threads, repre-
senting the jaws, and each carrying, near its exterior base, a
very small feeler, called the upper feeler, having the form of
a tubercle. The visible, or lower palpi, act as a sort of
sheath for the trunk, and represent the labial palpi of the
grinding insects ; these are cylindrical, or conical, commonly
elevated, composed of three articulations, and inserted on a
fixed lip, which forms the partition of the portion of the
mouth beneath the trunk. Two small pieces, scarcely dis-
tinct, corneous, and more or less ciliated, situated one on
each side, on the anterior and upper edge of the fore part of

* As this order of insects is much more generally studied than the others,
we have translated the text of Cuvier at full length. Want of space alone
has compelled us unwiUingly to abbre\aate the text in the preceding orders.
—Ed.

VOL. XV. 2 P

578 CLASS INSECTA.

(he head, near the eyes, appear to be vestiges of mandibles.
Indeed there may be found, but quite in miniature, the
labrum, or upper hp.

The antennae are variable, and always composed of a great
number of articulations. In most of the species, there may
be discovered, but concealed among the scales, two smooth,
or simple eyes *. The three segments, of which the trunk of
hexapod insects is formed, are united in one body : the first
is very short ; the other two are confounded together; the
scutellum is triangular, with the point toward the head. The
wings are simply veined, variable in figure, size, and position.
In many insects, the under-wings have some longitudinal
folds toward the internal edge. At the base of the upper
wings, is a piece, in form of an epaulet, elongated behind,
and corresponding to what is called the tegula in the hyme-
noptera ; but being more developed here, I shall call it the
pterygoid. The abdomen is composed of six or seven rings,
is attached to the thorax by a small part only of its diameter,
and has neither sting or borer analogous to that of the hyme-
noptera. In many of the females, nevertheless, as the cossus,
the last rings can be thrust out, and withdrawn again, to
form an ovipositor in the shape of a pointed and retractile
tail. The tarsi have always five articulations. There are
never more than two sorts of individuals, male and female.
The abdomen of the former is terminated by a sort of flat
pincers, which inclose the penis. The females lay their eggs
often extremely numerous, generally on the vegetable sub-
stances on which their larvae are to feed, and they cease to
exist very shortly afterwards.

The larvse of the lepidoptera are known under the name of
caterpillars. They have six feet, scaly, or crooked, corres-

* From the observations of M. Dalman, these do not exist in the diurnal
lepidoptera.

ORDER LEPIDOPTERA. 579

ponding with those of the perfect insect, and, moreover,
from four to ten membranous feet, the last pair of which are
situated at the posterior extremity of the body, near the
anus ; those which have altogether but ten or twelve feet
have been called, in French, by reason of their mode of loco-
motion, geometres, or arpenteures, geometricians or surveyors.
These cling to the plane of position by means of scaly paws,
then elevating the intermediate articulations of the body into
the form of a ring, or buckle, they approximate the posterior
legs to the anterior, disengaging the latter, they hold on by
the former, and carry the body forward to recommence the
same manoeuvre. Many of these caterpillars are fixed, when
in a state of repose, to the branches by the hind legs only,
and in that state bear resemblance, by the direction, form, and
colour of their bodies, to the branch ; they keep themselves a
long time in this situation without showing the least sign of life.
A position so constrained, presupposes a prodigious muscular
force ; and Lyonet has accordingly reckoned in the cossus
Ugniperda 4041 muscles. Some caterpillars, with fourteen or
sixteen feet, but some of whose intermediate membranes are
shorter than others, have been named semi, or pseudo-geome-
tricians. The membranous feet are frequently terminated by
a coronet, more or less complete, of little hooks.

The body of these larvae is, in general, elongated, nearly
cylindrical, soft, variously coloured, sometimes naked or
bare, sometimes beset with hairs, tubercles, or spines, and
composed, exclusive of the head, of twelve rings, with nine
stigmata on each side. The head is covered with a corneous
or scaly^dermis, and has on each side six small shining grains,
which appear to be little simple eyes ; it has, moreover, two
very short and conical antennae, a mouth composed of strong-
mandibles, of two jaws, a labrum, and four small palpi. The
silky matter they make use of is elaborated in two interior,
long, and tortuous vessels, the upper extremity of which

2 p 2

580 CLASS INSECTA.

gradually diminished, terminates at the labrura : a tubular
and conical mamma, situated at the end of the labrum, gives
issue to the threads of the silk.

The majority of caterpillars feed on the leaves of veget-
ables ; others gnaw the flowers, roots, buds, and seeds ; the
ligneous, or hardest parts of trees, supply food for some of
them, this they soften by means of a liquid which they
disgorge. Some species gnaw our cloth, silk, stuffs, and furs,
and are very pernicious domestic enemies to us ; leather,
grease, lard, and wax, are not spared by them. Many sub-
sist exclusively on one sort of matter ; but there are some less
delicate, which attack many sorts of plants or substances *.

Some unite in societies, and frequently under a silken web,
which they spin in common, and which affords them a shelter
during the bad season ; many make themselves cases, fixed
or moveable ; some are known which lodge in the 'parenchyma
of leaves, in which they form galleries; most of them delight
in day-light, but others quit their retreat in the night only.
The severity of winter, so opposed to almost all insects, does
not reach some phalena, which appear only at that season.

The caterpillars commonly change the skin four times
before they pass into the state of nymphae, or chrysalids :
most of them then spin a cocoon in which they enclose them-
selves. A liquid, generally reddish, being a kind of me-
conium, which the lepidoptera eject from the anus at the
moment of their change, softens one end of the cocoon, and
facilitates their exit ; one end of the cocoon is, moreover,
weaker than the other, or affords, by the disposition of the
threads, a more easy issue. Other caterpillars merely tie with
silk, leaves, particles of earth, or particles of substances
where they have lived, and thus form a large cocoon. The

* One of the most manifest proofs of Providence, is the perfect coinci-
dence in the adaptation of the caterpillar to the vegetable substance on
which it feeds.

ORDER LEPIDOPTERA. 581

chrysalids of the diurnal lepidoptera, ornamented with golden
spots, which have given rise to the general denomination of
chrysalids, are uncovered, and fixed by the posterior ex-
tremity of the body. The nymphs of lepidoptera present a
particular character which we have discussed in our general
observations on the class. They are swathed, or in form of
a mummy *. Those of many, especially of the diurnal lepi-
doptera, open in a few days ; indeed these insects often breed
two generations in a year. In others, the caterpillar, or its
chrysalid, pass through the winter, and the insect does not
undergo its last change till the spring or summer of the fol-
lowing year. In general, the eggs which are laid in the
autumn do not hatch till the following spring. The lepidop-
tera issue from their chrysalid form in the common manner,
or by a cleft which is made on the back of the corslet.

The intestines of caterpillars consist of a thick canal
without inflexions, whose anterior part is sometimes a little
separated from the rest like a stomach, and in which the
posterior portion forms a wrinkled cloaca. The biliary ves-
sels, four in number, and very long, are inserted very far
behind. In the perfect insect there may be seen a first
lateral stomach, or gizzard, a second turgid stomach, and a
thin, largish intestine, with a coecum, near the cloaca f.

The larva? of the ichneumonides and of the chalcides rid
us of a great part of these destructive insects.

We shall divide this order into three families, which cor-
respond with the three genera of which it is composed in the
system of Linnseus.

The first family, that of

* The sheaths of the feet and antennae are fixed : a character pecuhar
to this sort of metamor[3hosis.

f See, on the anatomy of the caterpillar, Lyonet's admirable work ;
and on the development of the organs of the chrysalis and caterpillar,
that of Herold.

582 CLASS INSECTA.

The Diurnal Lepidoptera. Diurna,

Is the only one (a few nocturnal excepted) in which the
exterior edge of the lower wings does not afford a rough
scaly silk or a kind of fringe, to retain the two upper wings ;
the former, and, in general, the latter also, are elevated per-
pendicularly when at rest ; the antennee are sometimes termi-
nated by a swelling in form of a little club, sometimes nearly
of the same thickness, or even thinner, and in a bent point at
their extremity. This family includes the genus of

Butterflies, Papilio, of LlnrKzus,

Whose caterpillars have always sixteen feet. Their chrysalis
is almost always naked, attached by the tail, and in general
angular. The perfect insect is always provided with a trunk ;
they fly only in the day time ; the colours of the under side
of their wings are not inferior to those of the upper side.

We shall first divide them into two sections.

Those of the first have only a pair of spurs, or spines, to
the legs of their posterior extremity ; their four wings are
all elevated when at rest ; their antennae are sometimes bent
at the extremity like a bud or little club, sometimes rounded
at the top, and sometimes nearly filiformed.

This section includes the genera papilio and hesperia ru-
rales of the entymological system of Fabricius.

This division, very numerous in species, may be divided in
the following manner.

1st. Those in which the third articulation of the lower
palpi is sometimes entirely naked, at others very distinct, but
as much covered with scales as the preceding, and in which
the hooks of the tarsi are very appai'ent.

Their caterpillars are elongated, almost cylindrical. Their
chrysalis are almost always angular, sometimes united, but
inclosed in a large cocoon.

'JUDEll LEFIDOPTERA. 583

Some among them, the hexapodes, have all the feet fitted
for walking, and nearly the same in both sexes *. Their
chrysalis, besides the common posterior attachment, is fixed
by a silken thread, forming a buckle or half ring round the
body. That of some of them is enclosed in a large cocoon.
The central partition cellule of the under wings is closed
underneath ■\.

The latter have the internal edge of the under wings
concave or folded. Such are

The Butterflies, properly so called. P. Equites, Lin.,

Which have the lower palpi extremely short, scarcely reach-
ing the chaperon, by their upper extremity, with the third
articulation indistinct.

Their caterpillars, when alarmed or distressed, thrust out
from the upper part of the neck, a soft forked horn, which
in general emits a penetrating and unpleasant odour. Their
skin is naked. The chrysalis is attached by a silk thread,
and uncovered.

* The butterflies, properly so called, or those of the division Equites, of
Linnaeus, are allied, on the one hand, to the Danai festivi, and on the
other to the Parnassii. From the latter we pass to Thais, and finally to
the Parnassii. The preceding Danai are alUed to the Helicorni. Hence it
follows that we ought to begin the series of the diurnal lepidoptera, by
the tetrapods, as the Satyri, the Pavarii, the Morphi, and the Nymphales,
so as to arrive through Argynnis and Cethosia, to the Helicani. The
Diurna are di\'isible into two principal sections, those whose chrysahs
is suspended vertically, and simply attached by the extremity of the tail ;
and those in which it is fixed not only by the extremity, but also by
a silken thread traversing the body hke a buckle or half ring. The first
are always tetrapods. We should commence with those whose caterpillars
are naked or nearly so, and generally bifid at the posterior extremity, and
those whose caterpillars have spines should follow.

f I have used this character in my genera of Crustacea and Insects.
M. Dalman and Godart have generahzed the relati^'e application of it in
this family.

13

584 CLASS INSECTA.

The species of this suhgenus ai*e remarkable for their
shape and the variety of their colours. They are found
more particularly in the intertropical countries of both he-
mispheres. Those which have red spots on the breast, form
the division of Trojan knights, of Linnaeus. He has distin-
guished by the name of Greeks, those which have not these
spots. Many have the under wings elongated, and such is
that of France, which is called by Linnaeus, Papilio machaon.
Wings yellow, with black spots and stripes ; the under wings
elongated into a tail, and having, near the posterior edge,
some blue spots, one of .which is like an eye, with red at the
internal angle.

The caterpillar is green, with black rings, dotted with red,
and lives on the leaves of carrot, fennel, &;c.

P. Podalirius, God., and P. Alexanor, are also found in
France *.

Zelima, Fab. These differ from the last only by the club
of the antennae, which is shorter and more rounded. I know
two species of them, one of Senegal, and the other of
Guinea, and which form part of the fine collection of the
Count Dejean.

Parnassius, Lat., Doritis, Fab., whose lower palpi are
elevated sensibly above the chaperon, go to a point, and
have three very distinct articulations. The bud of their
antennae is short, almost ovoid and straight. The females
have a species of corneous pouch, in the shape of a small boat,
at the posterior extremity of the abdomen. Their cater-
pillars have also under the neck a retractile tentaculum, like
that of the butterflies proper ; but they make with leaves,
tied by silken threads, a cocoon, in which they change to a
chrysalis.

* For the lepidoptera of Europe, consult the excellent work of Ochsen-
heimer, continued by Treitschke.

ORDER LEPIDOPTERA. 585

These species are found only in the alpine or subalpine
parts of Europe and the north of Asia. Such is

Pap. Apolloy Lin., God. II., B. 11. 1. White, spotted with
black ; four white eye-like spots, edged with a red circle and a
black circle on the under wings. Its caterpillar lives on Sedum,
telephicum, saxifrage^ &c. It is of a velvety black, with a row
of red spots on each side and one on the back. The chry-
salis is round, of a blackish green, slightly powdered with
white or blueish *.

Thais, Fah. These have the palpi of the parnassii, but the
bud of the antennas is elongated and bent. The abdomen
of the female has no corneous pouch.

Their caterpillars have not, it seems, the retractile tenta-
culum. These species belong to the south of Europe, some
of them are found only in the mountains, [Pap. hysipyle,
rumina, Fab.)

In the former the under wings advance under the abdomen,
and form a cornice. Their caterpillars have no tentaculum.
Many of them live on cruciferous plants.

These lepidoptera (P. danai candidi, Lin.) form two
subgenera.

PiERis, Sc/ir., PoNTiA, Fab., with the lower palpi nearly
cylindrical, little compressed, with the last articulation nearly
as long as the preceding, and with the club of the antennae
ovoid f.

CoLiAs, Fab. In these the club is conical, elongated, and
reversed ; the inferior palpi much compressed, with the last
articulation much shorter than the preceding. P. hyale,
Lin. P. rhammi, Lin. P. cleopatra, Lin. &c.

* See God. ibid.

t Here come the lepidoptera, under the general name of Brassicse, as
P. brassic(B, Lin., P. rupee, Lin., P. najn, Lin., P. daplidice, Lin., P.
sinapis, Lin., P. cardumines, Lin. &c, nearly all vernal species.

586 CLASS INSECTA.

The other butterflies of the same division (the tetrapods)
have the two anterior feet evidently shorter than the others,
folded, by no means ambulatory in either sex, and sometimes
only in the male. The chrysalis is merely attached by its
posterior extremity, and suspended with the head downward.

Sometimes the anterior feet, although the smallest and
folded, diflfer little from the others. These under wings,
whose central cell is always closed beneath, extend but
slightly, in general, on the abdomen. The lower palpi are
distant from each other, slightly cylindrical, and generally
very short. All the subgenera of this subdivision are exotic.

We may distinguish datiais, euploea, Fab., P. danaifestivi,
Lin., in part by their triangular wings, and their antennae
terminated in the manner of an elongated and bent club *.

Idea, Fab, are known by their nearly oval elongated wings,
and their antennas nearly filiform f. In these two subgenera
the lower palpi are scarcely elevated above the chaperon, and
their second articulation is scarcely as long again as the first.
In the two following subgenera the wings resemble the others,
but they are commonly narrower and larger, and the abdomen
is also proportionally longer than that of the majority of the
preceding ; the second articulation is much longer than the
first, and its extremity reaches beyond the chaperon.

Heliconius %, Latr., Mechanitis, Fab., P. Pelicani, Lin.,
have the antenne as long again as the head and the thorax,
and enlarging gradually toward the extremity. In AcRjEaJ,
Fab., they are shorter, and terminated abruptly in a club.

Sometimes (P. nymphalis, Lin.) the two anterior feet are
decidedly folded, whether apparent and very hairy, or very
small and hidden. The under wings, whose central cellule is

* Latr. Gener. Crust, and Insect. IV., 201.
f Latr. ibid.
\ Latr. loc. cit.

ORDER LEPIDOPTERA. 587

open in many, embrace the abdomen very obviously below.
The lower palpi are proportionably larger, and often thicker
and nearer to each other. Here the central cellule of the
under wing is open.

Those whose lower palpi are little compressed, distant
from each other, for their whole length, or at least at the
extremity, and terminated abruptly by a thin articulation ;
whose wings have often underneath silvery or yellow spots on
a fulvous ground ; whose caterpillars are always covered
with spines or fleshy and hairy tubercles, compose the
subgenera.

Cethosia, Fab., and Argynnis, Melit/ea, Fab. In the
first, many species of which have the wings elevated and
elongated, the lower palpi are distant their whole length,
the hooks of the tarsi are simple, and the club of the
antennae is oblong. In the second it is short and abrupt ;
the hooks of the tarsi have a single indentation ; the lower
palpi are separated only at their extremity. The under wings
are often round.

Some {Argynnis, Fab.) have pearly spots under their wings.
Their caterpillars have spines, two of which on the neck are
the largest. Those of the others (Melitcea, Fab.) have small
hairy tubercles ; the wings are checkered ; the pearly spots
are replaced by yellow, which sometimes takes place in the
preceding.

Those which have the lower palpi contiguous their whole
length, terminated almost insensibly in a point, and very
much compressed, compose five other subgenera.

Vanessa, Fab., differ from the following by their antennas
terminated abruptly by a short knob in an ovoid form. Their
caterpillars are covered with numerous spines.

V. niorio, {Pap. antiopa, Lin.) God. Hist. Nat. des Lepid,
de. France, t. v. 1., has angular wings of a deep purplish

588 CLASS INSECTA.

black, with a yellowish or whitish band on the posterior
edge, and a row of blue spots above. Its caterpillar is
blackish, spiny, with a series of red square divided spots
along the back. It feeds on the leaves of the birch, osier
and poplar, and lives in societies. They appear at two sepa-
rate periods.

Paj). lo. Lin., God., ibid. t. v. 2., has angular indented
wings, reddish fulvous above, with a large occellated spot on
each wing ; those of the upper wings i*eddish in the middle,
surrounded by a yellowish circle ; those of the under wings
blackish, surrounded by a gray circle, and inclosing some
blueish spots ; under the wings blackish. The caterpillar is
black, dotted with white, with simply villose spines ; it lives
on nettles.

Pap. cardui, God., ibid. t. v. 2. Wings indented, red
above, varied with black and white ; underneath marbled
with gray, yellow and brown, with five occellated blueish
fcipots on their edges. The caterpillar lives solitarily on
thistles ; there are some brownish with yellow stripes, or
reddish with transverse yellow bands. It is spiny. This
butterfly appears only at the end of the summer.

Pap. atalanta, Lin., God., t. vi, 1. Wings indented and
a little angular, black above, crossed by a bright red band,
with white spots on the upper wings ; beneath marbled with
divers colours. The caterpillar is black, spiny, with a range
of saffron lines on each side. It lives on nettles, and prefers
the berry, and remains hidden at the top between the leaves,
which it rolls up and fastens with silk.

The same division includes some other species very com-
mon with us, such as P. polycldoros, Lin., P. urticcB, Lin.,
the Gramma, or Robert the Devil, P. C. album. The
chrysalis of the last represents rudely a human face, or the
mask of a satyr. [God. ibid.)

ORDER LEPIDOPTERA. 589

In the four following subgenera, the antennre are termi-
nated in an elongated mace, or are nearly filiform. The
caterpillars are naked, or have a small number of spines.

LiBYTHEA, Fab., in which the males only have the two
fore claws very short and broad. Their lower palpi advance
sensibly like a beak. The upper wings are very angular
(see the work before quoted).

BiBLis, Fab., Melanitis, Ejusd. In which these palpi are
larger than the head, but more obtuse, and a little bent at
the extremity, the two fore claws are short and folded in
both sexes, and the antennae have a much smaller terminal
mace. The wings are in proportion larger and simply in-
dented. It has been observed that the nervures of the first
were much swollen at their origin.

Nymphalis, Lat. Similar as to the claws to BibHs ; but
the lower palpi are shorter. It is only by the elongation of
the mace of the antennae that this subgenus is distinguishable
from Vanessa. Nevertheless the caterpillars are different,
for besides having but a few spines or some fleshy knobs,
they become thin towards the posterior extremity, which is
shghtly forked.

These butterflies are generally highly ornamented, and
have a rapid and elevated flight. Many pretty species of
them are found in France, such as those which the amateurs
mark by small groups, under the names of Syhanis and
Mars, The males of the latter have changeable colours.
To this subgenus belongs also another pretty species, also
indigenous, P. Jason, Lin. The form and size of the mace
of the antennae varies a little, as well as the relative propor-
tions of the wings, which has induced some other sub-
genera, but they have very equivocal characters. The species
which approximate the most to Biblis, and which, as Syl-
vanus ccenobiies, of Engrammelle, form the genus Neptis,
of Fabricius. Among those which difler most from the pre-

590 CLASS INSECTA.

ceding, both by the antennae and the under wings, and have
tails hke certain species of the division of Knights, of Linnaeus,
we will cite P. Jason, mentioned above.

MoRPHO, Fahricius, differ from nymphalis, by having the
antennae more filiform, slightly and gradually thicker toward
the end. All the species are peculiar to South America,
and very remarkable in shape, in colours, and in the eyed
spots of the under side of the wings. Linnaeus has united
many of them to his Papiliones milites *.

Godart has separated, under the generic name of

Pavgnia, the species which have the central cellule of the
under wings closed, and the inner nerve of the upper wings
bent into an S, instead of being straight or slightly bent. One
species proper to India, which has the anal angle of the
under wings elongated like a tail, P. phidippus, is the type of
the genus Amathusia, of Fahricius. All the others are
from the new continent. The cut of the second articulation
of the lower palpi of Pcwonia morpho, and of the previ-
ous subgenera, is rather wide, or the palpi are not strongly
compressed, while they are much so in Satyrus, a subgenus
very analogous to the preceding.

The following have also the discoidal cellule of the under
wings closed behind.

Brassolis, Fab. In this the antennae are terminated
abruptly in a thick mace, formed like a reversed cone, and
the lower palpi are short, not extending beyond the chaperon.
The males have, near the internal edge of the lower wings,
a longitudinal cleft covered with hair.

EuMENiA, Fab., God., whose lower palpi are longer, and
the antennas at a slight distance from their origin gradually
enlarge and form a much elongated club f.

* See Godart's Hist. Nat. des Lepid. de France, and the Genus
Nymphalis, in the Ency. Methodiqvie.

t Ency. Method. Insect, IX. 826. Godart saw only specimens deprived

ORDER LIIPIDOPTERA. 591

EuRYBiA, lU'ig., approach Brassolis in the shortness of
the lower palpi, but they are in proportion thicker, and the
club of the antennae is formed like a spindle slightly bent.

Satyrus, Lat., have the lower palpi in the ordinary manner,
extending beyond the chaperon, much compressed, with the
edge sharp and beset with hairs ; the antennge terminate in a
slight swelling in form of a knob, or in a thin and elongated
mace. Godart has observed that the first two or three
nervures of the upper wings are very much elongated at their
orifice. The caterpillars are naked or nearly shaved close,
with the hind extremity of the body contracted into a forked
point. The chrysalides are bifid before with two tubercles
on the back.

We shall terminate this first section of diurnal lepidop-
tera, by those whose lower palpi have three distinct arti-
culations, but the last of which is nearly naked, or much less
furnished v/ith scales than that which precedes it; and
whose hooks of the tarsi are very small, not at all, or very
slightly, saillant. The discoidal cellule of the under wings
is open behind.

These caterpillars are oval, or formed like the woodlouse.
Their chrysahdes are short, united, and always attached like
those of the butterflies properly so called, by a silken chord,
which traverses their body *.

Linnaeus included them among his Papilliones plebei, the
division ruricolx, of Fab., in an harmonious section of his
genus Hesperies. These form the Argus of M. Lamarck.

of their antennae. M. Poe has sho^yn me some quite perfect which he
took at HaA^annah.

t With reference to this, these subgenera ought to terminate this sec-
tion, and we should begin it by the satyri. Such was the course we had
at first pursued.

592 CLASS INSECTA.

Fabricius, lastly (Syst. Gloss.), has divided them into several
genera, whose characters however need revision.

Sometimes the antenna are terminated, as well as in com-
mon, by a solid swelling, in form of a bud or knob.

Some, or their males at least, have the two fore-claws
much shorter than the others. They compose the subgenus

Erycina, Lat., and belong to America.

All the claws are alike in both sexes in the others.

Myrina, Fah., is distinguished from the following sub-
genera by the elongation and remarkable projection of their
lower palpi *.

The species in which they do not extend much beyond
the chaperon, form the subgenus

Polyommatus, so named because they have in general
on their wings small eye-like spots.

Many species have moreover been named collectively, les
petits -porte-queue. The most common in the neighbourhood
of Paris is

Papilio Alexis. Hiibn. t. x, 292 — 294. D' Argus bleu.
Geoff. God. Hist. Nat. des Lepid. de France, t. ii. sect. 3.
The upper part of the wings of the male is of an azure blue,
changing into pale violet, with a slight black stripe pursuing
the hind edge, and a very white fringe ; that of the wings of
the female is brown, with a range of fulvous spots near the
posterior edge, and a black stripe in the middle of the upper
wings. The under part of all the four wings is nearly the
same in both sexes, — gray, with a range of fulvous spots en-
closed within two lines of points near the posterior edge;

* Fabricius has established in this division many other genera, but which
I have not yet sufficiently studied. Some species of South America re-
semble Pyrales, in the upper wings being arched exteriorly at the base.
The club of the antennae presents also several modifications, which may
serve as grounds of subdivision, but it is necessary to see a great number
of species, and especially to know their metamoqihoses.

ORDER LEPIDOPTERA. 593

some black points edged with white are also observable
there. The caterpillar lives on the sainfoin, the genista of
Germany, &c. Its colours are varied.

Other lepidoptera of the same division have antennae of a
truly unusual form ; those of one of the sexes of Barbicornis,
God. are setaceous and plumose ; those of Zephyrius, Dalm.
are terminated by ten or twelve separate globular articulations,
or like a chaplet. — [Vide Encyc. Method. Insect, ix. 705.
This genus is established on probably false antennae.]

The second section of the diurnal lepidoptera is composed
of species whose posterior legs have two pairs of spines, one
at the extremity, and the other above (and so also in the two
following families) ; the under wings are commonly horizontal
when at rest, and the end of the antennas is often terminated
in a very bent point. The catei'pillars, but a small number
of which, however, are known, fold up leaves, spin a cocoon
of fine silk therein, and are there transformed into chry-
salides, in which the body is united, or destitute of angular
projections.

These lepidoptera form the division Pajnliones plebei
urbicolce, of Linnaeus, or the mutilated caterpillars {Papillons
estropits), of Geoffroy. Fabricius united them to Argus,
under the generic name Hesperia. But we must also refer
to that section some exotic lepidoptera, called Pages by
amateurs, and whose natural situation has not been hitherto
well determined : such are Urania, of Fab. These several
lepidoptera conduct us very naturally to the second family :
they compose two subgenera.

Hesperia, Fab., or the Papiliones ])lehei urbicolce, of
Linnaeus, which have their antennae terminated distinctly in a
bud or mace ; and the lower palpi short, broad, and well
furnished with scales in front.

Hesperia malvce. Fab,, Roes. Insect, t. Ix. 2. 9. Wings
indented, blackish brown above, with white dots and spots ;

VOL. XV. 2 Q

594 CLASS INSECTA.

the posterior edge intersected with similarly coloured spots ;
the under part of the wings of a greenish grey, with similar
irregular spots ; its caterpillar is elongated, grey, with a black
head, and four yellow points on the neck or first ring, which
is narrowed, a character peculiar to the caterpillars of this
subgenus ; it feeds on mallows, whose leaves it folds up, and
in which it is changed ; the chrysalis is black, but slightly
powdered with blue*,

Urania, Fab., in which the antennse, at first filiform,
diminish into a silken thread at the extremity ; the lower
palpi are elongated, slender, with the second articulation
much compressed, and the last much more slender, nearly
cylindrical, and naked f .

The Second Family of Lepidoptera.

Crepuscularia.

These have near the origin of the external edge of the
under wings a rough scaly bristle, like a spine or horse hair,
which passes into a hook of the under part of the upper
wings, and holds them when at rest in an horizontal or in-
clined position;]:. This character is found also in the follow-
ing family; but the crepuscular lepidoptera are distinguish-
able from them by their antennse, formed into an elongated
mace, either prismatical or spindled.

Their caterpillars have always sixteen tarsi ; the chrysalides
do not present those points or angles which are to be seen
in most of the diurnal lepidoptera, and are commonly inclosed

* For the other species, see Fabricius, Entom. Syst., the division
Hesperia urbicolfe ; the genus Hesperie, article Papillon of the Encyc.
Method., and L'Hist. Nat. des Lepid. de France de Godart.

t Pap. riphaus, leilus, lavinia, orontes, of Fab. ; Noctua Patroclus,
ejusd. The Urania comjjose the genera Cydimon, Nycfalamon, and Sema-
iura, of Dahnan : see his prodromus of a monograph of the genus Castnia.

X Some of the Smerintlii, according to Godart, are deprived of them.

ORDER LEPIDOPTERA. 595

in a cocoon, or hidden either under ground or under some
body. These lepidoptera fly but seldom, except at night or
in the morning.

This fiimily includes the genus

Sphinx, o{ Linnceus, Papillons bourdons, Degeer.

So called from the attitude of many of their caterpillars,
similar to that of the fabled sphinx. The humming fre-
quently made by the perfect insect in flight has originated
Degeer's epithet.

I shall divide this subgenus into four sections, correspond-
ing in the same order to the genera Castnia, Sphinx, of Fabri-
cius, and to those which he at first named Sesia and Zygcena.

The first (Hesperi sphinges) is composed of lepidoptera,
which evidently connect hesperia with sphinx, properly so
called. The antennae are always simple, thick towards the
middle, or at the extremity, which forms the hook, diminishing
into a point without a tuft of scales at the extremity. All have
a very distinct trunk ; the lower palpi composed of three
apparent articulations ; in some the second is elongated,
much compressed ; and the third is slender, almost cylindri-
cal, and nearly naked : these palpi resemble those of Urania;
in others they are shorter but broader, subcylindrical, and
well furnished with scales ; the antennas of the latter diminish
only at the end.

Those in which the lower palpi are elongated, with the
second articulation much compressed, and the last slender
and nearly naked, whose antennae are simply and gradually
thicker toward the middle, and become slender after, termi-
nating in an elongated crochet, form the subgenus

Agarista*, Leach. Those which have the lower palpi

* See the article Papillon de I'Encyclop. Method., genus Agarista.
Near this subgenus comes that of Cocytia of M. Bois-Duval ; the wings

2 Q 2

596 CLASS INSECTA.

formed in the same manner, but in which the antennae ter-
minate abruptly in a mace, with a short crochet at the end,
compose the subgenus

CoRONis*, Za/r. Lastly, those which have the antennae
similar to agarista, but in which the palpi are shorter, broad,
and cylindrical, are

Castnia, Fab. All the species known are from the new
continent. — (Ency. Method., and the Monograph of Dalman.)

The sphinxes of the second section, Sphingides, have the
antennae always terminated by a slight tuft of scales ; the
lower palpi large, or .transversely compressed, very scaly,
with the third articulation generally but little distinct.

Most of their caterpillars have the body shorn, elongated,
thicker, with a dorsal horn at the posterior extremity, and
the sides striped obliquely or longitudinally ; they feed on
leaves, and change in the earth without spinning a cocoon:
such are

Sphinx, properly so called, in which the antennae, com-
mencing near the middle, form a prism, simply ciliated, or
striated transversely like a rasp on one side, and which have
a very distinct trunk. They fly with extreme rapidity ; hover
over flowers, from which they have been called hawk-moths,
and hum at the same time. The chrysalides of some of the
species have the sheath of the trunk projecting like a nose.

aS*. etqohorhia, Lin., Rces. Insect, t. cl. 1. Pa2). noc. iii.
Upper side of the upper wings reddish grey, with three spots
and a large green band ; upper side of the under wings red,
with a black band and a white spot ; antennae white ; upper
part of body olive green; abdomen conical, very pointed, and
without a terminal brusli. The caterpillar is black, with

are vitreous, a character which seems to connect them with Sesia, but the
palpi are those of Urania, and the antennae those of Agarista.

* Formed from a Brazilian species, which I believe to be inedited in
the collection of M. le Comte Dejean.

ORDER LEPIDOPTERA. 597

yellow dots and spots ; a line on the back, and the tail and
feet red.

Sphinx atro^jos, Lin., Roes. Insect, iii. 1. Upper wings
varied with deep brown, yellowish brown, and light yellow ;
under wings yellow, with two brown bands ; a yellowish spot
with two black points on the thorax ; abdomen without a
terminal brush, yellowish, with black rings. This is the
largest species of this country, the spots on the thorax
imitating a death's head ; the sharp noise it can make is at-
tributed by Reaumur to a rubbing of the palpi against the
trunk *, and by M. Lorey to the rapid escape of the air from
two particular cavities in the belly, which have frightened
people in certain years in which this insect was more than
usually common i^. Its caterpillar is yellow, with blue stripes
on the sides ; and the tail bent back in zigzag. It feeds on
potatoes, privet, jasmin, &c., and is turned into a nymph to-
ward the end of the month of August. The perfect insect
appears in September.

The caterpillars of some species, altogether remarkable for
their fine colours {celerio, nerii, elpenor, porcellus,) have the
anterior end of the body much attenuated, like a pig's snout,
whence they have been named cochonnes, and capable of being
drawn within the third ring ; on the sides are many eye-like
spots. These species form, with reference thereto, a very
natural division.

Other sphinxes have, like sesia, the abdomen terminated
by a scaly brush. Scopoli formed them into a genus Macro-
GLOSSUM. Fabricius at first united them to sesia ; afterward
(Syst. Glossat.) he separated them, preserving to this generic

* It is shorter in proportion than in the other sphinxes, and it is proba-
ble that it was on this peculiarity that the genvis Acherontia was formed
with this species, and are analogous to it, from Java.

f According to M. Passerini, Arm. des Sciences Natur. t. xiii. 332, the
seat of the organ producing this noise is in the interior part of the head.

598 CLASS INSECTA.

group this denomination, and giving that of j^geria to the
primitive genus of the series ; but the lepidoptera, which he
now designates under the generic name Sesia, have the es-
sential characters of sphinx : such is P. stellatarum, Lin.,
and those which have been named fuciformis, bombyliformis,
&c. The wings of these two last are, in a great part, vi-
treous or transparent.
-V Smerinthus, Lat., which have the antennae indented like

a saw, and have no distinct tongue.

Sphinz tilcE, but much more common on the elm, S. ocel-
lata, S, populi, &c. form this subgenus ; they are heavy, and
the under wings surpass the upper, as in many species of
bombyx.

Our third division (Sesiades) of sphinxes includes those
whose antennse are always simple, like an elongated spindle,
often terminated, as well as in the other subgenera, by a little
bundle of hairs or scales : whose lower palpi, slender and nar-
row, have three very distinct articulations, the last being
pointed : and whose hind limbs have at their extremity very
strong spurs : the abdomen is in general terminated by a sort
of brush. Their caterpillars gnaw the interior of the trunk
or root of vegetables like those of Hejjiales and Cossus, are
naked, without posterior horn, and build for themselves in
these same vegetables, with the debris of the matters on
which they feed, a cocoon, in which they undergo their last
transformation.

Sesia.

These have the antennae terminating by a little tuft of
scales ; the wings are horizontal, and have certain vitreous
spaces ; the scales of the extremity of the abdomen form a
brush. Many of these insects resemble wasps, or other hy-
menoptera, diptera, &c. *.

* See the monograph of Sesia of Laspeyres, Hiibner, Godart, &c.

ORDER LEPIDOPTERA. 599

Thyris, Hoffmy ////g-., similar to Cesia, but with the
antennas much more slender, nearly setaceous, and without a
tuft at the end. Their wings are angular and indented;
their abdomen terminates in a point *.

iEaocERA, having also antennae without a scaly tuft at the
end, but evidently thickened toward the middle, and spindle-
shaped ; the second articulation of the lower palpi is moreover
furnished with a bundle of hairs, advanced like a bird's bill ;
the abdomen terminates in a simple point ; the wings are in-
clined like the roof of a house, and entirely covered with
scales. Their changes are unknown f.

The fourth and last section of the sphinxes Zygoenides is
composed of lepidoptera, whose antennae always terminated
in a point deprived of a tufc, are sometimes simple in both
sexes, spindle-shaped, or like a ram's horn, sometimes but
little thick, toward the middle almost setaceous, pectinated in
both sexes, or at least in the males ; the lower palpi moderate
or small, subcylindrical, and always formed of three distinct
articulations. The wings are always like a roof, and many
species have vitreous spots on them : the abdomen has no
brush at the end : the spurs of the hind legs are generally
small. The caterpillars live nakedly on various vegetables:
they are cylindrical, generally hairy, without a posterior
horn similar to that of many bombyces, and form a silken
cocoon, spindled or ovoid, which they fasten to the stems of
plants. The habits of these insects have been well described
by Bois-Duval.

ZvGiENA. Exotic insects from the new continent, whose

* Sphinx fenestrina, Fab. Lat. Bois-Duval.

t Bombyx venulia, Fab. See Lat., Gen. Crust., and Insect, iv. 210.
Dabn. Anal. Entom. 49. It might probably be more consistent with the
natural order to place this subgenus near Agarista.

600 CLASS INSECTA.

antennae are simple in both sexes, terminated abruptly in a
mace, a spindle, or a ram's horn, and in which the lower
palpi are elevated above the chaperon, and are pointed.

Sphinx JH'qwndulcE. Lin. Rces. Insect, t. class, ii. pap.
noct. 57. of a black or blueish green ; six red spots on the
upper wings, the lower red, with the posterior edge of the
same colour as the body. Its caterpillar is citron yellow, a
little hairy, with five ranges of black spots along the body.
It spins on the stems of plants a cocoon of a yellow straw
colour, shining, elongated, and spindle-shaped. Its surface is
rough, or, as if folded. The perfect insect comes forth in
the month of July.

Syntomis, Illig., differ from the last only in having the
antennae less thick, forming a slender, gradual spindle. The
lower palpi are shorter and obtuse.

Atychia, Hqffm.y Illig. In the females the antennae are
simple and bipectinated ; in the males the lower palpi are
very hairy, and evidently surpass the chaperon ; the wings
are short, and there are strong spurs at the extremity of the
hind legs.

Procris, Fab., approximate to the last in the antennas ;
but the lower palpi are shorter and less hairy ; their wings
are long, and the spurs on the hind legs very small.

Sphinx statices, Lin.', De Geer. Insect, ii. 255. Body
shining green, and as if gilt ; under wings brown ; antennas
of the males, with two ranges of black barbs, that of the
male slightly serrated.

The other lepidoptera of this division, have, in both sexes,
the antennae furnished with a double range of elongated, or
bipectinated teeth. Those which have a distinct trunk form
the genus Glaucopis of Fab., and those in which this organ
is wanting, or is indistinct, that of Aglaope.

A great number of species are found in foreign countries

ORDER LEPIDOPTERA. 601

belonging to these two subgenera *. These crepuscular moths
seem to connect themselves with callimorpho.

The genus Stygia, of Draparnaud, which was placed in this
tribe, belongs to Hepialites.

M. de Villiers, who has given us [Ann. de la Soc. Lin. de
Paris. V. 473.) new details of S. australls accompanied with
good figures, considers it as intermediate between Sesia and
Zygenia, but it is without trunk ; the palpi are those of
cossus\ the antennae are short, not at all spindle-shaped, and
more analogous to that of certain bombyces, than to that of
sesia or zygenia. In the disposition, even of the colours of
the upper wings, these lepidoptera approach nearer cossus
and zeuzera, than the preceding insects.

The third family of Lepidoptera,

NOCTURNA,

Has, with a few exceptions, the wings tied down when at
rest, by means of a corneous sort of horsehair, or bundles of
silks proceeding from the outer edge of the under wing, and
passing into a ring, or grove, on the under part of the upper
wing. The wings are horizontal or leaning, and sometimes
rolled round the body ; the antenna?, as they advance,
diminish in size, from base to point, or are setaceous.

This family composes in the Linna3an system, but one
genus, namely

Phal^na.

These lepidoptera fly in general only at night, or after
sunset ; many of them have no trunk ; some of the females
are wingless, or have them only very small. The caterpillars
in general spin a cocoon ; the number of their feet varies

* For the species of the above genera, see Lat. loc. cit. ; and Hist.
Nat. des Lepid. de France.

602 CLASS INSECTA.

from ten to sixteen * ; the chrysalides are always rounded or
without angles or points.

The classification of this family presents considerable dif-
ficulties, and our systems are hitherto mere essays, or imper-
fect attempts f . We will divide them into ten sections. The
species with perfectly entire wings, and without fissures, com-
posing a sort of digitations, will fill the first nine. All those
which, in the caterpillar state, live almost entirely naked, or
in fixed retreats, and many of which have less than sixteen
tarsi, and which, in their last state, have the upper palpi
very small, or entirely hidden, the wings more or less triangu-
lar, horizontal, or sloping, and not folded round the body,
will compose the first eight. The last or eighth of these is
the only one whose caterpillars have fourteen legs, two of
which are anal. If the same number be found in some others,
here the two posterior are wanting.

The two divisions, Attacus and Bojnbyx, of the genus
phalcena, of Linn., correspond with the first four sections.
The trunk is in general rudimentary, or very small, and its
two parts are disjointed ; the lower palpi, except in a few,
are small and subcylindrical ; the antennas, at least in the
males, are pectinated or serrated ; the wings are horizontal
or sloping, and in many the under wings surpass the upper
when at rest, and are even sometimes without the stiff bristle
or bundle of hairs, which holds one wing to the other. The

* Degeer has counted eighteen, and all membranaceous, in one species,
ii. 245.

f It has been several times attempted to employ characters drawn from
the caterpillars. If, indeed, we do not refer to them, a great number of
genera must be cancelled. I will cite, for example, that of phselena, pro-
perly so called, or the geometricians. If we advert to the perfect insects
only, it is impossible to distinguish genericaUy many species, such as the
following, prodromuria, betularia, hirtaria, from hombyx. It is also evident
that we cannot then separate platypterix, and other genera.

13

ORDER LEPIDOPTERA. 603

thorax is always united as well as the abdomen, and is woolly;
the latter is generally very voluminous in the females ; the
cocoon of the chrysalis is, in general, well felted and solid.

Although the nocturnals of the fourth section have many
relations to those of the preceding, their caterpillars supply,
nevertheless, a character unique in the order : the anal tarsi
are wanting, while those of the first three sections have all
the sixteen.

The first section, Hepialites, has for its type the genus
hepialiis (Jiepiolus of some authors), and cossus of Fabricius.
The caterpillars are shorn, and remain hidden in the interior
of the vegetables on which they feed ; the cocoon they form to
pass the chrysalis state in, is in great part composed of parts
of these vegetables ; the edges of the rings of the abdomen of
the chrysalis are indented, or spiny ; the antennae of the per-
fect insect are always short, have in general but one sort of
small indentations, short, rounded and serrated ; that of some
others terminate always in a simple thread, but they are fur-
nished underneath, in the male, with a double range of barbs ;
The proboscis is always very short and indistinct ; the wings
are sloping, and commonly elongated ; the last ring of the
abdomen of the female forms an elongated oviduct, or sort of
tail. In the caterpillar state these insects do much mischief
to different trees, and to some other useful vegetables.

Sometimes the antennas, formed alike in both sexes, have
only very short teeth disposed in one or two ranges, such are

Hepialus, Fab., which are distinguishable by their an-
tennse, almost granulated, shorter than the thorax. The
under wings have not commonly any tie.

Their caterpillars live in the ground and gnaw the roots
of plants.

H. humuli, Fab., Harr. English Insects, iv. The male has
the upper wings silvery white, without spots; those of the
female are yellow, with red spots. The caterpillar devours

604 CLASS IXSECTA.

the roots of the hop, and causes great mischief in hop-
grounds *.

Cossus, Fab., have the antennae as long, or less so, than
the thorax ; the inner side having a range of small lamellated
teeth, short, and rounded at the end.

The caterpillars live in the interior of trees, which they
gnaw, and use the saw-dust they make in huilding their
cocoon ; their chrysalides, at the period when the insect is
about to be disclosed, advance to the exterior opening, which
serves as a passage for the insect.

Cossus ligniperda, Eab., Roes, Insect, torn. i. class ii. Pap.
noc. 18. A little more than an inch long, ashy grey, with
numerous small black lines on the upper wings, forming little
veins interspersed with white. The posterior extremity of
the thorax is yellowish with a black line.

Its caterpillar, which is found in spring, resembles a large
worm ; it is reddish, with transverse blood-red bands. It lives
in the interior of the wood of the willow, the oak, and espe-
cially the elm ; it disgorges an acrid and fetid liquor, contained
in peculiar interior reservoirs, and which appears to be used
in softening the wood f . Sometimes the antennae differ con-
siderably in the two sexes ; those of the males being furnished
beneath with a double range of barbs, and terminated in a
thread ; those of the females entirely simple, but cottony at
the base.

Zeuzera, Lat., Cossus, Fab. The caterpillar of a very

* For the other species, see Fabricius, Esper, Engramelle, Hubner,
Donovan, Godart, &c.

f Stygia Australis. Lat. Genev. Crust, and Insect, iv. 215. God. Hist.
Nat. des Lepid. de France, iii. 169 ; see also the before quoted Memoirs
of M. de Villiers, inserted in the collections of those of the Linnaean So-
ciety of Paris, torn. v. South America supplies another species. The
antennae differ from that of the cossus, and this subgenus may be preserved.
The abdomen terminates in a small brush.

ORDER LEPIDOPTERA. 605

pretty species, Cossus oesculi. Fab., whose body is of a fine
white, with blue rings on the abdomen, and numerous points
of the same colour on the upper wings, lives in the interior
of the Indian chesnut tree, the apple and pear tree, and
often even in their pith *.

Our second section, that oi Bombye'ites, is distinguished
from the preceding, and from the third, by these characters :
Proboscis always short, and simply rudimentary ; wings,
whether extended and horizontal, or sloping, with the under
always surpassing, laterally, the upper; antennse of the males
entirely pectinated.

The caterpillars live exposedly, and gnaw the tender parts
of vegetables ; most of them make a cocoon of pure silk ;
the chrysalides have no indents on the edges of the rings of
the abdomen.

We shall form, with these species, whose wings are ex-
tended and horizontal, or the Phalcence attacce of Linnaeus, a
first subgenus, for which we shall preserve the name

Saturnia, which M. Schrank has given them, and to which
we shall unite the Aglia, Bomhyx tau, Fab., of Ochsenhei-
mer. It comprehends the largest species, whose wings have
frequently vitreous spots {fenestratce), such especially among
the exotic insects, as the Atlas of China, thei?. liesperidce, the
J5. cecropia, the B. lima, whose under wings are elongated like
a tail. They have employed immemorially, at Bengal, the silk
of the cocoon of two other species of the same division,
Boinbyx mylltta, of Fabricius, and Phalcena cynthia, of Drury.
(Ins. ii. 6. 2. ; Lin. Soe. Trans, vii. S5.) I am satisfied, by
the communication made to me by Mr. Huzard, of a Chinese
manuscript upon this subject, that the caterpillars of this
bombyx were the wild silk-worms of China. I (;pnjecture
that a part of the silks that the ancients procured by their

* Roesel. Insect, t. iii. 48. 5, 6. Cossus pyrinus. Fab., C. scalaris, ejusd.
Phalcena scalaris, Donovan. P. mineus, ejusd.

606 CLASS INSECTA.

maritime commerce with the Indians, came from the silk of
these caterpillars.

Europe furnishes only five * species of this subgenus.

B. pavonia major, Fab. Roes. Ins. iv. 15 — 17, is the most
common, and the largest of this country, being five inches
wide, the wings extended ; the body is brown, with a whitish
band at the anterior extremity of the thorax ; the wings are
round, brown, powdered with grey, a white eye-like spot,
black intersected by a transparent trait, surrounded by an
obscure fulvous circle, a white half circle, another reddish,
and finally a black circle in the middle of each. The cater-
pillar, which lives on the leaves of different trees, is green,
with blue tubercles disposed circularly, which are furnished
with long hairs, having a mace-like termination. They spin an
oval cocoon, contracted into blunt points, with a double neck,
the interior of which is furnished partly with elastic and
convergent threads, which assist the disclosure of the insect,
and which also resists the entrance of all other insects ; the
silk is very strong and gummy ; the bombyx is disclosed in
May of the second year f.

The other bombyces have the upper wings inclined slop-
ing ; the outer edge of the under wings reaches beyond the
upper almost horizontally (alee reverses).

Sometimes their palpi advance in the form of a bill, and
their under wings are often indented. The insect resembles
a packet of dead leaves. These species form the genus

Lasiocampa J. The species in which the lower palpi do
not jut out sensibly, compose the subgenus

* Authors mention but four: but another, perfectly distinct, is lately dis-
covered, which I have seen in the collection of M. Bois-Duval.

t For the other species, see Fab. Entom. Syst. first division of the
Bombyces, and Olivier. Ency. Method, first family of the same genus.

X B. quercifolia, populifoUa, betuUfolia, illicifolia, potatoria, of Fabricius.
This subgenus forms part of the genus Gastropacha, of Ochsenheimer.

M. Banon, professor of chemistry at Toulon, to whose friendship I owe

ORDER LEPIDOPTERA. GOT

BoMBYX *, (proper). B. mori, Lin. Roes. Ins. iii. 7. 9.
Whitish, with two or three obscure transverse rays, and a
spot crossing the upper wings. Its caterpillar is known under
the name of silk-worm. It feeds on mulberry leaves, and
spins an oval cocoon of a serrated tissue of very fine silk,
in general bright yellow, but sometimes white. The variety
which gives its silk of the latter colour is generally culti-
vated in preference to the other.

Thebombyx which produces it is originally of the southern
provinces of China. According to Latreille, the town of
Turfan, in Little Bukharia, was for a long time the resort of
caravans coming from the west, and the principal depot of the
silks of China. It was the metropolis of the Seres of Upper
Asia. Driven from their country by the Huns, the Seres
established themselves in Great Bukharia and India. It is
from one of their colonies, Ser-indi, that the Greek mis-
sionaries transported, in the time of Justinian, the eggs of
the silk-worm to Constantinople. The cultivation of them
passed at the period of the first crusade, from the Morea
to Sicily, the kingdom of Naples, and many ages after, under
Sully especially, into France. But the ancients imported their
silk by land or sea, from the kingdoms of Pegu and Ava, or
from the Eastern Seres, those which are most frequently
mentioned in the writings of the earliest geographers. A
part of the Northern Seres took refuge in Great Bukharia,
and even formed the commerce of the country, as seems

many insects, collected by him at Cayenne, as well as others from the
Levant, has communicated to me a lepidopterous insect ha^^ng all the
characters of lasiocampa, but provided with a distinct antha or proboscis.
It appears to be intermediate between this subgenus and Calyptra, of
Ochsenheimer.

* This generic denomination has been unadvisedly suppressed by
Ochsenheimer. We apply it collectively to all the species of his genus,
Gastropacha, whose lower palpi are not advanced like a bill.

608 CLASS INSECTA.

to be indicated by a passage from Dionysius the Periegete,
It is known that silk anciently sold for its weight in gold,
and is still an important source of wealth to France,

B. neustria, Fab. Roes. Ins. I., class ii., Pap. noc. 6.
Yellowish, with a band, or two transverse stripes of yellow
brown in the middle of the upper wings. The female
deposits her eggs round branches, in form of a bracelet or
ring. The caterpillar is striped longitudinally with white,
blue, and reddish. They live in society, and frequently do
great mischief to fruit trees. They make a cocoon of a
thin tissue mixed with whitish dust.

B. processionnea, Fab. Reaum. Ins. II. x., xi. Ash-coloured.
Two obscure rays towards the base of the upper wings, and
a third blackish a little above the middle : all three trans-
verse. The caterpillars have the body hairy, of an obscure
ash colour, with the back blackish, and some yellow tuber-
cles. They live in society upon the oak ; spin, in common,
when young, a net in which they are covered ; often change
their domicile until after the third moult, then fix them-
selves, and make another common habitation of the same
material, like a bag, but divided within into many cellules.
They generally go forth in the evening in regular order.
One individual takes the lead and serves as guide ; two
others follow and compose the second line ; there are three
to the third, four to the fourth, and so on to the end,
always increasing by one. They follow the movements of
the first. These caterpillars spin each a cocoon, one be-
side the other, with the tissue mixed with the hairs of
their body. These hairs, as well as those of several other
species, are very fine : they penetrate into the skin, and
cause considerable itching and pustules.

B. Pythio-campa is a species analogous to this.

The inhabitants of Madagascar make use of the silk of a
caterpillar, which is also gregarious. Its nidus is sometimes

ORDER LEPIDOPTERA. 609

three feet high, and the cocoons are so pressed one against
the other, that there is no void space ; one nidus has some-
times five hundred cocoons. This species, however, belongs
to the subgenus Sericarta of the following section.

The third section of nocturnal lepidoptera, that of Pseudo-
bombyces, has the under wings, as have also, indeed, all the
following, deprived of any tie fixing them to the upper when
at rest ; they are, moreover, entirely covered by the latter,
and both are placed sloping or horizontally, but covered to
the inner edge. The antlia, toward the end of this tribe,
begins to be elongated, and does not even differ in the last
subgenus from that of other lepidoptera, except in being a
little shorter ; the antennae are entirely pectinated or notched,
at least in the males. The caterpillars feed on the exterior
portions of vegetables.

We shall first separate the species whose antlia is very
short, and not fitted for suction.

In most of these the caterpillars live exposedly, and do
not make any portable domicile.

Among these some of the caterpillars are elongated, fur-
nished with common tarsi fitted for walking ; the rings of the
body are not attached above.

Sometimes both sexes have wings fitted for flight.

Sericaria, Led., whose upper wings have no indentations
on the inner edge.

B. dispar. Fab., Roes. Ins. i. 150. ii. Pap, noc. 3. The
male is much the smallest ; the upper wings are brown, with
wavy blackish stripes ; the female is whitish, with black
spots and stripes on the same wings ; she covers her eggs
with the numerous hairs she carries at the tip of the abdomen.
The caterpillars are often very hurtful to our fruit trees*.

* Bomb, versicohra, bucephala, coryli, pudibunda, abietis, anachoreta,
of Fabricius ; or the genera Endromis, Liparis, Pyr/ara, and many species
of that of Orgyia of Ochsenheimer.

VOL. XV. 2 R

610 CLASS INSECTA.

NoTODONTA*, Ochs , in which this edge is indented.

This is connected with certain nocturnal subgenera.

Sometimes the females are nearly apterous, as in

Orgyia, Ochs. The caterpillars have tufts and pencils of
hairs.

B. antiqua, Fab., Roes. ibid, xxxix.; the female iii. 150. ii.
Pap. noc. 13. ; the male.

The male has the upper wings yellow, with two transverse
blackish rays and a white spot towards the inner angle ; the
abdomen of the female is very voluminous -j-.

We then arrive at the Pseudu-bombyces, whose caterpillars
are rampant, their tarsi being very short, and the scales even
being retractile. The body is oval, like the wood-louse, with
the skin attached above, from the second ring, so that it
forms a vault under which the head is withdrawn.

These species compose the subgenus.

LiMACODES, Lat. — Their caterpillars appear to represent,
in this division of the nocturnal lepidoptera, those of certain
diurnal insects of the same order, such as Polyommates %.

If regarded in their early age, the last nocturnal pseudo-
bombyces, without an apparent, or at least a useful, proboscis,
present another anomaly. Their caterpillars live in the

* The notodonta of the same Ochsenheimer. I have excepted from
them a species called palpina, which, on account of its large and com-
pressed palpi and of its spiral antha, ought to form a subgenus of itself,
connecting Notodonta with Calyptra of the same naturalist, and which I
put at the head of the noctualites, to pass from them to Xylena, to Cuculia,
&c. Some notodonta have the corslet and crest, a character which ap-
pears more proper to this last section : it is the same with those in M'hich
the lower palpi are much compressed, hke those of the noctuahtes. — (See
hereafter the generalities of this di^nsion of night moths.)

t Add 0. gnostigma of Ochsenheimer. The others are sericariae.

X Hepiales testudo, asellus, hufo of Fabricius. See God. Lepid. de
France, \v. 2791,

ORDER LEPIDOPTERA. 611

same manner as many tinea?, in portable domiciles, consisting
of a silky tube, on which they apply a morsel of a stalk, or
small branches of vegetables, forming little bags, placed one
above the other. This habitation resembles that of certain
larvae of Phrygana;. There are some very remarkable spe-
cies in the East Indies and in Senegal.

These lepidoptera, united by Hiibner to the tinese, com-
pose the subgenus

Psyche, Schr. * — The last Pseudo-bombyces, which, in
the arrangement of their colours, seem to resemble some of
argynuis, have a very distinct proboscis, which is considera-
bly elongated when unrolled beyond the head ; such are

Chelonia, God., Arctia, Schr., Eyprepia, Ochs., whose
wings are sloping, whose antennse are corded in the males,
and who have the lower palpi very velvety, and the proboscis
short.

Bomb, chrysorrhcea, Fab. Roes. Ins. i. class ii. Pap. noc. 22.
Wings white, spotless, posterior extremity of the abdomen
yellow brown. Its caterpillars, in some years, entirely strip
the trees of their leaves.

Bomb, caja., Fab., Roes, ibid. i. — Head and thorax brown,
upper wings of the same colour, with irregular white stripes,
under wings, and upper part of abdomen red, with bluish
black spots. Its caterpillar, which feeds on the nettle, lettuce,
elm, &c,, is called in France hedge-hog, or bear, on account
of the long and numerous hairs which cover it. It is blackish
brown, with blue tubercles, arranged in rings f.

Callimorpha, Lat., Eyprepia, Ochs,, has the wings also
sloping, but the antennse are more or less ciliated in the males,
the lower palpi are covered only with small scales ; the pro-
boscis is long.

* See Ochs,, God., &c.

f For the other species, see Latr. Gen, Crust, and Insect, iv. 220.
Ochsenheimer and God. Hist. Natur. des Lepid de France.

2r2

612 CLASS INSECT A.

Bombyx jacobecB, Fab., Roes., Ins., class ii. Pap. noct. 49,
whose caterpillar is found on the groundsel, is a very com-
mon species in France. It is black ; the upper wings have a
carmine red line and two points. The under wings are of
that colour, edged with black. The caterpillar is yellow,
with black rings.

LiTHosiA, Fab. The wings are bedded horizontally on
the body.

The fourth section of nocturnal lepidoptera, Aposura*,
deviates, as we have stated, in the general divisions of this
family, by a unique character drawn from the absence of
anal tarsi, in the state of larva or caterpillar. The hind extre-
mity of the body terminates in a point, which, in many spe-
cies, is forked, or presents two long and moveable articulated
appendices, forming a sort of tail. With reference to the
proboscis, palpi, and antennae, these lepidoptera differ but
little from the foregoing. Some, such as

DicRANouRA, God., Cei'ura, Schr., Harpyia, Ochs., have
the exterior appearance of the sericariee ; the antennae of
the males are terminated by a little simple and bent thread.
The hind extremity of the body of the caterpillars is forked f.

Some others, such as

Platypterix, Lacep., Drepana, Schr., are much like
phalaena, properly so called. Their wings are broad, and
the superior angle of the hind extremity of the upper wings
is prominent or formed like a scythe. The body is slender.
That of the caterpillar terminates in a simple truncated point.
They fold down and fasten the edges of leaves in which they
inhabit, and on which they feed, with silken threads. The
cocoon of the chrysalis is but little clothed. These insects,

* The anus has no tarsi, a character pecuHar to the caterpillars of this
tribe, which form a lateral ramification to phalaena.

t See Ochsenheimer, Godart, Hiibner, and Fische, Entom. de la Russie.

ORDER LEPIDOPTERA. 613

in one word, are connected, in the caterpillar state, with Dicra-
noura, and in the imago state, with the section Phalaena *.

The fifth section of nocturnal lepidoptera, Noctualites,
Lat., similar to the last in the shape, relative size of the
wings, and the position when at rest, has also as distinctive
characters, a corneous, spiral, and generally long proboscis
{AntUa, Kirby), the lower palpi terminated abruptly by an
articulation very small, or much more slender than its prede-
cessor ; the latter being much larger, and greatly compressed.

The body of these noctualites has more scales than down.
Their antennae are in general simple ; their thorax is often
crested on the upper side ; the abdomen has the form of an
elongated cone ; their flight is rapid. Some species appear
during day.

Their caterpillars have commonly sixteen tarsi, the others
have two or four less ; but the two posterior or anal tarsi are
never wanting ; and in those which have only twelve, the an-
terior pair is as large as the following. Most of these cater-
pillars inclose themselves in a cocoon, in which they undergo
their change.

These lepidoptera include the division 2Voc^«(^ of Linnaeus;
all the genuine divisions which have been lately established,
and whose characters are borrowed from the animal in its
caterpillar, rather than in its perfect state, are connected with
the two following subgenera.

Erebus, Latr., Thysania, Dalm,, Noctiia, Fab., whose

* Ph.falcataria, lacertinaria of Fabricius, his Bombyx compressa. I had
at first a notion to form this subgenus into a particular section, which
would have been intermediate between the Pseudo-bombyces and the Pha-
lenites. Ochsenheimer places them at the end of the noctuahtes, passing
from euclidia to the preceding section ; but plat}'pterix appears to us much
nearer in the cateqiillar state to Harpyia of this naturalist, than to Euclidia
and other nocturnals whose caterpillars are pseudo-geometricians.

614 CLASS INSECTA.

wings are always extended and horizontal, and whose last
articulation of the lower palpi is long, slender, and naked.

These are the largest lepidoptera of this tribe, and which,
with the exception of one species, which belongs to the
species Ophiusa scapidosa, Ochs., are all exotic *.

NocTUA. In these the last articulation of the lower palpi is
very short, and covered with scales like the last f .

* Latr. Gener. Crust, and Insect, iv. 22.5. Consid. Gen. sur les Crust.
&c. The males of all the species have pectinated antennae, and may form
a peculiar subgenus.

t The genus IVbc^Ma. Fabricius forms of it, in the History of European
Lepidoptera of Ochsenheimer, forty-two, beginning with that of acronicta,
unto that of euclidia, inclusive. These are, for the most part, all the divi-
sions established in the systematic catalogue of the lepidoptera of Vienna,
transformed into genera, the exposition whereof the nature of our work
forbids. That of Erebus, being taken from it, appears to us to be
divisible into two grand parallel series : one connected with these last
mentioned lepidoptera, and the other with noiodonta. The first is com-
posed of noctuelles, whose caterpillars walk like those which have been
called carpenters or geometricians. Some have sixteen tarsi, but the first
two or four of the intermediate membranes are shorter ; the others
have only twelve. Such are the subgenera plusia and chrysoptera, dis-
tinguished from the preceding by the size of the lower palpi, which turn
back on the head. The second series will commence by species whose
palpi are proportionally larger, whose antennae are pectinated, and whose
proboscis is small ; such are Odonptera palpina, Nob., and calyptra of
Ochsenheimer, or the calpe of M. Treitschke. In following the genera
Xylena, Cucullia, the night moths, whose upper wings have the hind edge
angular or indented, those whose antennae are pectinated, and finally those
in which these organs are simple. We shall terminate these last species by
that whose thorax is united, some of which, of the genus Erastia, of this
naturalist, appear to lead us to Pyralis. AU the caterpillars of this second
series have sixteen tarsi, with the intermediate membrane of equal size; their
walk is rectigrade. The chrysopteron (Plusia concha, Fisch. Entom. de la
Russ. i. Lepid. ivj by which we shall finish the other series, have relation
to Herminia and Pyralis. Thus the two series appear to terminate, con-
verging to this last section. Lichenia, or Catocales, of Ochsenheimer, are

ORDER LEPIDOPTERA. 615

Among the night-moths, properly so called, there are
some, and that the greatest number, whose caterpillars have
sixteen tarsi. We will remark —

N. sjjonsa, Fab., Rces. Ins. iv., 19, of an ashen grey,
thorax crested, wings overlapping ; the upper side of the
upper wings of an obscure grey, with black stripes, much
undulated, and a whitish spot, divided by some black stripes ;
the upper side of the under wings is bright red, with two
black bands : the abdomen is ash.

The caterpillar lives on the oak. Grey, with irregular
obscure spots, and little tubercles ; its eighth ring has a
bunch, on which is a yellow patch. This species, and some
others, are said to be lichenous, because their caterpillars are
coloured like the lichens, or the trees. They have the four
anterior membranaceous feet shorter, and walk like the car-
penter caterpillars.

N. pacta, Fab., is of this number : it is distinguished from
the others by the red colours of the upper part of the abdo-
men, and is found only in the north of Europe *

The caterpillars of some have only twelve tarsi. The
perfect insect often has gold or silver spots on the upper
wings ; such as the two following species t :

N. gamma, Fab., Roes. Ins. i. class iii. Pap. noc. 5, has

large species, with the wings nearly horizontal, which appear naturally to
approach Erebus, as well as Ophiusia, Brephos, &c. If they are placed
in the other series, they wiU disturb the harmony of it.

Bombyx cyllopoda, of Dalman, (Analect. Entom. 102.) ought to form a
new and remarkable subgenus, inasmuch as the two hind feet of the males
are shorter than the others, imperfect, and almost useless in walking.
These insects ha\'ing the antennae pectinated, the proboscis distinct, and
the palpi tmce as long as the head, ajjpear to be near the genus Cahjptra,
of Ochsenheimer, or near our HerminicB.

* These two species belong to the genus Catocala, of Och.

t Genus Plusia, of the same.

616 CLASS INSECT A.

the thorax crested ; the upper side of the upper wings brown,
with brighter parts, and a golden spot, representing a lambda
or gamma, in the middle. When the hind extremity of the
abdomen of the male is pressed, two tufts of hair are pro-
truded. The caterpillar feeds on various culinary plants.

N. chrysitis, Fab, Esp. noct., 109, f. 1 — 5. Upper wings
clear brown, traversed by two bright brass-coloured bands.

Some of the. caterpillars, as that of A^. verbasci, N. arti-
misia;, N. absintJiii, &c., have a peculiar habit of feeding on
certain particular flowers *.

Other species of night-moths have the antennas pectinated,
as P. graminis, Lin., whose caterpillar sometimes ravages the
meadows of Sweden.

The sixth section of nocturnal lepidoptera,

Phal^n^ tortrices, Lin., have the nearest relation to the
two preceding sections. The upper wings, whose exterior edge
is arched at the base, and then becomes narrower, and their
short and broad shape, like a truncated oval, gives these insects
a peculiar appearance. They have been said to be large-
shouldered Phalcence. They all have a distinct proboscis, and
the lower palpi are in general nearly like those of noctua,
but a Httle advanced.

The lepidoptera are small, prettily painted ; carry their
wings in a compressed roof, or nearly horizontal, but always
lying the upper wings across each other a little along their
inner edge.

Their caterpillars have sixteen tarsi ; the body is commonly

* They belong to the genus Ciicullia of Schrank, and other writers on
lepidoptera. For the other species, see Olivier, art. Noctuelle, Encyclo.
Method., and Latr. Gener. Crust., and Insect, iv. 224. See especially the
work of Ochsenheimer on the European Lepidoptera, and the Natural
History of those of France by Goddart, continued by Duponchel, well
known to entomologists, by his interesting monograph on the genus Eroty-
lus, already quoted, and by several memoirs.

ORDER LEPIDOPTERA. 617

shorn, or but little velvety ; they twist and roll the leaves ;
they fix successively, and in one direction, several points at
the surfaces of the leaves, by layers of silken threads, and
thus make a tube, in which they are covered, and there tran-
quilly devour the parenchyma of these leaves. Others make
a retreat of many leaves or flowers tied together with silk.
There are some who prefer fruits.

Many have the hind extremity of the body narrower, and
Reaumur calls theiajish-formed caterpillars. Their cocoon is
boat-shaped. These cocoons are sometimes of pure silk ;
sometimes made of several materials.

The Tortrices include the subgenus

Pyralis, Fab. *

P. Pomana, Fab., Roes., Insect, i. class iv. Pap. noc, 13.
Ashy grey ; the upper wings finely striped above with brown
and yellow, with large golden red spots. The caterpillar feeds
on the pips of apples. The perfect insect has deposited her
eggs on their germ.

P. vitis, Bosc. Mem. de la Soc. d'Agrie, ii. iv. 6. The
upper wings deep greenish, with three oblique blackish bands,

* Some divisions established in our Gener. Crust, and Insect, iv. 230,
div. 2 and 11, have appeared to us (Fam. Nat. du Regne Animal, 476), to
form distinct subgenera.

Some species {Tortrix dentana, Hiib.) which carry their wings in a pecu-
liar manner, the upper rising a little at the outer edge and inclining to-
ward the opposite edge, and whose caterpillars have membranaceous tarsi
of a peculiar form, which Reaumur compares to wooden legs, compose the
subgenus Xylopoda. Other species. P. rutana, umbellana, heracleana,
whose lower palpi bend back over the head like horns, and go to a point,
form that of Volucra.

Others also, having the wings narrow and elongated, and the lower palpi
longer and advancing, species very nearly allied to cr ambus of Fab.,
near which, probably, we ought to place them, constitute a third sub-
genus, Procerata, having for its type P. saldonana, of Fab.

For the otlier species, see Fabricius and Hiibner.

618 CLASS INSECTA.

the third of which is terminal. The caterpillar does great
mischief in vineyards.

P. Prasinaria, Fab., Roes. Ins. iv. 10. The largest of the
knov;n species ; upper side of upper wings soft green, with
two oblique white lines. On the elm and the oak : its cater-
pillar is one of those Reaumur compares to a fish. Its cocoon
is boat-shaped.

The seventh section of nocturnal lepidoptera, Phalcsnites,
Lat., P. geometrce, Lin., includes lepidoptera whose body is
commonly slender, with the proboscis either merely rudimen-
tary, or but little elongated, and submembranaceous. The
lower palpi are small and subcylindrical ; the wings are ample,
stretched, or like a flat roof. The antennae of many of the
males are pectinated. The thorax is always united. The
caterpillars have commonly but ten tarsi, but others have two
more ; the anal tarsi are always found. Their name of car-
penters or geometricians originates in their mode of walking.
When they advance, they fix themselves first by the fore tarsi,
or scales ; then they elevate the body into an arch, bringing the
posterior or extremity of it to the part, or that which is fixed ;
they then fasten themselves by the hind tarsi, disengage the
anterior, and carry the body forward, fixing anew the anterior
scaly feet, and repeating the same operation. Their attitude
when at rest is very extraordinary : fixed to the branch or
stem of a vegetable only by the hind tarsi, their body is sus-
pended in the air in a straight and perfectly immoveable line.
It so much resembles the branches and stems, by the colours
and inequalities of the surface of its body, as to be mis-
taken for them. The animal remains many hours, and even
entire days, in this strange position. The chrysalides are
almost naked, or their cocoon is very thin, and has but little
silk.

This section includes, if we abstract the caterpillars from
the consideration of it, but one subgenus.

ORDER LEPIDOPTERA. 619

PHAL.^iNA, properly so called. The caterpillar of P. mar-
garitaria *, Fab., has twelve feet ; the others have but ten.

P. sambiicaria, Lin., Roes., Ins. i. class iii. Pap. noct. 6.
are of the largest species, of this country, of a sulphur colour;
the wings are stretched, and marked with two transverse
brown stripes ; the under wings are elongated at the outer
angle like a tail, and one may observe there two small blackish
spots. The caterpillar is brown, and resembles, in form and
colour, a little club ; the head is flat and oval. Dr. Leach
(Miscel. Zool.) forms this phaleena, and some other species
whose under wings have the same figure, into a genus Ourap-
teryx.

We shall quote, moreover,

P. syringai-iay Lin., Roes., ibid.x., whose antennge are pec-
tinated in the male ; the wings are angular and jaspered,
with a mixture of yellowish brown and reddish. The cater-
pillar has four great tubercles on the back, and a little horn
or crochet on the eighth ring.

P. grossulariata, Lin., Roes., ibid, ii., whose wings are
white, dotted with black ; there are two Hght yellow bands
on the upper side of the upper wings, one toward the base,
and another near the middle. The caterpillar is bluish
grey above, dotted with black, with the lower sides of the
belly yellow, sprinkled with black.

The female of P. brumata, Lin., as well as those of some
other analogous species, have only rudiments of wings.
These species appear in winter f.

Degeer describes a species, Ph. d six ailes, whose males
appear to have six wings, the under wings having, on the
inner side, a small appendix, which is hidden under them '^.

* The tj-pe of my subgenus Metrocampa.

\ These species form my subgemis Hybernia.

X For the other sj)ecies, see Fabricius and Hiibner.

6

620 CLASS INSECTA.

The eighth section of nocturnal lepidoptera, Deltoides,
Lat., furnishes some species very analogous to Phalena,
properly so called, but whose caterpillars have fourteen tarsi,
and are rollers and sewers of leaves. In the perfect insects,
the lower palpi are elongated and bent back ; the wings form,
with the body, on the sides of which they stretch horizontally,
a sort of delta, whose posterior edge has in the middle a re-
entering angle, or appears forked. The antennae are com-
monly pectinated, or ciliated *.

The deltoidinian lepidoptera compose the subgenus

Herminia, Lat., which belongs to the division Phalence
pyralides, of Linnseus, and is made up of the genera Hyhlcsa
of Fab., and of many of his Crambi f .

The ninth section of nocturnal lepidoptera, Tineites, Lat.,
Ph. Tinecs, Lin., and the greater part of his pyralides, in-
clude the smallest species of this order, whose caterpillars are
always shorn, provided with at least sixteen tarsi, and recti-
grade, and live concealed in habitations of their own making,
whether fixed or moveable. In these the wings make a kind
of elongated triangle, almost flat, and terminated by a re-
entering angle. Such are Ph. pyralides, of Lin., which may
form a section of themselves. These species have four dis-
tinct palpi, commonly uncovered. In them the upper wings
are long and narrow, sometimes moulded on the body, and
giving the shape of a rounded ridge ; sometimes they incline
almost perpendicularly close to the sides, and are often ele-
vated or ascending behind like a cock's tail. -In both cases the

* This section included, in the first edition of this work, all the Pha-
lena pyralides of Linnaeus ; but a complication of characters resulted from
it, which disappears, if we include it in Herminia only. That of Tinea?
will be then composed exclusively of tineae and pseudo-tineae of Reau-
mur.

t Latr. Gener, Crust, and Insect, iv. 228.

ORDER LEPIDOPTERA. 621

lower wings are always large, and folded. These species,
moreover^ often have the four palpi uncovered.

All the caterpillars whose habitations are fixed or immove-
able, are the pseudo-tinece of Reaumur ; those which make
moveable retreats, and which they carry about, are the tinece,
properly so called.

The substances on which they feed, or on which they con-
stantly remain, furnish the materials for these retreats.

Among those composed of vegetable substances, there are
some extremely curious. Some of these are covered on the
outside with bits of leaves, applied one upon the other, form-
ing a kind of flounce. Others are formed like a cross, and
sometimes indented on one side only. There are some, the
component matter whereof is transparent, as if cellular, or
divided by scales.

The caterpillars of the /iwer», properly so called, commonly
called worms, clothe themselves with pieces of woollen stuff
which they cut with their jaws, and on which they feed, on
hair, furs, and the skins of stuffed animals, which they unite
with silk. They know how to lengthen at one end their
covering, or to augment its bulk, by dividing it, and adding
a new piece. They undergo their metamorphosis there,
after having first closed the openings of it with silk. We
must consult the works of Reaumur, Roesel, and Degeer,
to learn the manner in which they make these habitations, as
well as the differences of their composition and figure.

The false tineae merely excavate the interior of the animal
and vegetable substances on which they feed, and thus form
simple galleries, in which, if they construct a case, whether
with these substances or with silk, such habitations are always
fixed, or used as a mere place of retreat.

The caterpillars, which dig in various ways into the paren-
chyma of the leaves on which they feed, have been called
miners. They produce those dried spot-like spaces of un-

622 CLASS INSECTA.

dulated lines observable on many leaves. Buds, fruits, seeds,
and often that of corn, and even the resinous galls of cari-
ferous trees, supply food and a domicile to others. These
lepidoptera are often ornamented with very brilliant colours.
The upper wings, in many species, have gold or silver spots,
or points, sometimes even in relief.

Some which have the four palpi always distinct *, uncovered,
or merely partly hidden (the superior) in part by the scales of
the chaperons, advanced, and of middling size, resemble P.
pyralides of Linnseus ; their wings disposed in a ridge, in
general flat, or but little elevated, form an elongated triangle,
or sort of delta.

Sometimes the spiral tongue is very apparent, and serves
common usages. The caterpillars of these species live on
various plants.

BoTYS, Lat. Their caterpillars are leaf rollers, and do
not differ superficially from the others as to the respiratory
organs.

P. urticata, Lin. Roes. Insect, i. Phal. xiv. The thorax
and end of the abdomen are yellow, and the wings white,
with blackish spots, forming bands. The caterpillars sew the
leaves of the nettle, and remain nine months in the cocoon
which they spin, before their transformation to the nymph ;
it is shorn green, with a deeper stripe along the back.

The same plant supplies food for the caterpillar of another

* The Yponomeut, nith one or two exceptions, the Q^cophoras and
Adel, are ahnost the only Tine« whose upper or maxillary palpi are not
very apparent ; but as they may be hidden by the lower, and as it is very
difficult to establish, in this respect, a fixed and determined line of de-
markation, we have not thought it necessary to divide this group by the
number of these organs. M. Savigny, in his Memoirs on Invertebrated
Animals, has given figures by which they are represented under various
degrees of proportion. The new genera, which he has only named, are
unknown to us.

ORDER LEPIDOPTERA. 623

species of the same subgenus*. B. verticaUs, Lin. Roes.
ibid. i. Phal, iv. 4. The perfect insect is pale yellowish,
and shining, with some obscure transverse stripes more
marked beneath.

Hydrocampe, Lat. These are species very analogous to
the last, but their caterpillars are aquatic, and have, in ge-
neral, appendices in the form of threads or long hairs, the
innermost of which have some tracheae. They make for
themselves, with the leaves of several aquatic plants, tubes in
which they remain covered f .

Sometimes there is little or no spiral tongue.

Aglossa, Lat. The four palpi are exposed, and the wings
form a flat triangle ; the upper wings have no emargination
at their extremity.

P. pi7igumalis, Lin. Deg. Insect, ii. vi. 4, 12. Reaum.
Insect, iii. xx. 5. IL The upper wings are grey, with
blackish stripes and spots. They are found in houses on the
walls. The caterpillar is shorn, of a blackish and shining
brown, and feeds on greasy and buttery substances. Reau-
mur calls them false tinese of leather, because they also gnaw
that matter as well as the bindings of books. They build a re-
treat in the shape of a long tube, which they apply to the
bodies on which they feed, and which they cover with grains,
composed, for the most part, of their own excrements. Ac-
cording to Linnaeus, they are found, though but seldom, in
the stomach of mankind, where it produces more alarming
effects than the intestinal worms. A physician, whose
veracity I cannot doubt, sent me some caterpillars of this
species which had been vomited by a young woman.

That of another Aglossa, P.farhialis, Lin., feeds on farina.
The perfect insect is also often found on walls, where it re-

* Ph. forficalis, purpuraria, margaritalis, alpinalis, sanguinalis, &c.
of Fab.

t P. potamogata, stratioktta, paludata, lemnata, nympheata, &c.

624 CLASS INSECTA.

mains motionless, with the abdomen elevated. The under
side of the upper wings is reddish, edged with white behind ;
the posterior extremity is also reddish, but this colour forms
there an angular spot, edged above by a white stripe, also
angular; the space included between these spots, or the
middle, is yellowish.

Galleria, Fab. The scales of the chaperon form a pro-
jection, covering the palpi ; and the upper wings, shorter in
proportion than those of aglossa, and emarginated at the
lower edge, are, as well as the under wings, strongly inclined,
and elevate themselves behind like a cock's tail, as in many
species of the following subgenera.

G. cereana, Fab. Hiibn. Ins. iv. 25., is about five lines
long, ash, with the head and thorax lighter, and little brown
spots along the inner edge of the upper wings. Reaumur
names the caterpillar — the wax false tinea. They do great
mischief in bee-hives, piercing the combs," and building, as
they proceed, a silken tube, covered with their excrements,
and formed of the wax on which they feed. The cocoon of
their chrysalides are sometimes found in heaps.

G. alvearia, of Fabricius, approaches nearer to tinea than
to this subgenus.

His Crambus erigatiis, and Tinea tribunella, and colonella,
of Hiibner, approximate to the preceding by the arrange-
ment of their wings, but their lower palpi are much longer,
and these insects have in this respect more affinity to crambus:
they may form particular subgenera.

Others, whose upper palpi are not always very distinct,
have the upper wings long and narrow, sometimes rolled on
the body, and sometimes applied perpendicularly to tlie sides.
In this state, the insect has always a narrow and elongated
form, approaching a cylinder or cone.

Here, the lower palpi, always large, are carried forward ; the
last articulation at most is elevated; the upper palpi are apparent.

ORDER LEPIDOPTERA. 625

Crambus, Fab., have a distinct proboscis ; the lower palpi
advance, like a narrow bill, to the end. These lepidoptera
are found in dry pastures, on many species of plants *.

Alucita, Lat., Ypsolophus, Fab., have also a distinct pro-
boscis, but the last articulation of the lower palpi is elevated.
The antennae are simple f.

EuPLOCAMUs, Lat., Phycis, Fab. with a very short, and
scarcely visible proboscis, having, moreover, the last articu-
lation of the lower palpi elevated ; the scales of the preceding
form a bundle. The antennae of the males have a double
range of little barbs J.

Phycis, Fah. Altogether like the last, but with the antennae
entirely ciliated |[.

There the lower palpi are entirely elevated, and even bent
back above the head in many.

Sometimes the lower palpi are very apparent, and of middle
size. The antennae and the eyes are directed laterally.

In the two following subgenera the lower palpi scarcely
pass the forehead.

Tinea

Have the proboscis very short, formed of two small mem-
braneous and disjointed threads. Their head is crested.

Pyralis tapezana. Fab. Reaum. Insect, iii. xx. 2. 4. The
upper wings black ; their posterior extremity, as well as the
head, white.

The caterpillars gnaw woollen drapery, and other similar

* Fab. Entom. Syst. Sup. and Latr. Gener. Crust, and Insect, iv. 232.
See Hub. Tin. v. viii. Crambus carnellus belongs to another subgenus,
Ilithyia.

t Lat. ibid. 233. Unite to the same subgenus the crambus of div. ii. ii.-
p. 232.

X Lat, Gen. Crust, and Insect, iv. 233.

jl Phycis Coleti, Falj.

VOL. XV. 2 S

626 CLASS INSECTA.

stuffs ; they are concealed under a vault, which they form
as they proceed. This is a false tinea of Reaumur.

Tinea sarcitella, Fab. Reaum, Ins. iii. vii. 9, 10. Of a silvery
grey, and a white point on each side the thorax. The cater-
pillar is found on woollens. They make their immoveable
tubes by weaving with silk the morsels they detach ; they
elongate it at the end in proportion as they grow, divide it to
enlarge it and insert a piece ; their excrements are of the
colour of the wool on which they have fed.

T. pelUonella, Fab. Reaum. Insect iii. vi. 12 — 16. Upper
wings silvery grey, with one or two black points on each.
The caterpillar lives in a felted tube on furs, whose hairs
they cut at the root, and thus quickly destroy them.

T. Jlavifrontella, Fab., destroy natural history collections
in the same manner *.

T. granella, Fab. Rces. Insect, i. class iv. Pap. noct. 12.
The upper wings are marbled grey, brown, and black, and
are raised behind. The caterpillar ties several grains of corn
with silk, and so forms a tube, whence they issue, from time
to time, to gnaw the grains and do much mischief.

Ilithyia, Crambtisf, Fab., have a very distinct ordinary
sized proboscis, and the last articulation of the lower palpi is
evidently shorter than the preceding.

Yponomeuta, Lat., have also a distinct common sized
proboscis, but the last articulation of the lower palpi is at
least almost as long as the preceding,

Tliese insects appear connected with Lithosia.

T. evonymella, Fab. Rces. Insect, i. class iv. Pap. noct. 8.

* All authors who have described or figured Tinea?, and other analogous
lepidoptera, not having studied them in a strict manner, it is impossible to
refer the species mentioned by them to our several subgenera.

t Crambus carneus. Fab., and some other species. The antennae of the
males have underneath a swelhng like a knot.

ORDER LEPIDOPTERA. 627

Upper wings bright white, with very numerous black points ;
the lower wings are blackish.

T.padella, Fab., Rces. ibid. vii. Upper wings lead grey,
with a score of black points.

The caterpillar, as well as that of the last, live in an ex-
tensive society under one nidus *. They sometimes multiply
prodigiously on our fruit trees, devouring the leaves ; the
branches appear to be covered with crape. In the following
subgenus, that of

CEcoPHORA, Lot., the lower palpi are bent back above
the head like horns, going to a point, and reaching to the
back of the thorax.

The corn tinea, which is often so destructive in the south
of France, and which is uniformly of the colour of coffee with
milk, belongs to this subgenus. I also refer to it Tinea
harisella, whose caterpillar, according to the observations of
the younger Hiibner, forms a kind of hammock f.

Sometimes the lower palpi are very small and velvety, the
antennae are almost always very long, and the eyes are very
near.

Adela, Lat., Alucita, Fab. These insects are found in
woods, and many species appear as soon as the oak leaves
begin to shoot out. Their wings are generally brilliant.

A. Degeereila, F. de G. Ins. i. xxxii. 12. Antennas three
times the length of the body, whitish, with the lower part
black ; the upper wings of a golden yellow, on a black ground,
forming longitudinal stripes, with a large band of gold yellow,
traversed, and edged with violet.

* See Lat. Gener. Crust, and Insect, iv. 222. and Hist. Nat. de Lepid.
de France de Godart.

-f- T. majorella, geoffroyella, rufimitrella, &c. of Hiibner. With re-
ference to this and the last subgenus, see the monograph of Phycis, inserted
in the third vohime of the Entomological Magazine of M. Germar.

628 CLASS INSECTA.

A. Reaumurella, Fab., is black, with the upper wings
golden and spotless *.

The tenth and last section of nocturnal lepidoptera, Fissi-
PENNES {pterophorites, Ijat.,) have considerable relations with
the last, as well as to the narrow and elongated form of the
body, and the upper wings, but departs from them as well as
all others of the same order, in this, that the four wings, or
two at least of them, are cleft all along like branches, or
fingers barbed on their edges, and are similar to feathers :
these wings imitate those of birds,

Linnaeus includes these lepidoptera in his division Plialance
alucites. Degeer calls them Phcdenes tipules.

We shall form of them, with GeofTroy and Fabricius, the
subgenus

Pterophorus.

Their caterpillars have sixteen tarsi ; feed on leaves or
flowers, and do not build retreats.

Sometimes the lower palpi bend back from their insertion,
are entirely covered with small scales, and are not longer than
the head. These compose the genus Pterophorus, properly
so called, of Latreille. Their chrysalides are naked, beset
with hairs on small tubercles, sometimes suspended by a
thread, sometimes fixed by means of crochets at the lower
end of the body, to a bed of silk, on leaves, &;c.

P.pentadactylus, Fab., Roes. Ins. i. class iv. Pap. noct. 5.
Wings white as snow ; the upper divided into two slips,
and the lower into three f.

Sometimes the lower palpi are advanced longer than the

* See Fab. Entom. Syst. Sup. ; Latr. Gener. Crust, and Insect iv. 223,
and Hiibner, Tineag xix.

t For the other Pterophori of Fab., with the exception of P. hexadacty-
lus, see also Hiibner and Degeer.

ORDER LEPIDOPTERA. C29

head, with the second articulation very scaly, and the last
nearly denuded and elevated. The chrysalis is enclosed in a
silken cocoon. Latreille distinguishes these species under
the generic name of Orneodes *.

* P. hexadactylus, Fab. See Lat, Gen, Crust, and Insect, iv.
234, 235.

SUPPLEMENT

ORDER LEPIDOPTERA.

The character of this order will oblige us to deviate a little
from the plan which we have hitherto pursued in our supple-
mentary additions to the text of the " Regne Animal." The
habits of lepidopterous insects, in their perfect state, afford
but slender materials for popular disquisition, however at-
tractive and interesting they may be for their splendour
and beauty ; but in their first, or caterpillar state, these
habits are objects of great interest and curiosity. We shall,
therefore, embrace in one general observation, all that we have
to say concerning the order, without following the subdivisions
in succession, as we have before done. Our supplement will
thus naturally divide itself into three parts, — first, some ge-
neral brief observations on lepidoptera ; secondly, the history
of caterpillars more detailed ; and, thirdly, a notice of such
lepidoptera in their perfect state, as may present any thing,
in their habits or manners, worthy of the attention of the ge-
neral reader.

It forms no part of our present object to say much respect-
ing the structure of these insects ; but it is impossible for us
to pass over in silence the peculiar covering of the perfect in-
sects of this order, and the singular conformation of the mouth.

The order was named by Linnaeus from XtTrig iSog, and

SUPPLEMENT ON LEPIDOPTERA. 631

TTTipa, or winged with scales, a character peculiar to the
insects proper to it alone, whose wings are covered on both
sides with imbricated scales or feathers, presenting to the
unassisted eye nothing but the appearance of mere particles
of dust or powder, but exhibiting under the microscope a
mathematically regular series of scales or feathers, peculiar,
as to shape or size, to each species.

It has been much doubted whether these little splendid
appendages to the wings are most analogous to feathers or to
scales ; as they are terminated by a sort of quill, or stem, they
seem in that respect much to resemble feathers, but by the
nature of their substance, their shape and indentation, they
seem to approximate to scales. Four hundred thousand of
these have been counted by the patient Leeuwenhoek, on the
wings of the silk-worm moth ; but this must be a small num-
ber, compared with that on the wings of some others of a
larger size, as the Atlas, though in this and other allied
genera, it will be observed, that there are portions, or a por-
tion, of each wing entirely denuded of these scales, or feathers,
presenting a semi-transparent appearance ; indeed, in some,
(rmdaria) the wings have none of this sort of covering, though
in all other respects, the insects evidently belong to this order.

These scales vary infinitely in size, and consequently in
number and in shape ; some are long and slender, others
precisely the reverse : they are to be found round, oval,
oblong, rhomboidal, parabolical, triangular, and, in fact, of
almost all intermediate figures. Some terminate in a point,
others have several, indented, lanceolate, &c. ; the surfaces of
most, if not all of them, seem to be divided into longitudinal
ridges, or furrows, and in some instances may be found, by a
strong magnifying power, to have transverse ridges also. We
insert, PI. 83. f. 1. figures of various feathers taken from
Papilio uriicce, magnified by the compound microscope about
160,000 times. When so much magnified, they assume a

632 SUPPLEMENT

hollow form, but it may be hardly safe to conclude that to be
their actual conformation, as in the use of the highest powers
of the compound microscope, we are liable to much deception,
so varied and so casual is the degree of light to be obtained.
Fig. 2. represents a part of the membrane of the wing, with
a few feathers remaining on each side of it : fig. 3. is one
feather greatly magnified, with the petiolus a little removed
from its stalk, which stalk and petiolus are still more mag-
nified at fig. 4. displaying the manner in which the former is
convoluted, and embraces the latter by its elasticity. Fig. 5.
represent the outlines of various other scales.

In some (P. craicegata) the membrane of the wing has
first a series of orbicular feathers, which are covered by long
setaceous feathers. PL 81. fig. 1. is the upper wing of this
moth, magnified with a part of the upper series of setaceous
feathers removed on one side to show the under or orbicular
feathers. Fig. 2. is a portion of this wing deprived of the
setaceous feathers altogether, with the orbicular feathers re-
maining on the upper side in part a, on the under side only
in part b, and the membrane of the wing itself deprived of all
its feathers on both sides in part c. The mode of imbrica-
tion of these orbicular feathers, the upper series being a
little removed from the stalks, is depicted at fig. 3. ; and fig. 4.
shows the convolution of the petiolus. Fig. 6. is a few of
the feathers taken from the brown spot on the wing. Fig.
7. represents Ph. hexadactyla ,• 8. a single plume more magni-
fied, to display its tubular form; and 9. the radii of the left
anterior wing. Fig. 5. shows the lip of the under wing of
P/ia. Tinea semiargentella, with its orbicular and setaceous
feathers.

In the formation of the mouth of the lepidoptera, nature
appears to have had the intention of developing the jaws, at
the expense of the other parts. She has connected their
jaws into a kind of sucker, naked, and considerably elongated.

ON LEPIDOPTERA. 633

But it is not easy to conceive the mode in which she has
changed them into so many tubes. The examination of the
proboscis of bees, can alone conduct us to the solution of this
difficulty. In them the jaws and tongue are very long,
elbowed, and curved underneath. These first parts are so
many valvules, like a half- sheath. Let us suppose, that the
tongue, which has the form of a tube, be divided longitu-
dinally into two portions, that each of them be incorporated
with the jaws, and form their internal paries; that the lower
sheath of this tongue, or the chin^ be shortened, widened
in the form of a membrane, and fixed ; that the radical part
of the jaws, as far as the origin of their palpi, also undergo
analogous changes. In fine, let us suppose that the mandibles
and labrum are very much diminished, and become, as it were,
nullified ; we shall then have transformed the mouth of the
bee into that of a lepidopteron. Let us observe, that in the
hemiptera, the parts representative of the grinding organs
are considerably elongated, and the palpi disappear ; in the
diptera, the part corresponding to the chin receives the
greatest degree of development, so that nature presents, with
respect to the mouth of sucking insects, three different com-
binations : — First, naked jaws, forming of themselves a
sucker, whose action is independent of the other parts, — lepi-
doplera; secondly, mandibles, jaws, tongue and chin, greatly
elongated, this last part serving as a case to the preceding,
which compose the sucker, — hemiptera; thirdly, chin also
performing the office of sheath, but much more developed ;
sucker usually short, and varying in the number of its pieces,
— diptera.

It is to be observed, that the spiral tongue varies in the
minute construction of the parts in every species possessing
that organ. Our figures of the details of the tongue in Papilio
urticcB, while they display the peculiarities incident to that
species, may serve to illustrate the general character of the

634 SUPPLEMENT

organs in all the others. Fig. 1 . at PI. 28. represents, of course
greatly magnified, the head, with the eyes and spiral tongue
having the left palpus removed, to show the convolution of the
tongue. PI. 140. fig. 1. shows the tongue taken out and
partly unrolled, displaying the two segments, as united with
the rugae, of which they are composed, and the papillee or
absorbents toward the end ; 2. is a front view of the mouth
without the palpi, the clipeus being raised to show the open-
ing of the mouth and the insertion of the tongue ; 3. is the
under part of the mouth and tongue, with the articulations of
the palpi omitted in the last figure ; 4, 5, and 6, display the
termination only of this organ, with the papillae ; the first is
a front view ; the next has the segments separated, showing
the filaments and membranes which connect the segments ;
and the third is a lateral view, with the papillae. Fig. 7 shows
the manner in which the tongue, after the extremity of it has
been applied to the nectary of a flower, and has absorbed the
juices, is conveyed to the mouth, and the papillae cleansed by
scraping on the under part of it.

We never find, in this order, more than two kinds of indi-
viduals, males and females. Some amateurs, in breeding
caterpillars, have obtained, but very seldom, individuals
which they have considered as hermaphrodites, in conse-
quence of the dissimilarity of their antennae ; but these are
aberrations analogous to what we observe sometimes in do-
mestic animals, or real monstrosities. The males of the
lepidoptera make their appearance first, and are very ardent
in pursuit of the females. Those of many nocturnal lepi-
doptera discover the places of their retreat, by means of a
very fine sense of smell, for they penetrate into our houses,
for the purpose of fecundating such females as have been
taken captive, or have been reared up from the caterpillar
state. The Chinese fix on rings with threads the females
of two species of wild Boinbf/x, whose caterpillars produce

ON LEPIDOPTERA. 635

silk, place these insects on a tree, or on some body situated
in the open air, and the males, guided by their scent, visit
the females, to the advantage of the proprietor.

The sexual union lasts a considerable time. The female
frequently carries along with her into the air, the male, who
is always smaller, and otherwise differs from his companion,
in the narrower form of his abdomen, and also often in the
antennae, the tint of the wings, or some modification in their
pictorial design.

The females lay their eggs, often very numerous, and
of regular or of very varied forms, usually upon vegetable
substances, on which their larvae are to feed. They are
fixed there by means of a peculiar viscosity, and arranged
sometimes side by side, with considerable art, or even covered
with small silken hairs, which the female, for this purpose,
detaches from her abdomen. The deposition of eggs gene-
rally takes place but once a-year. Many diurnal lepidoptera,
nevertheless, deposit twice, first in Spring, and afterwards
towards the end of summer, or in autumn. When their
amours are over, these insects, like almost all others, very
speedily perish. A few females, however, of the number of
those produced in the latter part of the season, occasionally
survive the rigours of the winter.

We shall now speak of caterpillars in general, the history
of which we shall find to embrace by far the major portion of
the history of the entire order. We are necessitated to com-
mence with some notice of their structure, on which subject,
however, we shall study brevity as much as possible.

The caterpillar is a lepidopterous insect in its first state, or
from the time in which it issues from the egg, to the period
of its transformation into a chrysalis. Under this form, it is
one of the most destructive animals with which we are ac-
quainted, an object of hatred to the agriculturist, but a

636 SUPPLEMENT

subject of the most curious observation to the natural philo-
sopher.

Its body is composed of twelve membranous rings, which
assist it in locomotion. It is this membranous composition of
the rings which distinguishes the caterpillars from the larvae
of other insects, whose body is composed of the same num-
ber, not of membranous, but of scaly rings.

There are six small black points observable on each side of
the head, similar to small simple eyes, to each of which a
branch of the optic nerve conducts, but it seems doubtful
whether the power ' of vision resides in them. The eyes
which the perfect insect is to have, are covered, in the cater-
pillar, by the two spherical, hard, and scaly caps of the head.
The mandibles are trenchant and powerful, well adapted for
cutting food. At the upper extremity of the mouth is a
cylindrical nipple, pierced with a small hole, through which
the silk spun by the caterpillar issues, and which has received
the denomination of spinneret.

On the two sides of the caterpillar, are small oblong aper-
tures, called stigmata, which are regarded as the organs of
respiration. They are eighteen in number, nine on each
side. The maximum number of the feet is sixteen, and
the minimum eight. Six of these feet are scaly, and serve
as cases to the feet of the future butterfly ; the others are
membranaceous.

There is no kind of animal, the species of which are
formed upon so many different models, as the caterpillars.
The most remarkable variation is in the number of feet,
which, however, is not referable to the scaly, but the mem-
branaceous feet, and also in their distribution. This gives
rise to a variety of modes of locomotion among them.
Those which have eight intermediate feet, walk parallely to
the plane of position, and proceed by short steps. Those

ON LEPIDOPTERA. 637

which have four or five rings in succession, without feet,
curve this vacant space into an arch, and then stretch the
body out again. From this pecuhar motion, as the animal
appears to measure the ground before advancing, these cater-
pillars are called in French, geometricians, or surveyors.
Their body is oblong, stiff, and in some species, of the colour
of wood, so that it might be mistaken for a small stick.
They are also further mistaken, in consequence of the
motionless attitudes in which they remain, and which pre-
suppose an astonishing power in the muscles. Some may
be seen embracing a little twig, or the tail of a leaf, with the
two posterior feet and the two intermediate ones which are
next to them, and which they hook on. The rest of the
body raised vertically, remains stiff and motionless for hours
together ; others sustain themselves for an equally long time,
in an infinity of other attitudes, which require an incompa-
rably greater degree of force ; for we observe them with
their body in the air, in all positions. They even keep their
body motionless after having given it a variety of fantastic
curves. The muscles which have sustained the living cater-
pillars in these singular attitudes, keep them in them even
after death. The caterpillars which have but eight feet
altogether, are the smallest of all. Most of these appertain
to the moths, and usually lodge in garments which they have
formed for themselves, but of a variety of substances, in the
interior of leaves, flowers, &c. These have no need of in-
termediate feet.

Another remarkable variety in caterpillars is that of size.
This exists in various degrees amongst them ; but we may
take, as a mean standard, those of twelve, or thirteen lines in
length, and about three in diameter. Such as much exceed
this standard, may be considered as very large, while those
much below it are very small.

The size of the full-grown caterpillar is, however, pro-

638 SUPPLEMENT

digious, in comparison to that of the egg and the young
one. When we compare a caterpillar just born, and scarcely
a line in length, with another at its full growth, about three
inches and a half, this augmentation of volume in the same
animal must appear considerable, though not equal to what
we remark in fish. It has been calculated that twenty-six
eggs are necessary to make up the weight of one caterpillar.

Some caterpillars are covered with a smooth skin, quite
destitute of hairs. In some, the skin is so thin and trans-
parent, that part of the interior of the animal is perceptible
through it. In others, it is thicker and more opaque.
Among the latter, some have it smooth, shining, and as it
were varnished, while in others, it has a dead, dull appear-
ance. Those caterpillars in which the skin is tender, trans-
parent, and approaching to flesh-coloured, have been most
frequently confounded with larvae ; while the latter, whose
skin is opaque, and yellow, green, or brown, or striped with
these colours, have been named caterpillars, though without
the scaly head, or any of the distinctive characters of these
last animals.

Colours are, no doubt, a very distinguishing attribute of
caterpillars. We see, on their bodies, all known colours,
and a variety of shades, of which it would be very difficult
to find examples elsewhere. Some are but of one colour ;
others are adorned with different colours, very lively, and
very strongly contrasted. Sometimes they are distributed
in longitudinal stripes or bands ; sometimes in stripes, which
follow the contour of the rings ; sometimes they are in waves,
or in spots of regular or irregular forms ; sometimes they
are in points, or so varied, as to defy a general, or even a
particular description.

Among the smooth caterpillars, some are more so than
others ; for this name is given to those which have very few
hairs, as well as to those which have none. The skin of

ON T,EPIDOPT£RA. 639

most of these smooth or shorn caterpillars is soft to the
touch ; but others have it bristled or shagreened with an
infinity of small hard grains. These are arranged in some
order, and appear to be of an osseous or corneous substance.
Observed through the microscope, they look like little
nipples, proceeding from a circular base.

Many of these last-mentioned caterpillars have a horn on
the eleventh ring, directed backwards and a little curved.
The caterpillars of the Sphinx are thus furnished. This,
from its figure and direction, has been supposed an offen-
sive or defensive weapon ; but no one has observed the in-
sect make use of it for such purposes. Besides, though
called a horn, it is of a fleshy substance, and too soft to
inflict any injury. It is not necessary to suppose that
nature has formed every thing for a determined use ; nor
is it by any means in accordance with observation. There
are often many parts which may be considered as kinds of
off-shoots of organization, (if we may use such a phrase,) of
no apparent utility to the animal, and which it can part with
without detriment. It would appear that when certain
powerful agents in nature have been set in motion, for given
purposes, they have sometimes gone further than was in-
tended, like generals or ambassadors who exceed the limit
of their instructions. They produce superfluities, which do
not interfere with the general plan of nature, though they
answer no particular end. They are like ornaments to a
building, which contribute nothing to its strength or solidity ;
or, like the colours with which nature has invested the variety
of her productions, and which cannot modify their internal
character. One colour, as far as utility is concerned, ap-
pears to be as good as another ; and nature, had she pleased,
instead of presenting creation as a picture to our eyes, might
have made it an engraving, all of one colour, and charac-
terized by variations of form alone.

13

040 SUPPLEMENT

Among the shorn caterpillars are also placed those which
are remarkable enough for rounded tubercles, regularly dis-
tributed on each ring. Many large species, and which pro-
duce the handsomest lepidoptera, are provided with these.
They are truly ornamental. In some, they are of a fine blue,
which produces the most beautiful effect on a skin of some-
what a clear brown. Some caterpillars have a green, or a
rather yelloM'ish skin, with tubercles of a turquoise colour ;
others, also green, have them of a lively flesh-colour, con-
trasting finely with the hue of the skin.

Other caterpillars have hairs, or rather bristles, very thick
and hard. These hairs resemble the thorns of plants in
their form, and sometimes one constitutes a stem, from which
others diverge in various directions. The form, size, colour,
and number of these spines, vary in the difl^erent species.

In fine, the most common caterpillars, among which are
some of the ugliest and handsomest that we can find, are
the hairy, properly so called. By the quantity, length, and
disposition of the hairs, they are distinguished from each
other. They are also characterized by the different colours
of their hairs. But it would be tedious for us, and indeed of
small utility, to enter into any further details on this subject.

The mode of life and the habits of caterpillars are almost
as various as the species. Some are solitary, others are
social. There are species which live in the earth, the interior
of plants, the trunks and roots of trees. The majority de-
light to lie on leaves, trees or plants, within reach of the
aliment which is necessary for their sustenance. Some pro-
tect themselves by rolling the leaves, so as to form at once a
garment and habitation. Others of a very small species,
excavate the interior of leaves, and dwell therein, unper-
ceived of their enemies ; and, finally, there are some that
form a kind of tunnel in a very exact manner, which renders
them invisible, and accompanies them wherever they go.

ON LEPIDOPTERA. 611

A particular consideration of the mode of life in cater-
pillars, is essentially necessary to their just inter-distinction.
Those that, though their exterior is pretty similar, yet show
very characteristic differences in the mode of life, must cer-
tainly be ranged in different species. Thus, there are some
which remain solitary during the whole period of their ex-
istence, and seem to have no sort of commerce one with
another. Others pass the greater portion of their lives in a
social state, nor do they separate until, having acquired their
full growth, they are about to undergo their first transfor-
mation. There are some that even remain together in the
state of chrysalis, and are not disunited until they have
assumed the final form. The various substances on which
they feed, should also be a consideration to guide us in the
discrimination of the species.

The first law which nature has imposed upon all living
beings is that of self-preservation. They are possessed of
the means of living, from the moment in which they com-
mence to exist, and their right to existence is proved by the
very possession of these means. Let us, therefore, cease to
repeat the absurd dogma, that all things have been created
for our use alone, and to blame nature for the production of
beings who are to live at our expense. Let us be no longer
astonished that those caterpillars, whose multiplication is so
prodigious, and whose growth is so rapid, should carry on
such ravages, and be at once the scourge of our orchards,
gardens, and forests. When the caterpillars are numerous,
there are very few plants indeed, which they do not attack
and despoil of their leaves. In some years they are so very
common, that scarcely any herb escapes their devastations.
By gnawing the leaves of trees, they reduce them to a state
almost as deplorable as that in which we observe them in the
depth of winter ; with this difference, however, that the loss
of their leaves in that season, does them no harm, nor is

VOL. XV. 2 T

642 SUPPLEMENT

it at all injurious to the principle of vegetation. But when
they are despoiled of them in the spring and summer, they
suffer very materially. When the caterpillars have devoured
the verdure of a tree, they do not always abandon it altogether,
though it appears to offer them no further means of subsist-
ence. They often wait for the second germination, that they
may feed upon the tender shoots and buds. Some species,
however, proceed elsewhere, in search of nourishment.
Among animals of the largest species, we find no example of
voracity, comparable to that of the caterpillars. There is none
that can eat, in the space of twenty-four hours, a quantity of
leaves more heavy than itself. Some of them even eat more
than double their own weight. But we are so much accus-
tomed to see caterpillars feed on nothing but leaves and
herbs, that when M'e find the trees themselves filled M'ith
holes, dried to the very roots, and even broken and over-
turned, we little suspect that all this mischief is the work
of caterpillars.

It has been believed, and it is still very usually imagined,
that each plant nourishes its own peculiar species of cater-
pillar ; for many rather doubt if there be a single species of
caterpillar, to which nature has assigned but a single species
of plant, or a single substance of any kind, as its food. This
can only be the case with those species whose diminutiveness
conceals them entirely from our sight, and permits to live only,
wherever they are found. There is a hairy and red cater-
pillar, which lives generally on the leaves of the vine, but will
nevertheless eat other leaves with great avidity. It derives
its nourishment both from leaves that appear to us perfectly
insipid, and from leaves which possess an aromatic character.
We find species which gnaw indifferently the leaves of the
oak, the elm, the thorn, the pear-tree, the plum, and the
peach-tree. Other species are found which feed indiscri-
minately on the leaves of the mallow, the helianthus, the

ox LEPIDOPTERA. 643

pimpernel, the gilly-flower, lavender, and all kinds of pot-
herbs. It appears, however, to be true, that there are but a
certain number of plants or trees, of an analogous nature,
which are suited to each species of caterpillar. What would
become of our crops, if the caterpillars that ravage the woods
could at the same time subsist upon the green ear ? Accord-
ingly, the plants upon which the caterpillars live, may serve
as another foundation for the distinction of species. Thus we
may well suspect, that caterpillars, though of similar form
and colour, which are found upon an oak and on a cabbage,
are not of the same species.

It might be thought strange, that nature has assigned to
some caterpillars, as their aliment, not only plants whose
bitterness appears insupportable to us, but also plants replete
with an acrid and caustic juice, if we did not reflect, that the
qualities of bodies act upon each other only in proportion to
their respective relations. Thus some caterpillars live on the
leaves of certain tithymali, notwithstanding the corrosive
quality of the milk which they contain. The conduits
through which this juice passes in the insect, small and deli-
cate as they may seem to be, are not vitiated by a fluid,
which acts very differently on our tongue. It must also ap-
pear extraordinary, that there are caterpillars that live upon
the nettle ; many species found on this plant are in truth
armed with long spines, which may seem necessary to keep
those of the leaves away from their skin. But many species
of the smooth or shorn catterpillars are found upon the net-
tle, and whose skin even appears more tender than that of
a number of other caterpillars which live on plants whose
leaves are very soft to the touch. These caterpillars of the
nettles eat leaves armed with pi'ickles, which, when they come
in contact with our skin, cause very troublesome and even
painful excoriation. Can the palate and oesophagus of these
caterpillars, which one would naturally suppose to be so

2 T 2

644 SUPPLEMENT

extremely delicate, be more proof against those prickles than
our skin? It may be, indeed, that these caterpillars take
these prickles into their mouths by the base, and in a
direction so as to do them no injury. But this is merely con-
jecture.

The majority of caterpillars live on trees and plants, for the
purpose of eating their leaves alone. Some, however, gnaw the
flowers, and others spare neither the fruits nor roots. There
is also a number of them living in the interior of the different
parts of trees and plants. Their skin is transparent, and
generally more tender than that of others, and less qualified
to resist the action of the external air. By exposure, it would
dry up too much, and therefore these caterpillars never quit
their obscure retreats. Some remain continually in the inte-
rior of the branches and stems, especially in the white hazel.
The saw-dust which we daily observe issuing through a hole,
whose aperture is at the external surface of the bark, indi-
cates the presence of an insect, gnawing away the interior
fibres. Among the caterpillars which live on wood, there
are some to which the wood of different species of trees is most
suitable, in the same manner as different species of plants are
most suitable to others. The fruits which we find the most
succulent, and the sweetest, have not been accorded to us
alone — Nature has thought proper that insects of different
genera should partake them with us ; the pears, apples,
plums, &:c., which arrive at maturity sooner than other fruits
of the same species, fall in our gardens every year ; and these
same fruits owe both their precocity and their fall to some
insect, which has grown up within them. The most import-
ant of our fruits, those which form the basis of our aliments,
are not in safety, even after their harvest has been gathered
in. It is too well known that the different species of corn,
such as wheat, rye, barley, &c. are sometimes entirely con-
sumed in our granaries. Besides many species of larvse, and

ox LEPIDOPTERA. 645

perfect insects of different genera, there are a great number
of caterpillars that attack fruits of various kinds. As among
the caterpillars which live on leaves, some gnaw those of cer-
tain plants and trees, on which other caterpillars would die of
hunger, so certain species of caterpillars eat fruits which would
not be at all suitable to other species. Those which are
brought up in pears, would in all probability perish in nuts,
and vice versa. The different species of fruits, however, are not
so frequently attacked by caterpillars as the leaves. We are
ignorant, if the leaves of any plant whatever are spared by
caterpillars, but there are species of fruits in which they are
never, or at least very seldom, found. It would not be more
easy to give a reason why certain species of fruits are spared,
while others are injured, than to tell why the leaves of the
cabbage are more attacked by caterpillars than those of the
beet ; or why so many more insects live on the oak than on
the linden. Plums are greatly subject to be maggoty ; — a kind
of small caterpillar grows in their interior. There is neither
larva nor caterpillar brought up in the peach or apricot.
We know that the lepidoptera do not deposit their eggs at
hazard : their principal attention is to deposit them in such
places as may afford an abundant supply of suitable food to
the future caterpillar, from the moment of its birth. Thus
the lepidoptera whose caterpillars are to feed on fruits glue
their eggs on these fruits, which are often so young that the
petals of the flower have not yet fallen ; and they sometimes
leave them between these very petals, against the pistil
which is the embryo of the fruit. These caterpillars, which
are not long in being disclosed, find themselves placed, from
their birth, on some tender fruit, which they easily pierce,
and introduce themselves into its interior. There they are at
once in the midst of such aliment as they are fond of, and
placed in shelter. The part even where they have entered
sometimes closes up, so that it is difficult, or even impossible

646 SUPPLEMENT

to find the little hole which has given a passage to them.
The caterpillars that live in fruits are commonly small, very
much under the middle standard. The small caterpillars
which live in husks or cods, do not seek to conceal themselves
in the fruit on which they feed, but have part of their bodies
outside. But those which eat fruits not enclosed in shells,
always remain in the interior of the fruit. A remark, which
should not be omitted, and which has long since been made,
respecting larvae, is, that each fruit contains but a single
caterpillar, at least it is scarcely ever otherwise. If two in-
habitants are sometimes found in a single fruit, one of them is
a larva and the other a caterpillar. There are small cater-
pillars that lodge in grains : heaps of wheat or barley may be
thus entirely filled by them, without its being perceptible
from the external appearance of the grain, as the skin is
always spared. But on pressing the grain between the fin-
gers, those which have been attacked are easily distinguish-
able from the others ; — nay, it is possible in this way to dis-
tinguish the age of the caterpillar which is lodged there.
If, on being pressed, the grain yields on all sides, the cater-
pillar has acquired its full growth, or has become a chrysalis.
If only a portion of the grain gives way, its interior substance
has not been altogether gnawn, and the caterpillar is yet
young. A grain of wheat or barley contains the just quantity
of provision which is necessary for the support of this cater-
pillar from its birth to its transformation. If a grain be
opened containing a caterpillar on the point of metamorphosis,
its whole interior substance will be gone, and nothing but the
skin remaining. Drink does not appear to be necessary to the
caterpillars, or, to speak more correctly, they derive all their
fluid nourishment from the substances on which they live.

There is one fact, which must not be forgotten in the his-
tory of caterpillars, though it does not present them in the
most amiable point of view. The maxim, so often cited against

ON LEPIDOPTERA. 647

US, that man is the only animal that makes war upon his
own species, has been advanced by persons who have paid
no attention to the study of insects. Carnivorous insects, as
we have had occasion to remark more than once in the course
of this work, very often devour their own consimilars. But
this trait is still more exaggerated in some caterpillars, which,
though born to feed upon leaves, and delighting in that food,
yet find the flesh of their companions a preferable viand, and
devour each other whenever they have an opportunity.

The time in which the caterpillars take their food, is another
distinguishing specific mark amongst them. Some eat at all
hours of the day, and some only in the evening or morning, and
remain quiet during the heat of noon. There are some, also,
that only eat during the night. Thus among the smooth cater-
pillars there are some brown and green ones which live on
cabbage, but quit it in the morning, to conceal themselves in
the earth during the day, which never issue from their retreat
but in the evening, and gnaw the leaves only during the
night. Thus the gardener who desires to rid his cabbages of
these caterpillars, and the naturalist who wishes to observe
them, must both choose the night for their operations, and
seek these insects by candle-light. There are numerous
other species which conceal themselves at certain periods
both by night and day, and which cannot be discovered
but at the moment of their issuing forth. There are other
caterpillars fond of the roots of plants, and which remain con-
tinually under ground. Gardeners are well acquainted with
the species that eats the roots of lettuce, and the cultivators
of hops, with that one which gnaws the same parts of that
plant, and often occasions infinite loss and damage.

The attitudes assumed by difterent caterpillars, when we
attempt to catch them, may also assist us in establishing many
new distinctions between many species. Some roll them-
selves into a ring the moment they are touched, and remain

648 SUPPLEMENT

motionless as if dead. Those which are hairy, in turning
in this manner, assume then the appearance of a hedgehog ;
others suffer themselves to fall to the ground, the moment
the leaf on which they are placed is touched ; others try to
save themselves by flight, and some among these run re-
markably fast ; many, more courageous, seem desirous of de-
fending themselves : they fix one portion of their body, and
agitate the other in various directions, as if to strike the per-
son who disturbs them ; some of these put in motion the
anterior, some the posterior part of their body. Finally, there
are some, which, when touched, give inflections to their
bodies similar to those of serpents, and twist and twine them-
selves in various directions with very great agility.

Though all caterpillars are injurious to vegetation, all are
not equally so. There are some species so small, and so
little multiplied, that the mischiefs which they do are very
trivial. There are others that live on plants, in the preserva-
tion of which we are not interested. But there are species
so exceedingly pernicious to us, that we extend, in conse-
quence, our hatred to the entire class. They have ren-
dered the very name of caterpillar odious, and stirred up all
our energies to the destruction of the entire race. Nor have
the ravages of caterpillars been the only motive of prejudice
against them. For a long time these insects were considered
venomous ; an error which had no other foundation than the
aversion created by ugliness of exterior, and the timidity of
ignorance and folly. Birds feed on caterpillars, and the re-
past is not only innoxious, but nutritive. Children have been
known to eat silk-worms without inconvenience. Caterpillars
are given to poultry without doing any harm. Some larger
species will, indeed, when touched, excite an irritation of the
skin, but without any dangerous result. This irritation is
caused only by the hairs with which they are furnished.

But when prejudice and fear are laid aside, when animated

ON LEPIDOPTERA. 649

only by the desire of knowledge, we cast our eyes on these
despised insects, and examine their properties, their habits,
their instinct, nay, even their utility, we not only forget the
evils which they cause, but are penetrated with sentiments of
admiration and delight. No wonder, then, that they have
attracted and fixed the attention of the profoundest observers
of nature, and the most worthy of the name of philosophers.

Nature employs, in the preservation of these insects, from
year to year, and during the rigours of winter, four different
means, but all of equal efficacy. Some pass the winter in
the envelope of eggs ; some in the caterpillar form ; others
in the state of chrysalis ; and others as the perfect insect.

Those which have passed the winter in the egg, live, after
they have quitted it, in the caterpillar form, during a portion
of the summer. The shell of the egg, and the place where
it is deposited, protect the embryo from destruction.

Others which have left the egg before autumn, and the
fall of the leaves, feed upon these as long as the season will
permit ; and some of them, before the arrival of winter, have
attained about half of their complete developement ; others,
born later, grow but little in the same year. On the ap-
proach of winter, the young caterpillars adopt the proper
means of sheltering themselves from the cold. In the follow-
ing spring they quit their asylum, and proceed in search of
food. At the commencement of the fine season, we are sur-
prised to find so many caterpillars advanced in growth; but
they have existed under this form during a part of the pre-
ceding autumn. The winter retreats, which these caterpillars
select, or fabricate with great industry, are of various kinds.
The solitary caterpillars conceal themselves under stones,
inside the bark of old trees, or retire into the earth, to a de-
gree of depth where the cold cannot reach them. The social
form nests which are very remarkable, constructed of many
leaves which they connect together with silk, and attach to

650 SUPPLEMENT

the tops of tree^s. This is the case with several caterpillars,
and especially the smaller species.

Those which pass the winter as chrysalids, are the most
numerous. It is towards the end of summer and autumn,
that they cease to eat, and prepare for their transformation.
Some of them enter the earth for this purpose ; others seek
retreats in the holes of walls and trees, or under stones ;
others form cocoons of silk, or other materials in which the
chrysalids are enclosed : some have no need of shelter, take
the chrysalis form in the open air, and are perfectly imper-
vious to the cold.

The caterpillars which live together, all come from the eggs
of a single lepidopteron, which have been deposited one after
another, or heaped together, so as to form a sort of nest.
The young caterpillars, for the most part, quit the egg all in
the same day, and as they are born, so they continue to live
together, for the term which their instinct prescribes. These
societies of brothers and sisters, commonly consist of two or
three hundred caterpillars, and sometimes even of six or
seven hundred ; some do not separate until they have quitted
the exuvia of chrysalis, and even almost form societies for
life ; others live together only until they have arrived at a
certain growth.

Among the latter must be placed the caterpillar which is
named common, because, in truth, it is most frequently met
with, well known from its ravages, its middle size, and hairy
body, of a brown colour, and furnished with sixteen feet.
The female of the Bombyx, to which it belongs, deposits her
eggs on a leaf about the middle of summer, and envelops
them in a sort of yellow silk. These eggs are four or five
hundred, and from each of them, in a few days, issues a
small caterpillar. They all remain assembled on the leaf on
which they were born ; they are scarcely disclosed when they
begin to eat and spin in concert ; they construct a nest,

13

ox LEPIDOPTERA. 651

where they retire during the night, and which serves as a
retreat during bad weather, or winter. But too many of these
nests are to be seen on fruit trees in autumn, and still more
in winter. These nests are thick packets of white silk and
leaves, and their form is neither agreeable nor constant. In
proportion as the insects grow, they enlarge their lodging, by
new layers of leaves and silk. Each nest consists of many
enclosures of webs, which form so many apartments, and
each enclosure has its doors, which allow the caterpillars to
pass from one to the other. The webs, composed of a pro-
digious number of threads, extended one over the other,
render these nests capable of resisting all attacks of wind and
weather. The rain cannot enter, because all the apertures
are below, and it slips oflffrom the silken tissue without pene-
trating it. The period in which these nests might be most
deranged, would be in spring, if the stems which they enve-
lope cease to be covered with new leaves, or to grow them-
selves ; but the caterpillars take good care to prevent this, by
gnawing the principal buds of the stem, and thus hindering it
from germinating. These are admirable productions, and it
is pleasant to see the caterpillars, in fine weather, issuing forth
from their little doors, to enjoy on the outside of the web, the
air, or the sun. Some extend their promenade farther, but
they never proceed beyond the length of the branch which
sustains the nest. In walking, they carpet all their path, and
do not proceed beyond the spot where these traces of silk are
seen to terminate. Though they do not seem to observe a
very strict polity, they are not altogether undisciplined.
None of them ever fail to re-enter their habitation on the ap-
proach of night or bad weather. It is a very amusing spec-
tacle to see these little caterpillars going and coming, some
on one side, some on the other, without confusion, and when
they meet, saluting each other, like the ants ; also descend-
ing the branch in great numbers, and ranging themselves

652 SUPPLEMENT

side by side, on the top of a leaf, for the purpose of foraging.
The sound of the voice, or of an instrument, appears to
annoy them, and the shghtest motion in the neighbourhood
of their dwelling, or on the leaves where they have established
themselves, soon determines them to regain their retreat. In
fine, after several moultings, the period of their dispersion
arrives ; the society is dissolved, and each caterpillar retires
to pass the rest of its life in solitude.

The pine forests nourish caterpillars of another species,
which pass a great portion of their life in society, and seem
more worthy of attention than the preceding, from the quan-
tity and quality of the silk, of which their nest is composed.
These nests are sometimes larger than a man's head, and the
silk is strong and white. The ravages of this caterpillar can
neither excite nor deserve our vengeance. Its gnawing the
narrow and pointed leaves of the pine, which is the only
tree that it attacks, is of little consequence. So far from
injuring us, its silken cocoons might be of great utility, if
proper pains were taken in preparing them for manufacture.
These caterpillars, like the preceding, compose a nest in
common, whither they retire for the night. They come
forth on the return of day-light, spread themselves over the
tree, and gnaw the leaves. They march in the same order
as those called processionary. A little time after their birth,
they work in concert at the nest, which is at first very
small, but as they grow, they increase its circuit by spinning
new webs. All the interior of the nest is filled with webs,
directed variously, which form different lodges, with appa-
rently the same communication as those of the common
caterpillar. The principal entrance is not constantly in the
same place, and other smaller ones are observable. These
caterpillars walk very fast, and at first separate but a little
from each other, to gnaw the leaves in their immediate
neighbourhood. When they have let themselves down,

ON LEPIDOPTERA. G53

they make use of a very slender thread of silk, as of a ladder,
to remount to their nest. Although they appear to issue
forth more willingly by night than day, and appear to avoid
light, some are observed to come out at all hours of the day.
They walk in procession in file, and in the finest order.
They all defile one by one, with an equal and rather slow
step. The file, which is often very long, is continuous
throughout, the head of the caterpillar which follows touch-
ing the tail of that which precedes. Sometimes they defile
on a straight hne ; sometimes they describe a variety of curves,
many of which representing festoons or garlands, are very
agreeable to the eye. These kind of evolutions are still
more amusing when many societies are in the same neigh-
bourhood, and the processions set out from different nests.
They sometimes proceed to very great distances from the
nest, and then the files are very long. While one proces-
sion follows the same right line, others turn in different
directions ; some are mounting, some descending. All the
caterpillars of the same procession march with an uniform
and grave step, none ever attempting to advance before an-
other, none ever remaining behind in the interior of the file.
The caterpillar which is at the head of the procession, deter-
mines the evolutions of all the troop. Each preserves his place,
and directs his march by that of the caterpillar immediately
preceding. When the first caterpillars in a procession have
made a halt, they usually assemble one near the other, and over
each other in aheap, and enclose themselves in a sort of pouch
of filigree work, very similar to a fishing net. When ourpro-
cessionaries return to the nest, it is by the same way that they
came. They often remove from their domicile to some distance,
and make many turns, but are sure to find their way back
again. It is not the sense of sight that directs them so cer-
tainly in their marches. This is a point clearly proved.
Nature has accorded them another means of regaining their

654 SUPPLEMENT

lodging. We pave our ways : these caterpillars carpet
theirs, and never walk but on silken tapestry. All the
paths which lead to their nest, are covered with threads of
silk. These threads form traces of a lustrous white, at least
two or three lines in breadth. By following these traces in
file, they never fail to find their nest, how tortuous soever
may be the windings in which they engage themselves. If
the finger be passed across the trace, the way will be broken,
and the caterpillars thrown into the greatest embarrassment.
They will be observed to stop all on a sudden at this place,
and give all the marks of fear and distrust ; their march will
remain suspended, until some one of them, bolder or more
impatient than the rest, shall have dared to cross the gap.
The thread which it spins in crossing, becomes a bridge for
another. The latter, in passing, spins another thread, his
followers each another, and the path is soon repaired.

The industrious processes of insects, and indeed of ani-
mals in general, are apt to lay hold of our imagination. We
are fond of according to them our own reasonings and our
own views. But this is by no means a correct mode of
viewing the question. These caterpillars, no doubt, do not
carpet their paths for the purpose of preventing themselves
from losing their way ; but they do not lose their way, be-
cause they carpet their paths. They spin continually, be-
cause they have continual need of evacuating the silky matter,
which is reproduced by nutriment, and contained in their
intestines. In satisfying this want, they secure their march
without thinking on the subject ; and for that very especial
reason they do so better. The construction of their nest is
connected with the same want. Its architecture is agreeable
to the form of the animal, to the structure and play of its
organs, and to the peculiar circumstances in which it is
placed. This is one of those operations which is directly
traceable to the organization of the animal ; and though

ox LEPIDOPTERA. 655

most of those, which we are pleased in our ignorance to call
instinctive, cannot, from our limited powers of investigation,
he traced so clearly, perhaps the hypothesis which refers
them to the same source, is as good as any other ; at all
events, if instinct be a mystei'y, our own reason is not less so ;
and man can no more point out the cause of the one than
that of the other.

When these caterpillars have acquired their full growth,
and the time of their metamorphosis is approaching, they
abandon their nests, separate, and go to construct in the
earth cocoons of pure silk.

The caterpillar of the bombyx neustria, of Fabricius,
which, from the longitudinal bands, of various colours, which
adorn its body, has something of the appearance of a riband,
is common in gardens and orchards. The leaves of fruit-
trees, and those of many others, are its food, and it some-
times does infinite mischief. These caterpillars are also
social during their infancy, and spin in concert a sort of
cloth, which serves them as a tent, under which they have
some leaves to feed on. When their provision is out, the
family remove to another part of the tree, where they can
find more, and where they establish themselves afresh, as
before. This economy, which continues while the cater-
pillars are young, is sufficient to strip a tree entirely, when
there are two or three of these numerous families. During
the night, they return into the nest, but by day-time they
parade upon its surface, withdrawing, however, immediately
on the approach of rain. They walk like the preceding, in
procession, but not in so continuous a file, nor in equal
range. The procession is often interrupted in its march by
caterpillars returning to the nest, and by others halting.
Having gone a certain distance, the processions often stop,
and the caterpillars flock together. Some then return by
the same road, others pursue their course, always at a slow

656 SUPPLEMENT

pace, and without the least confusion. They find their way
by the same means as the last. If any of them that go first
be touched slightly with the finger, it is amusing to see them
shake their heads several times, and go back quickly, without
being stopped in their flight by any of their companions, who
follow the first route with a tranquil step. If their way be
divided, like the others, their embarrassment and inquietude
are extreme. The cordons which they form by their various
evolutions have a beautiful eft'ect, appearing, at a distance,
like ti-aces of gold ; some in a right line, and others in curves
of various inflexions. What renders this spectacle more
agreeable is, that the cordon of gold is couched upon a
silken riband, of a bright and silvery white. After the second
moulting, these caterpillars no longer observe the same order,
but wander about without any fixed direction, and some
become completely solitary.

Tufts of grass may be seen in autumn, in the meadows,
covered with white webs, which might be taken for those of
spiders; these, however, are tents under which some cater-
pillars live. There is nothing regular in their arrangement,
and the interior is divided by many partitions into diflferent
lodges, which are wider as they approach the base. When
the insects have consumed all the provision under one of
these, they remove to another situation. Thus they live dur-
ing summer, but for the winter they form a more solid lodg-
ing, in the interior of the principal tent, in the form of a
purse ; they are there one upon the other, and each rolled
up. On the return of the fine season, they make new tents
of silk, which serve to defend them against the rain : they
leave several oblique apertures for egress and regress. These
societies do not consist merely of caterpillars of the same
family ; those of several nests often join in making a tent.
About the middle of spring they separate, each to live in
solitude, and prepare for its metamorphosis.

ox LEPIDOPTERA. 657

We must now speak of social caterpillars, which remain to-
gether even under the chrysalis form.

Of all caterpillar republics, the most numerous are those of
a species usually living on the oak, and which have particu-
larly been named processionary. Each of these consists of
seven or eight hundred individuals. While young, they have
no fixed establishment. The different families encamp, some-
times in one place, sometimes in another, on the same tree
where they were born. They spin their nests together. In
proportion as they change their skin, they form new establish-
ments ; but at the period of their full growth, their habitation
is fixed. These nests must be large to contain the numbers,
but have nothing singular or invariable in their form. The
walls are formed by many layers of webs applied upon
each other. Between the trunk of the tree and these walls
is a cavity, in which the caterpillars occasionally enclose them-
selves, and near the trunk is the aperture of entrance. These
nests are rarely found in the middle of the forest, and though
placed within reach, are not casually perceptible, as they
nearly resemble the lichens with which the stems of the oak
are covered.

When these insects quit the nest, they go in procession,
but in an order somewhat different from what we have already
described : a single caterpillar opens the march, the others
follow in file, and sometimes two, three, or four a-breast. They
observe so perfect an alignement, that the head of one never
passes that of another. When the conductor halts, the troop
w'hich follows does not advance, but awaits the signal from
the leader. In this order they traverse the paths, and pass
from one tree to another in search of food. When they find
a branch covered with fresh leaves, the caterpillars spread
over the leaves, and are so contiguous to each other that
their bodies touch. When they have terminated their re-
past, they regain their nest in the original order. Sometimes,

VOL. XV. 2 V

()58 SUPPLEMKNT

indeed, this little army makes a number of singular evolu-
tions, but it is always conducted by a single caterpillar. The
van always constitutes one angle, but the main body is
gradually enlarged, so that some ranks consist of fifteen or
twenty caterpillars. In a wood where there are several nests
of these processionaries, to see them forming their battalions,
is an admirable spectacle for the lover of nature. One issues
forth from a nest whose aperture is scarcely sufficient for two
to pass abreast ; it is followed by others in file, and having
arrived at the distance of about two feet from the nest, it
makes a pause, during which those which are in the nest con-
tinue to issue forth. They each take their rank ; the regi-
ment is formed ; at length the conductor marches, and the
whole troop follows, entirely subordinate to every movement
of its chief. The same scene is passing in the neighbouring
nests : — they are all vacated at once. The hour has arrived
when the caterpillars are to take their food, for it is towards
night that they commence these processions. During the
heat of the day, they usually repose in the nest. In com-
mencing the nest, which is to serve them as a last retreat,
they give it as much thickness and breadth as is necessary,
but they sometimes lengthen it afterwards if they find its
capacity insufficient. The exuviae from their last moultings
strengthen the envelope, being connected together with new
threads, and the tissue, at first transparent, in the course of
a few days becomes perfectly opaque. In this nest they as-
sume the form of chrysalids, each spinning a particular cocoon.
The nests, the hairs of these caterpillars, and even the air
which is charged with them, produce violent irritation in the
skin, followed by swellings.

In spring, on the leaves of apple-trees, is found another
species of caterpillar, which remains social in the chrysalis
state. These caterpillars remain in a sort of hammocks, which
they construct, and not only repose therein, but find their

ON LEPIDOFTEKA. 659

food. They eat only the parenchyma of the surface of the
leaves, and, what is singular, their bodies never touch the leaf
which they are gnawing, as if it were too delicate to support
the touch. It is covered by a very soft skin, endowed with
great sensibility. Let them be touched ever so slightly, these
caterpillars advance, or draw back in their hammock, with
great quickness. We are surprised to find that they turn
neither to the right nor left while they are executing move-
ments of so much promptitude. In fact, each caterpillar is
lodged in a sort of long sheath of filigree work, spun by it-
self, and imperceptible to the eye. The whole nest or ham-
mock is an assemblage of these sheaths, couched parallelly one
upon the other, in each of which is enclosed a caterpillar.
The nest envelopes a certain number of small shoots or
leaves, and when the parenchyma of these is gone, the cater-
pillars proceed to hang another hammock on some neigh-
bouring leaves. They do this successively several times in
the course of their lives. These would be taken at first
sight for the webs of spiders. Nothing is perceptible but a
confused assemblage of webs, of irregular forms, and very
transparent. The nest begins at certain leaves, and ends at
others more or less remote ; when they abandon it, the new
one which they construct is always at but a small distance
from the first : all occupy it at once, and each furnishes a
great number of threads. At one of the ends of their last
nest each constructs a cocoon, of a very white silk, in which
they enclose themselves, in order to undergo their transform-
ation into a chrysalis.

Caterpillars in general are not to be considered as very soci-
able beings : the greater number live without having any com-
munication with their consimilars; and as for those that live in
society, they rather provoke us to destroy them, than excite
our curiosity to observe them. Having given some notions
concerning the mode of life of the most common species

2u2

660 SUPPLEMENT

which are social, we shall now invite the attention of the
reader for a brief space to the habits of some which are soli-
tary, and which are not less worthy of admiration.

Some of these, though living in great numbers on the same
tree, must yet be considered as solitary, because they perform
no works in common, and the labours of one have no influ-
ence on those of the other : they live in common as though
they were alone. But others are still more solitary: they
make, in succession, several habitations, without even placing
themselves within the reach of communication with any of
their own species. Such are almost all those that curve or
roll the leaves, for the purpose of lodging in them, and all
those which connect together several leaves, to unite them in
a packet, towards the centre of which they remain.

We see almost every day, on our fruit-trees, and various
plants, some leaves which are simply curved, others folded
in two, others rolled several times over, and others, in
fine, collected together into a shapeless packet. It will be
easily perceived that these leaves are held together in these
difterent states by a great number of threads, and that the
cavity within these leaves contains a caterpillar. If we look
at the oak-leaves particularly, towards the middle of spring,
we shall find many of them, folded and rolled in different
ways, and with a most surprising degree of regularity : the
upper part of the end of some appears to have been brought
back towards the under part of the leaf, there to de-
scribe the first turn of a spiral, which has afterwards been
covered with many other turns, produced by successive roll-
ings, carried sometimes as far as the middle of the leaf, and
sometimes beyond it. The centre of the roll is hollow ; it is
a tunnel, the diameter of which is proportioned to the body
of the caterpillar which inhabits it ; other leaves are rolled
towards the upper part ; others, very numerous, are rolled
towards the under part like the first, but in directions totally

ox LEPIDOPTERA. 661

different. The variety of forms, however, which these roll-
ing caterpillars use in their habitations, may be better com-
prehended by inspection, or from figures, than from descrip-
tion *.

Sometimes many leaves are employed in a single roll. Such
works would not be very diflScult to our fingers; but the
caterpillars possess no instrument equivalent to them. More-
over, in rolling the leaves, it must retain them in a position,
from which their natural spring is perpetually inclining them
to diverge. The mechanism by which the caterpillars per-
form this part of their work is easy to observe. We see
packets of threads attached by one end to the exterior sur-
face of the roll, and by the other to the flat of the leaves.
We can very well conceive these little cordages sufficient to
preserve the rolling form to the leaf; but it is not so easy to
divine how the caterpillars produce this particular form, how,
and in what time they attach the connective threads. All
this can be ascertained only by observing the insect at work.

This is not so easy ; it would be difficult to seize the
exact moment of their operation, and the presence of a
spectator might tend to derange them. We may choose a

* Language is comparatively inadequate to a clear and minute descrip-
tion of the objects of sight ; language is the symbol of mind, of thought,
of sensation, of what is internal, rather than what is external. Writing
has taught us

" To paint in mystic colours, sound and thought ;"

but painting and sculpture alone can embody to our view the outward
forms of things. Verbal description may assist oiu- recollection of what
we have seen, or convey a notion of what is perfectly analogous thereto ;
but if every one would be as candid as myself, I am sure they would con-
fess, that an object which they had never seen, of which from analogy they
could form no previous notion, cannot be clearly conveyed to their appre-
hension by words alone . The concrete is as ill "expressed by language
as the abstract by painting. E. P.

662 SUPPLEMENT

more facile method, by sticking in a large vessel full of
humid earth, some branches of oak newly broken, by distri-
buting on their leaves a certain number of caterpillars, taken
out of the rouleaus, which they have already made. They
are very impatient at being uncovered, feeling (for all the
rolling caterpillars are smooth) the necessity of being shel-
tered from the impressions of the open air. Accordingly,
they soon go to work, under your inspection, just as they
would do in the forest. It is, in general, the upper part of
the leaf which they roll towards the under, but some commence
the rouleau at the very end of the leaf, and others at one of the
denticulations of the sides. The head of the caterpillar is
applied against the under part of the leaf, quite near the
edge, and from there, as far as it can extend near the side of
the principal nervure. It returns directly to the place from
which it had at first set out, and comes back in the same
manner, to retouch the most distant part of the edge. Thus
it continues to give itself successively more than two or three
hundred alternate movements. Each movement of the head,
each going, produces a thread, and each return produces
another, which the caterpillar attaches, by each end, to the
places where its head appears to apply itself. All these
threads form a sort of link, and having given a sensible cur-
vature to the leaf, towards the under part, the caterpillar
begins another at two or three lines distance from the preced-
ing. The part which is between the first link and the
second, now begins to curve more, and that which is beyond,
already curved, will become more so by a third link. The
extent of the part which is to form the first turn of the roll,
is not great. It is just like a piece of paper that we begin
to roll from the angles. Accordingly, three or four packets
of thread are sufficient to give the necessary curve to this
first turn. It is by means of similar threads, and similar
links, that the second turn is to be formed. Nevertheless,

ON LEPIDOPTERA. 663

though the leaf curves more and more, in proportion as each
link is finished, we cannot yet perceive the cause of this
rolling. After having considered each link as composed of
thousands, very nearly parallel, to form a more exact idea
of it, we must regard it as composed of two sets of threads
placed one below the other. All the threads of the upper
set, cross those of the lower. The packet is wider at both
its ends than it is in the middle ; nevertheless, the number
of threads in the middle is equal to that of either end.
Wherefore, then, do they occupy less space ? It is, that
they are more crowded one against the other in their cross-
ing. If we choose to follow the caterpillar while it is spin-
ning the threads of each of these sets, we shall discover the
double use of both these sets. The threads of the first set,
being all attached pretty nearly parallel to each other, the
caterpillar passes to the other side, to spin those of the second
set. While it is spinning, it cannot go from one to the
other extremity of this second set, without passing over the
threads of the first ; and far from trying to avoid them, it
applies its head and a part of its body to them. The
threads of this set form a kind of cloth, capable of support-
ing this pressure ; they consequently draw the two por-
tions of the leaf one towards the other. That which is
near the edge gives way, approximates, and the leaf curves.
The only question now is, to preserve the curve which the
leaf has assumed, which is done by a new thread attached
by the caterpillar. A caterpillar which has to roll a thick
oak-leaf, could not spin threads sufficiently strong, to hold
against the stiffness of the principal nervures, and especially
of the middle ones ; but it knows how to render them
supple. It gnaws away, in three or four different places,
those nervures where they are thicker than the rest of the
leaf. When, after having rolled a portion of the leaf, it
finds a large denticulation which considerably out-edges,

664 SUPPLEMENT

instead of rolling it, it bends it by the threads, which it
attaches to the end, and in the sequel, it forms a tube of a
proportioned diameter, and very well rounded. Besides the
links which are all along the last turn of the roll, the insect
has often occasion to put some at both ends, or at least at
one of the ends. But these are so disposed, that they do
not deprive it of the liberty of issuing forth from the inte-
rior of this roll, and re-entering. This is its domicile ; it is
a species of cylindrical cell, vehich only receives the light at
the two ends, and its walls furnish nutriment to the animal
that inhabits it.

The different species of caterpillars which roll the leaves
of the oak, elm, and other trees, proceed exactly on the plan
we have now described. It would, therefore, be superfluous
to dwell upon them. Plants have also their rolling cater-
pillars. In general almost all the rollers are remarkable for
their vivacity. A caterpillar that rolls the leaves of sorrel,
exhibits this peculiarity in its habitation, that it is placed
perpendicularly on the leaf. This position will not allow the
caterpillar to roll the leaf as it finds it. It cuts a strip of
the leaf, but without detaching it altogether. The broadest
part of this strip constitutes the height of the roll, and its
length furnishes all the necessary turns.

There are other leaf-rollers which also vary the forms of
their habitations, and pursue different plans ; but our limits
will not permit us to go into further details concerning these
processes. We must say a word, however, respecting the
leaf-binders, which are more numerous than the leaf-rollers.
Their works are more simple, but nevertheless do not exhibit
less industry. These kind of works are to be seen on the
oak, as well as the habitations of the rollers. The end of the
leaf has been brought back, almost brought down flat, and
no sensible elevation left, except at the place of the fold.
The direction of these curves is very various, some down-

ON LEPIDOPTERA. 665

wards, and some upwards ; but the leaf-binders may be said
generally to inhabit a kind of flat box. They have no great
space, but it is proportioned to their body, as they are
usually small. There is an aperture at each end, but
almost imperceptible. They only eat into a portion by the
thickness of the leaf, for were they to gnaw it altogether,
their habitation would soon be open. They only attack the
larger nervures and fibres, detaching merely the softest sub-
stance, the parenchyma. It is worthy of remark, in some of
the leaf-binders, that they have a particular place for the
deposition of their excrements, which is the part where they
have first commenced to gnaw the interior of their habitation.

Many caterpillars, still smaller than the last, unite several
leaves in one and the same packet. These leaves are very
variously and irregularly arranged, and attached in such
places as are most easy of union. Here the caterpillar is
comfortably placed in the midst of the packet, and surrounded
M'ith plenty of provision.

All the geometer caterpillars, with but ten feet, live solitary,
and for the most part, neither bind, roll, nor connect, several
leaves together. Their plan is more simple. They remain
between two leaves applied flatly together, and retained so
by threads of silk at the two surfaces which touch. They
let themselves fall when the leaves are agitated, or an at-
tempt is made to seize them. They do not, however, let
themselves fall to the ground, but are retained by a thread,
like spiders, in the air. The mechanism of this is curious
enough, but our limits oblige us to refer to Reaumur and M.
Latreille for the details of it.

We must now dismiss all further consideration of the habita-
tions of caterpillars, though much has been discovered, and
doubtless more yet remains to be discovered concerning them,
of high interest to the lover of nature. But in fact, a com-
plete history of caterpillars would constitute a work of no in-

666 SUPPLEMENT

considerable extent, while we can afford but comparatively a
few pages to its discussion.

Among the facts deserving of examination in these insects,
there are few more so than their changes of skin. Most of
them undergo this change but three or four times previously
to their final transformation ; in some, however, it takes place
eight or nine times. These moultings are called diseases in
the silk-worm, and are so in fact, for they often perish in
consequence.

The exuvia rejected by the caterpillar is so complete, that
it has all the external appearance of the insect itself; the
coverings are detached from every part, which we may easily
conceive to be no trifling operation ; to perform it the social
caterpillars retire to their nests, and hook themselves by the
claws of their feet to the silken tissue. The solitary ones
spin light tissues for this purpose. It is more easy to de-
tach the covering when they have obtained a hold of this
kind.

As the moulting approaches, the colours of the caterpillar
begin to fade ; the skin dries up, and becomes cleft on the
second or third ring of the back. The insect continues to
swell that part of its body which is opposite the cleft, until
the aperture is sufficient to enable it to draw the body out.
Having disengaged the upper part of the body, it elongates
the lower, to disengage it likewise. This operation, though
laborious, does not take a moment in performing.

The colours of the caterpillar with the new skin are
fresher and finer, and sometimes seem altogether different
from what they were before. The new skin, even when fur-
nished with hairs, is perfect under the old ; and we may
suppose such caterpillars as change several times are fur-
nished with so many of these skins, one above the other.
The insect is always weak after each moulting ; the parts are
tumid, but this moisture speedily evaporates.

ON LEPIDOPTERA. G67

These changes are necessary to the growth of the cater-
pillar ; for the solid and external parts do not grow, and
therefore, as the internal growth advances, a new coat be-
comes necessary.

The final transformation into chrysalis now approaches,
and the caterpillar forms its cocoon. Most of these cocoons,
as is well known, are spun of silk, but there are many varie-
ties in their structure, mode of suspension, &c. &c. Some
caterpillars cannot make their cocoons of pure silk alone :
they mix it with earth, or make the cocoon of earth alone.
When the time of their transformation approaches, they con-
ceal themselves under ground, and there the chrysalids re-
main until they are ready to appear winged. Many, how-
ever, neither form cocoons, nor retire under ground ; but in
general, they remove from the places where they have lived,
and choose some retired place for their transformation. Their
positions are diflferent ; some are hung vertically in the air,
the head downwards ; the end of their tail alone is attached
to some elevated body ; — some are attached against the walls,
having the head higher than the tail ; and others present a
variety of different attitudes ; some, although attached by the
tail, are further fastened by a little cincture embracing the
back, which is composed of a great number of silken threads
closely approximated, and much stronger than is necessary
for the support of the insect ; others are attached with less
art, but even the most simple suspensions presuppose modes
of operation not very easy to be divined.

As the metamorphosis approaches, the caterpillars often
quit the plants or trees in which they have lived. After hav-
ing ceased to take food, they evacuate copiously : some
totally change colour ; but it more usually happens that their
colours become effaced. In those that have a horn in the
hinder part of the body, that appendage, from having been

668 SUPPLEMENT

opaque, becomes transparent. The stigmata also appear to
close at the moment of tranformation.

The cocoons of the silk-worms are, doubtless, the hand-
somest of any made by caterpillars, if we speak in reference
to the substance of which they are composed, and its capa-
city of being manufactured. Nevertheless, other caterpillars
form cocoons, which, though less useful, are more remark-
able in their form, and seem to presuppose a greater degree
of intelligence in their constructors ; some apecies content
themselves with filling a certain space with threads, cross-
ing each other in various directions, but leaving between
them several vacancies. The insect occupies the centre of
this space ; the threads support it, without concealing it.
Others, though they form the cocoon better, yet its tissue
allows the animal to appear. Nevertheless, the majority of
those which use few and separated threads, are by no means
fond of being seen, and choose a shelter under the leaves of
trees, &c. ; and even some of those that arrange their
cocoons with more exactitude and closeness, will cover them
with the leaves of the tree or plant on which they have lived.

The cocoons which are most frequently exposed to view,
are those which are composed of pure silk. They are gene-
rally of an elliptical, though sometimes of a cylindrical form.
The web of some is very fine and close, while that of
others is coarser. They are all composed of a single con-
tinuous thread, unless it happens to break, which is very
seldom the case. It is fortunate that these threads in the
case of the silk-worm, are not strongly cemented together,
as it would be impossible to unwind the cocoons, which is
very easily done, when they are held in warm water. The
gummy matter with which the silk is impregnated, dries up
instantaneously, and retains no more viscosity than is suffi-
cient to attach it very shghtly to the thread. In the

ox LRPIDOPTERA. GG9

cocoons of many species of caterpillars, the threads are
attached by stronger and more tenacious gluten. These
cannot be unwound, and the only resource is to card them.
But others are so closely cemented, that even this operation
would not succeed, but would reduce them into small frag-
ments. Six different layers are distinguishable in the cocoon
of the silk-worm ; and a single thread may be unwound
from it more than a thousand feet in length.

The most usual colours of the cocoons of different species
are white, yellow, brown, or red ; but they exhibit shades
of all these colours extremely varied. The silk-worm some-
times employs two or three days to finish its cocoon ; others
take but a single day, and others but a few hours. But the
forms, the materials, the industry exhibited by these in-
sects in the construction of their cocoons, would even, if
imperfectly described, carry us far beyond our limits. No-
thing, indeed, can be fitter to interest the curiosity of a
philosophical observer, than such remarkable varieties of
architectui'e in insects of the same class. These variations
take place not only among different species, but also among
different individuals of the same species, when placed under
different circumstances ; when deprived of their usual mate-
rials, they will employ others presented to them, and arrange
them according to the necessity which locality, &c. may impose.

That insects sometimes commit mistakes in the execution
of their works, is a fact, which might, if necessary, be alleged
in proof that they are not mere machines. Many examples
of such mistakes (perhaps we should say, irregularities,)
occur among the caterpillars. Thus we sometimes find two
or three silk-worms shut up in a single cocoon, in which
they nevertheless undergo their metamorphosis perfectly well.

We must now not only dismiss all further consideration of
cocoons and chrysalids, but deny ourselves the pleasure of
investigating a subject of not less interest, we mean the

670 SUPPLEMENT

vital economy of caterpillars. The reader who is curious on
this subject, will find ample details in the works of Lyonnet,
Kirby, &c.

It is much to be regretted, that amidst so many cater-
pillars that spin silk, we have been able to avail ourselves of
the labours of but three or four species. The silk produced
by the silk-worms, is not always equally good. That of
China is renowned for its fineness. In some countries, the
silk is very coarse and indifferent, which doubtless depends
upon the different qualities of food.

There can be no doubt but that we might derive great
benefit from the productions of other caterpillars, if not in
the manufacture of silk, at least in that of many other arti-
cles of equal utility, such as fine cotton, cloth, paper, &;c.
Some experiments which have been made, clearly prove the
practicability of this. It may also be mentioned by the way,
that the fluid with which the caterpillars moisten the silk,
might be turned to useful purposes in the making of
varnish, &c.

The enemies of caterpillars are very numerous, especially
among birds, which annually destroy prodigious numbers of
them. There are also many insects which destroy them,
and some of their own species attack each other.

We must now conclude our supplement on Lepidoptera,
with reference to the plate representing the progress of one
species through its different states of existence, and with a
very brief consideration of the habits of some of the perfect
insects, and descriptions of several new species of which
we present figures.

The metamorphosis of a Pap. Urticce, are depicted by a
series of sketches, taken from observation. See PI. 115.
Fig. 1. represents the larva just issued from the egg. 2. The
same in progress to maturity. 3. The same at its full growth.
15. Its head magnified. 4. Its appearance when about to

13

ox LEPIDOPTERA. G71

change into the pupa state. 5. In the act of changmg on
the following day. 6. The pupa come forth, the change
having been performed in about four minutes. The exuvia
of the larva being raised up to the point of suspension, was
thrown off, and is represented afterwards at fig. 7. After
remaining twelve days in the pupa state, the perfect insect
began to appear as at fig. 8. 9. Represents the butterfly in
the act of escape ; and 11a, and lib, the pupa case, and
the insect totally extricated, with the wings folded, collapsed,
and humid. At 12, it is gradually expanding the wings,
during which operation it voids a sanguineous-looking ex-
crement ; and at fig. 13, the perfect insect is seen with
the wings expanded for flight. The whole of this won-
derful process from fig. 8, was performed in about seven
minutes.

It is probable, that the butterflies were the first insects
which attracted attention, and furnished the first materials
of entomology. Nature, in investing them with such bril-
liant and various colours, and giving them such facility of
flight, seemed desirous of reproducing to our view, in the
class of insects, the beauties of the humming-birds and coli-
bris. The analogy holds good even in the organs with
which they take their nutriment, and the nature of that
nutriment itself.

The plan of nature, in creating these sylph-Uke inhabitants
of air, is wonderful indeed. Who could ever pre-suppose
that so lively, delicate, and brilliant an insect as a butterfly, so
airy in its habits, and so fastidious in its food, should be
derived from a crawling, sombre, and voracious worm ?
The butterfly, on issuing from its cocoon, is entirely formed.
Nothing of its prior state remains. Its figure, its habits,
all, in a word, is so changed, that it can no longer be recog-
nized. The butterfly is agility itself, and grace personified.
It appears to disdain the earth, and in its magnificent robe,

672 SUPPLEMENT

to seek the skies ; while it is sustained with nectar, like the
fabled divinities of old. Issuing from its dark cradle, it
seems to rejoice in its new-born existence, to court the sun-
beam, or delight in recognizing the groves or fields where its
laborious infancy has been passed. Its life is now a scene of
perpetual enjoyment. It wanders from flower to flower ;
and, like a gay gallant, flutters from female to female, con-
tinually in pursuit of the pleasures of novelty and change.

But a life of this description affords no materials for the
historian : however pleasant to contemplate, it is barren of
facts. The historian of nature, like that of man, must not
look to peace and pleasure, for the most abundant interest
of his subject. He must find it in labour, bustle, and indus-
try, amid the excitement of war, and the vicissitudes of peril.

The female butterfly deposits her eggs on such vegetables
as are proper to nourish the caterpillars which proceed from
them. She contents herself with simply agglutinating them ;
and we find no example in her, of the singular foresight
which belongs to some of the lepidopterous species.

The mode of flight in those diurnal lepidoptera varies as
considerably as in birds, and affords to the experienced na-
turalist a criterion of the distinction of species. Inclement
weather would not suit these tender insects ; their wings
would be rendered useless, and they would not propagate
their species. Perfect summer, or at least the whole of that
season when nature reposes in the bosom of calm and sun-
shine, and the fields are enamelled with flowers, is the period
of their happy but transitory existence. They pass the winter
in the caterpillar or chrysalis form, or, but very rarely indeed,
as perfect insects, in a lethargic slumber. The woods and
forests are most favourable to their reproduction. Some spe-
cies, however, haunt rocky and stony places ; other diurnal
lepidoptera delight in the neighbourhood of streams and
waters ; but in general their localities are determined by the

ON LEPIDOPTERA. 673

presence of such vegetables as are peculiarly adapted for
their own nutriment, and that of their offspring. After the
impregnation of the female, the male soon perishes, and the
latter survives only to deposit her eggs, and then undergo the
same destiny.

It seems needless to repeat the minute differences which
distinguish the several subgenera of diurnal lepidoptera, or
butterflies : they are sufficiently indicated in the text. We
proceed, therefore, to a description of our figures of two
new species of true Papilio, from the splendid collection of
lepidopterous insects belonging to Mrs. Children. The first
is named, in honour of the above-mentioned lady, Childrencs.
It has the upper wings black, with the middle of a fine
bright green, divided by the black nervures, also a white oval
spot near the exterior border ; the lower wings black, with a
longitudinal spot of virescent crimson near the anal angle ;
beneath the upper wings, black, with a white spot, which is
divided by a nervure ; the lo.ver wings with a transverse
interrupted band of crimson ; the body black, the sides of the
thorax spotted with red. It is from Brazil.

The other species is named Cleotas. It is of a bright black,
with two rows of bright yellow spots, the first series com-
mencing from the centre to the posterior angle of the wing ;
these are the largest, and rather square ; the other row is
•near the exterior margin ; these last are small and of a tri-
angular shape. Between these two series is a row of spots
formed of rather scattered yellow scales ; the lower wings
dentated and black, with a band near the centre of rather
large yellow square spots, then a row of lunated spots
formed of scattered yellow scales, then a series of very small
similar spots ; those near the anal angle are red, and the
other three yellow ; beneath the upper wings brownish black,
with a large spot of yellowish in the costal nervure, also

VOL. XV. 2 X

674 SUPPLEMENT

some large yellow spots neai* the centre ; those nearest the
posterior angle are the smallest, some of them in a lunar
form ; beneath the lower wings brownish black, with the
band as above, white ; each spot formed of red scales, and
some scattered, then a narrow lune of black, next a line of
blue scales, and a row of red lunes on the posterior margin.
This species is from South America.

We have figured two species which belong to the genus
Pieris : the first we name Pieris Sivamsonii. It is a greyish
black, with a mascular. band of pinkish white spots, the inner
margin greyish white ; the lower wings, from base to the
centre, greyish white ; beneath the upper wings, brownish
black, with a broad oblique pink band cut by the nervures ;
the lower wings with a long narrow yellow spot on the ante-
rior margin, and spotted at the base with crimson, also a
bluish grey transverse band near the centre. This Bra-
zilian species belongs to the subgenus Euterpe^ of Mr. Swain-
son, and is in the collection of Mrs. Children.

The second, Pieris Nemesis, of Latreille. It is black; the
upper wings with six spots of yellow, the three nearest the
base the largest ; beneath these wings, brownish black, with
two small spots on the side ; the lower wings with the ante-
rior part ash virescent, then a transverse band, narrowing
towards the exterior border ; the posterior part of the wings
of a fine jonquil yellow, beneath brownish black, with a
transverse broad yellow band near the posterior margin ; the
body black, with the under side of the abdomen yellow.
This South American insect belongs to Mr. Swainson's
subgenus Lieinix.

Of Heliconia we figure a species which M. Latreille
names Cyrene, It is black, with ten transparent spots placed
in the following manner, (from base) 1,2, 4, 3, — those near-
est the base the largest ; the lower wings with a transverse

ON LEPIDOPTERA. 675

transparent band in the centre, not touching the exterior mar-
gin ; beneath the wings reddish brown, bordered with black,
and spotted white ; the antennae black ; the feet and palpi are
part black and part white. This species is from Peru.

The genus Nymphalis we illustrate with the following
species, viz. Nymphalis Pitheas, Latr. It is violet black,
with a transverse band, and the space at the base of a fine
crimson ; the lower wings violet black, with the base and in-
terior margin crimson ; beneath these wings pale rose, with
two large black spots, with bluish pupil ; the posterior and
interior margins bordered with black, which has a line of
yellow on each side, also two small lines of blue at the
anal angle.

The second species is named Nymphalis Thamyris. The
four wings above are of a velvety black, with the base of a
brilliant blue, which is less extended in the lower wings.
The upper wings have two spots of the same colour near the
summit of each wing, the posterior one the largest; the
lower wings have the same tinge along the exterior border ;
their tails are speckled near the tip with bluish grey, the tip
is black ; the interior border of the same wing is for the most
part bluish ; beneath the four wings are of a ferruginous
brown, rather deep, shining, and speckled with grey ; the
upper wings have the posterior border, and a ray of the same
colour ; this ray crosses from the summit to the middle of the
interior border, and this is bordered with a line of deep
brown ; the lower wings have on each, three small spots,
rather distinct, round, and disposed in a transverse line, with
two black, the centres of which are occupied by a small
spot, rather circular ; the upper part is grey, and the lower
of a deep bluish ash, — the interior spot is much the small-
est ; beneath the tail is speckled as above.

The third species, Nymphalis Chrysites, above the fore
wings is black, with a violet reflection ; the fore wing

^ x 2

676 SUPPLEMENT

with three transverse bands, and two bands nearest the base
of upper wings, continuing on the lower wings, of a bright
yellow ; beneath the wings, like the upper surface, but much
paler ; and the centre of the bands with a small spot, oval
and bluish ; the extremity of the wing is of a reddish brown,
or rather bay, w-ith a tinge of bluish ash; in the place of the
third band there are four small eyes, the two upper are very
small, particularly the second, which is black, with the pupil
and iris of a bluish ash ; the third is whitish, surrounded with
two circles, one of brown and orange, rather larger ; the
fourth is much lai'ger, very distinct, black, with a circle of
pale grey, beneath which are two spots of bluish ash ; be-
neath the lower wings, bay, with a tinge of bluish ash, parti-
cularly towards the base and interior margin ; in the middle
of the exterior border is a spot of pale golden yellow, shin-
ing, in the form of a large triangle, w ith two eyes at the sum-
mit of the posterior angle, with black pupil, with a bluish
point in the middle. These three last species are from South
America.

The fourth species we name Nymphalis Annetta : it is
black on the upper surface, with a narrow whitish band
across, near each anterior angle ; and the base of a fine crim-
son colour towards the posterior angle ; the lower two wings
with a spot near the centre of each wing, and the nervures of
a fine crimson ; beneath the fore wings, like the upper sur-
face, but of a paler colour, and spotted in the costal nervure;
the lower wings black, with four yellowish brown bands, the
two nearest the margin connected between each nervure, so
as to form rings, with a violet lune in the centre of each, ex-
cept the anal one, which has two lunes and some undulated
bands ; interior margin brownish black, the base spotted with
crimson ; the body above black, and beneath brownish. This
species is from Brazil.

We have figured a species of the genus Erycina, which we

ON LEPIDOPTERA. 677

consider as new, Erycina Xanthippe. The wings are trans-
parent, with the margin and cross bands black, also with
two crimson spots at the anal angle ; tail black, tipped with
white ; beneath, the same, except that there are two white
spots beneath the crimson ; it is from Brazil.

We also figure a new species of Eumenia, dedicated to
Mrs. Children, in whose collection it is contained. It is of
a deep black, the anterior margin of a rich violet blue,
also with a row of triangular spots on the margin of the
wings, which are also fringed with white ; beneath the wings
are black, with a violet blue spot in each costal nervure of the
fore wings, and also very much spotted with yellowish green.
This splendid species is from Mexico.

The Barbicornis basalts, of M. Godart, is black, with
two fulvous transverse bands ; the lower wings black, with
a longitudinal band near the anterior margin ; also a spot at
the base of each tail, fulvous. This is from Brazil.

We now come to the Crepuscular family of lepidoptera,
and all we have to say concerning them in the perfect state,
may be comprised under the head of Sphinx.

These insects, like the butterflies, are very beautiful, their
wings being adorned with the most lively and most agreeably
varied colours. Although they are in general rather large
and heavy, they fly more lightly than the bombyces, and they
are discovered by the noise which they make. At the
setting of the sun, they proceed to take a little nutriment
from flowers. They pass with rapidity from one to another,
pumping the juices which they contain, with their long pro-
boscis, and hover round these flowers without resting on them.
There is nothing particular in the coupling of these in-
sects. The males finish their career with that of their plea-
sures. The females lay a great number of eggs.

The Sphinx Atropos (T>eatKs Head Moth), which is
deep brown, varied with yellow, makes a singular noise,

678 SUPPLEMENT

resembling a plaintive cry, which Reaumur considers to
be produced by the friction of the palpi against the pro-
boscis. This stridulation, however, is differently ex-
plained by a French surgeon, named Lorey. According to
him, this noise which the moth makes when touched, or
when, having entered an apartment, it fears to be unable to
retreat, is entirely owing to the air. This air escapes from
a trachea, which exists at both sides of the base of the
abdomen, and which, in a state of repose, is closed by a
bundle of very fine hairs, united by a ligament which origi-
nates on the lateral and internal parietes of the upper part
of the abdomen, which bundle is dilated by the divergence
of the rays which compose it, forming a little sun, or very
pretty asterisk. M. Lorey, to convince himself of the truth
of this, successively amputated the palpi, the trunk, and the
head, without putting a stop to the stridulation.

This plaintive sound, and the peculiar figure of the
corslet, with three spots upon it, representing, in some degree,
a death's head, have rendered the sphinx atropos an object of
superstitious terror. A number of them made their appear-
ance on a certain year in the province of Bretagne, to the
great terror of the peasants. They believed them to be the
cause of certain epidemic maladies, which then prevailed in
that country, and regarded them as the fore-runners of
death. Their lamentable and funeral cry is certainly more
than enough to frighten the ignorant and superstitious.

We shall now proceed to the nocturnal division of lepi-
doptera, beginning with Phal^ena.

These insects come from the caterpillars which we have
mentioned under the name of geometers, and respecting
which, it is unnecessary to add any thing here. They re-
main for a greater or less time under the form of chrysalis.
They then couple and die after the oviposition. These
last become perfect insects towards the end of summer.

ON LEPIDOPTERA. 679

But those whose caterpillars do not undergo their metamor-
phosis until autumn, pass the winter in the chrysalis form, and
do not become perfect insects until the following spring.

Like all the nocturnal lepidoptera, the phalenae seldom
fly but after the setting of the sun. They remain during
the day tranquil upon the leaves. They inhabit gardens,
meadows, and especially woods and forests. The males of
three or four species appear to have six wings, the lower ones
having, near their origin, a sort of flat, oval appendage, folded
in two, and couched on the upper part of these wings.

The BoMBYCEs, in their perfect state, live even a shorter
time than the other nocturnal lepidoptera. Incapable of
taking nutriment, since they have neither proboscis nor
tongue, they come into the world only to propagate their
species. The same day that they have quitted their cocoon,
they are in a state for coupling. The males are very lively
and ardent. They fly rapidly, often in a zig-zag course,
and sometimes even in the open day.

Respecting the silk-worm, which is the caterpillar of
Bombyx mori, as we have already so much extended our
generalities on caterpillars, we must be excused from enter-
ing into any details here.

As to Tinea {Moths proper) there is nothing in the habits
of the perfect insect, to arrest us here. The ravages made
in furs, &c. by their caterpillars, are too well known, and the
mode of checking them, properly belong to a subject dif-
ferent from ours.

The females of many lepidoptera, even in the perfect state,
are nearly apterous, as is the case with Phalcena antiqua of
our own country ; but the most decidedly apterous female is
to be found in a species described and figured by the Reve-
rend Lansdown Guilding, in the fifteenth volume of the
Linnean Transactions, Oikelicus Kirbyi. The reverend gen-
tleman states that the larva? are very common on many of the

680 SUPPLEMENT ON LEPIDOPTERA.

trees in the West Indies. When the pupa has slept the ap-
pointed time, the female still resident within the habitaculum
formed by the larva, opens the carina at the upper part by
the motion of its head, and prepares to receive the winged
male ; and, by the extraordinary extensive power of the male
organ, copulation is effected, without the female quitting the
habitaculum, at the bottom of which the eggs are subse-
quently deposited, and the parent dies.

Certain species of minute fungi have been found on the
dead larvae and pupae, and even on the perfect insects of this
class ;* and recent observations seem to lead to the con-
clusion, that these fungi grow also upon them in the living
state. We have copied the figure of a moth from Cramer,
with a parasitic fungus, a species of Isaria growing upon it.
The insect is the S. Acliemenides of the above named ento-
mologist, and is of a nearly uniform yellowish-brown colour.

* SeeKirby and Spence, iv. 215.

681^

THE ELEVENTH ORDER OF INSECTS.

The Rhipiptera.

Stresiptera of Mr. Kirby. On the two sides of the anterior
extremity of the trunk, near the neck, and the exterior base
of the first two feet, are inserted two small mobile, crustaceous
bodies, like small elytra, narrow, elongated, dilated into a
knob, curved at the end, and terminating at the origin of the
wings. The proper elytra covering always the whole, or the
base of these last organs, and springing from the second
segment of the trunk. These bodies are not true cases,
but pieces analogous to those observed at the base of the
wings in lepidoptera. The wings of rhipiptera are large,
membranaceous, divided by longitudinal nervures, forming
rays, and fold up like a fan in their entire length ; their
mouth is composed of four pieces, two of which, shorter, ap-
pear to be so many palpi, with two articulations ; and the
others inserted near the internal base of the preceding, have
the form of small linear laminae, pointed and crossing at their
extremity, like the mandibles of many insects. The head
has two large and hemispherical eyes ; two antennae, approxi-
mating at their base, on a common elevation, almost fiUform,
short, and composed of three articulations, the first two of

2x3

G82* CLASS INSECTA.

which are very short, and the third, very long, is divided from
its origin into two branches, long, compressed, lanceolate,
and applied one against the other; the simple eyes are
wanting ; the abdomen is almost cylindrical, formed of from
eight to nine segments, and terminates in pieces which have
some analogy with those of the Cicadarice psr/lus and Chrysis,
of the order Hemiptera. The feet, six in number, are almost
membranaceous, and terminated by filiform tarsi, with four
membranaceous articulations, the last without hooks. The
four anterior feet are close together, and the last two thrown
backwards ; the breast is ample, and divided by a longitudinal
furrow ; the hinder extremity of the metathorax is prolonged
like a scutellum over the abdomen : the sides of the hinder
portion of the trunk are strongly dilated, and form a sort of
swelled buckler.

They are composed of two genera, Xenos and Stylops.

G83*

SUPPLEMENT

THE RHIPIPTERA.

This little order, the characters of which have been given in
the text, will exact a very small portion of our attention. The
insects of which it is composed live, when in the larva-state,
some of them {Stylops), between the segmentary scales of the
abdomen of the Andrence ; the others, as Xenos, between
these same parts of Polistes, a genus of the tribe Vespiaries.
One of these larvae, observed by Mr. Kirby, is oval, annu-
lated, with the anterior part of the body dilated into the form
of a head, and the mouth composed of three tubercles.
These larvae are metamorphosed into nymphs in the place
where they were born, under their own skin. The Rhipip-
tera may be thus considered, with reference to certain ani-
mals, as a kind of CEstri.

These larvae {Xenos) are often to be found in the interior
of the abdomen of the wasp, as many as six in number. The
body is milk-white, cylindrical, and divided into nine semi-
rings ; the head at a fixed period is disengaged, appears
between the scales of the wasp's belly, and is coloured more
strongly by the contact of the air. These larvae have no
organs proper for ambulation, and when taken from the
body of the wasp, they have a marked undulatory movement,
which may be instantaneously increased by irritation. When

684* SUPPLEMENT ON THE RHIPIPTERA.

exposed to the air they soon perish. The insect is not easily
procured in a perfect state, as it is difficult to preserve the
wasps alive that have the larvae in their interior. M. Jurine
convinced himself that the larva of Xenos spins no cocoon for
its transformation, but that its own skin, dried up, and grown
hard, answers the same purpose.

We are enabled, by the kindness of Mr. Children, to insert
the figure of a new and curious species of Stylops, which Mr.
Gray has dedicated to that gentleman, and named it Stylops
Childreni. It is velvety black, with the antennae and palpi
piceous ; the abdomen is pitchy brown, and the legs are ru-
fescent ; the wings are slightly tinged with a sooty irrides-
cence, with the anterior margin darker.

THE TWELFTH

LAST ORDER OF THE CLASS OF INSECTS.

The DiPTERA, Antliata, Fab.

Six feet ; two membranaceous extended wings, with two
mobile bodies above them, called balancers ; a sucker
formed of scaly pieces, like hairs, from two to six in number,
inclosed in the upper gutter of a sheath, Hke a proboscis,
terminating in two lips, or covered by one or two inarti-
culated laminae, like a case. The simple eyes, when exist-
ing, are always three. The antennae are in general in-
serted on the front, and approximated at their base. Those
of the diptera of our firsst family are very analogous to those
of the nocturnal lepidoptera ; but in the following families,
they are composed but of two or three articulations, the last
of which is usually fusiform, furnished with a small appendix,
like a stylet, or a thick hair, sometimes simple, sometimes
barbed. The pieces of the sucker perform the office of
lancets, and pierce the envelope of the substances on which
these insects feed, causing the fluid to ascend by pressure,
to the pharynx, which is at the base of the sucker. The
sheath seems merely as their support, and is usually refolded,
while they are in action. The base of the proboscis often
bears two filiform or claviform palpi ; sometimes with five
articulations, but more usually with one or two. The wings

682 CLASS INSECTA.

are simply veined and generally horizontal. The use of the
balancers is not very well known. Many species have, be-
sides them, two membranaceous pieces, named winglets.
The prothorax is always very short, and often only its lateral
portions are discoverable. In some diptera, these are pro-
minent like tubercles. The meta-thorax composes the major
portion of the trunk, and in front or behind the prothorax,
are two stigmata ; two others are visible near the origin of
the balancers. The abdomen is often attached to the thorax
only by a portion of its transverse diameter. It has from
five to nine apparent rings, and is usually pointed in the
females. In those which have the fewest number of rings,
the last are oviduct, presenting a series of small tubes re-
entering into one another, like a telescope. The feet gene-
rally long and slender, terminate in a tarsus of five articu-
lations, the last of which has two hooks, and very often two
or three membranaceous cushions. The larvse have no feet.
We shall divide this order into two principal sections, in
the first of which the head is always distinct from the thorax,
the sucker inclosed in a sheath, and the hooks of the tarsi
simple. The transformation of the larva into nymphs, takes
place out of the belly of the mother. The first subdivision
consists of diptera, in which the antennas are divided into a
great number of articulations. They form our first family.

The Nemoceka.

The antennge most frequently with fourteen or sixteen
articulations, and six to nine or twelve in the others. They
are filiform, often hairy, and much longer than the head.
The body is long, the head small and rounded, eyes large,
proboscis projecting, sometimes short and terminated by two
lips, sometimes long and like a siphon. There are two
external palpi inserted at its base ; usually filiform or seta-
ceous, and composed of four or five articulations. The

13

CLASS INSECTA. 683

thorax is thick and raised, the wings oblong, the balancers
entirely uncovered, and not accompanied with ringlets ; the
abdomen long, most usually with nine rings pointed in the
females, thicker at the end in the males, and provided with
pincers in the males ; feet very long and slender.

Some, whose antennae are always filiform, of the length of
the thorax, bristling with hairs, and with fourteen articu-
lations, have a long, advanced filiform proboscis, inclosing u
sharp sucker, composed of five hairs ; they constitute the
genus

CuLEX, Lin. — CuLiciDES, Lat.

Body and feet very elongated and hairy ; antennae much
furnished with hairs, forming a sort of plume in the males ;
eyes large and convergent at their posterior extremity ; palpi
advanced, filiform, hairy, of the length of the proboscis, and
with five articulations in the males ; shorter and less arti-
culated in the females. Proboscis, a membraneous, cylin-
drical tube, terminated by two lips, and also composed of a
sucker of five scaly threads. Wings horizontal, one over
the other, above the body, with small scales.

In the work of M. Meigen, on the European diptera,
the genus Culex, of preceding writers, forms three. Those
in which the palpi are in the males longer than the proboscis,
and very short in the females, compose that of Culex,
proper.

The species, whose palpi are in the males of the length of
the proboscis, form that of Anopheles.

Those in which they are very short in both sexes, com-
prehend that of iEoES. Hoffmannegge.

M. Robineau Desvoidy has added thi'ee others: those
whose palpi are shorter than the proboscis, intermediate
legs and tarsi dilated and much ciliated, are distinguished
by the name of Sabethes. Those whose proboscis is elon-

684 CLASS INSECTA.

gated, recurved at the end, palpi short, but first articulation
thicker, second shorter, and the other three cylindrical, com-
pose the genus Megarhinus. The Culex cUiatus, of Fabri-
cius, forms a third, Psorophora ; principal character, two
small appendages, one on each side of the prothorax.

In the other Nemocera, the proboscis, whether terminated
by two lips, or, like a siphon, is perpendicular, or curved
upon the breast. The palpi are curved underneath, but
then with one or two articulations at most. Linnaeus com-
prehends them in his genus

TiPULA. Tipidarice, Lat.

Which we divide in the following manner : —

In the first section, the antennae are sensibly longer than
the head, at least in the males, slendei% filiform or setaceous,
more than twelve articulations, and the feet long and slender.

Some of them, all winged, never have simple eyes ; wings
roof-like, palpi always short ; head not, or very little pro-
longed in front ; eyes crescent-formed ; legs without spines.
This subdivision is composed of small species.

Sometimes the antennae are entirely furnished with hairs,
but much longer in the males, and forming a triangular
plume.

Those whose antennae are composed in both sexes, of
fourteen ovaliform articulations, the last little differing from
the preceding, and the wings couched horizontally one over
the other, compose the subgenus Corethra, Meig.

Those whose wings are inclined, antennae composed of
thirteen articulations in the males and six in the females,
compose the subgenus Chironomus, Meig.

Tanypus, Meig. Antennee fourteen articulations in both
sexes ; last but one very long in the males ; all the others
nearly globular.

Sometimes the antennae, always of thirteen articulations at

CLASS INSECTA. 685

least, and usually grained, have but short hairs, or but a
small bundle of them at the base.

Ceratopogon, Meig. CuUcoides, Lat. Antennae with
simply a bunch of hairs at the base. Proboscis, as in the
two following subgenera, has the form of a pointed bill.

PsYCHODA, Lat., Meig. No bundle of hairs to the an-
tennae ; wings roof-like, and a great number of nervures.

Cecidomyia, Meig. Wings couched on the body, and but
three nervures.

Other species, still of the division of those whose antennae
ai*e manifestly longer than the head, and slender, are also
without simple eyes, but the usual ones are entire, oval, or
round. The wings, sometimes separate, have always mem-
branaceous nervures united transversely. The anterior ex-
tremity of the head comes out like a muzzle ; palpi usually
long; extremity of the legs spiny.

In many the wings are always extended ; the antennee of
the males usually barbed, pectinate or serrated. The palpi
are composed of five articulations, the last very long, and
seemingly formed of others very small.

Ctenophora, Meig. Filiform antennae, pectinate in the
males, grained or serrated in the females.

Pedicia, Lat. Antennas almost setaceous, simple, with
the first two articulations larger, elongated ; the three fol-
lowing top-like ; the next three globular, the last seven
slender, and almost cylindrical.

Tipula (proper), Lat. All the articulations, except the
second, which is globular, almost cylindrical.

Nephortoma, Meig. The first and third articulations
elongate and cylindrical, and the rest arched ; nineteen in
the males, fifteen in the females.

Ptychoptera, Meig. Sixteen articulations, third much
longer than the others, and the following oblong.

In all the following subgenera, the last articulation of the

686 CLASS INSECTA.

palpi is scarcely longer than the others, and has no appear-
ance of annular divisions. The antennas have more than ten
articulations.

Those in which they are for the most part grained, of
nearly the same thickness, and furnished with verticilte of
hairs, compose, in M. Meigen, divers genera.

Rhipidia, Meig. The only tipulariae of this subdivision,
with pectinate antennae in the males.

Erioptera, Meig. Many nervures in the wings, but
furnished with hairs.

Lasioptera, Meig. Hairy wings, but only two nervures.

LiMNOBiA. Smooth wings, and antenna simple.

PoLYMERA, Wiedmann. Antennae with twenty-eight ar-
ticulations.

In the other subgenera, the antennae terminate in many
articulations, more slender and almost cylindrical.

Trichocera, Meig. First articulations of the antennae
almost ovaliform, the following more slender and pubes-
cent.

Macropeza, Meig. Distinguished by the great length of
their last feet.

DixA, Meig. First articulation of the antennas very short,
second almost globular, and the following proportionally
more slender.

Sometimes the antennae have but ten or six articulations :
those in which they have but ten, form the genus M^kis-
tocera, of M. Wiedmann ; the wings are separated.

Those where they are six, are Hexatoma, Lat., compre-
hending Anisomera and Nematoceraf Meigen. In the first,
the third articulation of the antennae is much longer than in
the second.

Other tipulariae present an anomaly very rare in this order,
namely, the want of wings ; antennae fiUform, but a little
slender towards the extremity, and but little hairy ; feet long ;

CLASS INSECTA. 087

abdomen of the females pointed, ending in a bivalve oviduct.
This sub-division comprehends the genus Chionea, Dalman.

Another division of tipulariae, Fungivora, have two or three
simple eyes ; the antennae are much longer than the head,
slender, and have fifteen or sixteen articulations ; the last
articulation of the palpi without apparent division ; wings
always couched on the body, and the nervures are usually
less numerous ; eyes either entire or emarginated ; feet long
and slender, and extremities of the legs spiny.

Some have the palpi curved, and four articulations at least,
very apparent ; antennae filiform or setaceous.

In some the anterior extremity of the head comes out like
a bill, and then the head is almost entirely occupied by the
eyes ; there are always three simple eyes ; antennae and their
articulations short.

Those in which the head is almost entirely occupied by the
eyes, simple eyes of equal size and muzzled, advanced, but
not longer than the head, form the subgenus Rhyphus, Lat.

Those in which the eyes occupy only the sides of the head,
and the anterior simple eye larger than the two others, and
the muzzle prolonged under the breast, like a proboscis,
compose the subgenus Asindulum.

G NO VISTA, Meigen. Palpi seem inserted near the end of
the proboscis, and not near the base.

The head, in none of the following subgenera, presents
any anterior prolongation. Eyes always lateral.

Sometimes the antennse are longer than the thorax, like
hairs, with the first two articulations thicker; three simple
eyes. In Bolitophila, Hoffmans, Meig., they are in a
transverse line. In Macrocera, Meig., they form a tri-
angle.

Sometimes the antennas are of the length of the head and
thorax.

Some subgenera, in which the eyes are always entire, are

688 CLASS INSECTA.

remote from the others, by having their four hinder legs ex-
ternally furnished with small spines — as

Mycetophila, Meig. But two very small simple eyes,
inside apart.

Leias, Meig. Three simple eyes approximated.

ScioPHiLA. Articulations of antennae more distinct ; their
wings have, beside the usual closed cell extending from the
base to the middle, another small complete cubital cell.

Of the subgenera without spines on the legs, and with three
approximating simple eyes, we shall first separate those
whose antennae have sixteen articulations. Eyes not emar-
ginate.

Platyura, Meig. Antennae rather thick and compressed,
and a little perfoliate.

Synapha, Meig. Wings with but one cubital cell.

The next have the eyes clearly emarginate on the internal
side.

Mycetobia, Meig. The wings have a large closed cell
from base to middle.

MoLOBRUs. Cell from the base of the wing to its poste-
rior edge.

Campyolmyza, Wied., Meig., whose antennae (females)
have but fourteen articulations ; wings hairy, and without
nervures internally.

The last fungivovous tipulariae,

Ceroplateus, Bosc, Fab. Palpi raised ; but one ovoid
articulation ; antennaD fusiform, and compressed.

The last general division of these, called floral, has the
antennae but little longer than the head, thick, eight to
twelve articulations, in form of a perfoliate knob, nearly
cylindrical in most, fusiform in some, and in others terminated
by a thick and ovoid articulation. Body short and thick ;
head entirely occupied by the eyes in the males. Such are,
especially.

CLASS INSECT A. 689

CoRDYLA, Meig. Fusiform antennae, composed of twelve
articulations ; eyes round, entire, and apart. No simple
eyes. Feet long, and legs spiny at the end.

Now come the subgenera, whose antennas have eleven arti-
culations, composing almost a cylindrical knob ; eyes of the
males, are contiguous ; no simple eyes ; eyes of the females
emarginate internally, and crescented.

SiMULiuM, Lat. Antennae a little crooked at the end.
In the following, three simple eyes are distinct.
ScATHopsE, Geoff., Meig., Fab. Crescented eyes in the
females : palpi very small, and with but one distinct articula-
tion.

Penthetria, Meig. Eyes entire and apart ; feet long
and without spines.

DiLOPHUs, Meig. Eyes contiguous in the males ; a range
of small spines at the extremity of the anterior legs.

The last floral tipulariae have but eight or nine articula-
tions to the antennae ; those which have nine, forming a
cylindrical and perfoliate knob, compose the subgenus Bibio,
Geoff., Meig.

AsPisTES. Only eight articulations, the last an ovoid knob.
All the following diptera, with very few exceptions, have
the antennae with three articulations, the first sometimes so
short, that it need not be reckoned ; the last, in many, is an-
nulated transversely, but without distinct separations. It
often has a thread, lateral in some, at the top in others, pre-
senting at its base one or two articulations, and sometimes
simple, sometimes silky. If it be terminal, its length some-
times diminishes, and thickness augments, so that it forms
a stylet. The palpi have never more than two articula-
tions.

Some have the sucker always composed of six or four
pieces, and the extremity of the proboscis always projects ;
tlie palpi, when they exist, are external, and inserted near

VOL. XV. 2 Y

690 CLASS IXSECTA.

the edges of the mouth ; the sucker originates near this
cavity.

There are three famihes in this sub-division,

First,

Tanystoma.

The last articulation of the antennae, not comprehending
the stylet which may terminate it, presents no transverse
division. The sucker is composed of four pieces.

In the first division, the proboscis, always entirely or nearly
salient, advances more or less like a tube or siphon, cylindrical,
conical, or filiform ; the palpi are small.

Some have the body oblong, thorax contracted in front,
and wings couched on the body ; the proboscis is most
usually short ; the antennae are always approximate, and the
palpi apparent.

AsiLUS, Linn. Proboscis directed forwards.

Some (Asilici, Lat.) have the head transverse, the eyes
lateral and apart ; proboscis as long as the head, and a com-
plete triangular cell near the internal edge of the wing.

Sometimes the tarsi terminate in two hooks, with two inter-
mediate cushions.

Here the stylet of the antennae is not very perceptible, or
when it is so, its second and last articulation is not prolonged
like a thread.

There are some among them whose antennae are but little
longer than the head ; the stylet scarcely sensible, or very
short, conical, and pointed.

Laphria, Mcig., Fab. The stylet of the antennae fusi-
form, scarcely sensible, and the proboscis straight.

Ancylorhyncus, Lat, The stylet of the antennae is
scarcely projecting, and pointed ; proboscis compressed,
arched, and hooked.

Dasypogon, Meig., Fab. Stylet very distinct and coni-
cal, and proboscis straight.

CLASS IN SECT A. G91

In the two following subgenera, the antennae are manifestly
longer than the head, and often on a common peduncle ; sty-
let elongated, of the same thickness as the antennae, with two
articulations, the second longer, cylindrical or ovoid, and ter-
minating in an obtuse point.

Ceraturgus, Wied. Antennae not on a common elevation.

DiocTRiA, Meig., Fah. Antennae on a common peduncle.

Sometimes the stylet is prolonged like a thread ; those in
which the thread is simple, form the subgenus Asilus proper.

Those in which it is plumose, form the subgenus Omma-
Tius, Illig., Wied.

Sometimes the tarsi terminate in three hooks instead of the
intermediate cushions.

GoNYPus, Lat. Stylet terminating in a short thread.

The others {Hybotini, Lat.) have the head more rounded,
proboscis very short, fewer nervures to the wings, and no
complete triangular cell.

Sometimes the last articulation of the antennae is large,
formed like an elongated knob, and terminated by a very
small stylet. QLdalea, Meig.

Sometimes it is short, ovoid or conical, with a long thread.

Hybos, Meig., Fab. Hinder thighs large and swelled.

Ocydromia Hoff.y Meig. Of the usual size.

Empis, Linncsus. Proboscis perpendicular, or directed
backwards.

Some have the antennae with three articulations ; sometimes
the last is like an elongated cone.

Here the proboscis is much longer than the head ; stylet
with two articulations always short, Empis proper.

Ramphomyia differ from Empis only by the absence of a
small nervure at the end of the wings.

In Hilara the antennae are terminated by a small stylet,
with two articulations. In Brachystoma, Meig., it is a long
thread.

2 y 2

692 CLASS INSECT A.

Sometimes the last articulation, terminated by a thread,
forms with the preceding a spherical body, Gloma, Meig.

Others present distinctly but two articulations in the an-
tennae : the last is ovoid or globular, proboscis generally
short, and palpi couched upon it.

Hemerodromia, Hoff.y Meig. Haunches of the two an-
terior feet remarkably long.

Sicus, Lat. Thighs of the first or second pair of feet
swelled.

Drapetis, Meig. Last articulation of the antennae almost
globular, and proboscis scarcely projecting.

The other tanystomata of our first division have generally
the body short and broad, the head exactly applied against
the thorax, the wings apart, and the abdomen triangular ;
proboscis often long.

Cyrtus, Lat.

Wings inclined on each side of the body; winglets very large,
covering the balancers; head small and globular; thorax very
much raised or humped ; abdomen cubic ; and proboscis di-
rected backwards, or not existing.

Those which have the proboscis extended backwards, form
the genus Panaps, of Lamarck, and that of Cyrtus, proper,
of Latreille. Astomella, of M. Dufour, is distinguished by
antennae with three articulations, the last like an elongated
button, and without stylet. In the genus HenXps, of Illiger,
and that of Acrocera, of Meigen, the antennae are very
small, with two articulations, and terminal thread.

BoMBYLius, Lin.

Wings extended horizontally on each side of the body,
balancers naked, antennae much approximated, abdomen tri-
angular or conical, and proboscis directed forwards ; antennas
always composed of three articulations, the last of which is

CLASS IXSECTA. 693

elongated, almost like a compressed spindle, and terminated
by a very short stylet ; palpi small, slender, and filiform ; the
proboscis very long, and more narrow towards the end ; feet
long and much attenuated.

Some have a proboscis clearly longer than the head, very
slender, and pointed.

ToxoPHORA, Meig., are distinguished from the rest by
their antennae as long as the head and corslet, advanced, fili-
form, ending in a point, with the first articulation longer than
the others ; body elongated.

Among those v^^hose antennee are much shorter, Xesto-
MYZA, Wied., approximate to the preceding in the length
of the first articulation : it and the last are almost fusi-
form.

Another subgenus, in which the first articulation is also
very long, but cylindrical, is Apatomyza, Wied.

In the following, of the same division, the last articulation
is the longest.

Sometimes the first two are short, and of nearly an equal
length.

Lasius, Wied. The head in one of the sexes is almost
entirely occupied by the eyes ; the last articulation of the
antennge is hnear, compressed, and without any sensible stylet ;
the abdomen is voluminous.

UsiA, Lat. Last articulation of the antennae conical, trun-
cated at the end, and terminated by a stylet. No apparent
palpi.

Phthiria, Meig. Distinct palpi.

Sometimes the second articulation is evidently shorter than
the first, as in

BoMBYLius (proper), Meig.

Geron. a more remarkable elongation of the last articu-
lation of the antennae, terminating like an awl.

The other species have the proboscis of the length of the

694 CLASS INSECTA.

head, swelled at the end ; first articulation of the antennae is
the largest ; in Ploas, Meig., it is much thicker than the fol-
lowing. The rest are Cyllenia, Lat. and Meig.

Anthrax, Scop., Fab., Musca, Lin.

Body depressed, not gibbous; head equally high and broad ;
antennae very short, and except in Stygides, apart, ter-
minated awl-like ; proboscis generally short, often withdrawn
within the oral cavity ; palpi usually concealed, and filiform ;
abdomen partly square.

Some have antennge closely approximating at the base;
Stygides, Lat.

Anthrax, proper, Meig. Head almost globular. Three
simple eyes closely approximate.

HiRMONEURA. The anterior simple eye removed from the
others.

Sometimes the head is proportionally shorter ; almost he-
mispheric, and compressed transversely ; antennge very much
apart ; proboscis longer than the head ; palpi sometimes ex-
ternal ; extremity of the wings often reticulated. Those in
M'hich they are always so, whose proboscis is but a little longer
than the head, palpi not apparent, first articulation of an-
tennae cylindrical, last in an elongate cone, form the sub-
genus MuLio, Meig.

Those in which the summit of the wings is most frequently
reticulated, proboscis longer than the head, palpi external,
first two articulations of antennas very short, last in a short
cone, with a sudden stylet, are Nemestrina, Lat.

Our second general division of Tanystomata has a mem-
branaceous proboscis, short stem, but Httle projected, and
terminated by two distinct lips. Some ijepiides) have the
wings apart, and several complete cells. The antennae do
not end in a palette ; the palpi are filiform, or conical.

Sometimes these palpi are withdrawn within the oral
lo

CLASS INSECTA. 695

cavity. The antennas terminate like a spindle, or elongated
cone, with a small articulated stylet. Thereva, Lat., Meig.
BiBio, Fab.

Sometimes the palpi are external ; the last articulation of
the antennae is either globular or reniform, ovoid or conic,
and always terminates in a long silken hair : the tarsi have
three cushions. Such are,

Leptis,

Divided into many subgenera.

Atherix, Meig. Fab. First articulation of the antennae
larger than the second ; third lenticular and transverse.

Leptis, proper, Fab., Meig. Last articulation always
globular or ovoid, never transverse.

Some have the antennas shorter than the head, with the
three articulations almost of equal length, such are the leptis
of M. Macquart, when the palpi are advanced, as in the
preceding.

Sometimes they are raised perpendicularly. These are
Chrysopilus, ibid.

In the others, the antennse are as long as the head ; first
articulation elongate and cylindrical ; second short ; third
conical.

The other Tanystomata of our second division, have the
wings couched upon the body, and have but two complete
cells ; antennae terminated in a palette, almost always accom-
panied with a thread ; the palpi generally are like laminae,
couched on the proboscis.

These characters, a body laterally compressed, triangular
head, somewhat advanced, abdomen curved underneath,
and long slender feet, furnished with spines, characterize the

genus

DoLiCHOPus, Lat., Fab.,

Now forming a small tribe. Dolichopodes.

696 CLASS INSECTA.

In the first instance the proboscis is elongated, like a
little bill. — Ortocheile, Lat., Meig., Macq.

Sometimes, as in all the others, the proboscis is very short,
as DoLiCHOPUS proper, where the third articulation of the
antennae is almost triangular,

Sybistroma. Last articulation of the antennae like the
blade of a knife ; sometimes the third articulation of the an-
tennee, whether oval or triangular, or very long and narrow,
is almost lanceolate, as in Rhaphium, Meig.

It is triangular, and with a hairy thread in Porphyrops,
Meig,

The thread is simple in Medeterus, Fisc, Meig.

Sometimes the third articulation of the antennae is almost
globular ; the thread always hairy : it is terminal in Chry-
soTUs ; inserted a little underneath in Psilopus ; near the
base in Diaphorus.

The Megacephali have the body depressed, and the head
hemispherical. The feet are short, and the posterior tarsi
often broad and flat. Some have a thread to the last arti-
culation of the antennae ; when this is terminal, and the first
articulations of the posterior tarsi broad and flat, we have the
subgenera Callomyia, Meig., and Platypeza, Meig.

In the genus Pipunculus, Lat., the thread is inserted on
the back of this articulation, and the tarsi not dilated.

The others have no thread. Scenopinus, Lat., Meig,

The third family of Diptera, that of

T ARAN ides,
Has projecting proboscis, usually terminated by two lips, and
advanced palpi ; last articulation of the antennas annulated.
Sucker of six pieces. It comprehends the genus

Tabanus, Lin.
Body generally hairy. Head of the breadth of the thorax.

CLASS INSECTA. 697

and almost hemispherical. Antennge about the length of
the head ; three articulations, the last the longest and with-
out thread ; proboscis generally membranaceous, about the
length of the head, and almost cylindrical. Two palpi usually
couched upon it, thick, hairy, conical, and of two articula-
tions. Sucker inclosed in the proboscis, and composed of
six small pieces like lancets. Wings extended horizontally
on each side of the body ; vvinglets nearly covering the
balancers ; abdomen triangular and depressed ; tarsi with
three cushions.

Some have the proboscis much longer than the head,
siphon-like, scaly, and pointed ; palpi very short ; last articu-
lation of antennas divided into eight rings. Pangonia,
Lat., Fab.

The others have the proboscis shorter, membranaceous,
and terminated by two large lips ; length of the palpi, one
half of that of the proboscis ; last articulation of the antennae
with four or five rings.

Sometimes the antennse are but little longer than the head ;
the last articulation crescented, and terminated like an awl,
and with five rings. Tabanus proper.

Sometimes the antennae are clearly longer than the head,
last articulation in an elongated cone, and often with but four
rings : simple eyes often wanting.

Some with the last articulation of the antennae awl-like,
and in five rings, have three simple eyes.

Those in which the first articulation is manifestly longer
than the rest, are Silvius, Meig.

Chrysops. Meig. First two articulations of nearly equal
length.

The others have no simple eyes. Last articulation of
antennae but four rings. Sometimes, as in H^matopota,
Meig., it is subulate.

698 CLASS INSECTA.

Hexatoma, Meig. Antennae longer than in the preced-
ing ; last articulation very long.
Fourth family of Diptera, that of

NOTACANTHA.

Sucker formed only of four pieces ; proboscis with very
short stem, almost entirely within the oral cavity. This
organ membranaceous, its lips raised, palpi terminating in a
knob, and raised ; wings crossed ; scutellum often denti-
culate.

There are three principal sections. In the first {Mydasii,
Lat.) scutellum not denticulate ; body oblong; wings apart;
antennae sometimes with five distinct articulations ; last two in
some claviform, in others subulate. Sometimes but three
articulations; the last large, cylindrical, pointed, and of three
rings. Mydas excepted, there is no appearance of stylet.

Some have the antennae much longer than the head, with
five articulations, and a very short thread. These compose
the genus

Mydas,

Thus divided :

Cepiialocera, Lat. Proboscis long, siphon-like.

Mydas proper, Fab. The proboscis short, and terminated
by two large lips.

In the others, the antennae are scarcely longer than the
head, cylindrical, and pointed at the extremity. Tarsi with
three cushions. Hinder cells of the wings closed by the
posterior edge.

Chiromyza, Wied. Antennae with five articulations much
apart.

Pachystomus, Lat. Three articulations, the last in three
rinffs.

CLASS INSECTA. G99

In the second section {Decatoma, Lat.) the antennas have
always three articulations, the last the longest, without ap-
pendage, and divided into eight rings, claviform in some, and
nearly cylindrical in the others. Tarsi with three cushions.
They constitute our genus

Xylophagus.

In some the antennae are much longer than the head. First
two articulations very short; third long, compressed, a little
bent in the middle, its lower portion an elongated cone ; the
other an oval palette. Scutel unarmed. Hermetia, Lat.,
Fab.

The antennae of the others are never much longer than the
head ; last articulation an elongated cone.
In these the scutellum has no spines.

Xylophagus, proper. Body narrow and elongate, an-
tennas a little longer than the head. The latter short and
transverse.

AcANTHOMERA, Wied. Antennae of the length of the
head, and terminated by an articulation like an elongated
cone. Head hemispherical, and eyes large. Interocular
space with a sort of horn.

Sometimes the scutellum is armed with spines. These
have simple antennae.

CcENOMYiA, Lat., Meig. Antennae scarcely longer than the
head ; third articulation conical.

Beris, Lat., Meig. Antennae a little longer than the head ;
first two articulations of equal length.

Cyphomyia, Wied, Antennae still more elongated; first
articulation longer than the second.

In some, the antennse, near the middle, throw out three or
four linear threads, and the upper articulations are silky ; near
the end they are almost setaceous. Ptilodactylus, Wied.

The third section {Stratyoinydes, Lat.) has also the an-

700 CLASS INSECTA.

tennae with three articulations ; the last stylet or thread not
reckoned, has five or six rings. Stylet or thread in almost
all ; when not existing, third articulation long, and fusiform.
Wings couched one upon the other, in many species. This
second section comprehends the genus

Stratyomys, Geoff.

Some have the third articulation of the antennae long, fusi-
form, and usually terminated by a stylet, with two articula-
tions. Scutellum generally with two spines.

Sometimes the proboscis is very short. Front of the head
not advanced.

Stratyomys, proper. Antennae much longer than the
head. Five rings, but no stylet.

Odontomyia, Meig. Antennae scarcely longer than the
head. The last articulation conical, and curved inwards, re-
presents the extremity of the stylet.

Ephippium, Clitellaria, Meig. Antennae also not longer
than the head ; the third articulation forms a cone, and the
fourth ring a truncated cone. Stylet with two articulations ;
the second longest and bent.

Oxycera, Meig. Like the last, but the third articula-
tion shortest, and subovoid, and the fourth ring shorter, with-
out a sudden narrowing at the end.

There the proboscis is long and slender, bent at the base
and lodged in a lower cavity of a projection before the head,
which carries the antennae, the shape and proportions of which
are the same as in the preceding subgenera.

Nemotelus, Geoff., Fab. In the others the third articu-
lation of the antennae forms, with the preceding, an ovoid or
globular knob, terminated by a long thread. The scutellum
is seldom spiny.

Chrysochloka, Lat. Sargus, Fab. The third articulation
conical, terminated with a thread.

CLASS IN SECT A. 701

Sargus, Fab. The corresponding articulation is subovoid,
with the thread inserted on the back, near the junction of
the third and fourth ring. The first articulation subcylin-
drical.

Vappo, Lat., Fab. Pachygaster,^le\g., Aiders from Sargus
only in having the antennae shorter, with the first two articu-
lations transverse.

Our second general division of Diptera having the sucker
enclosed in a case, and the antennae with two or three articu-
lations, includes those whose proboscis, commonly mem-
branous, being bent, with two lips, and carrying two palpi a
little above its elbow, is generally entirely enclosed in the
cavity of the mouth, and has only two pieces in the sucker,
where it is always protruded. The last articulation of the
antennae, always accompanied with a stylet or a thread, has
never any annular divisions. The palpi when at rest are hidden.

This division will form our fifth family, that of

Athericera.

The proboscis is in general terminated by two large lips.
The sucker never has beyond four pieces, and often only
two.

This family includes the genera Conops, CEstrus, and the
greatest part of Musca, of Lin.

We should naturally separate from the last, the species in
which the sucker is composed of four pieces instead of two.
These will form the first tribe, that of Syrphid.e.

Their proboscis is always long, membranous, and bent
near the base ; the upper piece of the sucker inserted near
the bend is large, vaulted, and emarginated at the end ; the
other three are linear and pointed, or thread-like ; to each of
the two lateral, which represent the jaws, is annexed a little
membranous palpus ; the lower thread is analogous to the

702 CLASS INSECTA.

tongue. The head is hemispherical, and occupied principally
by the eyes, especially in the males ; the anterior end of it is
often elongated like a muzzle, and received underneath the
trunk when folded on itself. Many species are like the flesh-
flies, and others the wasp.

This tribe includes only one genus,

Syrphus.

The first general division shall be composed of those whose
trunk is shorter than the head and thorax.

Then will follow those with a prominence in front of the
head.

At the head of which will be those whose antennse, shorter
than the head, have a feathery thread. Their body is short,
velvety, with the wings wide. These will include three sub-
genera.

VoLUCELLA, Geoff.t hat., Meig., Fab., with the third arti-
culation of the antennse, or the pallet, oblong.

Sericomyia, Meig.jLat., Syrphus, Fab., with the pallet of
the antennse semi-orbicular.

Eristalis, Meig., Fab., with the outer and closed cell of
the posterior limb with a strong emargination, rounded at
the outer side ; it is straight in the others.

To these will succeed others with the thread simple, or
without apparent feathers.

Some, like Eristalis, have the last external cellule of the
wings strongly unisinuated.

Mallota, Meig., Eristalis, Fab. The last articulation of
the antennse forms a kind of transverse trapesium.

Helophilus, Meig., Eristalis, Ejusd., Fab. The pallet of
the antennae demi-oval.

Others differ from the last by the exterior and closed
cellule of the posterior limb, the external side being straight.

CLASS INSECTA. 703

or slightly sinuous. The anterior projection of the head is
very short. The abdomen is in general narrower and more
elongated than in the other.

Syrphus proper, Lat., Meig., Scceva, Fab. The abdomen
runs to a point.

Another neighbouring subgenus, with the abdomen still
longer, and terminated with an elongated knob, is Baccha,
Meig., Fab.

To which should be united, as I think, Scceva, Fab.,
Conopseus, Meig., although the pallet of the antennae is less
orbicular than in Baccha.

We shall pass to similar subgenera, but which have the
length of the thread of the antennae at least equal the length
of the face of the head. In these, the antennae are not placed
upon a common pedicle, and they are not longer than the
head.

Paragus, Lat., Meig., Mulio, Fab. Here the antennae
start from a common elevation, and are not longer than
the head.

Sometimes the thread is lateral, Specomyia, Lat., in which
it is inserted on the second articulation ; the last is shorter
and subovoid.

PsARUs, Lat., Fab., Meig. The thread of the antennae is
inserted on the back of the third articulation, which is nearly
oval. The common pedicle is more elevated than in the others.

Chrysotoxum, Meig., MuUo, Fab. The thread of the
antennae is also inserted on the third and longest articulation.
The wings are wide apart.

Sometimes the thread, always thick, and stylet formed, ter-
minates the antennae.

Ceria, Fab. Body like a wasp, second and third articula-
tions form a spindle-shaped knob, with a short stylet. The
wings are very wide, and the outer cell of the posterior limb
has on the outer side a decided re-entering angle.

704 CLASS IXSECTA.

Callicera, Meig. The body shorter, wider, and silky ;
the second and last articulation of the antennae, form an
elongated, compressed, spindle-shaped knob, with a long
stylet ; no re-entering angle, as in the last.

In the following, the nasal prominence is not formed, the
thread of the antennae is simple, the wings are hidden one
upon another.

In the first, the antennae, as in the former, are near each
other at the base.

Ceratophya, Wied. The scutellum is unarmed ; the
third articulation nearly as long again as the first.

Aphritis, Lat., Mulio, Fab., Microdon, Meig. The
scutellum has two teeth ; the first articulation is as long as
the other two.

In this subgenus, in Ceratophya, and in Ascia, the first two
closed cellules terminate in an angle.

The antennae of the following are shorter than the head ;
the posterior claws are often wide, especially in one of the
sexes. Sometimes the pallet of the antennae is oblong, or an
elongated triangle ; the posterior thighs are thick and in-
dented ; the wings are hidden on one another.

Merodon, M.e\g., Y ah. , Milesia, Eristalis, \jdit. Syrphus,
Fah. The abdomen triangular, or conical.

Ascia, Meg., Meig. The abdomen narrowed at the base,
and club formed.

Sometimes the pallet of the antennee is short, suborbicular,
or ovoid. Here the abdomen is shaped as in the last.

Sphegina, Meig. The pallet orbicular ; the posterior
thighs club-shaped, and spiny beneath.

There the abdomen is either triangular, conical, or sub-
cylindrical. In some, the wings are scarcely longer than the
abdomen.

We shall separate those whose posterior thighs are en-
larged and spiny within.

CLASS IXSECTA. 705

Such are Ecomerus, Zeig. and Xylota, whose abdomen
is nearly Hnear.

In the two following the thighs are merely unidentated at
most.

MiLEsiA, Lat, Fab., Meig., TropicUa, Meig. Posterior feet
suddenly broader than the others ; the abdomen conical or
subcylindrical.

PiPizA, Meig., Psilota, Eristalis, Fab., Mllesia, Lat. Ab-
domen semi-elliptical, and rounded at the end, eyes pubescent.

Brachyopa, Hoff., Meig., are distinguished from all the
foregoing, by the wings being longer than the abdomen.
These seem to conduct us to Rhingia, the last subgenus of
the tribe.

The Syrphides that we have seen, had a proboscis shorter
than the head and thorax, and the projection on the face
short and perpendicular ; this proboscis is nevertheless ob-
viously longer, sublinear, and the projection of the head
more elongated and directed forward, like a pointed beak.
Such are Rhingia, Scop., Fab., Meig.

Pelecocera, Hojfman, has the thread of the antennae
short, thick, silky, cylindrical, and divided into three articu-
lations. The pallet is like a reversed triangle.

The sucker of all the other athericera is composed of two
threads only, the upper of which represents the labrum,
and the lower the ligula. These will form three other small
tribes, corresponding with the genera CEstrus and Cenops of
Lin., and Musca, of Fab., such as he at first made it.

Stomoxys and Bucentes being allied to the last genus, we
shall commence this tribe with the CEstrides, composed of
the genus CEstrus, of Lin.

These are very distinct, inasmuch as, instead of a mouth,
we see only three tubercles, or slight rudiments of a pro-
boscis and palpi. Their antennae are very short, inserted
each in a fosset under the forehead, and terminated by a

\^OL. XV. 2 z

706 CLASS INSECT A.

rounded pallet, having on the top a simple thread. Their
wings are commonly wide. The alulae are wide, and hide
the balancers. The tarsi are terminated by two hooks and
two pellets.

The third tribe of Athericera (Conopsari^) is the only
one in which the proboscis is always out, forming a cylin-
drical, conical, or setaceous syphon. The reticulation of the
wings is the same as in our first division of Muscidse. They
compose the genus.

CoNOPs, Lin.

Some have the body straight and elongated ; the abdo-
men in a knob bent underneath, with the male sexual organ
projecting; the second and third articulation forming a
spindle-shaped knob. Here the proboscis is advanced and
bent only near the insertion. Sometimes the antennae are
much longer than the head.

Systropus, Wied., Ccephenes, Lat. The last articulation
alone forms the knob without a stylet. The abdomen is
long and slender.

CoNOPS (proper), Fah., Lat., Meig. The last two articu-
lations form the knob, with a stylet at the end.

Sometimes the antennae ai-e shorter than the head, and
terminate in an ovoid knob. The wings cross each other on
the body. Zodion, Lat., Meig.

There the proboscis is bent towards the end, and near the
middle ; the short antennae terminate in a pallet with a
stylet. Myopa, Fab.

The others resemble common flies.

Stomoxys, Geoff"., Fab. The proboscis is bent only near
the base.

BucENTES, Lat., Stomoxys, Fab., Syphona, Meig. The
proboscis is bent twice, as in Myopa.

G. caruns, of M. Nitzsch, has only rudimentary wings.

13

CLASS IXSECTA. 707

A visible proboscis, always membranous, and with two lips
generally supporting two palpi {Phora only excepted), capa-
ble of being withdrawn into the buccal cavity, and a sucker
of two pieces, distinguish the fourth and last tribe, that of
MusciDEs, from the other three. The antennae always ter-
minate in a pallet with a lateral thread. These include the
old genus Musca, of Fab., which, however, has been greatly
modified ; nor are all the difficulties which attend the study
of it as yet removed, and some even of the several new ge-
nera into which it has been split, may still be considered as
magazines for further subdivisions.

Musca.

The antennae are inserted near the forehead ; the palpi
implanted on the proboscis, and withdrawn with it into the
buccal cavity, and transverse nervures to the wings, will form
the first section of the winged muscdae, including eight prin-
cipal groups and sub-tribes.

Our first division, Creophil^, have large alulae nearly
covering the balancers. The wings wide, each of the two
terminal and exterior cellules of the posterior cell closed by
a cross nervure.

Among these may be distinguished those in which the
epistoma is not advanced like a beak, and in which the sides
of the head are not elongated like horns. Some have the
thread of the antennae simple, or without visible hairs. In
one subgenus, that of

EcHiNOMYA, Dum., Tachina, Fab., Meig., the second
articulation of the antennse is the longest of all ; the last, or
pallet, is wider, compressed, like a reversed triangle, M.
grossa, Lin.

In the other creophilse, the third articulation is longer, or
as long as the preceding.

Sometimes the anterior face of the head is nearly smooth,

g z 2

708 CLASS INSECTA.

or with short hairs disposed in two longitudinal ranges.
The abdomen convex ; the rays distinct, more or less
triangular.

In these, the thread of the antennae is bent in the middle.

GoNiA, Meig. But in these, as in the other creophilae,
it is not bent.

MiLTOGRAMMA, Me'ig. The third articulation of the an-
tennae longer than the preceding.

Trixa, Meig. In which it exceeds but little that of the
preceding.

There the abdomen is sometimes much swollen, and the
separation of the wings is indistinct ; sometimes it is very
flat. The wings of the last are wide, and often slightly
arched on the outside.

Gymnosomia, Meig., Tachina, Fab. Abdomen hke the
last ; second and third articulations equal and linear.

CiSTOGASTER, Za^. Abdomen as last; antennae shorter;
third articulation longer and wider.

Phasia, Meig., Thereva, Fab. Abdomen flat, semicir-
cular; wings simply furnished with little hairs.

Trichiopoda, Lat., TacJmia, Fab. Abdomen flat, ob-
long ; hinder legs with a fringe of lamelliform ciliae.

Sometimes the fore face of the head has two ranges of long
hairs. Some of these have the wings vibratile ; the abdomen
narrow and long. They form three subgenera. The wings
of the first two like those of the last, and most others have
the two cellules external and closed from their posterior end,
nearly equally elongated behind ; the outer one goes beyond
the other, and its posterior angles are sharp ; the antennae
are as long or scarcely shorter than the face of the head.

LoPHosiA, Meig. The last articulation of the antennae
forms a very broad triangular pallet.

Ocyptera, Meig., Fab. The corresponding articulation,
scarcely wider than the preceding, forms a long square.

CLASS INSECTA. 709

In the subgenus Melanophora, Meig., now suppressed
by him, and united to Tachina, the antennae are shorter.
The exterior cellule is more advanced than the other.

The abdomen of the other creophilae is but little elon-
gated, triangular, and the wings are not vibratile.

Phania, The posterior of the abdomen is elongated,
narrowed, and folded underneath. The third articulation
of the antennae long and linear.

Xysta, Meig. has five or six rings in the abdomen ; last
two articulations nearly equal; the hind legs slightly arched,
compressed, and ciliated. This appears to be intermediate
between Gymnosoma and Phania, and approaches also to
Trichiopa.

Tachina, Fab., Meig. The abdomen is not bent under-
neath at the posterior end, and has outwardly but four rings ;
the antennae as long as the head or nearly so, terminate by
a longer articulation than in the last.

Some species, forming a particular section, live in the larva
state, in the bodies of certain caterpillars, and destroy them ;
but we shall pass on to the Creophilae, with the thread of the
antennae visibly feathery. The third articulation always forms
an elongated pallet.

Dexia, Meig. Appear hke Ocypterus, the abdomen being-
narrow and long, especially in the males.

MuscA proper, Lin., Fab., Meig., Mesembrina, Meig., have
the abdomen triangular ; the eyes contiguous behind, or very
near each other in the males.

Here is placed most of the flies whose larva feed on flesh,
vegetables, &c. M. vanitoria, Lin., M. ccssar, Lin. M.
domestica, Lin.

Sarcophaga, Meig., Musca, Lin., Fab., differ from the
last only in having the eyes wider apart ; the young some-
times break from the egg in the body of the parent, and
hence they are said to be viviparous. M. carnaria, Lin.

710 CLASS INSECTA.

We shall terminate these Creophilae by certain subgenera,
which contrast with the last either in the head, the situation
of the wings, or the cells of the posterior extremity. The
thread of the antennae is velvety in most of them.

In some, such as the two following, the wings terminate as
in the last, or have at their posterior end, between the
middle and the side, two complete cells.

AcHiAS, Fab. Very singular from the horn-like elonga-
tion on the sides of the head, like Diopsis, but they have the
antennae inserted at the top of the forehead, and Hke those
of flies in form, &c. ; the wings are wide.

Idia, Meig., Wied. The anterior extremity of the head
projects like a horny beak ; the wings are bent on the body.

In the other two and last subgenera of Creophilae, the ter-
minal cells of the wings are closed at the outer edge ; the
eyes are wide ; the abdomen is flat.

LisPA, Lat., Fab., Meig., Musca, Deg. The body ob-
long ; the antennge inserted near the forehead, nearly as long
as the face of the head ; the last articulation longer ; linear
and furnished with a plumose thread ; the wings hide one
another ; the palpi are dilated above.

Argyrites, Lat., resemble Phasia, but the antennae are
inserted under the forehead, short, and the last articulation
furnished with a simple bent thread ; the palpi terminate
in a subovoid, short club.

In all the other Muscidae, the alulae are small, or nearly
obliterated ; the balancers are uncovered ; and the princi-
pal longitudinal nervures of the wings reach to the posterior
edge, which, with a few exceptions, close the posterior cel-
lules at least.

A second general division of Muscides, Anthomizides, is
composed of species like common flies ; the wings are gene-
rally hidden, and not vibratile ; the antennae short, termi-
nated by a long square or linear pallet, with the thread

CLASS INSECTA. 711

feathery ; the head hemispherical, with hairs in front ; the
eyes near each other in the males ; the abdomen exteriorly
with four rings. Some have the antennae nearly as long as
the face of the head, with the thread feathery ; sometimes
the abdomen of both sexes terminates in a point.

Anthomyia, Meig., Musca, Lin., Fab. Eyes separated
in both sexes ; proboscis not terminated like a hook or by a
sudden angle, M. pluvialis, Lin.

Drymela, Meig. Proboscis as last ; eyes united behind
in the males.

Sometimes the abdomen is enlarged at the end, forming a
knob. CcENOSiA, Meig., Musca, Deg. M. Fungorum, Deg.

The others have the antennas shorter, with a simple thread ;
the eyes of the males united behind ; the mouth very downy.
Eriphia, Meig.

Our third division, Hydromyzides, has the head sub-
triangular ; the eyes very prominent ; a swollen vaulted muz-
zle ; a small arched lamina edging the top of the buccal
cavity, which is large ; proboscis thick ; sides of the face
without hair ; antennas very short, generally plumose ;
wings incumbent one on the other ; strong thighs, generally
enlarged.

Ropalomera, Wied. Thighs enlarged ; an elevation or
tubercle on the face.

Ochtera, Lat., Musca, Deg., Tej)hritis, Fab., Macro-
chira, Meig. Anterior thighs very large, compressed, in-
dented underneath, terminated by a strong spine.

Others of this section have not the thighs enlarged.

Ephydra, Fall. Like the last, but the thread of the
antennae is merely thickened underneath, and simple ; the
pallet round at the end ; the vertex is behind a small elevation.

NoTiPHiLA, Fab. Head more round, without anterior pro-
jection ; the eyes less prominent ; the thread of the antennae
plumose ; no elevation to the vertex. M. cellaria, Panz.

7J2 CLASS INSECTA.

The three following divisions have the body oblong ; the
wings bedded, and not vibratile ; the head running to a
point, commonly truncated or obtuse at the anterior and
upper end ; face covered with a white membrane, furrowed
longitudinally on each side ; the head is often compressed
under the antennse, and the lower or buccal part advanced
like a truncated muzzle ; in others, the face forms a very
inclined plane not elevated below ; the antennge inserted
at the top of the forehead, shorter in all the other Muscidae
than in these.

The fourth division, Scatomyzides, and the following, is
distinguished from the sixth, by having the head seen above,
never longer than it is wide, and the form subspherical or
triangular ; the posterior tarsi never longer than the body,
or very slender ; the body narrow and large.

These are distinguishable from Dolichoceres, by having
the third articulation of the antennae longer than the pre-
ceding, Lexoceres alone excepted ; the head seldom ad-
vances at its anterior and upper end beyond the eyes,
appears in general, seen above, nearly hemispherical, rather
wider than long.

Sometimes the posterior tarsi are broad, wide apart, with
the thighs thick and compressed, and the articulations of the
tarsi enlarged ; antennae short ; last articulation lenticular ;
sides of the face hairy.

Thyreophora, Lat., Meig., Musca, Panz. Antennae
longer, in a subfrontal cavity ; pallet lenticular, but not
transverse ; head sloping from the top to the mouth ; pos-
terior thighs thick ; second and following articulations of the
tarsi nearly alike ; all the terminal cellules of the wings
closed by the posterior edge ; palpi form a spatula at the
end. M. cynophila, Panz.

Sph^rocera, Lat., Borborus, Meig., Copromi/za, Fall.
Antennae projecting ; pallet sub-hemispherical, transverse ;

CLASS INSECTA. 713

head under the forehead suddenly concave ; posterior thighs
compressed ; first two articulations of the tarsi wider than
the following ; the last of the two cells which occupies the
middle of the length of the wings closed before the posterior
edge ; proboscis thick ; body depressed.

Sometimes the posterior tarsi differ little or nothing from
the others ; the antennas often as long as the face of the head,
with the thread downy ; sides of the face sometimes gla-
brous ; some such have the abdomen of the males at least
elongated, terminating in a knob or a stillet, and these have
the sides of the face hairy.

DiALYTA. Abdomen with four segments ; thread of the
antennse simple.

CoRDYLURA. Abdomcn with five segments at least, end-
ing in a knob in the males ; wings as long as the abdomen.

ScATOPHAGA, Lat., Mcig., Musca, Lin., Fab. Wings
longer ; abdomen not enlarged at the end. M. stercoraria.

These are without hairs on the face ; body linear.

Lexocera, Lat., Fab., Meig. Antennse longer than the
head ; they resemble small ichneumon flies.

Chyliga, Fall., Meig. Antennae shorter ; thread stylet-
formed.

The others have the antennae shorter than the head, ad-
vanced wide apart ; pallet never longer than it is wide, sub-
ovoid or sub-gobular ; some of these have the thread downy,
body elongated, and the abdomen in a point.

Some again have the face naked and the pallet ovoid, as

LissA, Meig. Upper part of the head with an elevation ;
abdomen linear, not ending in a stylet.

PsiLOMYiA, Lat., Psila, Meig. Body less elongated ; ab-
domen with an articulate stylet. Geomyza, of Fallen, may be
united to these.

Titanura and Tenypeza, of Meigen, seem allied to some of
the preceding subgenera, only the legs are longer and more

714 CLASS INSECTA.

slender ; the first outer nervure of the wings is simple, without
cells ; the exterior terminal cells are wide.

Others have the sides of the face hairy ; the first articula-
tion of the antennas the most slender ; the two following
forming a rounded knob.

LoNCHOPTERA, Mcig., Dipsa, Fall. The eyes smooth, on
an elevation ; wings without transverse nervures ; the third
longitudinal nervure from the outside bifurcate.

The body of the others is more like that of common flies.
One subgenus only, that of

Heleomyza, Fall., has no hairs on the face.

Two others have the thread downy, or plumose, Dryomyza,
with the face concave, with a short truncated muzzle ; and

Sapromyza, Fall., Meig. Face straight without a
muzzle.

The last Scatomyzides have the thread of the antennae
simple, very short, wide, and straight, with the last articula-
tion semi-ovoid. These diptera are very small, nearly smooth,
dark, varied with yellow, the tarsi strong, and the eyes large ;
the upper part of the head is flat, with a small triangular
brown space, in which the eyes are placed. The two trans-
verse nervures approximate each other near the middle.
These compose our genus Oscinis, Lai., Fab., to which
we shall refer Chlorops, of Meig.

The fifth division, Dolichocera, includes Dumeril's genus,
Tetanocera, and is near the last, but the second articulation of
the antennae is as long, or longer, than the third. These organs
are wide and advanced, and with few exceptions, as long, or
more so, than the head, and end in a point. The upper sur-
face of the head forms an obtuse triangle.

Some have the antennae shorter than the head. Olites,
Fab., with the thread simple, and without a buccal projection.

Euthycera, Lat. Second articulation of antennas the
largest, thread plumose, a small truncated muzzle.

CLASS INSECTA. 715

Others have the antennae as long, or longer, than the head,
as Sepedon, Baccha, Fab. Second articulation longest,
thread simple.

Tetanocera, Dum. Lat. Seatopliaga, Fab. Second ar-
ticulation compressed and square, with the thread sometimes
plumose.

The sixth division, Leptopodites, is remarkable for the
tenuity and length of the legs, the last two being twice the
length of the body. The head is spherical, ending in a point ;
the abdomen pointed in the females, but with a knob in the
males ; antennae short.

Micropeza, Meig. Calobates, Lat. Head ellipsoidal ;
last articulation of antennae semiorbicular, thread simple. M.
JUiformiSf Fab.

Calobata, Fab. Micropeza, Lat. Head spheroidal ; last
articulation more elongated ; thread often plumose.

The Carpomyz^ form the seventh division of Muscidae ;
wings elevated, or wide apart, when at rest, and then capable
of a vibratory motion, spotted black, or yellow, like the com-
mon flies, but with the eyes always wide apart ; the balancers
visible, the abdomen with four or five outer wings, often ter-
minated in the females by a hard pointed oviduct ; antennae
pallet-formed, short, and the thread rarely plumose. Many
approach the last subgenus, as

Diopsii, Lin.f Fab., called also spectacle flies, the eyes
placed at the extremity of two lateral elongations, the scutel-
lum with two spines. They are all exotic.

Cephalia, Meig. The pallet elongated, and the thread
pubescent. Fore part of the head elongated, and the palpi
spatuliformed.

Sepsis, Fall., Meig., Tephritis, Fab., Micropeza, Lat. The
pallet shorter, semi-elliptical, thread simple, palpi filiform,
thickening at the end. M. cynipsea, Lin.

The other Carpomyzae have the appearance of common

716 CLASS INSECTA.

flies. Sometimes the upper surface of the head is nearly
horizontal, or slightly inclined, so that the antennge, seen in
profile, seem to be inserted near the level of this plane. The
palpi and proboscis can be withdrawn into the buccal cavity.
The wings, when at rest, elevated, and the abdomen ap-
pai'ently composed of five rings.

Ortalis, Fall., Seatophaga, Tephritis Dictya, Fab.,
Tephritis, Lat. Abdomen of the females without a pointed
ovipositor. Many species have the body more elongated
than the other subgenera. The pallet of the antennae is some-
times long and linear {O. paludium. Fall.), sometimes shorter
and broader {M. vibrans, Lin.), M. Cerasi, Lin.

Tetanops, Meig. Female with a visible ovipositor, head
seen above, subtriangular, and as long as it is wide.

Trephritis, Lat,, Fab., Fall., Tri/peta, Meig., Dacus,
Fab. Ovipositor; head transverse, and rounded, {Dacus)
Fab., M, Carditi, Lin.

Sometimes the head is more compressed transversely. The
proboscis very thick, and partly projecting ; the wings wide
apart horizontally, the abdomen outwardly with four seg-
ments. Platystoma, Meig., Dictya, Fab.

This last conducts us to the Timics, of Wiedemann, which
compose our eighth division, Gymnomyzides. Small flies,
with a short, arched, smooth body, shining black : head com-
pressed laterally, without any projection, and the buccal
opening large ; the wings incumbent on the body, and ex-
tending beyond it ; the scutellum advanced ; the abdomen
compressed, short, with a point at the end, tarsi smooth, a
little downy.

Some have the antennae as long, or less so, than the head,
and wide apart, Celyphus, Dalm., distinguished from all
other Diptera by the scutellum, covering the whole upper
part of the abdomen. But one species, C. obtectus, Dalm. of
Java.

CLASS INSECTA. 717

Lauscania, Lat., Fab., Meig. The scutellum of com-
mon dimensions ; the thread of the antennee plumose.

The others have the antennae shorter than the head.

Here they are always very short, inserted on a sort of
edge, traversing the face. The first cellule of the posterior
edge of the wings is generally nearly closed ; the antennas
are lodged in fossets. The species whose first cellule of the
posterior edge is nearly closed, form, according to Meigen,
two genera, Timia and Ulidla, which we unite in one sub-
genus, MosiLLus, Lat.

The species with the corresponding cellule entirely open
and longitudinal, include two genera of Meigen, Homalura,
with five segments, and Actora with six.

The Gynomyzides, with short antennae, inserted as in the
last, compose the genus Gymnomyza, of Fallen. Those with
the antennee inserted higher, with an elongated pallet, com-
pose the genus Lonch^a, Fall., Meig.

Hypocera, our second section, forming the ninth subtribe,
includes but one subgenus. Palpi exterior ; antennae inserted
in the oral cavity, short, ending in a subglobular, thick articu-
lation ; wings furnished with numerous cilias on the side, with
a strong oblique nervure from the base to the side, from
which nervure three others run neai'ly parallel and longitu-
dinally. Body arched, tarsi strong, spiny, thighs wide,
compressed. They form the genus Phora, Lat., Trineura,
Meig.

The Diptera of our second family compose a distinct order,
0?nalopiera, according to Dr. Leech, those of which deprived
of wings and balancers, have a considerable relation to the
apterous hexapod insects, composing our order of Parasites,
Pediculus, of Lin. This second section

Pupipara,
Will form our sixth and last family of Diptera. Reaumur

718 CLASS INSECTA.

calls them NympMpara, The head, viewed above, appears
divided into two distinct portions ; the posterior carries the
eyes, and receives, in an anterior emargination, the anterior
portion ; this also is divided into two, the posterior being the
broadest, coriaceous, carrying the antennae, the other portion
constituting the manducatory apparatus. The lower and
buccal cavity of the head is occupied by a membrane, from
the end of which proceeds a sucker, springing from an ad-
vanced pedicle, composed of two nearly approximated threads,
and covered by two coriaceous laminae, narrow, elongated,
and downy, performing the office of a sheath. Whether
these laminae represent valves, as I have conjectured, or
are the parts of a proper sheath, as M. Dufour thinks,
who has discovered two little bodies, which he takes for
palpi, it is not the less true, that this proboscis differs from
that of other Diptera, and that the case in these is more
like the proboscis of a flee, though it is without articula-
tions.

The body is short, broad, flat, and covered with a tough,
leathery skin, the antennae, at the sides of the fore part of the
head, sometimes form tubercles with three threads, sometimes
little downy laminae. The eyes in some are very small.
Whether or not they possess simple eyes, is not determined.
The wings are wide apart, and with balancers ; the sides of
the wings are edged with cilia3, but in some the wings are
rudimentary, and the balancers disappear ; the tarsi have
two strong nails, with one or two teeth underneath. The
abdomen can extend itself considerably, M'hich is quite ne-
cessary in the females, as the larvae live there till their period
of change into nymphs.

These Diptera, sometimes called spider flies, live exclu-
sively on quadrupeds or birds ; run very fast, and often side-
ways.

Some have the head very distinct, and articulated with

CLASS INSECTA. 719

the anterior extremity of the thorax. They form the
genus

HiPPOBOsCA, Lin., Fab.

HippoBOscA, proper, have wings ; the eyes very distinct,
occupying all the sides of the head ; the antennae in form of
tubercles, with three threads, H^ Equina, Lin.

Ornithomyia, Lat., differ from the last, by having the
antennae laminous, downy, and advanced, the longitudinal
nervures of the wings very distinct, and receding to the
edge.

These insects form, in Dr. Leech's monograph, four genera,
L Feronia, Nirmomyia, Nitzch. Antennae in form of
tubercles, nails with two teeth. 2. Ornithomyia. Simple
eyes, nails with three teeth ; antennae laminous ; wings almost
equally broad and round. 3. Stenepteryx. Like the
first, but the wings narrow. 4. Oxypterum. Wings acute :
antennae dentiform : eyes small, and without the simple eyes,
like Hippobosca and Feronia.

Strebla, Dalm., differ from Ornithomyia, by having the
wings crossed on the body, longitudinal nervures united by
transverse nervures, eyes very small at the posterior angle of
the head.

Melophagus, Melophila, Nitz. Wingless, and with the
eyes indistinct, H. ovina, Lin.

One species of these lives on the stag ; the thorax is a
little larger than the head, it forms the subgenus Lipotena, of
Nitzsch. Near these also should be placed his genus Braula,
the only species of which lives on the common bee : it is quite
blind. The thorax is divided into two transverse portions,
the last articulation of the tarsi has underneath a transverse
row of prickles.

The other Pupipara, Phthiromyia, Lat., have the head
very small ; it forms near the anterior and dorsal end of the

720 CLASS INSECTA.

thorax a little vertically elevated body. This composes the
genus

Nycteribia, Lat., PhtJdridium, Herm.

Which have neither wings nor balancers, and are even still
more than the last like spiders. They live on the bat.
Linnaeus placed the only species he knew with the lice.

SUPPLEMENT

ORDER DIPTERA.

On the characteristics of this order, as given in the text,
it will be necessary to enlarge a little here. The body is
covered with a membranaceous elastic skin, incapable of re-
sisting a strong pressure. Like that of other hexapod in-
sects, it is composed of three principal parts. The head, which
is usually compressed, and turns upon itself, as on a pivot,
from right to left, and from left to right, presents two com-
posite eyes, often very large, and contiguous in the males ;
two antennse and a proboscis, or sort of bill, sometimes pro-
jecting, sometimes more or less expansible, and retractile
into an interior cavity, when it is not in action. The head
likewise exhibits in the majority, three small simple eyes,
triangularly disposed.

The antennae are usually inserted on the forehead, and
approximated at their base. Those of the first family, the
Nemocera, have very great relations in their setaceous form,
the number of their articulations, and often in the hairs or
barbs, with which they are furnished, with the antennae of
the nocturnal lepidoptera. But in the subsequent families,
which united, compose the major part of the diptera, they
are short, most generally inclined or couched on the space
comprised between the eyes, and simply formed of from one
to two articulations, the last often fusiform. The mouth of
these insects is fitted only for the conduction and extraction

VOL. XV. 3 A

722 SUPPLEMENT

of fluid materials. In many, the two palpi are attached to
two pieces of the sucker, which is a proof that those two
pieces correspond to the jaws of the grinding or masticating
insects.

Above the wings, are two small and very mobile bodies,
composed of a line or stem, and terminated by a swelling like
a button or knob ; those are called the halters or balancers :
their use is unknown. Those two papyraceous pieces,
which are above the balancers, and named winglets in the
text, often conceal the balancers, and their size is in an in-
verse proportion to that of these latter parts.

The final tarsus often has two or three membranaceous
articular cushions, which serve the purpose to these insects,
of fastening themselves to the most polished bodies, and that
even in a vertical position. Sir Everard Home has published
in the Philosophical Transactions, 1816, some very curious
observations on the form of these parts. Whether spongy
or membranaceous, whether fleshy or vesicular, which exhi-
bit to us the tarsi of divers insects, attached or walking in a
direction contrary to that of their gravitation. He explains
to us in the same place, with similar detail, the nature and
disposition of the glands and scales, with which the under
part of the toes of the geckos is so abundantly clothed.
To the anatomical observations collected on these insects, by
Swammerdam, Reaumur, and RamsdorfF, M. Dutrochet,
a most able and ingenious naturalist, has added some that
are new and very curious. He has found that the stomach
of many diptera was accompanied by an especial organ which
he names paunch {la panse) and where a part of their ali-
ment is deposited. Swammerdam had seen in the lepidop-
tera a similar appendage.

Many diptera, such as the culices, tabani, and stomoxys,
incommode the human species by their bites, and most
cruelly torment many domestic animals. Others, such as the

ox DIPTERA. 723

cestri, deposit tlieir eggs in the bodies of animals, that when
the larva? come forth, they may obtain there their pi'oper
nutriment. Others of them again, for a similar reason, infect
the meat and other viands, which we preserve for the pur-
poses of food, whenever they can obtain access to them.
There are some of them that are still more pernicious, since, in
the larvae- state, they destroy the young corn, and other fruits
of the earth, and have the power in the localities where they
are exceedingly multiplied, of annihilating the hopes of the
agriculturist. But if such diptera are extremely injurious
to man, there are others which afford a compensation for our
losses, by destroying hurtful insects, and by consuming ani-
mal and vegetable substances, whose putridity would other-
wise corrupt the fluid which we respire. Many larvae of
diptera also serve to accelerate the dissipation of the stag-
nant and infectious waters of pools, marshes and ditches.

The duration of the life of the diptera, even reckoning
from the moment in which they issue from the egg, is, gene-
rally speaking, extremely short. It is often limited to but a
few months, or some weeks. AH of them undergo a com-
plete metamorphosis, but one which is modified in two prin-
cipal ways. The larvae of several of them change their skin,
when they pass into the state of nymph ; but the others do not
moult : their skin most frequently becomes hard and contracts.
It assumes a brown tint, exhibits no external signs of irrita-
bility, and becomes a tolerably solid shell or cocoon, which
has the appearance of a grain or an egg. The body of the
larvEe is detached at first from this skin, leaving on its inte-
rior parietes the external organs which were peculiar to it,
such as the hooks of its mouth, and soon it presents itself
under the form of a soft or gelatinous mass, which is by some
writers denominated an elongated ball, and at the exterior
part of which, we cannot yet distinguish any of the parts
which characterize the perfect insect. Finally, at^the end of

3 A 2

724 SUPPLEMENT

a certain time, these organs become pronounced and deter-
mined. The insect is then really in the state of nymph,
properly so called. It issues forth, causing the anterior and
upper extremity of its envelope to come off like a cap.

The larvae of the diptera have no feet, but we observe in
some, particularly in those of the aquatic diptera, divers ap-
pendages which resemble them, and which even contribute
to locomotion. Many of these larvae have a soft and vari-
able head, and which in fact can only bear this name, by
reason of the organs of manducation, wdiich form the most
apparent part of it. This character is exclusively peculiar
to the larvae of those diptera, which are transformed under
their skin, and is not observed in any of the preceding orders.
The mouth is generally provided with two hooks, which
serve to cut in iipon the substances from which they derive
their nutriment. The principal orifices of respiration in al-
most all the larvae of the same order, are situated at the
posterior extremity of their body. Many present besides,
two stigmata on the first ring, or that which comes immedi-
ately after the head.

The characters of the five great families of this order are
founded on the general relations of forms and habits, and on
the principal differences presented by the metamorphosis of
these insects. In the first four families, the larvae have the
body ringed, elongated, and with very distinct stigmata.
They proceed from eggs deposited by the mother, on the
substances on which they feed. The larvae of the diptera of
the last family have the figure of an egg, or rather of a bean-
seed, the skin of which is continuous, without sensible stig-
mata, or annular divisions, and presents only at one of its
extremities, a small scaly plate. These larvae do not come
forth from the belly of the mother, but pass at once into
the nymph-state, and even preserve their primitive form.
Those of the first two families change their skin when about

13

ON DIPTERA. 725

to undergo this second metamorphosis. Their body, with
the exception of the last species of the second family, has a
scaly head, and of an invariable form ; but in the larvae of
the two following families, the head is always soft and sus-
ceptible of assuming divers sorts of figures. These larvae
are metamorphosed under their own skin, and present us,
before passing to the nymph-state, with that mode of exist-
ence which we mentioned above, to be sometimes denomi-
nated elongated ball. The skin of the nymphs of the diptera
of the fourth family, experiences a contraction which has so
modified its external form, that it no longer preserves any of
its primitive traits. But the nymphs of the third family still
retain the form that was peculiar to them in the larva-state.
Their skin is merely something firmer.

The first family of diptera, the NEMocERiE, is composed of
the genera Culex and Tipula, of Linnaeus. For its character-
istic features, independently of what we have already observed,
we must refer to the text. Many of the insects which com-
pose it, especially the young, assemble in numerous troops in
the air, and form there, in flying, sorts of dances. Some are
to be found at almost every season of the year. They are
placed end to end, in the act of sexual intei'course, and often
fly while in this situation. Many females lay their eggs in
the water, which is the habitat of their larv£e and nymphs ;
others place them in the earth, in tow, or on vegetables.

The larvae are always elongated, similar to worms, with a
scaly head, of an invariable figure, and the mouth presents
parts analogous to jaws and lips. They all change skin to
become nymphs ; these nymphs are sometimes naked, some-
times enclosed in cocoons which their larvae have constructed.
They approximate in their figure, to the perfect insect, ex-
hibit the external organs, and conclude their metamorphosis
in the ordinary manner. At the anterior part of the corslet
we often observe two respiratory organs, in the form of tubes,
of horns, or of earlets.

726 SUPPLEMENT

The CuLicEs, or gnats, which are but too well known to
us by their annoyance and their bites, are small insects, with
membranaceous wings, elongated body, and mounted upon
long legs, or to use the expression of Reaumur, sustained as
it were, on stilts. The head is small and rounded, with two
large net-work eyes, but no vestige of the small simple eye.
The anterior extremity of the head gives birth to the palpi
and proboscis. Reaumur has considered the palpi, in refer-
ence to the individuals of the male sex, as serving as a sort
of sheath for the case of the sting, or for the external body
of the proboscis. The palpi of the females are much shorter,
less articulated, and the same naturalist has given them the
denomination of barbs. He applies the same name to one of
the lower articulations, and the thickest of the palpi of the
males. The proboscis forms a sort of advanced, long, slen-
der cylindrical syphon, and terminated by a swelling like a
button. This external part is only the case of the sting or
sucker. It consists of a membranaceous, very flexible, long,
and narrowed piece, rolling on itself to form a funnel, and
which leaves above or between its edges, a furrow, in which
the sucker is inserted ; it is, though under another form,
analogous to the proboscis of the common flies. Its button
represents the two hps which terminate the latter. The
sucker is composed of five small, scaly lancets, similar to
silky hairs, or very fine drawn threads, very sharp, and two
of which, at least, have denticulations at their extremity di-
rected backwards. Reaumur has not been able to distin-
guish what is the respective position of each of these pieces,
when they are assembled. But it appears to M. Latreille,
that they are disposed in three ranks thus : one upper, and
isolated, the other four situated in pairs underneath. The
first and the two lower ones probably unite to form a sort of
sheath to the intermediate two, which sheath Reaumur com-
pares to a canula. When the gnat intends to sting, it at first
puts forth the point of all these threads united, out of the

ON DIPTERA. 727

aperture of the end of the case, and appHes it to the skin.
It then sinks in this point by degrees, resting the end of the
sheath or the button, on the part where the sting has pene-
trated, and as it enters farther, the sheath bends in propor-
tion, and forms a more acute angle, so that if the sucker is
ahnost totally sunk in the body where it has penetrated, the
sheath is almost entirely bent double. For more minute
details on this curious subject, the reader may consult an
article by Roftredi, in the Acad. Collect. Fart. Etomg., t.
xiii. p. 412.

Although the wound produced by the sucker of the gnat
be but slight, it nevertheless causes a tumour in the skin,
and at the same time, an insupportable itching, as the part is
bedewed with a poisonous fluid, capable of creating consi-
derable irritation. This caustic liquor, it has been supposed,
was given to the insect, to mix with the blood, so as to im-
part to it fluidity, and render it more easily passable through
the proboscis. This at least is the opinion of the advocates
of final causes.

It has been remarked, that there are some persons not
liable to be stung by these insects, although their skin may
appear to be extremely delicate, while others cannot go into
the country without being almost Hterally devoured by them.
We shall notice presently the remedies which may be em-
ployed against these bites ; it also appears, that it is invari-
ably the female gnats alone which attack and torment us, for
the purpose of sucking our blood.

When the gnats cannot find a sufficient quantity of blood
to satiate their rapacity, they suck the juices of plants. Some
of them are found on flowers, particularly on those of the
willow, and on the buds of this tree. In the hot days, and
in places enlightened by the sun, they remain tranquil until
evening. Sometimes, however, they commence their pur-

728 SUPPLEMENT

suits from the middle of the day, especially in the woods.
Placed upon the leaves, they give a sort of balancing motion
to their bodies, up and down, bending and straightening their
limbs alternately, and with a tolerable degree of quickness,
as is done by many tipulce.

The corslet of the culices is thick, raised, and as it were,
humped. The wings, which they carry inclined horizontally,
are extremely pretty, when seen through the microscope.
Their surface is punctuated and furnished along the nervures
and the internal edge, with small scales in the form of oblong
palettes, and which hold by a pedicle. The exterior edge
of these scales has, from distance to distance, sorts of prickles
in the place of scales. The winglets are wanting, or at
least, not very distinct ; but the balancers are discernible
without difficulty. The abdomen, which is long and cylin-
drical, is also covered with scales and hairs, which are more
numerous on the sides, and form there a species of fringe.
It is terminated in the males by some hooks, sometimes four
in number, simple, and two of them smaller ; sometimes but
two in number, and armed at the end with a small mobile
claw. They answer the purpose of seizing, in sexual inter-
course, the posterior part of the abdomen of the female,
which instead of these parts, has two small palettes, capable
of being applied one against the other. There is a little
pellet at the end of the feet.

There are but few insects so greedy of our blood, and
which pursue us with so much avidity as the culices. Gar-
ments even of a thick and close texture, are insufficient to
protect us from their sting. The inhabitants of almost all
country parts, especially of those which are aquatic, or well-
wooded, are tormented with them during the summer, and
those of towns have no small difficulty in defending themselves
against their assaults. In some southern countries of France,

ON DIPTERA. 729

their attacks during the night are only avoided by placing
an envelope of gauze over the beds, which is called in French,
cousiniere, from cousin, gnat. " In this country," says Mr.
Kirby, '* they are justly regarded as no trifling evil, for they
follow us into all our haunts, intrude into our most secret
retirements, assail us in the city and in the country, in our
houses and our fields, in the sun and in the shade ; nay, they
pursue us to our pillows, and either keep us awake, by their
incessant endeavours to fix themselves upon our face, or some
uncovered part of our body ; or, if in spite of them, w^e fall
asleep, awaken us by the acute pain which attends the insertion
of their oral stings, attacking with most avidity the softer sex,
and trying their temper by disfiguring their beauty. But
although with us, they are usually rather teasing than in-
jurious, yet, upon some occasions, they have approached
nearer to the character of a plague, and emulated with suc-
cess the mosquitos of other climates. Thus, we are told,
that in the year 1736, they were so numerous, that vast
columns of them were seen to rise from the air, from Salis-
bury Cathedral, which, at a distance, resembled columns of
smoke, and occasioned many people to think that the Cathe-
dral was on fire. A similar occurrence, in like manner giving
rise to an alarm of the church being on fire, took place in July,
1812, at Sagan, in Silesia. In the following year, at Norwich,
in May, at about six o'clock in the evening, the inhabitants
were alarmed by the appearance of smoke issuing from the
upper window of the spire of the cathedral, for which, at the
time, no satisfactory account could be given, but which was
most probably produced by the same cause. And in the year
1766, in the month of August, they appeared in such incredible
numbers at Oxford, as to resemble a black cloud, darkening
the air, and almost totally intercepting the beams of the sun.
One day, a little before sunset, six columns of them were ob-
served to ascend from the boughs of an apple-tree, some in a

730 SUPPLEMENT

perpendicular, and others in an oblique direction, to the
height of fifty or sixty feet. Their bite was so envenomed that
it was attended by violent and alarming inflammation ; and
one, when killed, usually contained as much blood as would
cover three or four square inches of wall. Our great poet,
Spencer, seems to have witnessed a similar appearance of them,
which furnished him with the following beautiful simile :

" As when a swarm of gnats, at even-tide.
Out of the fens of Allan doe arise.
Their murmvxring small trumpets sounden wide.
Whiles in the air their clust'ring army flies.
That as a cloud doth seem to dim the skies ;
Ne man nor beast may rest or take repast.

For their sharp wounds and noyous injuries.
Till the fierce northern wind, Avith blust'ring blast,
Doth blow them quite away, and in the ocean cast."

In Marshland, in Norfolk, as I learn from a lady, who had
an opportunity of personal inspection, the inhabitants are so
annoyed by the gnats, that the better sort of them, as in many
hot climates, have recourse to a gauze covering for their beds,
to keep them off during the night.

But these insects are infinitely more redoubtable in other
climates, especially in the neighbourhood of the frozen
regions of the north, and the arid countries near the equa-
tor. There they become, indeed, a plague, and one of the
severest scourges of human life, " We may be disposed to
smile," (to use again the words of the last cited writer) " per-
haps, at the story which Mr. Wild relates from General
Washington, that in one place the mosquitos were so power-
ful as to pierce through his boots (perhaps they crept within
the boots) ; but in various regions, scarcely anything less
impenetrable than leather can withstand their insinuating
weapons, and unwearied attacks. One would at first imagine

ON DIPTERA. 731

that regions, where the polar winter extends its icy reign,
would not be much annoyed by insects ; but, however pro-
bable the supposition, it is the reverse of fact, for no where
are gnats so numerous. These animals, as well as numbers
of the Tipulari(S of Latreille, seem endowed with the privilege
of resisting any degree of cold, and of bearing any degree of
heat. In Lapland, their numbers are so prodigious, as to be
compared to a flight of snow, when the flakes fall thickest, or
to the dust of the earth. The natives cannot take a mouthful
of food, or lie down to sleep in their cabins, unless they be
fumigated almost to suffocation. In the air you cannot draw
your breath without having your mouth and nostrils filled
with them ; and unguents of tar, fish-grease, or cream, or
nets steeped in fetid birch oil, are scarcely sufficient to pro-
tect even the case-hardened cuticle of the Laplander from
their bite. In certain districts of France, the accurate
Reaumur informs us, that he has seen people, whose arms
and legs have become quite monstrous from wounds inflicted
by gnats ; and in some cases, in such a state, as to render it
doubtful whether amputation would not be necessary. In
the neighbourhood of the Crimea, the Russian soldiers are
obliged to sleep in sacks to defend themselves from the
mosquitos ; and even this is not a sufiicient security, for seve-
ral of them die in consequence of mortification produced by
the bite of these furious blood-suckers. This fact is related
by Dr. Clarke, and to its probability, his own painful ex-
perience enabled him to speak. He informs us, that the
bodies of himself and his companions, in spite of gloves,
clothes, and handkerchiefs, were rendered one entire wound,
and the consequent excessive irritation and swelling, excited
a considerable degree of fever. In a most sultry night,
when not a breath of air was stirring, exhausted by fatigue,
pain, and heat, he sought shelter in the carriage ; and, though
almost suftbcated, could not venture to open a window, for

732 SUPPLEMENT

fear of the mosquitos. Swarms, nevertheless, found their
way into his hiding-place ; and in spite of the handkerchiefs
with which he had bound up his head, filled his mouth,
nostrils, and ears. In the midst of his torment, he succeeded
in lighting a lamp, which was extinguished in a moment, by
such a prodigious number of these insects, that their carcases
actually filled the glass chimney, and formed a large conical
heap over the burner. The noise they make in flying cannot
be conceived by those who have only heard gnats in England.
It is to all that hear it a most fearful sound. Travellers and
mariners, who have visited warmer climates, give a similar
account of the torments there inflicted by these little demons.
One traveller in Africa complains, that after a fifty miles
journey, they would not suffer him to rest, and that his face
and hands appeared, from their bites, as if he was infected
with the small-pox in its worst stage. In the East, at Ba-
tavia. Dr. Arnold, a most attentive and accurate observer,
relates, that their bite is the most venomous he ever felt, occa-
sioning a most intolerable itching, v^'hich lasts for many days.
The sight, or sound, of a single one, either prevented him
from going to bed all night, or obliged him to get up many
times. This species is distinct from the common gnat, and
appears to be nondescript. It approaches nearest to C.
annulatus, but the wings are black and not spotted. And
Captain Stedman, in America, as a proof of the dreadful
state to which he and his soldiers were reduced by them,
mentions, that they were forced to sleep with their heads
thrust into holes made in the earth with their bayonets, and
their necks wrapped round with their hammocks.

" From Humboldt, we also learn, that, between the little
harbour of Higuerote and the mouth of the Rio Unare, the
wretched inhabitants are accustomed to stretch themselves
on the ground, and pass the night buried in the sand, three or
four inches deep, leaving out the head only, which they cover

ON DIPTERA. 733

with a handkerchief. This illustrious traveller has given an
account, in detail, of these insect plagues, by which it ap-
pears, that amongst them, there are diurnal, crepuscular, and
nocturnal species, or genera ; the mosquitos, or SimuUa, flying
in the day ; the TemporanceroSt probably a kind of Culix,
flying during twilight ; and the Zancudos, or culices, in the
night : so that there is no rest for the inhabitants from their
torments, day or night, except for a short interval between
the retreat of one species and the attack of another.

" It is not, therefore, incredible, that Sapor, king of Persia,
as is related, should have been compelled to raise the siege
ofNisibisby a plague of gnats, which attacking his elephants
and beasts of burden, so caused the rout of his army, what-
ever we may think of the miracle to which it was attributed ;
nor that the inhabitants of various cities, as Mouffet has col-
lected from different authors, should, by an extraordinary
multiplication of this plague, have been compelled to desert
them; or that, by their power to do mischief, like other con-
querors, who have been the torment of the human race, they
should have attained to fame, and have given their name to
bays, towns, and even considerable territories."

A number of remedies have been proposed to dissipate the
itchings occasioned by the bite of gnats. Some employ
alkalies, both fixed and volatile ; others lavender-drops,
theriaca of Venice, mixed with sweet oil, and also vinegar, has
been tried. Some apply leaves of the green elder, to the
juice of which are added vinegar and common salt ; others
find plantain leaves better, or sweet basil. It is probable,
that nothing is better than strongly to compress the wounded
part, so as to cause a drop or two of blood to come forth, and
even to enlarge the wound, and wash it with water.

It is towards evening that the coupling of these insects
takes place. The males assemble, flying continually from
one side to the other, without going any distance, and the

734 SUPPLEMENT

females repair to them. As soon as a male sees one appear,
he approaches, joinfe himself to her in an instant, and hooking
on, suffers himself to be drawn along in the air, where they
fly along together. Their union lasts but a very short time,
and as soon as it is terminated, they separate. The female
being fecundated, proceeds to deposit her eggs. She places
them on the water, so that the larvae, when born, may enter
into the element where they are destined to reside. During
the time of laying, the attitude of these females is very singu-
lar. They hook their four anterior feet on some object that
floats upon the water, either a leaf, or a little piece of wood,
and cross their two hinder feet. These two feet form an
angle, and it is in this angle that they deposit their eggs,
side by side. In proportion as the mass of eggs increases,
it is elongated, and assumes the form of a little boat, more ele-
vated at its two extremities. The feet which support it are
removed by little and little, and when the insect has finished
her deposition, she abandons it, and leaves it to float upon the
water, at the mercy of the wind.

These insects produce many generations in the year, from
the return of spring to the end of autumn. Each brood con-
tains from two hundred and fifty to three hundred and fifty
eggs, which are oblong, more pointed at the upper extremity,
considered in their vertical situation, more thick and rounded
below, and terminated abruptly by an edged neck, resembling
that of some flagons ; there we perceive a small circular
aperture, which appears closed by a little membrane, through
which the larvae issues forth.

The boat, which is formed by the eggs, must always float
upon the water, and their germ would perish, if they were
submerged. Their neck alone enters into this fluid. Those
which are just laid are all white, but they afterwards assume
greenish shades, and in less than half a day, they become
greyish. The laying usually takes place in the morning.

ON DIPTERA. 735

about five or six o'clock, and the larvse are born in about two
or three days.

The larvae swarm, in spring and summer, in the stagnant
waters of marshes and ponds. They are even to be seen
there in abundance from the time that the ice is melted. They
usually remain at the surface of the water, or a little above it,
in an inverted position, with the head down, respiring the
air through the aperture of a funnel, which terminates their
body. They are very lively, and when the slightest im-
pression is made upon the water, they dive or swim, but re-
turn almost immediately to resume their original position.
Their body is without feet, elongated, greenish at first, then
greyish, transparent, and composed of three parts, the head,
the corslet, and the abdomen. The head is detached from
the corslet, and holds to it by a sort of neck. It is more
brown than the rest, almost heart-formed, flatted from the
upper to the under part, and presents, on each side, the ap-
pearance of a blackish eye, and a short antenna, with a
single articulation, curved like an arch, with two aigrettes of
hairs, one on the exterior side, and the other at its extremity.
Around the mouth are small barbies furnished with hairs,
which the larva causes to play with quickness, and which
thus produce little currents, by means of which microscopic
insects, little plants, and terrene bodies, are carried towards
its mouth, and become its food. Among the tentacula, there
are two more considerable, having the figure of crescents,
and the internal side of which, on the concave part, is fur-
nished with a fringe of very close hairs, like two tufts. The
corslet is thick, rounded, with three small aigrettes of hairs on
each side. It is followed by the abdomen, which is much more
slender, in the form of an elongated cone, and divided into
eight rings, which have each a tuft of hairs on each side.
The eighth, and last, is terminated by two tubes ; one upper.

736 SUPPLEMENT

forming an angle with it, and the extremity, or aperture of
which, has the form of a star with five rays ; the other lower,
more thick, but shorter, almost perpendicular to the length
of the body, with two articulations, the last of which is longer
at its upper contour, edged with long hairs, which are ar-
ranged like a funnel when they float in the water. From the
end of this same tube proceed four slender, oval, transparent
laminae, as it were scaly, placed in pairs, capable of separa-
tion one from the other, and look like fins all round. Its
aperture gives issue to the excrements, which are of a
greenish colour. The other, or superior tube, is destined for
respiration, and susceptible of contraction and dilatation.
The transparence of the skin even permits us to discover the
two tracheae, which repair thither, after having traversed the
entire length of the body. The intestines and the aliments
are also perceptible.

The larva is subject to several moultings, and undergoes
three at least, in the space of two or three weeks. To despoil
itself of its skin, it places itself horizontally at the surface of
the water, having the back upwards. The change then takes
place in the usual way, by means of a cleft which is made over
the corslet, and which afterwards extends to the rings of the
abdomen.

The nymph swims very well, here and there, just like the
larva, but without taking any nourishment. When in a state
of repose, it has a shortened and lenticular form, its abdomen
being folded underneath, and applied against the breast. It
is placed vertically in the water, but differently from the
larva, the respiratory organs being situated on the corslet,
they resemble two species of horns or asses' ears. Their
upper extremity is cut obliquely, and the insect always keeps
it above the surface of the water. The eyes are distinct ;
under the corslet is found a thick mass, enclosing the antennae,

ON DIPTRRA. 737

the mouth and the limbs. The feet are rolled up there. The
abdomen is elongated, divided into rings, and is terminated
by two oval palettes.

If the nymph is desirous to descend to the bottom of the
water, it unfolds its body, elongates itself, and gives strokes
with the tail. But when it ceases thus to operate, it is
speedily brought back to the surface. After having passed
eight or ten days in this state, the insect h:is arrived at the
final term of its metamorphosis. But this period is very
critical, in consequence of the danger it then incurs, of being
overturned in the water, and perishing there, its new organs
not suffering it to live any longer in the same element in
which it had existed until that time. This moulting takes
place in the same manner as the preceding. The gnat, on
issuing from its spoil, through the upper cleft which is made
there, raises at first its head and corslet, as much as it can
above the aperture ; the posterior extremity of its body con-
tracts a little, and then elongating, is pushed upwards. It
disengages itself more and more, rises, and erects itself in
proportion, and finally concludes by being in a perpendicular
position. Its old skin becomes a kind of boat, of which the body
is the mast. It rests upon it only by a very small portion of
its hinder part. After having drawn from their sheaths the
two anterior feet, and then the two following, it carries them
forward. Soon after it leans towards the water, and places
these organs on it. Thus supported, and in safety, it unfolds
its wings, and flies off in a few instants. At its birth, its body
is whitish, with the corslet greenish ; but the colours soon
assume the tints which are proper to the insect in its final
state. Such is the summary of the history of this exceedingly
unpleasant dipteron. Those who are desirous to know more
of it in detail, may consult the works of Reaumur and Degeer,
not to mention Swammerdam and Kleeman, where they will
find ample matter to satisfy their curiosity.

VOL. XV. 3 B

738 SUPPLEMENT

We now proceed to the Tipulari^ and their subdivisions.
We shall first speak of the tribe in general.

Their body is usually elongated, the head round, and oc-
cupied more or less by two large complex eyes, but the small
simple eyes they seldom possess. The corslet is inflated and
round ; the balancers are long ; no winglets. The abdomen
is long and almost cylindrical ; the feet long and slender in
the greater number. The tarsi are terminated by two hooks,
and a small cushion.

It is very easy to distinguish, at first sight, the tipulariae,
from the other diptera, by the length and trifling bulk of their
bodies, by the extent of their wings, and by their long and
slender feet, which can scarcely support the body, which the
insect balances, and causes to vacillate continually. Many
small species have considerable resemblance to the gnats,
with which they have been confounded by Swammerdam
and Goedart ; but a slight examination of their mouth is suf-
ficient to distinguish them from those insects whose proboscis
is long and advanced, whereas that of the tipulariae most fre-
quently projects but little, and is bilabiate.

It is in the meadows that the larger species are most com-
monly to be observed, which in most countries have their pe-
culiar name. Goedart and Leuwenhoek have named them
tailors ; some French authors have called them tipules cou-
turieres ; the small species are called tipules culiciformes.
Among the first, there are some that are twenty lines in
length. We call the largest species in this country,| by the
popular name of long legs.

From the commencement of spring until the end of autumn,
we observe the larger tipulariae in meadows, &c., but espe-
cially in this last season. Although they rise pretty high,
they fly but a short distance. At certain times they make
no use of their wings but to assist them in walking, and
reciprocally their feet to assist them in flying. They make

ON DIPTERA. 739

use of them to sustain their body above plants, and to push
it forward. Some of the smallest species remain almost con-
tinually in the air. In all seasons of the year, at certain hours
of the day, clouds of them are observed rising and falling, pur-
suing a vertical line. They make a trifling noise, which could
be but little heard, if it were not produced by the innumerable
quantities of those which fly at the same time and altogether
The larvae of these insects vary much in their form, and the
nature of their habits. In general, they resemble elongated
worms. Their head is of an invariable figure, and their body
divided into rings. Some have pediform appendages, others
are destitute of them. Those of the large species have the
head small, usually concealed under the first ring. This head
is provided with two fleshy horns, and in front with two hooks,
below which are two immoveable scaly pieces. These pieces
serve to cut and bruise the aliments on which they feed. On
the last ring of their bodies is a depression, which contains
the two stigmata through which they respire the air. These
larvae live in the humid grounds of meadows, where they re-
main at one or two inches in depth. They feed on earth
and soil. Although they do not eat plants, yet nevertheless,
they do them much injury, because, as they often change
place, they raise and detach the roots, which they expose to
be dried up by the soil. These larvae also live in the cavities
of half rotten trees, where they find a mould tolerably similar
to that of the dunghill. They undergo their metamorphosis
in the earth, and change there into nymphs of a greyish
colour, the rings of which bristle with tuberosities and spines,
simple or forked, and inclined backwards. It is upon their
head at this time that the organs of respiration are seated,
which consists of two horns more or less long, according to
the species. A little time before their final metamorphosis
they make use of the points of their rings to push and raise
themselves above the surface of the earth, to the height of

3b2

740 SUPPLEMENT

about half their body, and there they remain until the skin
which holds them, as it were swaddled up, cleaves to give them
passage, at the moment when they become perfect insects.
Almost immediately after their last metamorphosis, the tipu-
lariae couple, and during the couphng, the male remains
hooked to the female with the pincers which terminate his
abdomen. Their junction lasts nearly four and twenty hours,
without interruption, and they often fly without separating.

When the females are fecundated, they deposit their eggs
in the earth, employing for this operation the scaly pieces in
the form of pincers, which they have at the extremity of the
belly. During the laying their attitude is very singular. They
keep their body elevated vertically, and sink the upper part
of their pincers in the earth, as far as the organ of the lower
piece, which is the conduit through which the eggs pass.
After having left one in the first hole, they go away to form
another, and so on to the last. These eggs are oblong, a
little curved, and of a shining black. Each female lays a
tolerably large number.

As to the larvae of the smaller tipularias, some live in cow-
dung, others in different kinds of mushrooms, and some others
in the water. The agaric of the oak breeds rather a singular
species, which does not penetrate into the substance of this
plant, but remains undeineath it. This larva, which is without
appendages in the form of feet, and whose skin is humid and
gluey, like that of snails, never crawls upon the agaric naked.
It carpets all the places where it passes, with a gluey coat,
which it draws from its mouth. When it wishes to fix itself
any where, it applies this liquor against one of the points of
the place which it is to inhabit, and spins it into fine laminae,
of which it applies several, one against the other, and attaches
the ends to an opposite point. It forms also a sort of little
roof in the same manner, and remains in shelter between
this matter, which serves it both for bed and tent. We find

ON DIPTERA. 741

little more than eight or ten of these larvae on the largest
agarics. Arrived at their full growth, towards the end of
summer, they enclose themselves in a cocoon with large
meshes, which they construct with a fluid similar to that of
which they compose their nest, and it also serves them to fill
the vacancies of those meshes. These cocoons are of a
conical figure, and rough on their surface. The perfect
insect issues from them in about fifteen days after the larva
has been changed into a nymph.

The larvae which live in the water differ much from each
other in their conformation. They have nothing in common
but the stigmata, the number of which is the same in all,
though diversely figured. Some swim with very great agility,
others inhabit holes which they make in the earth, at the
edges of streams, where the water penetrates. Many inclose
themselves in cases, which they form with the fragments of
rotten leaves, of grains, and other materials which they find
within their reach. The nymphs of these larvas scarcely
differ less amongst each other than the larvse themselves.
Some remain motionless at the bottom of the hole which the
larvee had inhabited; others swim and run with swiftness in
the water. All are provided with organs, by means of which
they respire, and they frequently apply them to the super-
ficies of the water to pump in the air. The tipulariae which
these larvae produce are rather small. They are commonly
called culic'iformes. Their resemblance to the gnats causes
them to be dreaded by those who do not know them ; but
they do no harm. Those who are desirous to know more
particularly the habits of this genus, may consult Reaumur,
and especially the Memoirs of Degeer.

All these insects multiply considerably, and in spite of
their enemies, the species are very numerous. In their final
form, the tipulariae are pursued by birds, which destroy a
great quantity of them ; and those whose larvae live in the

742 SUPPLEMENT

water, serve to feed the fish, and carnivorous aquatic insects.
Some species of those are to be found in the middle of
winter.

In the subgenus Corethra of this tribe, Degeer has par-
ticularly observed the metamorphoses of C. culiciformis. Its
larva, which he found in the month of May, in the water of
ponds and marshes, resembles much, in its form and colour,
that of the common gnat. Its body is a little smaller, of a clear
brown, with some spaces deeper and more transparent. It is
composed of a head tolerably thick, rounded, presenting two
eyes, and some barbies ; of a corslet very large, raised, and
in the form of a rounded ball, and of an elongated abdomen,
growing slender by little and little towards its extremity, and
composed of eight rings. The last forms a sort of conical
tail, curved underneath, furnished with hairs, and pierced at
its extremity for the passage of the excrements. Near its
lower junction with the preceding ring, is a sort of fin, which
consists of an assemblage of long, black hairs, placed like
rays, and forming together a circular plate. There is
visible, at the end of the eighth ring, a piece of a conical
figure, perpendicular, having also an aperture at its ex-
tremity, but which serves the larva for the purposes of res-
piration. We distinguish, in the interior of the corslet, two
bodies tolerably voluminous, oblong, brown, and from each of
which proceeds a vessel which repairs to the posterior ex-
tremity of the body. These two vessels approach each other
very nearly, through a good part of their length, and form
undulations. They dilate at the seventh ring, and afterwards
contract. Degeer supposes, with considerable foundation,
that these are tracheae.

These larvae hold an attitude different from those of the
gnats. Their body is in an horizontal position, in the middle
of the water, and always maintains itself there in equilibrio.
It descends slowly, and by its own proper weight, to the

13

ON DIPTERA. 743

bottom of this fluid. But a movement of the tail restores its
equilibrium. Thus it is that these larv^ reascend to the
surface of the water ; but they are seldom seen there, and
they swim as it were by jumps.

Their nymphs have also a great conformity with those of
the gnats. They swim in the same manner, equally suspend
themselves at the superficies of the water, by two sorts of
horns or earlets, situated on the corslet, and which are the
organs of respiration. Being lighter than the fluid which
they inhabit, they always naturally proceed towards its sur-
face, and cannot dive, but by giving some strokes with the
tail. Their head, corslet, and the pectoral prominence in
which the antennae, and the organs of locomotion are enclosed,
form an irregular mass. The abdomen is elongated, curved
like an arch, so that its extremity is placed near the under
part of the head. It is divided into eight rings, the sides of
which have angular inequalities. The nymphs, however,
occasionally extend it in consequence of its great flexibility,
in a right Hne. At other times, it applies itself so exactly
against the breast, that its body has the figure of a flatted
bean. We see, on each side of the head, a large, oval,
black eye. The abdomen is terminated by two oval fins,
similar to two small leaves, having nervures, and by a point,
which appears to correspond to the tail, or the last segment
of the abdomen of the larva. The interior of the body also
presents those two tracheee, of which we have spoken, and its
colour is not changed. The two respiratory tubes of the
corslet may be easily detached, and the insect will not perish.
Degeer, however, remarked, that an individual on which this
operation was performed, did not suffer its last metamor-
phosis. This takes place at the end of about eighteen days,
reckoning from the passage of the larvae to the nymph-state.

The Chironomi, like the last, belong to that division of

744 SUPPLEMENT

tipulariae which have been named cuHciformes. The front
feet, which are vei:y long, they hold in the air, and agitate
like antennae, when they are in a state of repose. The larvas
of these diptera are also aquatic, and have great affinity with
those of culex. The larvae of one species (C plumosis),
which have often been confounded with those of the gnat,
come in great quantities into stagnant waters, and into buck-
ets, &c. filled with this fluid, and exposed to the air. They
there exhibit small terrene masses of irregular figures placed
against the sides, and .especially at the bottom of these
vessels, many of which, pierced with little holes, have some
resemblance to honey-combs, but with round apertures.
There are some, however, which are oblong, and turned in a
vermicular form : they are the entrances of the cells, or
habitations of these animals, which are sometimes observed
to put forth their head or the anterior part of the body.
The body is long, cylindrical, composed of twelve rings, and
a scaly head, of one unvarying figure. It presents, at this
part, two appendages in the form of inarticulate stumps,
membranaceous, and resembling sorts of legs. From the
middle of its penultimate ring, and from its junction with
the last, hang two cords (four in all), usually waved and inter-
laced. From this is derived the name of vers polypes, given
by Reaumur, to these larvae. The aperture through which
they reject their excrements, is situated at the end of the
last ring, and forms by its contour, a square, having at each
angle a little oblong body, similar to an olive ; two of these
bodies are directed towards the head, and two others back-
wards. From the origin of each of these, proceeds another
appendage, but as large again, oblong, bellied at the base,
with the end flat, and crowned with stiff* and prickly hairs ;
these two parts are probably respiratory organs.

These larvae sometimes come out of their dwellings, and

ON DIPTERA. 745

swim pretty near the surface of the water, turning in a circle
in various directions, or giving their bodies all the movements
necessary to carry them whither they are desirous to go.

They even remain thus, out of their retreats, for whole
days together, assembling in great numbers round some leaf
or some little moss, and fix themselves there by the posterior
extremity of the body. Some hundreds of these larvae are
often to be seen agitating themselves at the same time, and
making contortions which appear extremely forced. Some
of them rest upon the bodies of others ; each of them con-
structs its tube, with whatever it meets most light and
spongy ; and though Reaumur was unable to perceive any
thread escaping from the mouth of these animals, he conjec-
tures, nevertheless, from the mode in which they then execute
their movements, that they really spin, and thus connect
the different molecules of which their cells are composed.
The two anterior false feet even appear to serve under these
circumstances, to retain the materials. Fixed by the poste-
rior extremity of their body, they curve it, bring their head
close against this resting point, then deposit the little grains,
and renew the same manoeuvre, until they have concluded
the formation of their tubes.

It is there also that these larvae are transformed into nymphs
remarkable for the handsome white tufts, which furnish the
two ends of their body. The anterior is composed of several
little feathers, which extend even on the sides of the corslet,
where some of them form sorts of stars, with five branches.
The abdomen is narrow and very long. It is terminated by
two hooks, and its tuft is disposed like a fan.

These nymphs are very lively when they are drawn out of
their cases, and when they are put into the water, they
agitate and torment themselves. When the period of their
final metamorphosis is arrived, ten or twelve days after the
preceding, they repair to the surface of the water, there

746 SUPPLEMENT

change place, cause their body to assume different inflexions,
and even sometimes pass an entire day in this situation before
they complete their metamorphosis. Their spoil, which re-
tains its tufts, preserves them from the submersion to which
they are exposed.

The most remarkable species of Tanypus is that which
Degeer calls tipula variegata, and of which he has given us
the history. Its larva is found in the month of May, in the
waters of ditches and marshes. It swims there like a little
serpent, bending its body on one side and the other. It also
walks at the bottom of the water, and over the aquatic plants.
Its body is cylindrical, about three lines in length, not thicker
than a horse-hair, transparent, and of the colour of a dead
leaf, with many small black spots, or deep blue. It is divided
into ten rings, separated by well marked incisions. Its head
is oval, scaly, tolerably large, furnished with two little filiform
antennae, with some small setaceous barbies, making part of
the mouth, and two small eyes, one on each side, in the form
of black points. Its interior presents two black opaque bodies,
having the form of kidneys. The first ring is much longer
and thicker than the others. It represents a sort of corslet,
in the interior of which are distinguished two granular bodies,
which, according to Degeer, may be reservoirs for air. To
the anterior and lower extremity of this ring, are attached
two false feet, similar to wooden-legs, or crutches, proceed-
ing from a common stem, which afterwards divides into two
branches, and the extremity of each of which is crowned with
long mobile hooks, curved externally and superiorly. • The
animal causes those organs to move in various directions,
and can even draw them within the body, so far, that ex-
ternally, they present only the form of stumps. At the
extremity of the last ring, are two other feet, almost similar,
but entirely separate, in their whole length, always hanging
in a perpendicular manner, and always stiff", or extended.

ON DIPTERA. 747

Their direction may change, when the larva, to walk, bends
like some caterpillars, the hinder part of its body downwards,
but it can neither bend nor shorten them. Immediately above
their origin, the last ring is terminated by four triangular,
and very diaphanous plates, and by some hairs. A little
higher, or towards the back of the same ring, are two small
cylindrical perpendicular stems, having at their extremity
from five to six long hairs, disposed like an aigrette. These
appendages, as well as the preceding laminae, are respiratory
organs.

The nymph resembles that of other aquatic tipulariae. Its
body is of a clear and transparent brown, formed, 1. of a
rounded head, a little emarginated, and pointed superiorly,
and with two oval eyes ; 2. of a thick, and as it were, humped
corslet, having two raised pieces above, in the form of earlets,
oval, terminated by a little point, serving for respiration, and
on each side one oval plate, which encloses the wings ; 3. of
an elongated cylindrical abdomen, composed of eight rings
separated by deep incisions, curved like a buckle, and ter-
minated by two small elongated conical points, with aigrettes
of long hairs.

This nymph always remains perpendicularly in the water,
the head upwards, and the curve of the abdomen under-
neath. It is most frequently placed in the middle of the
water, fixes itself, by means of the points of its tail, and
sometimes for a considerable time, to aquatic plants, and to
different bodies. It also comes to the surface of the water,
and swims with quickness, moving its abdomen. At this
time it erects the abdomen, and beats the water with reite-
rated strokes ; it often allows itself to be carried along by the
motion of this fluid. The metamorphosis of the larvae into
nymphs takes place towards the end of May ; a few days
after, these nymphs become perfect insects : for this purpose,
they place themselves at the surface of the water, and the

748 SUPPLEMENT

skin of which they despoil.themselves, forms, as in the meta-
morphosis of the gnats, a sort of boat, which protects the
new-born insect from drowning.

We pass to Cecidomyia. This genus is composed of very
small diptera. The abdomen of the females is terminated by
a very sharp point, sometimies in the form of a dart, which
serves them to sink their eggs into the buds of the leaves or
flowers of many plants. These parts acquire an extra-
ordinary development, and form a sort of gall, which serves
both as habitation and food to the larvge of these insects.
The extremity of the young shoots of the juniper, of the wil-
low, of the lotus, of the vetch, &c. often exhibit those singu-
lar excrescences, or sorts of vegetable monstrosities. Degeer
has compared that which he observed at the extremity of the
young branches of a sort of willow, to a double rose, but
green, or to the fruit of the hop. Swammerdam and Frisch
had observed it before.

The young shoots of the same tree also present some irre-
gular tuberosities, forming elongated masses, or rounded, or of
various figures, and which are ligneous excrescences, pro-
duced by the wound of diptera of the same genus. They are
the cradle of their posterity, which pass the winter there.

The gall, or scurf, of the juniper, is composed of six
leaves, three of which are smaller, interior, and enveloped by
the others. Degeer observes, that the leaves of this shrub
are always placed three by three, in opposition one to the
others, around the same point of the branch, and that the
end of the young shoots is also constantly terminated by three
leaves, between which are often seen three others smaller.
He concludes from this, with reason, that the gall or scurf of
this tree is produced by the germ itself, which without this
alteration would have produced a new shoot. The larva eats
and destroys the interior leaves, and spares only the three
external ones, which, thus receiving a part of the nutritive

ON DIPTERA. 749

juice destined for the preceding, grow to a preternatural
size. In Sweden, the peasants and country people generally,
use them as a remedy for the hooping cough, and name them in
consequence of this use kik-bar, which means berries for the
hooping cough. They boil them in milk, which they then give
to the patient to drink. These juniper-galls are found at all sea-
sons of the year ; but it is only from the month of September
to the May of the following year, that they contain the
larva. It is placed there vertically, with the head upwards.
Its body is but a line in length, of a very lively orange colour,
without feet, divided into twelve rings, and less thick in front
than behind ; its head is rounded with a small pointed emi-
nence, which is apparently the sucker. The larva is trans-
formed in the month of May, or at the commencement of
June, into a nymph, which preserves the same colour, and is
of an oval figure, with two small conical points in the form of
straight horns to the head. Degeer suspects that these are
the organs of respiration. It cannot undergo its final meta-
morphosis if the gall or scurf in which it is enclosed should
be dried up. The perfect insect leaves its spoil at the
pointed opening of the interior leaves : small ichneumons
attack these larva. The nymph of the rose-like gall of the
willow is of a red, more or less deep, according to its different
parts, and does not present the two horns which we have
mentioned, as belonging to the preceding species. It glides,
like it, between the leaves which compose its habitation, to
get rid of its skin at the entrance. We may observe on the
ligneous gall of the willow, the remains of different germs,
which would have shot forth leaves, if the gall had not ab-
sorbed all the nutritive juice destined for the growth of these
leaves. These vestiges of germs form holes or cavities, which
have a communication with the interior of the gall. The
nymphs of the cecidomyiifi, which inhabit it, glide by little
and little into these cavities, as far as their mouths, from

750 SUPPLEMENT

which they even issue forth in part. It is then that they be-
come perfect insects. The larva of the galls of this tree spin
themselves a cocoon, in which they differ from those of the
juniper.

Degeer has found on the leaves of the pine the cocoons of
two other species of cecidomyia : one of these cocoons was
made of pure silk, of a yellowish white, and fixed by threads
of the same material ; but the other cocoon had, besides the
silky envelope, an external coat of resinous and white matter.
The larva which forms, this singular cocoon is distinguished
from the preceding by the presence of two ranges of pointed
nipples, and cleft at the end, resembling feet. Degeer counted
fourteen of these. To issue from its cocoon, the nymph de-
taches, in the form of a cap, a small portion of one of its ex-
tremities.

On the lote-tree, named corniculata, we very often see
some flowers, not yet blown, altogether swelled or monstrous,
and which resemble bladders pointed in front. Their petals
are never open. The larva of another species of the same
genus live in a state of society at the bottom of flowers ;
their body is of a yellowish white, a little flatted, pointed in
front, and rounded behind. At the time of their passage to
the nymph-state, they abandon their primitive dwelling, enter
into the ground, and undergo their metamorphosis there.

In TiPULA (proper) the species oleracea is worthy of a
slight notice. It is found in great abundance in meadows
during the autumn. Reaumur has given a very detailed
description of the sexual organs of this species. The atti-
tude of the female at the moment of laying is very singular :
she holds herself upright, and walks from time to time, and
always in this vertical direction ; the two posterior feet
placed beyond the back, and tolerably behind are, with the
scaly point in the form of a tail at the end of the abdomen,
the only parts which she places on the ground. The animal

ON DIPTERA. 751

makes, by means of this point, a hole in the earth, and after
having introduced a single egg, and perhaps one or two more,
she makes a step forward to re-commence a similar operation.
Her tail or anal point is formed of two valves, the inferior
of which serves to conduct the eggs. It is in the meadows,
and in flower-beds, &c. of gardens, newly worked, that she
deposits them, and the plants which are there are not useless
to her, as the tipula rests upon them her anterior feet.

The body of the larva is in the form of an elongated cylin-
der, a little attenuated at both ends, greyish, and without
feet. The head is scaly, small, provided with two small an-
tennae, and has for a mouth two corneous hooks, fixed, con-
vex without, concave within, denticulated at the upper edge,
with a fleshy and triangular piece in the intermediate space.
The last ring presents six rays of unequal size, disposed in
its contour, along with six stigmata ranged on two lines, and
the upper two of which are the largest. The interior of the
body presents two large longitudinal tracheae, which, near the
posterior extremity, are divided, each into a bundle of small
threads, leading to the stigmata.

When these larvae are very much multiplied in a meadow,
they prove hurtful to its vegetation ; not that they gnaw the
roots of the plants, but, by dint of working, they hinder them
from receiving the nutritive juices from the earth.

The nymph is elongated, cylindrical, with two small horns
to the head, proper for respiration, and small spiny tubercles
on the rings of the abdomen. On the point of completing its
final metamorphosis, this nymph makes use of them to raise
itself, and get near the surface of the earth, when it becomes
a perfect insect.

We have already, under the head of the gnats, noticed the
manners of the mosquito. We could not well separate the
consideration of these insects, in that point of view, as their
habits are identical, and they have been constantly con-

752 SUPPLEMENT

founded together both by travellers and naturalists ; M. La-
treille, however, places this formidable insect in his genus
SiMULiuM. To what we have said above, we shall only add,
that insects of one species of simulium come in immense
quantities in the spring and the end of the summer into the
countries of Servia and Bannat. They attack cattle, pene-
trate into their parts of generation, and cause them to perish
in the course of four or five hours. They are destroyed or
driven away by smoke. The species to which we now allude
is with Linnaeus Culex reptans, and has been made a tipula
( Erythrocephala) by Degeer. It is to be found in France,
in the neighbourhood of Paris, and in the southern depart-
ments. M. Latreille tells us of having once been bitten on
the hand by one of these insects. The mosquito of travellers
has all the comparative characters belonging to the present
genus, as M. Latreille had occasion to verify on some which
were shown him by Michaux, the celebrated botanist, v/ho
brought them from North America. This species differs
from the French one only in being entirely black.

Passing over the intervening sub-genera of tipulari«, which
afford little to arrest our attention, we proceed to the family
of Tanystoma, which will not detain us long. The larvse re-
semble long worms, almost cylindrical, without feet, with a
head either scaly and uniform, or soft and variable, and
always provided with hooks, or retractile appendages, which
serve to gnaw or to suck the substances on which they feed.
The majority live in the earth: they change skin to undergo
their second transformation. Their nymphs are naked, and
present many of the external parts of the perfect insect,
which issues from its spoil through a cleft on the back.

The division Asilici embraces the genus Asilus of Lin-
naeus. These insects are found in fields, gardens, and mea-
dows, especially towards the end of summer and in autumn :
they fly with rapidity, particularly when the sun is very hot ;

ON DIPTERA. 753

in flying they make a humming noise, tolerably loud. All
are carnivorous, and feed exclusively on insects which they
catch on the wing : they seize with their anterior feet, hum-
ble-bees, tipulae, flies, and even coleoptera ; they kill them by
pricking them with one of the pieces of their sucker, which is
a true sting, in the form of a stylet, very pointed at the ex-
tremity, and then they suck them.

The larva of Asilus Forcipatus lives in the earth ; its body
is elongated, a little flatted, without feet, and divided into
twelve rings : the head is scaly, armed with two mobile hooks,
curved underneath, and furnished with some hairs ; its skin
is smooth and shining. It presents four stigmata ; two are
anterior, and form so many points ; the other two are placed
on the penultimate ring, and consist of two small tubes, cylin-
drical, and inclined towards the hinder part. It is also in the
earth that the larva is transformed into a nymph, quitting its
skin like those of the tipulariae, and without forming a cocoon.

The Empides in general are of small size, live on prey, and
not unfrequently on the juice of flowers : they seize small
insects with their feet, and then suck them with their pro-
boscis : they are frequently observed to couple, the male
being on the back of the female, and sometimes occupied in
sucking a fly. Their larvae are unknown.

The BoMBYLii are very agile, and fly with great rapidity.
They hover about flowers without settling on them, and in-
troduce their long proboscis to extract the honied fluid, on
which they feed. In flying they make a noise similar to that
of the humble-bees. They are found in summer. Their
larvae and metamorphosis are unknown : it may be remarked
that they usually frequent hot and sandy soils.

The larvse of Anthrax are unknown. The perfect insect
is found during the fine season in places furnished with
flowers, or near walls situated to the south. These diptera
fly very lightly, especially when the sun is brilliant ; they are

VOL. XV. 3 c

754 SUPPLEMENT

seen to hover in the air, then to fix themselves on plants, and
it is only by a considerable degree of address and celerity
that they can be caught. Some have transparent wings, and
without colours ; others have them opaque, and highly co-
loured.

The NEMESTRiNiE also fly with the greatest lightness,
transport themselves to very considerable distances, and do
not repose a long time on the same flower; they extract from
them with promptitude, by means of their long proboscis, the
meUiferous juices which they contain, and pass hurriedly
from flower to flower : they only rest upon those the nectar
of which has not been exhausted by any other insect. These
diptera are peculiar to the southern countries of Europe, of
Asia, and to Egypt.

The Leptides (formerly Rkagio, of Fab.) are found on
trees and leaves ; it would seem that they hve on rapine. The
Leptis Scolopacea is found throughout all Europe. The
larva is long, cylindrical, of a yellowish white : its head is
small, scaly, brown, and furnished with two small antennas ;
the upper part of the body is furnished with ten fleshy nip-
ples, which perform the office of feet, and serve the purpose
of locomotion. This larva lives in the earth, where it under-
goes all its metamorphoses. Arrived at the term of its
growth, it changes into a nymph, which has several ranges
of short spines on the body, and which becomes a perfect
insect at the end of the month of April.

The habits of the larva oi Leptis Vermileo are very curious.
It is elongated, cylindrical, and of a yellowish grey: the body
is divided into ieleven rings ; the head is of a fleshy substance,
conical, and furnished anteriorly with a sort of scaly dart ; the
last ring of the body is terminated by four fleshy appendages,
tolerably long, in the form of nipples, furnished with long
and stiff' hairs. The anus is placed upon the back, like
that of the larva of the Crioceris, ah-eady noticed, which

13

ox DIPTERA. 755

covers itself with its excrements. This larva, which has been
designated under the name oi Lion-worm, lives on insects ; it
establishes its dwelling like those of the ant-lions, and is often
found in society along with them. It is at the foot of old walls,
in sandy soils, that it forms a sort of tunnel, sheltered from
the rain ; it places itself in the middle, and there remains in
ambush to seize and devour the little insects which have the
misfortune to fall into the snare which is laid for them : after
it has seized its prey it encompasses it with its body, pierces
it with its dart, and very speedily kills it, then it sinks under
the sand, and drags in the insect, to suck it at leisure, and
having drawn out all the substance it flings away the carcase.
Towards the end of the month of May this larva, which has
then acquired its full growth, is changed into a nymph in the
sand, without making any cocoon, and it becomes a perfect
insect about fifteen days after its metamorphosis.

The DoLiCHOPi, so named in consequence of the length of
their feet, have the body ornamented with very brilliant co-
lours. These insects are universally dispersed ; some most
frequently remain near humid places, running on the ground,
over leaves, and sometimes even on the surface of the water ;
others have the habit of frequenting walls and the stems of
trees. Elevated on their long legs, they walk with rapidity
in search of their food, which consists of small insects. M.
Latreille has seen an individual of the species, Rostratus dilate
most remarkably the lips of its proboscis to swallow a living
acarus.

Degeer has noticed the metamorphosis of the species Ungu-
lahis, but as he says nothing relative to their habits, we shall
pass them over. The nymph appears to be of a very unquiet
nature, being continually in a sort of rotatory motion.

Our notice of the little family of Tabanides shall be con-
fined to the Tabani. These insects resemble large flies;
they are sufficiently known by the torment which they cause

3 c 2

756 SUPPLEMENT

to horses and oxen during summer, by sucking their blood
with the utmost pertinacity. They usually appear at the
commencement of this season : it is in low meadows and
humid woods that they are to be found in the greatest abund-
ance ; they fly in the open day with rapidity, and uttering a
humming sound, especially when the weather is very warm,
and the sun shines bright. They fasten on the oxen and
horses which they pursue, and sometimes also attack men,
but more rarely : it has been remarked that it is the females
alone which are so eager for blood, and the same observation
has been made upon the gnats, the males of which never
come to sting us ; the male tabani, therefore, must derive
their nutriment from the flowers, on which they are often
occupied in sucking the melliferous fluid with their proboscis.
They fly most usually in a small space, making many turns,
and appearing to invite the females to approach them.

We know nothing concerning the coupling of these insects,
and their larvae are but little known. Degeer is the only natu-
ralist who has observed that of the Tabamts Bovinus. Accord-
ing to this author, the larva is of a yellowish white, without
feet ; its body is cylindrical, slender at its anterior part, and
divided into twelve rings. Attached to its head are two
large, mobile, scaly hooks, curved downwards, and which
appear to answer the purpose of digging into the earth, where
it lives, and in which it buries itself. It is also in the earth
that it undergoes its metamorphosis, and is changed into a
nymph of a cylindrical form, whose belly is divided into eight
rings, which have each at their posterior edge a fringe of long
hairs. Tlie last is armed at its extremity with six hard scaly
points, which serve as resting points to the nymph when it re-
ascends to the surface of the earth. About a month after
the larva has changed form, the perfect insect issues from its
skin of nymph, which is cleft over the head and corslet.

These insects are found both in the old and new world.

ON DIPTERA. 757

Many are especially remarkable for their colours and the
lustre of their eyes. In the Tabanus Autumnalis, when the in-
sect is dead, the eyes are brown, but of a brilliant black when
it is living.

The diptera which constitute the family of Notacantha,
were placed by Linnaeus in his genus Musca. The majority
of them inhabit marshy places, their larvae being aquatic, and
remain on leaves, and the flowers of plants. Some others
frequent woods, and appear to deposit their eggs in the cari-
ous part, or the wounds of trees.

The larvae have the body long, flatted, divided into rings,
of which the last, usually the longest, forms a sort of tail,
terminated by some barbed or plumose hairs, disposed in a
ray, at the point of the union of which is the aperture
which gives passage to the air. Their head is scaly, small,
oblong, and provided with small hooks and appendages.
Such is especially the form of the aquatic larvae of this family,
the only ones, in fact, with which we are well acquainted.
They respire by holding the end of their tail suspended at the
surface of the water. Their skin becomes the cocoon of the
nymph. Their body, when this takes place, does not change
figure, but becomes stiff and incapable of motion. It floats
upon the water, and its tail often makes an angle with it.
The nymph occupies but one of the extremities of its internal
capacity. The perfect insect issues forth by a cleft which is
made over the second ring. It places itself on its spoil,
where its body becomes strengthened, and completes its deve-
lopment.

The Beris are small insects, and appear in spring, some
inhabit woods, and appear to deposit their eggs in the humid
caries of trees. Others inhabit marshes, and their larvee are
probably aquatic.

The insects of the genus Stratiomys, now forming the
division Stratiomydes of Latreille, have been known for a
long time. Swammerdam has given their history under the

758 SUPPLEMENT

name of Asilus, and Reaumur under that of Mouches a cors-
let arme (flies with armed corslet). Geoffroy, in estabhshing
this genus, preserved the French name, which he Latinized,
or to speak more truly, Hellenized, by that of Stratiomys.

The larva of this insect lives in the water ; it is without
feet, and usually of a greenish or yellowish brown. Its body
is elongated, flatted, thicker at its anterior than at its poste-
rior extremity. Its head is small, furnished with hooks,
which answer the purpose of seizing the little insects on
which it feeds, and with a fleshy nipple with which it sucks
them. At its last ring it has an aperture, or sort of stigma,
through which it pumps the air of which it has need ; near this
aperture is a species of funnel, formed by a great number of
hairs, which hinder the water from penetrating into the stigma.
When this larva is desirous of respiring, it raises its last ring
above the water, and remains a certain time in this position
with the head downwards ; but when it wishes to sink in the
water, it folds back its hairs in the form of a packet, with
which it covers the aperture of the stigma, which by this
means continues dry. Arrived at full growth, it undergoes its
metamorphosis under its larva skin, which hardens and serves
as a cocoon, without changing form. The nymph, much
shorter than the skin, only occupies the anterior part, while
the last four rings remain empty. Eight or ten days after
this metamorphosis, the perfect insect issues from its cocoon,
and goes in search of flowers, to suck the honied fluid
which they contain, and returns to the water only to deposit
its eggs. Most of them, however, frequent aquatic situations,
and remain in the plants or the leaves of vegetables which
grow there.

We now come to the fifth family of diptera, the AxHERiCERiE.

The body of the larva is very smooth, very contractile,
and more narrow and pointed in front. The head is of a
variable form, and its external organs consist of one or two
hooks, accompanied, in some genera, with nipples, and pro-

ON DIPTERA. 759

bably in all with a sort of tongue destined to receive the
nutritive juices. The number of their stigmata is usually
four, two of which are situated, one on each side, on the first
ring, and the two others on as many circular scaly plates, at
the posterior extremity of the body ; it has been observed
that these last are formed, at least in many, of three smaller and
closely approximated stigmata. The larva can envelope these
parts with the surrounding flesh, which forms a sort of purse.
It does not change skin ; that which it has from its birth be-
comes in solidifying a species of cocoon for the nymph ; it
contracts, assumes an ovoid or spherical form, and the an-
terior part, which was more narrow in the larva, augments in
thickness, or is sometimes more thick than the opposite ex-
tremity. The traces of the rings are discoverable there, and
often the vestiges of the stigmata, although they no longer
serve the purpose of respiration. The body is detached by
little and little from the skin or cocoon, presents itself in the
figure of an elongated and very soft ball, on which no parts are
distinguishable, and passes soon after into the state of nymph.
The insect issues from its cocoon by causing its anterior ex-
tremity to shoot off, like a cap ; it detaches it by the efforts
of its head. This portion of the cocoon, besides, is so dis-
posed as to open with facility.

Few of the Athericerae are carnivorous in the perfect state ;
they sojourn for the most part on flowers or leaves, and some-
times on the excrements of animals.

The first sub-genus of the first tribe (Syrphid^) is Volu-
CELLA. These insects resemble humble-bees, and it is even
in the nests of these hymenoptera that their larvae are found.
Some of them are remarkable for the fleshy and radiated
spines on the posterior extremity of their body. These dip-
tera frequent woods, and generally appear in spring : they
send forth a tolerably strong humming sound.

The larva lives, as we have said, in the nests of the humble-

760 SUPPLEMENT

bees ; its body is widened from front to rear, has some trans-
verse wrinkles, some little points on the sides, six mem-
branous threads, disposed like rays at its posterior extremity,
and presents underneath two stigmata and six pairs of nipples,
each fui'nished with three long hooks, which answer the pur-
pose of walking.

TheERiSTALEs also bear some resemblance to the humble-
bees : their most remarkable species is the Eristalis narcissi
whose larva is described by Reaumur. It gnaws the interior
of the bulbs of the narcissus, and thus causes the plant to
perish. Its body is cylindrical, narrowing to a point at both
ends, and wrinkled ; its anterior extremity, near which are
two stigmata, is armed with two parallel hooks, and above
each of them is seen a sort of cleft horn ; the posterior stig-
mata are placed on a cylindrical part, covered by flesh: to
the anus are attached two nipples. Sometimes the larva
undergoes its transformation in the bulb itself, but it most
generally issues forth from it, making a round hole. The
cocoon of the nymph is thick, wrinkled, and grey, with two
horns in front. In the perfect insect the corslet is covered
with fawn-coloured hairs, but those of the abdomen are paler,
or greyish.

We now come to the genus Syrphus, from which the tribe
has received its name. The larva of the Syrphi, or as they
have been called, Aphidivorous worms, remain upon the trees
or plants which are peopled by the aphides, which constitute
their sole aliment, and of which they destroy an immense
quantity. They resemble a membranaceous, conical, elon-
gated worm, a little flatted above, slender, and terminating in
a point at its anterior part, with the hinder part thick, and
more or less rounded. This part presents two approximat-
ing stigmata, placed each on a small elevation, and concealed
by the penultimate ring : the skin is green or yellowish, with
a band, or a line differently coloured, along the middle of the

ON DIPTERA. 761

back ; it is rough or unequal, and more or less provided with
small, fleshy, and conical eminences, sometimes very apparent,
sometimes visible only with the assistance of the microscope,
and sometimes terminated by an articulated point in the form
of a spine. The transparence of the skin permits us to dis-
tinguish the dorsal vessel, the intestinal canal, and some other
interior organs. The under part of the body is furnished
with nipples representing feet, and the number of which is
various ; one species ( Musca pyrastri, Linn.) has no less than
forty-two of them, which are disposed on six ranges. The
action of these parts, the alternate elongation and contrac-
tion of the rings of the body, and a viscous matter which
transudes from the belly, give to these larvae the means of ad-
vancing by creeping, and of even climbing to the top of the
branches to seek their food, and also affixing themselves
there. The manner in which they walk has some relation
with that of the geometrical caterpillars ; they fix themselves
at first with the scaly and pointed instrument of the head,
then they contract the body, and glue its posterior extremity
in the plane of position by means of the viscous substance of the
belly, after which they disengage the head, and carry it forward
to rest it anew, and recommence a similar manoeuvre.

Placed in the midst of a numerous family of aphides, which
appear not to know that they are their enemies, and which
manifest no mistrust, they wait without stirring until some
one of the aphides shall touch them, or walk imprudently
over them ; immediately they turn their head, quickly dart
it on the aphis, so as to seize it, and sink into the body
of the animal the sort of dart with which it is armed, and
of which we have already spoken ; they then raise the an-
terior part of their body, and thus holding the aphis in
the air, they suck it quietly to the very last drop; they
afterwards throw away the skin, the only remaining part
of the carcase : this operation lasts but a very few minutes.

762 SUPPLEMENT

The larva devours other aphides in succession, according as
it is more or less hungry, but always preserving the same
attitude. The aphis being thus suspended in the air, cannot
hook itself with its feet and disengage itself. In the moment
of suction the interior of the larva allows us to see a small
black and elongated part, moving incessantly, and which ap-
pears to be a sort of sucker, or piston, adapted for attracting
into the stomach the fluid and nutritive substance which
escapes from the body of the aphis. Some of these larvge are
satisfied with divers species of aphides ; but there are others
more dehcate, which live only upon one : hunger occasionally
obliges them to devour one another.

Having acquired their full growth, these larvae, which never
change their skin, prepare themselves for their last metamor-
phosis by fixing their hinder part on a stem, a leaf, or some
other suitable object, by means of the glutinous liquid of the
under part of the body ; this substance then hardens like
gum. Thus arrested, they commence by degrees to shorten
the form of their body, so that its length is diminished about
one-third ; the skin hardens, becomes like parchment, and
then forms a hard and solid cocoon, in which the animal at
first passes to the state of nymph, and afterwards to that of
the perfect insect ; it then despoils itself of the thin pellicle
which enveloped it in the first of these states, and issues forth
through a circular aperture at the thick end of the cocoon,
from which there is detached a portion in the form of a cup,
by the effect of the pressure which the insect has exercised
over this part, in pushing it out with its head. A very re-
markable fact is, that in this passage to the nymph-state, the
most slender portion of the body of the larva, or the anterior,
is now the thickest, or forms the thick end of the cocoon, while
the posterior extremity, which was the thickest, has dimi-
nished in volume. A few days are sufficient for the development
of these insects. The last rings of the abdomen form in the

ON DIPTERA. 763

females a sort of tube or auger, which serves them for the
deposition of their eggs.

The Chrysotoxa are not without some resemblance to
wasps, from the yellow spots which cover their black, and al-
most smooth body. They are found on flowers, the honey of
which they suck, and over which they frequently hover for a
long time. Their flight is rapid.

The CerIjE are distinguished from the other genera de-
rived from that of Syrj)hus, by the length of their antennae,
their much separated wings, and their elongated and almost
cylindrical abdomen. There is a small prominence at the
anterior extremity of their head.

These insects are found on flowers, but more particularly
on the trunks of trees, where they appear to deposit their
eggs. In the elongation of their body and antennae, the se-
paration of their wings, and their black colour, mingled with
yellow, they, like the last, also resemble wasps.

Both the habits of Rhingi^ and their larva are unknown;
but it would appear that they hve in the dung of animals.
Reaumur found that of the Rhingia rostrata, in a box which
he had filled with cow-dung, for the use of some other larvae
which feed upon it. This species inhabits Europe in general.

We have now to speak of a very mischievous and torment-
ing tribe, the CEstrus, or Gad-fly,

These insects are seldom found in their perfect state at the
time of their appearance, and the places of their habitation
being very limited, as they deposit their eggs on the bodies
of many herbivorous quadrupeds, they must be sought for in
woods, pasture grounds, &c. Each species of oestrus is gene-
rally parasitical upon a particular species of mammalia, and
chooses for the deposition of its eggs that part of the body
which alone can be suitable to the larva which shall spring
from them: the ox, the horse, the ass, the rein-deer, the stag,
the antelope, the camel, the sheep, and the hare, are, as yet.

764 SUPPLEMENT

the only animals known to nourish the larvse of oestri. These
animals appear to be singularly afraid of this insect when she
approaches them to deposit her eggs.

The habitations of these larvae are of three kinds, which
may be termed cutaneous, cervical, and gastric, according as
they live in tumours found on the skin, in some part of the in-
terior of the head, or in the stomach of the animal. Our coun-
tryman, Mr. Bracey Clark, the first veterinarian in Europe,
has treated this subject very amply and satisfactorily. But
we must content ourselves here with a few generalities.

The eggs from which the cutaneous larvae are derived, have
been lodged under the skin by the mother, with an instrument
like a wimble, such as we have frequently had occasion to men-
tion before. These larvae have no occasion to change their
locality. At their birth, they are in the midst of the purulent
matter which constitutes their aliment. The eggs of the
other species are simply deposited and glued on some parts
of the skin, which are near the natural cavities, into which
the larvae are to penetrate, or placed so as to be licked by the
animal, who thus transports the larvEe into its mouth, and
thence into the stomach. Thus the female of the oestrus ovis
places her eggs on the internal edge of the nostrils of this
quadruped, which then becomes furiously agitated, strikes the
ground with its feet, and files along with the head downwards.
The larva insinuates itself into the maxillary and frontal si-
nuses, and fastens itself, by means of two strong crooks with
which its mouth is armed, to the lining membrane of these
sinuses. The gad-fly of the horse deposits her eggs on the
internal part of the legs, on the sides of the shoulders, and,
but seldom, on the withers. The species which is called
hcemorrhoidalis, whose larva also lives in the stomach of the
same soliped, places her eggs upon its lips. The larvae attach
themselves to the tongue, and proceed through the oesopha-
gus into the stomach, where they live on the humour secreted

ON DIPTERA. 765

from the internal membrane. They are most commonly
found around the pylorus, and rarely in the intestines ; they
are often very numerous, and suspended in clusters. Mr.
Clark, however, believes that they are rather useful that hurt-
ful to this quadruped. Reaumur was of the same opinion.
Vallisnieri, however, attributed to this cause an epidemic
malady, which raged among the horses in the Veronese and
Mantuan territory in 1713. Dr. Gaspari, having on this oc-
casion dissected some mares that died of this malady, found
their stomachs full of the aforesaid larvae : each larva was
lodged in a kind of cell, formed by gnawing the membrane of
the stomach. The external membranes were inflamed, and
the internal ulcerated. There were more than seven hundred
larvae reckoned in the body of a single female. It was sup-
posed that these insects also introduced themselves into the
fundament of horses, to lay their eggs, but Mr. Clark has
shown this opinion to be erroneous.

The CEstrus bovis deposits her eggs upon the skin of the
ox, in a number of small wounds which she makes, and in
which the larva finds both food and an habitation. The
places where they abide are easily recognized by an external
tumour.

The larvae of the oestri have, in general, a conical form,
and are without feet ; their body is composed, mouth not
included, of eleven rings, charged with small tubercles and
small spines, often ranged like cords, and which facilitate
their progression ; the principal respiratory organs on a
scaly plane of the posterior extremity of the body, which is
the thickest. It appears that their number and disposition
are different in the gastric larvae ; it also appears that the
mouth of the cutaneous larva is only composed of nipples,
while that of the interior larva has always two strong hooks.

These larvee do not undergo their metamorphosis in the
place where they have lived ; they issue forth, drop on the

766 SUPPLEMENT

ground, and seek some retired place for this purpose. Those
which have lived in the stomach, follow the course of the
intestines, and escape by the anus, assisted, perhaps, by the
excrementitious dejections of the animal, whose parasites they
have been. It is usually in June and July that these meta-
morphoses take place.

The oestri, as perfect insects, are incapable of taking nu-
triment ; they couple immediately, and shortly die.

It would appear, that man himself is not altogether privi-
leged against the attacks of these insects. Dr. Latham,
according to the report of Mr. Clark, extracted some larvas
from the maxillary sinuses of a woman, which he referred to
the oestrus bovis. Gmelin mentions a larva, of whathe calls
an oestrus hominiS) which sometimes afflicts the inhabitants of
South America ; and Baron Humboldt has seen some Indians
covered with tumours, arising from the presence of larvae.
These testimonies are not to be disputed ; but M. Latreille
thinks that the insect is mistaken, and that the larvae rather
appertain to the Musca canaria, of Linnaeus, or some other
analogous species.

On the little tribe of Conopsari^, there is not much to
say. The Conops are insects of exceeding vivacity ; they
are found in gardens and meadows. Different from the
Asih, which are carnivorous, and with which they have some
resemblance, they feed on the nectar of flowers alone. The
Conops rujipes is found in Europe, in the environs of Paris,
and elsewhere, towards the middle of summer, on the flowers
in meadows ; it lives both in the larva and nymph-state, in
the interior of the abdomen of humble-bees, and issues forth
when it has undergone its last metamorphosis, through the
intervals of the rings ; of this extraordinary fact, M. Latreille
gives us his own personal testimony. He has frequently
found one or two individuals of this species in boxes, in
which he had shut up some humble-bees.

ON DIPTERA. 767

The Stomoxys much resemble the common fly, from
which, however, they are distinguished by their prominently
advanced proboscis. These insects are found every where,
both in the country and in houses. They are very trouble-
some, and prick very strongly with their proboscis, both men
and animals, especially in autumn, the season in which they
are most common. Their larvae is unknown, or perhaps con-
founded with that of the common fly.

The well-known tribe of Muscides, will next claim a little
of our attention.

We are not to suppose that this tribe, thus named by M.
Latreille, from the word miisca (a fly), embraces the whole
genus thus designated by M. Linnaeus. It only comprehends
a part of it, which corresponds, with some trifling difference,
to the genus musca, of Fabricius, as originally limited by that
naturalist.

The muscides in general, have all the bearing of that in-
sect, so well known under the denomination of the common
or domestic fly. The head is hemispherical, the complex
eyes large, and there are three small simple ones, perfectly
distinct. The front of the head is commonly more membra-
naceous than the hinder portion, and of a different colour,
with a longitudinal furrow, or fossette, on each side, for the
reception of the antennae. The corslet is cylindrical, and
apparently but of a single segment. The abdomen of various
figures, but generally long, and the feet with two hooks, and
two pellets or cushions.

The larvae of the muscides are apod, or without elongated
feet, and generally cylindrical; they are soft and flexible;
the front of their body is pointed and conical, the hinder part
thick and rounded ; the head, which is soft and fleshy, is
furnished with one or two scaly hooks, which serve to mince
the substances on which they feed ; these hooks, by their
retraction or advancement, render the form of the head vari-

768 SUPPLEMENT

able. They are accompanied, at least sometimes, by nipples,
and probably in all by a sort of tongue, calculated to receive
the nutritive juices; no eyes are perceptible. The parts
which might be taken for such, are only stigmata or aper-
tures, for the entrance of air into the trachea. The number
of their stigmata is usually four, two of which are situated on
the first ring, and which are those just mentioned, and two
others placed on the middle of a circular, and often scaly
plate, terminating the last ring ; the flesh of its contour can
envelope these organslike a purse, and hinder the introduc-
tion of tumours, or injurious substances. Sometimes each
stigma is composed of three small approximating clefts.

These larvae feed on various substances, both animal and
vegetable. Some devour the flesh of dead animals, whose
putrefaction they accelerate, others live in excrements, dung-
hills, and unctuous earth ; some species eat cheese ; some
others inhabit the bodies of caterpillars, and different larvae,
which they gnaw and consume. Among those which feed on
vegetable substances, some live in leaves, which they sap in-
ternally ; others live in galls, mushrooms, seeds of plants, and
fruits. The rat-tailed larvee, which inhabit muddy and
marshy waters, and which feed on the fragments of rotten
leaves, and other such matters, belong to the SyrpJiides.
The use of the carnivorous larvae of the genus musca appears
to be to consume the carcases of animals which are dispersed
in the woods and fields, and which have been spared by wild
beasts. From their numbers, they are capable of consuming
a carcase in a very little time. Those which live on excre-
ments seem to be born for the purpose of purging the earth
from aggregations of filth, which might otherwise prove pes-
tilential.

The larvae of the muscides do not quit their skin for the
metamorphosis. This external skin grows hard, becomes
scaly, and forms, as it were, an oblong cocoon, of a reddish

ON DIPTERA. 769

or moronne brown, which encloses all the parts of the insect.
In this sort of cocoon the larva assumes at first the figure of
an elongated ball, in which no distinct part is visible ; it is
but a simple mass of soft flesh. Afterwards this ball becomes
developed, and takes the figure of a nymph, in which all the
external parts of the perfect insect are to be seen. In the
larva the anterior extremity of the body was -the most slender
part, here, on the contrary, it is the thickest ; the other was
most bulky in the larva, in the nymph it is the reverse.

Among the diptera of this tribe there is one that deposits
its eggs in cheese. From these come forth larvae, whose
external form presents nothing very remarkable, but they
exhibit a phenomenon of a surprising kind, namely, the leaps
wiiich they execute by rising and shooting into the air, some-
times to the height of more than six inches. These leaps are
the more astonishing in so small an insect, inasmuch as it
appears to possess no organ which can assist it in making
them. To discover how this manoeuvre is performed, we
must attentively consider a larva which is preparing for a
leap. We shall observe it rise upright on its posterior part,
and maintain itself in this position by means of some tubercles
which are situated at the last ring of its body. Subsequently it
bends itself, forms a sort of circle by bringing its head to-
wards its tail, sinks the two hooks of its mouth in the two
sinuosities which are at the skin of the last ring, and holds
them strongly fastened. All this operation is but the affair
of a moment. Then it contracts itself, and rears up so
promptly, that the two hooks in springing from the two
sinuses in which they were retained make a slight noise. By
this quick movement the body strikes the ground with force,
and rebounds at the same time to a considerable height. It
is to Swammerdam that we are indebted for the first observa-
tions on this manoeuvre of these larvae. They are often

VOL. XV. 3 D

770 SUPPLEMENT

found in great quantities in old and half rotten cheese ; we
vulgarly call them maggots.

After having remained for a longer or a shorter time in the
nymph-form, according as the season is favourable to their
development, these diptera issue forth from their cocoons.
To effectuate this end they break off and push out a portion
with their head, which swells in this operation ; on issuing
forth their wings are folded, rumpled, and so short, that they
appear to be but stumps ; but they are soon developed, ex-
tend, and become level and smooth, as is the case with other
insects.

These insects, like all others to be fecundated, must
couple : there is nothing singular in their mode of coupling,
excepting in that of the domestic fly ; the female of this
species, instead of receiving the organ of the male, introduces,
on the contrary, into his body a long fleshy tube ; we often
observe the males jump upon the females to solicit them to
couple, but it never takes place except when the latter are so
disposed.

This species of fly, and some others, are subject to a
malady which is rather singular, and the cause of which is
unknown ; their belly swells remarkably, its rings are sepa-
rated, and the pieces moreover which cover them are removed
from one another ; the skin is extremely tense, and perfectly
white. If their belly be opened we find it full of a fat unc-
tuous matter, of a white colour, which penetrates the skin,
and accumulates on the surface of the body. In this state
these flies hook themselves with their feet upon walls, on
windows, and on plants in meadows, where they are found
dead.

The flowers of the rose-laurel {Nerium oleander), and some
others, also often exhibit the carcases of many small flies, and
of anthomyi(S^ which are suspended to the threads of their

0\ DIPTFRA. 771

stamina. But under these circumstances, these flies have
not been poisoned. A very viscous fluid has glued the ex-
tremity of their proboscis against these parts, so that they
are not able to disengage themselves, and consequently
perish. We have the authority and personal testimony of
M. Latreille, for this explication of the fact. Other diptera
may likewise perish, in the corollse of some flowers {Dionoea
muscipula), in consequence of the irritation of the corollse,
which obliges them to close, and retain these same insects
captive.

In a very short time, often even but in a few hours after
their fecundation, the females proceed to lay their eggs, and
place them in those situations in which the larvae are destined
to reside. The sense of smell, in a choice so important to the
prosperity of their generations, is their only guide. They are
sometimes, however, deceived in this particular. Thus the
meat-fly will occasionally deposit its eggs to no purpose on the
arum dranunculus, a plant which exhales a cadaverous odour.
Felix d'Azara reports, in his voyage to Paraguay, that a
swarm of flies, and probably of a species analogous to the
preceding, assailed him, as well as his horse, in one of his
journeys, and overwhelmed him with an innumerable multitude
of eggs. The other species of fly before mentioned, also
sometimes deposits its eggs on the human body, as its larvge
have occasionally been extracted from human subjects.

Some flies, but few in number, present us with this pecu-
liarity, that they give birth to living larvas. But they are
less fruitful than those which lay eggs, since the larvge occupy
more space in the interior of the insect ; they bring forth but
two young ones at a time.

The OcYPTERA constitute a genus very much approximat-
ing to Musca proper. They are found pretty often upon
flowers, and sometimes on the glass of cross-bar windows ;
they run very fast, agitating their wings. We are informed

3 D 2

772 SUPPLEMENT

by Degeer, that one species is viviparous. But it is to M.
Leon. Dufour, that we are indebted for a knowledge of two
species, the O. CassidcB and O. hicolor. That of the first
species lives in the visceral cavity of the Cass> bicolor, and
that of the second in the same cavity of the Pentatoma grisea.
Both of them feed on the epiploon of those insects. Their
body is oblong, soft, whitish, perfectly free of hair, furrowed,
and contractile. Its anterior end presents two nipples
having each two small cylindrical bodies, terminated like a
button, umbilicated at the centre, and two corneous pieces
pretty strong, having each, externally, a large hook, or two
which makes them appear forked and set back to back by
their convexity. It appears, according to the figure given
by this naturalist, that there should be one for each nipple
and these interior. He considers them as mandibles, and the
sort of palpi of which we have spoken, and whose disk is
pierced at the centre, should be a sort of pedipalpi, per-
forming the office of a cupping-glass, or serving the purpose
of tact. The body of these larvae is terminated by a sort of
syphon, of the length of one-third of the body, of a more solid
consistence, of an invariable form^ and narrowing as it goes
on, with the appearance of two hooks at the end. The pos-
terior extremity of this syphon, occupying one of the nieta-
thoracic stigmata, and in contact with the air, serves for the
respiration of the larva. Neither eyes nor antennas are dis-
coverable. It is in the same sojourn that the larva passes
into the nymph state. This nymph is ovoid, without any
trace of rings, and presents at one of the ends (O. Cass'idd)
four, and (O. bicolor) six tubercles. It quits its dwelling be-
fore it becomes a perfect insect, sometimes without the insect
in which the larva has resided perishing, and sometimes at
the expence of its life. These larvae have two salivary ves-
sels, four biliary vessels, some tracheae, altogether tubular,
without a mother-of-pearl appearance, or transverse striae.

ON DIPTERA. 773

and disposed into two principal trunks, sending forth a great
number of ramifications. Tliese trunks appear to have one
common mouth through a single orifice at the base of the
caudal syphon. The alimentary tube is about four times the
length of the body, and presents a capillary oesophagus, or
crop in the form of a turbinated calyx, which insensibly de-
generates into a tubular stomach, folded back upon itself, and
followed by a flexuous intestine, a rectum but Uttle per-
ceptible, and terminated by an oblong ccecum.

The Flies (Musca proper) are insects, which of all others
must be best known, since they are met with every where,
both in fields and houses. They fly with rapidity, and then
send forth a buzzing sound, which, as is usually believed, is
caused by the friction of their wings against the sides of the
corslet. They are extremely troublesome, and incessantly tor-
ment both men and animals. Those which fly in our apart-
ments, and which may be termed domestic flies, place them-
selves continually, in crowds, upon our viands, and particu-
larly on pastries, sweetmeats, &c., which they suck with their
proboscis, for they are extremely fond of sugar, and of every
thing which is sweet. They injure gildings, ceilings, and
the frames of pictures, by depositing their excrements upon
them, which are in a liquid form. They are very abundant
during the whole summer, but more especially in July and
August. Many species frequent flowers for the purpose of
sucking the honey; but many others go in search of carcases,
meat, &c., principally for depositing their eggs there. Those
carnivorous habits even form the distinctive character of the
diptera of this genus.

We insert a figure of Dalman's Celyphus obtectus, which
is purplish blue, with the antennaD and legs rufous, and the
wings virescent. Of the singular genus Diojjsis we insert
a new species, D. fasciata. The thorax is black, the
head and anterior legs fulvous, but the posterior pair are
partly black; the abdomen is brown, with several narrow white

774 SUPPLEMENT

cross bands, and there are four spines on the posterior part
of the thorax.

We also insert the figure of a new genus of the Mu-
scidae, which Mr. Westwood calls Diateina, which is allied
to Colobata, but differs, by having the third articulation
of the antennae very long, and the first joint very fine and
plumose ; the legs are long, with the femora of the anterior
pair serrated. The species he names Holymenoides : it has
the head and thorax fulvous, with a large black mark on the
centre of the latter ; the body is fulvous (partly mutilated in
the specimen), the anterior legs black, the four posterior legs
fulvous, with the tip of the femora and cilifB black. This
curious insect is from Brazil.

We have illustrated the curious genus Achias with several
figures; the first which we will notice is named Phagioce-
phalus tubularis by Wiedemann. The head is ferruginous,
beneath whitish ; the middle of thorax and base of abdomen
whitish ; the wings marked with brown, which is trilobed on
the anterior margin. This species is separated from Achias
on account of the antennae being naked and simple, the thorax
somewhat circular and large, the abdomen small and oval.

The second is figured under the name of Diopsis brevicor-
nis, of Say ; but Mr. Say has since formed this species into
a separate subgenus, under the name of Sphryracephala, in
his work on American insects.

The third Trigonosoma perilamplformis has the thorax
subquadrate, the abdomen triangular and short, the general
colour is brown.

And the third and last species is the Zygothrica dispar, of
Wiedemann. It is brown ; the abdomen yellow, with a spot
of black in the centre ; the legs also yellow. The generic
characters are — the antennae short and plumose ; the head
very broad in the male, and narrower in the female ; the ab-
domen large and vespiform.

The funiily of PupirAKA is composed of the Linnaean genus

ON DIPTERA. 775

HiPPOBOSCUS. To the anatomical researches of M. Leon.
Dufour, we are indebted for the knowledge of some very
curious facts relative to this family, such as the existence of
salivary glands, of a sort of matrix, consisting of a large
musculo-membranaceous pouch, intended for a real gestation,
analogous to the female uterus in the human species, and
ovaries totally different from those of other insects. They are
formed of two ovoid, obtuse bodies, filled with a white homo-
geneous pulp, free and rounded at one end, and leading by
the other to a proper conduit. According to him these
ovaries, in their configuration and position, approximate very
singularly to those of women. Reaumur had a glimpse of their
existence. The matrix, at first very small, is dilated by the suc-
cessive progress of gestation, enormously infringes upon all
the viscera, and finishes by invading the entire abdominal capa-
city, to which it imparts a most considerable amplification.

The Hippohosci deserve most particularly to be known, for
the state in which they appear at the moment of their birth.
They fix themselves on the neck, the shoulders, and other
parts of the body of the horse ; it is to those parts that are
the least defended by hair that they most particularly attach
themselves. They often remain under the belly, between the
thighs, and sometimes even pass under the tail. It is then
that they occasion the greatest annoyance to the animal.
Horses are not the only animals which are tormented by their
attacks : they are found frequently enough on horned cattle,
and in the country they are at times found on dogs, which
has caused them to be sometimes named dog-flies ; but the
flatted form of their body, which almost touches the surface on
which they are placed, sufficiently distinguishes them from the
muscidae. They hold their feet considerably apart from the
body ; they rather use their wings for the purpose of getting
away, and when an attempt is made to seize them, they betake
themselves to a rapid flight.

776 SUPPLEMEXT

For our acquaintance with the generation of the hippobos-
cus, we are principally indebted to the illustrious Reaumur.
It was he who discovered that this insect lays a singular egg,
almost as thick as its belly, from which issues forth an insect,
which, to all appearance, does not pass through the larva
state, but which possesses the full size, and all the parts which
are peculiar to it, in its final form, at the moment of its exclu-
sion. This egg, on coming out of the body of the female, is
as white as milk. At one of its ends is a large black plate,
which shines like ebony : it is of a rounded form, flat like a
bean, emarginated at the end where the plate is, and forms,
in that part, as it were, two horns, or two rounded eminences.
This plate is hard, whereas the shell of the egg is soft, and
yields a little to pressure. The egg, as we have said, when
newly laid, is perfectly white, with the exception of the plate
and the eminences, which are black ; but this last colour soon
becomes general. The skin is then shining, and will resist
a tolerably strong pressure of the fingers : thus this envelope,
is a species of cartilage or shell, of a sensible thickness, and
not easily to be cut, even with a good pair of scissors. The
diameter of the greatest breadth of these eggs is more than a
line and a half, and that of the greatest thickness a line and a
quarter. The dimensions of the body of the female which
has not laid her egg, or is not ready to lay, scarcely equals that
of one of these eggs ; from which it follows, that the interior
cavity of the body in the ordinary state is not, within a great
deal, capable of containing one of them. But it is with the
body of this insect as with a bladder, or a purse, which ex-
tend in proportion as they are filled. It would be an im-
mense operation, indeed, for an insect to bring forth from
its body an egg whose volume should surpass that of the
body itself; but the hippoboscus only lays eggs in propor-
tion to its size. It is not until after they leave the body, that
these eggs acquire this monstrous bulk ; but their growth is

ON DIPTERA. 777

SO instantaneous, that the majority of observers have believed
that they came out as large as we see them.

Nature, in producing these insects, appears to deviate from
the path which she has pursued to conduct the others to
perfection. It is under its shell that the insect grows : en-
closed in this shell, it undergoes all its metamorphoses ; ac-
cordingly, this envelope is by no means analogous to that of
ordinary eggs. It has even been the skin of the insect before
it was metamorphosed into a nymph. Reaumur has proved
this by opening one of the eggs which the perfect insect had
just quitted ; he found in the interior the spoil of the nymph,
as we find in the cocoon of a fly that of its nymph, under the
skin of the larva which it has quitted, and which becoming
hard, has served it as a cocoon.

The hardness and solidity of the shell of each egg render
it very proper for defending the insect, which it encloses.
This advantage, one might imagine, would turn against the
hippoboscus, when with such feeble parts, which have not
yet acquired all the consistence which the air will give them,
it is obliged to force the walls of its prison. But the same
art which has been employed in the construction of the
cocoons of flies has also been adopted in that of those of the
hippobosci. From the thick end of each of them, where the
head is, it is easy with the point of a pen-knife to make a sort
of cap shoot off, which, when pressed, will be found divided
into two equal pieces. If we observe an entire cocoon with
a microscope, we may perceive a slight mark, which indicates
the place where this cap unites with the rest of the cocoon.
When the proper time is come for the insect to separate it,
the animal no doubt has the power of inflating its head, as
flies have in similar situations.

Experience has proved that the hippobosci have no more
objection to piercing the human skin than that of the horse
or the ox ; but their bite is not more sensibly felt than that of

778 SUPPLEMENT

a flea ; it excites a strong degree of itching at the moment of
suction, but is followed by no swelling, it only leaves a small
red spot, which disappears after the departure of the insect,
from which it appears that the hippobosci are not so redoubt-
able as the gnats, which do not fail to envenom the wounds
which they inflict.

We are not acquainted with the number of eggs laid by
the hippoboscus, the time which elapses between the cou-
pling and the oviposition, or the interval which passes be-
tween the laying of each egg.

" In employing this last term," says M. Latreille, " to
indicate the form of these insects at the moment in which
they issue from the mother's womb, I merely lend myself to
the usual form of speech, that which has been employed even
by Reaumur and Degeer themselves. But the facts which I
have related, compared with those which have been collected
respecting the metamorphoses of the other animals of the
same class, clearly evince that this expression is inexact.
The egg of the hippoboscus discloses in the belly of the
mother, the larva remains and is nourished there, nor is it
expelled until the moment in which it is passing to the state
of nymph. This egg, therefore, is nothing but an oviform
nymph, having a little shell for an envelope, and formed, like
the cocoons of many other diptera, by the old dermis ; but it
presents no appearance of rings, and this character distin-
guishes it from the preceding. It may be compared to a
bea7i, and this denomination would suit it better than it suits
the chrysalis of the Silk-worm, to which it has been applied."

The Ornithomyle are found upon some birds, more
especially upon swallows in their nests ; they hook themselves
very strongly to the plumage and the skin.

The NycteribIjE are very curious insects of this family,
and so closely approximating to the lice, that they would ap-
pear at first sight, to constitute a passage from those insects

ON DIPTERA. 779

to the Arachnids. They present, however, all the major
characters of the hippobosci, of Linnaeus. Any detail of
these characters must not be expected here. Linnaeus tells
us, that the Pedicidus Vesjiertilionis, which M. Latreille con-
ceives to be a nycteribia, has not the power of walking upon
a smooth and level plane. This is confirmed by Hermann.
These insects, having the head implanted on the back, and
small, it is difficult to conceive how they can suck the blood
of the bats which forms their exclusive aliment; but, accord-
ing to the observations of Montagu, they are turned upon
their backs in the operation of suction.

We further illustrate this order by the following figures of
new species, viz. Toxophorafnlva. The species is fulvous, with
a black mark on the thorax, and black lines across the abdo-
men. Ploas oegeriformis, piceous with a yellow margin to the
thorax ; the legs and antennae are black. Pterodontia Jlavipes ,
a singular insect, which should be placed near Henops of
Illiger. It is black, with the scutellum and base of the
squamulae brown, the base and centre of the abdomen black,
the rest reddish brown, the wings yellowish, the legs yellow,
with the posterior femora black. It differs from Henops in
having the wings very truncate, with a spur near the tip,
and the scutellum rather longer. Psilodera capensis is also a
new genus, allied to Bombilius, but differing from it by having
the thorax very gibbose, more like that of Henops ; the wings
are diaphanous. It is fulvous, more or less bright, and the
head black. The specimen is from the Cape, and is in the
British Museum. Tephrites violacea has the thorax pyi'i-
form, blue ; the abdomen violet blue ; the legs black ; the wings
brown, marked with white. Microdon englossoides is glossy
green, with the posterior part of the abdomen and legs blue,
the wings rather brown. Miopa nigripennis has the body
and legs light brown, the wings dark brown, with two marks
on the posterior border white, the one near the base long
13

780 SUPPLEMENT ON DIPTERA.

and narrow, curving towards the base. Lastly, Anthrax
viarginicollis, has the thorax green, with a white hne on
each side ; the body blue, and the wings diaphanous, with
the anterior part and base black.

It is no less a point of duty than of inclination in the
Editors, on closing the present portion of their work, to ac-
knowledge their obligations to John George Children, Esq.,
and to the Rev. Frederick William Hope, for the very kind
and liberal manner in which those gentlemen have allowed so
many of the new genera and species in their entomological
cabinets to be figured and described in this work. An in-
ordinate love of distinction too often induces persons of re-
spectable acquirements, in particular studies, though of con-
tracted intellect in the gross, to pursue their favourite ob-
ject under the cloak of an abstract love of science, per fas
et nefas, and to add to legitimate emulation the paltry arts
of envy and detraction; this it is which has induced the trite
observation, that men of science and of literature are a
jealous body ; and it is, therefore, the more essential that
distinguished instances of liberality, and disinterested love of
science, when they do occur, should not be slighted or for-
gotten.

Mr. G. R. Gray has selected from the above mentioned
collections, and has named and described the several species
figured. He has also designed the plates intended to illustrate
the terminology of the several orders.

ALPHABETICAL LIST

SPECIES OF INSECTS,

FIGURED.

Note. — Many of the species figured did not occur till after the supplementary
observations on the order to tvhich they belong were printed ; as these therefore are not
noticed in the work, a brief description of them is inserted in this list : descriptions are
also inserted of all those published by M. Guerin, in his " Iconographie du Regne
Animal," which have been copied in this work, no accounts of which have hitherto been
published by M. Guerin.

PL. FIG.

8. 8 AcANTHOCELis ruficomis, vol.
i. page 201

Black, with the antennae and
palpi rufous.
96. 2 Acanthomera gratilla, i. 552.

Brown.
8n. 8 Acanthopterus budensis, de-
tails of,ii. 103
88. 7 Acanthopterus tripunctatus, ii.
103

Head and thorax red, the latter

spotted with black, elytra

black, with base and band

yellow.

95. 1 Acrocinus Trochlearis, ii. 108.

Brown, spotted with yellow.

113. 9 Acrydium tarsatum, ii. 176

Green ; legs banded with
black and yellow, tipped
with red.
113. 10 Acrydium migratorium, details

of, ii. 176
126. 7 Adela Degeerella, ii. 627
80. 2 Adelium cupreum, ii. 22. and
pi. Ixxiv. f. 2. details.

PL. FIG.

16. 4 Adelocera Chabanni', vol. i.
page 317-

Fulvous, marked with black.
56. 10 Adelostoma rugosa, i. 547. and
pi. lix. f. 12. details.
Brownish black.
126. 6 iEcophora Linnaeella

Reddish brown, upper wings
partly red, with three sil-
very dots.

23. 1 /Egialia cornifrons, i. 460.

Shining black.
120. 2 i^^^gocera rectilinea, ii. 600

Fulvous, with a transverse
band of white, and three
black marks, lower wings
deeper, with margin and
spots black.
51. 2 jEsalus scarabaeides, i. 493

Reddish brown.
94. 3 iEshne of Egypt, lower lip of,
ii. 296

24. 2 Agacephalafurcata, i. 469

Fulvous, thorax green
bronze.

782

INDEX.

PL. FIG.

53. 2
.53. 1

107. 2
120. 9

120. 11

129. 11
26. 10

94. 4

94. G

94. 5

56. 7

22. 5

134.

1

111.

1

126.

1

C8.

10

92.

5

37.

7

42. 2

42.
36.
65.

3

8
4

70.
85.

1
9

32.

4

20.

4

Agarista glycinse, cat. and 42.

chrys. of
Agarista Pales, vol. ii. page
596

Brownish black, with the 44.

siimmit and a muscular
band across the centre
white, the lower wings
with the centre white, 68.

tinged with blue, base of
wings beneath orange.
Aglae ccerulea, ii. 576 96.

Aglaope infausta, cat. and

chrys. of
Aglaope Americani, ii. 55.

Blue, with a red collar-.
Aglossa dilucidalis, ii. 623 I7.

Agra splendida, i. 194 10.

Greenish bronze. 18.

Agrion chinensis, ii. 296 13.

Upper wings brown, lower 26.

wings black, viridescent,
body green. 42.

Agrion puella, Nymph, and de-
tails of, ii. 296 125.
Agrion virgo, lower lip of, ii. 50.

296

Akis Goryi, i. 546. and pi. Ivii.

f. 15. details.

Black.

Aleochara canaliculata, i. 298

Bronze, elytra, and base of 134.

abdomen rufous. 45.

Aleurodes Chelidonii, ii. 227

Alphaneura rufescens, ii. 575

Alucita aspirella, ii. 625

Alydus annulicornis, ii. 218 123.

Brown. 132.

Alydus pellucidus, ii. 241

Amblyteres geminatus, i. 476

Hirsute dark green, legs

rufous.

Amphicoma Bombyliformis, i.

487

Hirsute black, with tip of the 76.

elytra reddish yellow.
Amph. Lasserii, details of, i. 487 55.

Amydetes, Ant. of, i. 333
Anacolus lugubris, ii. 116. and 2.

pi. Ixxiii. f. 3. details
Anacolus, 4 punctatus, ii. 1 16
Anacolus sanguineus, ii. 100
Rufous, with the tip of the
elytra black
Andrena pilipes, ii. 382

Brilliant black.
Anelastes Drurii, Ant. of, i.
325

9 Anisonyx nasua, vol. i. page
489

Hirsute black, elytra cas-
taneous.

3 Anisoplia suturalis, i.

Green, with a longitudinal
band on each elytron, and
legs brownish red.
9 Anisoscelis profanus, ii. 218
Dark brown, suture of the
wings yellow,
7 Anomalipes dentipes, allied to
Heteros'celis, ii. 554.
Bronze black.
2 Anoplognathus Latreillii, de-
tails of, i. 477
Antennae magnified, pi. i. 42
Antennae magnified, pi. ii. 42
Antennas magnified, pi. iii. 43
] Anthia Buvchellii, i. 270

1 Anthia, 10 guttata, mouth of,

i. 184

4 Anthipna abdominalis, i. 487

Green, elytra fulvous.
6 Anthrax marginicoUis, ii. 780

2 Antiraachus cornutus, and pi.

Ixix. f. 3. details.
Black. The type of a genus
near Tenebrio.

5 Aphanisticusemarginatus, 1.313

Dark green.
5 Aphis rosae, ii. 227
11 Aphodius bipunctatus, i. 458
Red, with the centre of the
thorax and two spots on
the elytra black.

3 Apis centuncularLs, ii. 381

4 Apis mellifica, ii. 381

Male, female, worker, and
honeycomb.

4 Apogonia gemellata, i. 477

Black.

5 Apotomus rufus, i. 206

Rufous.

6 Apterozyna Ehenbergii, ii.

515
10 Areoda Kirbii, i. 482

Copperish green.
1 Argynnis callithea, ii. 587

Violet black, with a broad
oblique band of orange
across the upper wings ;
the lower wings, with the
exterior margin verdigris,
with black spots; beneath
the upper orange, with the
exterior margin verdigris,
with three black spots.

INDEX.

783

PL. FIG.

2. 2

2. 3

105

3

127.

3

96.

10

52.

2

45.

1

Argynnis moneta, vol. ii. page

587
Argynnis paphia, cat. and chrys.

ii. 587
Ascalaphus barbarus, ii. 328
Ascalaphus Brasiliensis, ii.

298
Asida loevigata, mouth of, i. 555
Astrapoeus ulminseus, i. 290
Ateuchus jEgyptiorum, i. 451

Bronze black, with the head
black.
Ateuchus sacer, details of, i.

452
Athyreus Bilbergii, i. 508
Athyreus castaneus, i. 464

Rufous, head and thorax
darker.
Atychia puniila, ii.COl

Black, spotted with white.
{a.)

Fore wings yellowish, the

lower wings with a white

band, and margin with

yellow.

Aulacus Chilensis and details.

Blackish.

This genus is allied to Ero-
dius.
Axinophorus Brasiliensis, i.

271, and pi. xxxiv. f. 2. de-
tails.

B.

1 10. 2 Bacillus. Ant. of, ii. 173
110. 4 Bacteria scabrosa, ii. 173

Green, joints and tip of ab-
domen orange.

3 Barbicornis (Chroma) basalis,
ii. 593

4 Belostoma marginata, ii. 248
4 Bembex rostrata, ii. 376

Black varied with yellow.
11. 10 Benibidion. Max. palpi of, i.
240
Beris violaceus, ii. 699
Thorax bright green ; ab-
domen violet.
Blaps mortisaga, i. 553

Black.
Blaps sulcata, mouth and ant.
of, i. 553
96. 14 Blapstinus punctatus, details

of, i. 558
104. 4 Blatta iEgyptiaca, details of, ii.
171

45. 2

40. 3
23. 7

120. 8
120. 8

124. 1

13. 5

102.

93.
132.

114.

96.

96.

78. I Blatta maculata, vol. ii. page
187
For Maculata read rugicollis.
104. 3 Blatta (Phoraspis)picta,ii. 171
Purplish, with a short pink
band on the elytra.
78. 3 Blepharis elegans, ii. 190
2.3. 8 Bolboceras fulvus, i. 465

Fulvous.
123. 2 Bombus ruderata, ii. 381
54. 4 Bombyx digramma, ii. 608

Yellow, with two transverse

wavy bands, and two small

white spots, with black

pupil near the apex.

54. 5 Bomb. Pennsylvanica, cat. of,

ii. 608
98. 7 Boros thoracicus, i. 561

Brown.
26. 4 Brachinus Jurinei, i. 186

Rufous, elytra black, with
two spots in the centre,
and margin rufous.
47. 4 Brassolis astyra, ii. 592

Dark brown, with a broad
band of rufous on the
upper wings.
49. 2 Brenthus Temminckii, ii. 68
85. 4 Brontes flavipes, details of, ii.

95
85. 3 Brontes spinicollis, ii. 95
Bronze brown.
9. 1 Buprestis bicolor, i. 311

Dark green, with the poste-
rior angle of the thorax and
the spots on the elytra yellow
31. 3 Buprestis bifasciata, i. 358
31. 2 Buprestis flavomarginata, i.
358
9. 2 Buprestis gigas, details of, i.

311
9. 4 Buprestis Lalandii, i. 311
Copperish bronze.
31. 4 Buprestis penicillata, i. 358
9. 3 Buprestis rubripennis, i. 311
Head and thorax black, the
latter margined with yel-
low, elytra red.
31. 1 Buprestis Whitehillii, i. 358

98. 8 Calcar elongatus, i. 561

Black.
88. 6 Callichroma speciosa, ii. 103

Shining green, with the an-
tennae and legs rufous

784

INDEX.

82. 4

39.

100. 4 Callidium insubrecum, vol. ii.
page lOo
Dark green.
Callimorpha Lecontei, ii. 611
Upper wings black, spotted
with white, lower wings
white, head yellow, body-
white, with a black stripe
down the centre.

1 CallirhipisChildreni,vol.i. page
365. and pi. Ixi. f. 1. details.

6 Callirhipis Dejeanii, detail of,

i. 325
5 Callirhipis Goryi, i. 325

Blue black.

2 Callirhipis ruficornis, i. 365
2 Calosoma rufipennis, i. 235

Black, with the elytra ru-
fous.
5 Calyptocephalus fasciatusj i.
370. and pi. Ixi. f. 3. details.
2 Cambala lactaria, i. 142

Brown, with the front edge

of the rings dotted.
Allied to Tulis: but the head
is furnished with a row of
minute okelli on each side.
4 Camptognatha testacea, ii. 516
IG. 15 Campylus denticoUis, i. 322

Fulvous, head and antennae
black.
2 Canopus punctatus, ii. 233
7 Carabus rutilans, i. 233
Copperish green.

2 Carpophagus Banksii, ii. 126.
and pi. ci. f. 2. details

3 Casnonia Senegalensis, i. 189
Rufous ; head, and a band

across the back black.

4 Castnia acrceoides, ii. 597

Brown, veined with black,

the lower wings red, with

the veins and margins

black.

12. 3 Catadromus tenebrioides, i.214

20. 2 Cebrio fuscus, i. 324

Hirsute, brown.
20. 3 Cebrio gigas, antennae of, i.
324
1 Celyphus obtectus, ii. 773

1 Centrotus furcatus, ii. 261 and
pi. cxxxviii. 1. details.

2 Centrotus globularis, ii. 261
5 Cephalotes rufipes, i. 218

Copperish bronze, antennae
and legs rufous.
10 Cerx. (Callichroma) heniiptc-
rus, details of, ii. 103

20.

20.

39.
11.

39.

135.

16.

92.
11.

67.
26.

53

125.
108.

108.
25.

«8

PL. FIG.

88. 9 Cerambyx heros, ant. of, vol. ii.
page 104
100. 3 Cerambyx hirtipes, ii. 104

Black.
100. 1 Cerambyx rufipennis, ii. 104
Rufous, head and thorax
black.
100. 2 Cer. speculifer, ii. 104

Bronze black, with a silver
spot on the elytra.
55. 9 Cerasp. albida, details of, i. 482
55. 8 Ceraspis decora, i. 481

Brownish white, with a black
spot on each elytron, head
and thorax dark brown,
the latter with the poste-
rior angles white.
109. 2 Cercopis fulvoscutellata, ii. 262
11. 6 Cerophytum elateroides, i. 318
Black.
100. 5 Certallum ruficolle, ii. 105

Green, thorax, antennae and
tarsi rufous.
35. 8 Cetonia aurata, details of, i.

495
35. 7 Cetonia Baxii, i. 495

Green, spotted and striped
with red.
37. 4 Chasmodia brunnea, i. 474

Castaneous, shining.
42. 5 Chasmopterus hirtulus, i. 488

Black, elytra castaneous.
72. 1 Chauliodes maculipennis, ii.

332
17- 4 Chelobasis bicolor, ii. 143. and
pi. ci. f. 4. details
119. Cheloderus Childreni, ii. II7
Head green, thorax and
wings reddish copper, the
latter margined with green,
antennae and legs violet.
This insect belongs to the
Cerambycides.
16. 8 Chelonarium undatum, head of,

i. 317
82. 3 Chelonia chrysorhoea, details

of, ii. 611
82. 1 Chelonia evidens, ii. 611

White, with three black
bands and a spot of brown
on the upper wings, body
white, a yellow spot on the
thorax.
82. 2 Chelonia nubilis, cat. of, ii. 61 1
23. 2 Chiron grandis, i. 460

Black.
98. 5 Chiroscelis bifenestrata, i. 50C
Black, antennae brown.

INDEX.

785

PL. FIG.

49. 3 Chlorima cyanipes, vol. ii. page

70

46. 1 Chrysina Mexicana, i. 516

37. 1 Chrysophora chrysochlora, i.

473

46. 2 Chrysophora Kirbii, i. 516

109. 4 Cicada fulvofasciata, ii. 254
29. 3 Cicindela octonotata, i. 264
27. 7 Cicindela tenuipes, i. 178

Head and thorax bronze,
elytra yellow, with the su-
ture, and marked with
bronze.

45. 3 Circellium hemisphericum, i.
454
Blackish brown.

39. 4 Cladophorus marginata, i. 371.

36. 9 Cladophorus ruficoUis, details
of, i. 371

110. 5 Cladoxurus roscipennis, details

of,ii. 173
65. 6 Clytus Hayii, ii. 118. and pi.

Ixxiii. f. 6.
15. 1 Cnemacanthusgibbosus,i. 276,

and pi. xxxiv. f. 5, details
80. 1 Cnodaliura nodosum, ii. 21,
and pi. Ixxiv. f. 1, details
134. 2 Coccus cacti, ii. 277-
116. Coleoptera, Terminology of

27. 5 Colliurus modesta, i. 181

Purplish, with the femora
rufous.
46. 5 Colophon Westwoodii, i. 533
15. 3 Colpodes brunneus, i. 219
32. 1 Colvmbetes marmoratus, i.
284
For Colymbetes, read Hydaticus.
32. 2 Colymbetes Lowei, i. 284
8. 3 Colymbetes, ant. tarsus of, i.
247

28. Compound eyes of insects, i. 47
41. Compound eyes of insects, pi.

ii. 47
45. 10 Copris Bellator, i. 457

Black.
45. 4 Coprobius viridis, i. 454.

Green.
22. 2 Coprophilus rugosus, i. 296

Black, femora rufous.
C5. 2 Coptocephalus Brasiliensis, ii.

113. and pi. Ixxiii. f. i. details.
13. 2 Cordistes cinctus, i. 272, and

pi. xxiv. f. 3, details
36. 12 Cordylocera antennata, details

of, i. 372

A new genus of M. Guerin,
allied to Telephorus.
92. 4 Coreus bicolor, ii. 241
VOL. XV.

PL. FIG.

68. 6 Coreus rubiginosus, vol. ii.
page 218
Brown
53. 3 Coronis Leachii, ii. 597

Greyish, with an undulated
band of white, the lower
wings greyish black.
98. 3 Corticis celtis, i. 560

Brown.
84. 3 Cossus ligniperda, Cat. of, ii.

605
84. 2 Cossus Macmurtrei, ii. 605

White, upper wings vermi-
culated with black.
129. Crambus retalasis, ii. 625
129. 15 Crambus rudiellis, details of,

ii. 625
135. 4 Craspedosoma Richii, i. 131
Brown.
35. 2 Cremastochalus elongatus, de-
tails of, i. 493
35. 1 Cremastocheilus hirtus, i. 493

Silky, black and white.
111. 2 Crocisa nitidula, ii. 575
98. 1 Crypticus gibbulus, i. 559

Black
67. 5 Crytocephalus rugicollis, ii.
146, and pi. ci. f. 5, details
16. 9 Cryptostomadenticornis, i. 319

Black, head and thorax red
16. 13 Ctenicera hamatodes, anten-
na; of, i. 320
27. 4 Ctenostoma Ichneumoneum, i.

180
85. 2 Cucujus depressus, details of,

ii. 95
60. 4 Cucujus Dejeanii, ii. 96. the
same as Cucujus mandibu-
laris, pi. Ixxxv. f. 1, and pi.
Ixxv. f. 3, details.
49. 4 Curculio spectabilis, ii. 70
11. 3 Cychrus italicus, i. 231

Black.
24. 8 Cyclocephalus geminata, de-
tails of, i. 472
24. 7 Cyclocephalus frontalis,i. 472
Fulvous.
8. 12 Cyclosomus flexuosus, i. 213
Yellow, with the head and
thorax and a transverse
triangular band across the
elytra black
131. Cylindrodes Campbelli

Dark reddish brown, legs

fulvous.
This curious insect belongs to
the Grylli, but differs by
the cylindrical form, the
3 E

786

INDEX.

want of the caudal append-
ages, and in having ca-
vities to receive tlie four
hind-legs.
48. 1 CymatoderaHopii, vol. i. page
375, and pi. Ixi. f. 5, details.
25. 13 Cynthia abaxoides, i. 227

Bluish black, shining.
110. 3 Cyphocrana, head of, ii. 173
124. 2 CyphonotusdromedariuSji. 542
Whitish, verniculated with
black ; legs black, allied to
Pimelia.

D

109 3 Darniscamelus, ii. 260, and pi.
cxxxviii. f. 5. details.
21. 4 Denaida eunice, ii. 580

Violet black, with pale blue
spots on the margin
85. 5 Dendrophagus crenatus, ii. 95

Rufous.
89. 1 Desmocerus cyaneus, ii. Ill

Greenish blue, with the base
of the elytra yellow
74. 3 Diaperis nigropunctatus , de-
tails of, ii. 2.
125. 4 Diateina holymenoides, ii. 773
3C. 2 Diatyoptera sanguinea, head

of, i. 330
44. 8 Dichelus dentipes, i. 488

Brown.
44. C Dicrania velutina, i. 485

Rufous, legs pale
82. 5 Dicranoura borealis, ii. 612

White ; banded and spotted
with black, the former mar-
gined with fulvous.
G2. 2 Diopsis brevicornis, ii. 715
125. 3 Diopsis fasciata, ii. 773
55. 13 Diphucephala furcata, i. 483
Black, with a white band on
each side of the thorax,
elytra, with the base, red,
and suture yellow.
122. Diptera, terminology of
95. G Distichocera maculicollis, ant.
of, ii. 107
8. 11 Ditomus calydonius, head of,

i.206
8. 10 Ditomus violaceus, i. 206
Violet black
49. 1 Dolichocera Childreni, ii. 65
67. 6 Doryphora princeps, ii. 149,

and pi. ci. f. 6, details
36. 4 Drilus flavescens, fern, i. 325
Yellow, spotted with black.

36. 6 Drilus ruficollis, vol. i. page 335
Violaceous, antennae, thorax,
and legs, rufous.
26. 9 Dripta ruficollis, i. 192
29. 6 Dromica tuberculata, i. 264

Violaceous, antennae, thorax,
and legs rufous.
8. 6 Dyschirius thoracicus, and tarsi

of, i. 204
7- 1 Dytiscus L'Herminieri, i. 247
Bronze black, with the mar-
gin brown ; antennae and
palpi rufous.
7. 2 Dytiscus serricornis, head of,
i. 247

E.

31.

6

Elater aureolus, i. 363

31.

5

Elater lusciosus, i. 363

16.

14

Elater plagiatus, i. 320
Head and thorax rufous,
with the centre black,
elytra yellow, margin with
black.

40.

4

Elephantomus probosciderus, i.,
465

20.

10

Elodes pallidus, i. 328
Rufous, tip of the elytra
black.

56.

8

Elenophorus Americanus,i.547
Black.

72.

2

Embius ? Brasiliensis, ii. 347

97.

3

Emera filum? ii. 244
Filum ? read brevipennis —
of Mr. Say.

104.

5

Empusa lobipes, ii. 172
Green.

104.

6

Empusa pauperata, details of,
ii. 172

8.

4

Enceladus gigas, 1. 198
Black.

132.

1

Englossa dentata, ii. 388

65.

1

Enicodes Fichteli, ii. 117; and
73. f. 2. details.

94.

9

Ephemera bipculata, ii. 296
Yellow, wings irridiscent.

94.

8

Ephemera vulgata, larva of, ii.
296

94.

7 Ephemera limbata, ii. 296

Head and thorax dark brown.

body light brown, wings

viridescent.

77.

3

Epistenia coeruleata, ii. 432

15.

5

Epomis Goryi, i. 276

56.

2

Erodius gibbus, i. 544 ; and pi.
ivii. f. 13. details.
Black.

INDEX.

787

PI., r

IG.

43.

4

102.

1

102.

2

102.

4

68.

2

58.

1

20.

12

132.

1

44.

4

IG.

1

43.

3

112.
CO. 6

126.

29. 5
65. 5

56. 9

45. 5

72. 4

52. 7

Erybia Carolina, vol. ii. page

591

Brown, with red spots.
Erycina (Chorinea) Xantippe,

ii. 592
Erycina (Dorila) arteris, ii.

592
Erycina (Lamproptera) Curius,

ii. 592
Erycina lucina, cat. and chrys.

ii. 592
Erycina Virginiensis, ii. 592

Dark brown, irregular band of

black, beneath rufous, spotted

with black.
Eubria palustris, i. 328

Shining black.
Eucera antennata, ii. 386

Black ; abdomen with grey
bands.
Euchlora viridana, i. 484

Green, legs rufous.
Eucnemis capucinus, i. 316

Black, tarsi rufous.
Eumenia toxia, ii. 591

Black, tinged with green on

the base of the lower wings,

and a row of spots on the

exterior margins.

Eumenia Childrenae, ii. 677

Eumorphus tetraspilotus, ii.

157 ; and pi. Ixxv. f. 6.
Purplish, with four yellow
spots on the elytra.
Euplocamus anthracinas, ii.

625
Euprosopus notatus, i. 177
Eurycephalus niger, ii. ; and

pi. Ixxiii. f. 5

The genus Tapeina, of Serv.
Eurychora rugosula, i. 547 1

and pi. 57. f. 10. details.

Brownish black.
Eurysternus foedus, i. 454

Brown.
Eusthenia spectabilis, ii. 348
Evasthetus, head of, i. 294

25. 10 Feronia Hottentota. Ant. tarsus

of, i. 216
25. 4 Feronia melanaria, elytra and

tarsus of, i. 212
25. 3 Feronia navarica, elytra of, i.

212

PL. FIG.

135. Fontaria Virginiensis, vol. i.

Pale yellow.
Allied to Polydermus, but is
composed of twenty rings,
and wants the eyes.
104. 2 Forficulaauricularia, details of,
ii. 171
78. 2 Forficula Brasiliensis, ii. 184
104. 1 Forficula (Spongiphora) cro-
ceipeinus, ii. 171
Castaneous, with tip of the
elytra yellow.
90. 6 Fulgora nigromaculata, ii. 260
and pi. cxxxviii. f. 1, details.
90. 2 Fulgora pallida, ii. 260
90. I Fulgora punctata, ii. 259, and
pi. cxxxviii. f. 2, details.

16. 3 Galba marmorata, details of, i.

316
26. 6 Galerita Americana, mouth and
ant. tarsus of, i. 193
129. 12 Galleria ceriana, ii. 624
129. 13 Galleria collonella, details of,
ii. 824
55. 3 Geniates barbatus, i. 477

Piceous, head black.
33. Geotrupes longimanus, ii. 4
28. 5 Geotrupes Blackburnii, i. 463

Shining bluish-black.
93. 2 Gerris laticauda, ii. 248
42. 1 Glaphyrus rufipennis, i. 487
Brown.
120. 10 Glaucopis Folfetii, ii. 602

Black, yellowish transparent
spots, and the sides of the
thorax golden, the abdo-
men banded with black,
light blue, and across the
centre with orange.
1. 4 Glomeris marginata, i. 129

Black, with the segments
margined with yellow.
70. 2 Gnoma suturalis, ii. 120
35. 5 Goliath micans, i. 494.
Shining green.

67. 3 Goniopleura auricoma, ii. 149.

and pi. ci. f. 3. details.
12. 2 Goniotropis Brasiliensis, i. 274

68. 6 a. Gonocerus, Ant. of, ii. 240
96. 6 Gonopus tibialis, i. 554

Shining black.
26. 2 Graphipterus multiguttatus, i.
105

3 eS

788

INDEX.

PL. FIG.

113. 3 Gryllotalpa didactylus, vol. ii.
page 174
Dark brown.
113. 4 Gryllotalpa vulgaris, details of,
ii. 174
C3. 2 Gryllus umbraculatus, ii. 193
64. Gryllus monticoUis, ii. 215

113. 1 Gryllus Servillei, ii. 174

Dark brown.
113. 2 Gryllus campestris, details of,

ii. 174
35. 9 Gymnetis nervosa, i. 495

Red, spotted with, and legs

black.

130. 1 Gryllus migratorius, ii. 204

130. 2 Gryllus gryllotalpa, ii. 193

130. 4 Gryllus domesticus, ii. 196

7. 8 Gyrinus sulcatus, i. 250

Blue black, elytra strongly
sulcated, posterior legs ru-
fous.

114. 4

7. 7

25. 1

56. 5

118. 2
21. 3

96.

12

80.

3

80.

5

26.
72.

8
3

127.
127.

4
5

H.

Hsematopata lunata, ii. 697
Fulvous, with a black line on
the abdomen.
Haliplus elevatus, i. 250
Yellow, elytra dark, with a
longitudinal elevation on
each.
Harpalus tricolor, i. 209
Elytra green, head and tho-
rax violaceous, antennae
and legs black.
Hegeter tagenioides, i. 545, and
pi. lix. f. 11, details
Black.
Heliconia cyrene, ii. 587
Heliconia Langsdorfii, ii. 587
Black, with a broad band of
rufous, lower wings with
a transverse band of yel-
low.
Heliophilus hispanicus,ant.and

tarsi of, i. 556
Helops nigromaculatus, ii. and

pi. Ixxiv. f. 3, details
Helops ? rugosus, ii. 22. and
pi. Ixxiv. f. 5. details.
Rugosus read aterrimus.
Helluo costatus, i. 191
Hemerobius longicornis, ii. 331
For longicollis read longi-
cornis.
Hemerobius capitalis, ii. 299
Hemerobius of Egypt,details of,
ii. 229

PL.

FIG.

121.

16.

12

84.

1

M. 7

129.

5

129.

99.

3

99.

4

99.

2

98. 11
24. 6

46. 4

68.

8

41.

44.

7

80.

6

129.

5

129.

10

7. 4

7. 5
132. 6

23. 10
117.

Hemiplera, terminology of, vol.

ii. page 228
Hemirhipusflabellicornis, head

of, i. 320
Hepialus lupulinus, ii. 604

Rufous, striped and spotted

with black
Hepialus humuli, cat. of, ii.

604
Herminia sidonia, ii. 620
Herminia crassalis, head of, ii.

628
Hesperia tages, cat. and chrys.

of, ii. 594
Hesperia linea, cocoon of, ii.

594
Hesperia sabadius, ii. 594

Brown, with three transpa-
rent spots on the upper
wings.
Heterotarsus tenebrioides, i.

563
Hexodon reticulatus, i. 472

Whitish, reticulated with
black.
Hexaphyllum Brasiliensis, i.

536
Holhymenia, ant. of, ii. 218
Hololepta glabra, i. 388, and

pi. Ixi. f. 8. details
Hoplia farinosa, i. 485

Pale blue, legs pale red.
Horia maculata, ii. 31, and pi.

Ixxiv. (. 6. details.
Hydrocampe aquatilis, ii. 623
Hydrocampe nympheata, cat.

of, ii. 623
Hydroporus planus, antennae,

tarsus of, i. 249
Hygrobia Hermanni, i. 248
Hyloeus albipes, ii. 381

Reddish brown ; femora with
a white spot
Hybosorus arator, i. 466

Piceous.
Hymenoptera, Terminology of,

ii. 388

126. 4 Ilithea carnea, ii. 626
126. 4 Ilithea pinguis, details of, ii.
626
29. 4 Iresia Lacordairei, i. 264

K.

134. 3 Kermes Persica, ii. 287

INDEX.

789

L.

PL.

74.

FIG.

4

Lagria gibbosus, details of, vol.

ii. page 27
95. 2 Lamia aurocincta, ii. lOS

Black, with two bands reddish
yellow.
51. 5 Lamprirna cenea, i. 498

Golden copper.
36. 7 Lampyris Savignyi, i. 334

Brown.
54. 6 Lasiocampa proboscidea, ii.

COS

Brown.

3 Lasioderus Kirbii, i. 376, and
pi. Ixi. f. 7> details.

4 Lathrobium elongatum, i. 292
Black, with the elytra cas-

taneous.

4 Lethrus cephalotes, details of,
i. 462

11 Lebia fiavomaculata, i. 196

Brown, with four fulvous
spots on the elytra.
Lepidoptera, terminology of, ii.

630
Lepidoptera, tongue of, ii. 633
Lepidoptera, scales or feathers
of, ii. 631

5 Lepisia rupicola, i. 484
Pale green, legs yellow.

7 Lepitrix abbreviatus, i. 489
Black, elytra castaneous.

9 Leptocera bilineata, ii. 107
Black, with longitudinal
bands of reddish yellow.

8 Leptura annulata, ii. 112
Rufous, head and thorax

brown.

3 Lesteva dichroa, i. 297
Rufous, with head and ab-
domen black.

4 Lethrus cephalotes, details of,
i. 462

3 Lethrus Eversmannii, i. 462
Bronze black.

1 Leucothyreus nitidicollis, i.

477

Copperish.

5 Lia dorsalis, i. 272

2 Libellula depressus, nymph of,
ii. 296

1 Libellula Indica, ii. 296

Yellow, mottled with brown,
tops of the wings trans-
parent, body black.
11 Licinus agricola, head and ant.
tarsus of, i. 226

1

48.
52.

23.

26.

121.

140.
81.

44.

42.

96.

89.

23.

23.
23.
55.

19.
94.

94.

25.

PL. FIG.

103. 6 Limacodes Delphinii, vol. ii,
page 610

Brownish, spotted with ru-
fous and green.
103. 7 Limacodes strigata, cat. of, ii.

610
103. 8 Limacodes indeterminus, cat.

. of, ii. 610
88. I Lissonotus unifasciata, ii. 101
Black, with the base of the
elytra and femora pink
82. 7 Lithosia luteola, details of, ii.

612
82. 6 Lithosia ba:ta, ii. 612

Upper wings black, with the
anterior margin red, lower
wings rufous, margin with
black, head and thorax
black, body rufous.
82. 8 Lithosia pulchella, cat. of, ii.
612
134. 4 Livia (aphis) Juncorum, ii. 227
16. 10 Lobcederus monilicornis, head
and thorax of, i. 364
113. 7 Locusta erythrosoma, ii. 175
Light green.
22. 6 Loniechusa paradoxa, i. 299

Rufous brown.
88. 5 Lophonocerus barbicornis, ii.
102
Fulvous, marked with
black.
25. 12 Loricera pilicornis, head of, i.

228
19. 1 Loxocrepis ruficeps, i. 272
51. 3 Lucanus cinnamomeus, i. 500
Cinnamomeus, with the man-
dibles castaneous.

36. 1 Lycus latissamus, i. 330

Fulvous, elytra tipped with
black.
92. 3 Lygoeus grandis, ii. 242
90. 5 Lystra pulchra, ii. 260

M.

96. 8 Machla villosa, corslet of, i. 555

37. 3 Macraspis splendida, i. 473

Green, elytra yellow.
55. 14 Macrodactylus suturalis, i. 483
Bluish copper, legs red.

35. 10 Macronota cegregia, i. 496

Black, on elytra, curved lon-
gitudinal band of fine yel-
low.

36. 11 Walthinus biguttatus, i. 339

Pale, tip of the elytra yel.
low.

790

INDEX.

PL. I'lG.

PL. FIG.

27.

6

Manticora, maxillosa, vol. i.
page 176

71.

3 Myrmecodes Australis, vol. ii.
page 516

104.

7

Mantis religiosa, details of, ii.
172

113.

6 Myrmecophila acervorum, ii.
175

11.

9

Masoroeus luxatus, i. 242
Rufous.

105.

1 Myrmeleo erythrocephalum,
ii. 327

29.

2

Megacephala Carolina, i. 263

127.

2 Myrmeleo Formicarius, larva of.

20

1

Megacephala Mexicana, i. 203

ii. 298

88.

2

Magaderus stigma, ii. 102
Piceous, with a band of yel-
low.
Megalophthalmus Bennettii, i.

127.

1 Myrmeleo Perscheronii, ii.
298

39.

6

N.

371, and pi. Ixi. f. 2, details

60.

4

Megalyra fasciipennis, ii. 418,
and pi. cvi. f. 4, details

100.

8 Necydalis major, ii. 106

Fulvous, head and thorax

67.

2

Megamerus Kingii, ii. 126, -and

black.

pi. ci. f. 1, details.

68.

11 Neides tipularia, ii. 219

9.

7 Melasis buprestoides, i. 313

Pale yellow, with tip of the

Black.

antennae brown.

6.

2 and 3 Melolontha chrysochlora,

16.

11 Nematodes filum, i. 319

i. 515

Black, antennae and legs ru-

55.

5

Melolontha flavida, i. 479

fous.

Yellowish white.

97.

1 Nematopus rufoscutellatus, ii.

55.

6

Melolontha vulgaris, ant. of, i.

241

479

105.

4 Nemoptera Africana, ii. 324

80.

4

Metallonotus denticollis, ii. 34,
and pi. Ixxiv. f. 4. details

130.

1 Noctua ancea, ii. 614

Reddish brown, an ocellated

125.

2

Microdon englossoides, ii. 779

dot on each upper wing.

22.

4

Micropeplus maillei, i. 297
Bronze.

136.

2 and 3, Noctua Damonia, ii. 614
Brownish mixed with grey

96.

3

Misolampus Hoffmansegii, i.

and slate.

552

136.

4 Noctua Euristea, ii. 614

Black.

White varied with different

40.

2

Mnematium silenus

shades of brown.

Black.

136.

5 Noctua oculataii. 614

56.

17

Moluris luteipes, i. 551, and
pi. Ivii. f. 3, details

Black, antennae and legs
brownish white.

Greenish, with brown zigzag
bands, two white dots on a
brown spot in the upper
wings.

42.

8 Monochelus gonager, i. 486

132.

3 Nomada miniata, ii. 385

Fulvous, elytra yellow.

1

Black, with yellow bands

8.

7

Morio simplex, i. 205.
Black.

7.

6 Noterus crassicornis, i. 249
Rufous.

25.

7

Mormolyce phyllodes, i. 220
Glossy dark brown, head and
legs black.

3 Notodonta ziczac, ii. 610

Light brown, marked dark
brown, rufous and black.

47.

2

Morpho actorion, ii. 590
Brown, with undulated bands
and tinged with blue.

50.

6 Nyctelia Hopii, i. 544, and pi.
Ixix. f. 0.
Black, banded with white

47.

S

Morpho phidippus, cat. and

posteriorly

chrys. of, ii. 590

56.

4 Nyctelia Luczottii, i. 544. and pi.

71.

1

Mutilla Klugii, ii. 516
Myopa nigripennis

Ivii. f. 9. details

Black, with short white bands

58

3 Myrina Jaffra, ii. 593

on the elytra.

Beneath silvery white, the

87.

Nymphalis annetta, ii. 075

lower wings with inter-

79.

2 Nymphalis chrysites, ii. 675

rupted bands of bands, and

2.

4 Nymphalis etheta, ii. 589

two spots of blue.

Bluish black, with blue spots,

6

INDEX.

791

beneath white, marbled
with black, and ferrugine-
ous.
2. 5 Nymphalis ilia, cat. and chrys.
vol. ii. page 589
79. 3 Nymphalis leucophthalma, ii.
589
118. 3, 4 Nymphalis pitheas, ii. G75
79. 1 Nymphalis Thamyris, ii. 675

O.

100. 6 Obrium ferrugineus, ii. 105

Rufous.
23. G Ochodeus rufus, i. 464

Rufous.
126 8 CEcophora Linnaeella, ii. 626
133. Oiketicus Kirbii, ii. 679
127. Omalium blattoides, i. 297

36. 3 Omalisus suturalis, ant. of i.

331

37. 5 Ometis pictus, i. 474

Brown, base of the elytra
yellowish white.
25. 15 Omophron suturalis, i. 238

Fulvous, centre of the thorax
black, and centre of elytra
green.
45. 9 Oniticellus formosus, i. 455

Yellow, centre of the thorax,
and spots on the elytra
black.
45. 6 Onthophagus rarus, i. 455

Black.
45. 7 Onthophagus vacca., details of,

i. 455
98. 2 Opatum elongatum, ii. 55 9

Brown.
96. 11 Opatrinus chilensis, ant. and
tarsi of, i. 556
Chilensis read Chlatratus.
103. 4 Orgyia detrita, ii. 610

Blackish brown.
103. 5 Orgyia gonostigma, ii. 610
126. 9 Orneodes hexadactylus, ii. 629
98. 4 Orthocerus muticus, details of,

i. 560
13. 4 Orthogonius Hopii, \. 273
109. 1 Orthoraphia cassidioides, ii.
263
24. 1 Oryctes Chevrolatii, i. 468

Black.
52. 11 Osorius Brasiliensis, i. 295

Black.
96. 1 Oxura setosa, i. 552

Brown.
27. 8 Oxycheila tristis, head of, i.
177

PL.

29.

2 Oxycheila binotata, vol. i. page
264
52. 1 Oxyporus rufus, i. 290

Black, with the thorax, base
of the elytra, the basal
joints of the abdomen and
legs rufous.
8. 2 Oxvstomus Sancti Hilarii, i.
203
Black.
52. 10 Oxytelus tricornis, i. 295
8. 9 Ozoena Rogerii, ant. of, i. 205

68. 7 Pachlis, ant. of, ii. 218

42. 6 Pachycnemus crassipes, i. 489

Black, spotted with white.
16. 5 Pachyderes ruficoUis, i. 364

37. 6 Pachypus excavatus, i. 474

Purplish.
40. 1 Pachysoma iEsculapius, i. 452

and 506
89. 6 Pachyta Laportii, vol. ii. page
112.
Blue, antennae and legs yel-
low.
52. 5 Paederus ruficollis, i. 293

Bluish black, with the thorax
rufous.
25. 14 Panagoeus fulgipennis, i. 228
Violet black, with the elytra
copperish, shining.
1 1. 4 Panchorus alternus, i. 230
Copperish black.
114. 3 Pangonia longirostris, ii. 697

Dark brown.
105. 2 Panorpa rufa, ii. 323

38. 1 Papilio Childrenae, ii. 673
3. 1 Papilio Latreillii, ii. 582

Shining brown, with the
mascular band and spots
yellow, beneath the wings
paler brown, with spots
paler, the lower wings
spotted with black
68. Papilio cleotas, ii, 673
3. 2 Papilio machaon, cat. and
chrys, ii. 582
85. 7 Parandra lineola, ii. 99

Castaneous.
60. 2 Parandra fasciata, ii. 93. and pi.
Ixxv. f. 2.
3. 3 Parnassius Phoebus, ii. 584

Yellowish white, upper wings
spotted with black, beneath
the lower wings two ocelli
and basal spots, red

792

INDEX.

I'L.

■IG.

PL.

13.

1

Pasimachus Mexicanus, vol. i.
page 274

50

51.

7

Passalus pentaphyllus, i. 502

Black.

G3.

51.

8

Passalus interruptus, details of,
i. 502

16.

25.

G

Patrobus rufipes, ant. tarsus of,
i. 229.

20.

47.

1

Pavonia acadina, ii. 582
Brown, with two bands of

rufous.

19.

DC.

13

Pedinus gibbosus, i. 556
Bluish black.

21.

11.

8

Pelicium cyanipes, i. 227
Black.

11.

G

Pelophila, ant. tarsi of, i. 239

118.

€8.

3

Pentatoma grisea, details of, ii.
217

21.

G8.

2

Pentatoma golofa, ii. 217
Green, with spots.

38.

76.

1

Pepsis apicalis, ii. 516

57.

6G.

2

Perga scutellata, ii. 402. and
cvi. f. 3. details

56.

15.

2

Pericalus cicindeloides, ii. 219

45.

8

Phanoeus imperator, i. 450

62.

Reddish copper, with the cen-

51.

tre of the thorax and legs

blue, and basal half of the

35.

elytra dark green.

129.

1

Phalaena machaonaria, ii. 603
Grey with greenish stripes.

82.

129.

2

Ph. guttaria, ii. 603
Yellowish white with dark
brown spots.

129.

3

Ph. flavilacea, details of, ii.
G03

9G.

129.

4

Ph. grossulariata, cat. of, ii. G03

44.

77.

2

Phasgonophora sulcata, ii. 432

110.

1

Phasma annulata, ii. 173
Light grey, abdomen brown,
legs green, banded with

13.

black.

128.

137.

2

Ph. orosea, ii. 603

19.

Light brown, with triangular

113.

spot on each wing of dark

brown.

7G.

137.

3

Ph. titea, ii. G03
Yellowish, with light brown
bands.

90.

39.

3

Phengodes plumicornis, i. 333

11.

24.

6

Phileurus cribratus, i. 470

Piceous.

3.

68.

5

Phloea cassidoides, ii. 218
Brownish yellow.

1.

05.

3

Pha-nicocerus Dejeani, ii. 112
and pi. 73. f. 4. details

135.

51.

6

Pholidotus Humboldtii, i. 499
Brownish yellow.

1.

1 Phrenapates Bennettii, vol. ii.
page 91. and pi. Ixix. f. 1.
details.

3 Phyllium bioculatum, ii. 191
16 Phyllocerus flavipennis, i. 322,

ant. of
1 Physodactylus Henningii, i.
324

Black, with the thorax ru-
fous.

4 Physodera Dejeanii, i. 272
1 Pieris thiria, ii. 585

Red, with the nervures
brown, the interior margin
pale yellow.

1 Pieris Nemesis, ii. 587

2 Pieris brassicae, cat. and chrys.

of, ii. 585

2 Pieris (Euterpe) Swainsoni, ii.

574

8 Pimelia serica, details of, i. 542
1 Pimelia vestita, i. 542, and pi.

Ivii. f. 8, details
Black.
1 Plagiocephaluslobularis,ii. 774
4 Plalycerus auriculatus, i. 501

Black.
G Platygenia zabrica, i. 493

Black.

9 Platypterix globularia, also

cat. and chrys. of, ii. 612
Rufous, with undulated
bands, and spotted on the
margin with black.
15 Platyscelis gages, i. 558
Black.

1 Plectris tomentosa, i. 483

Hirsute, brown.

3 Pleuracanthus sulipennis, i.

272, and pi. xxxiv. f. i. de-
tails
6 Ploas jEgeriformis, ii. 779

2 Plochionus 4 notatus, i. 273
8 Pneumora inanis, ii. 176

Light green.

3 Podium nigripes, ii. 516

4 Pceciloptera antica, ii. 260,

and pi. cxxxviii. f. 4, de-
tails

5 Pogonophorus, head of, i.

236
3 Polistes apicalis, ii.

Black.
1 Pollyxenus tagurus, i. 131

6 Polydesmus elegans, i. 131

Body grey, legs red.
5 Polydesmus complanatus, i.
131

INDEX.

793

133. 7 Polydesmus Drurii, organs of,

vol. i. page 131
135. Polydesmus Leachii, i. 131
Grey, with yellow spots.
58. 7 Polyomatus roxus, ii. 593,

details of
58. 6 Polyomatus pruni. cat. of

chrys. ii. 593
58. 4 Polyomatus Thoe, ii. 593

Upper wings rufous, spotted
with black, the margin
black, the lower wings
brown, margin with ru-
fous.
7G. 2 Pompilius bifasciata, ii. 516
44. 2 Popilia nitidicollis, i. 483

Copperish.
85. 10 Prionopterusstaphilinus, ii.lOO
Black.

Allied to Anacolus.
85. 8 Prionus Desmarestii, ii. 99

Piceous, with longitudinal
and transverse bands of
yellow on the elytra, tip
of the antennae and tarsi
rufous
30. 2 Procerus Olivieri, i. 232
52. G Procirrus Lefebvri, i. 294
Brown.
120. 5 Procris nebulosa, ii. 601

White, head and thorax
black.
22. ] Prognatha rufipennis, head of,
i. 296
6; Psalidognathus Friendii, ii.

115, and pi. xiv. details
56. 12 Psammeticus costatus, i. 549,
and pi. Ivii. f. 1. details.
Brownish white, with the
antennae, and legs black
128. 4 Psilodera capensis, ii. 779
103. 9 Psyche cilvella, ii. 611

White, bodv black.
103. 10 Psyche nitidella, ii. 611
128. 3 Pterodontia flavipes, ii. 779
126. 8 Pterophorus ptylodactylus, ii.
628
20. 9 Ptilodactylus elaterina, i. 327
Dark brown, antennae and
legs pale.

R.

91. 1 Reduvius spinidorsis, ii. 244
and pi. cxxxviii. f 8, details

91. 2 Reduvius dorsalis, ii. 243, and
pi. cxxxviii. f. 7- details

PL. FIG.

91. 3

19. 3
89. 4

89. 3

100.
20.

20. 8

55. 7
50. 4

37. 2
114. 9

95.

4

95.

5

54.

2

54.

3

54.

1

43.

1

43. 2

4.

1

24.

3

24.

4

15.

4

63.

1

Reduvius tuberculatus, vol. ii.

page 244
Rhagocrepis Riedelii, i. 271
Rhamnusium salicis, ii. 1 12

Blue, head, thorax and legs
red
Rhasium bifasciatum, ii. 112

Bronze brown, with four
yellow spots.
Rhinotragus coccineus, ii. 106

Red, marked with black.
Rhipicera cyanea, i. 326

Blue, femora rufous.
Rhipicera, antennae of, i. 326
Rhisotrogus pini, ant. of, i. 481
Ryssochiton politus, and pi.

ixix. f. 2

Shining black. The type of
a new genus near Tene-
brio.
Rutela nitidissima, i. 473
Rutilia Australasia, ii.

Black and blue.

Saperda albicans, ii. 109
Whitish, spotted black.
Sap. Atkinsoni, details of, ii.

109
Saturnia luna. cat. of, ii. 606
Saturnia Pavonia, cocoon and

chrys. of, ii. 606
Saturnia Bauhiniae, ii. 696

Brow'n.
Satyrus Balderi, ii. 606
Pale brown, with band of ful-
vous and a band of dark
brown on exterior margin
of the lower wings.
Satvrns jurtina, cat. and chrys.

ii" 591
Scarabaeus macropus, i. 510
Scarabseus mentor, i. 470

Brownish black.
Scarabaeus gadeon, details of, i.

470
Scaphinotus elevatus, i. 231,

and pi. xxxiv. f. 4, details
Scaphura Kirbii, ii. 176
Fulvorufous ; base of abdo-
men bluish black, in the
middle yellow, and the
apex red ; the four pos-
terior femora with a
whitish spot near the
centre, upper wings red-

794

INDEX.

32.

6C.
71.
11.
96.

56.

C8.

92.
1.

83.

PL. FIG.

dish, with four short pale
lines on anterior margin.
8. 3 Scapterus Guerini, vol. i. page
201
Black.
56. 13 Scaurus rugosus, i. 549, and
pi. lix. f. 6, details
Black.
3 Schizochilus Brasiliensis, i.

304
1 Schizocerus Peleterii, ii. 403
1 Scolia fulva, ii. 516
3 Scolopendra alternans, i. 134

9 Scotinus Brasiliensis, i. 555
Brown.

14 Scotobius granosus, i.. 549,
and pi. Ivii. f. 2, details
Black.

1 Scutellera Dives, ii. 217
Red, spotted with black.

1 Scutellera vasalis, ii. 233

2 Scutigera livida, i. 133
20. 11 Scyrtes,post tarsi of, i. 328
56. 15 Sepidium vestitum, ii. 550, and

pi. Ivii. f. 5, details

Pale brown, with black spots

3 Sesia asilipennis, also cat. and

chrys. of, ii. 499
Wings transparent, margin
and body black spotted and
banded, and legs yellow.
55. 11 Serica flavimana, i. 482

Black, legs rufous.
55. 12 Ser. variabilis, details of, i.
482
103. 1 Sericaria ranseceps, ii. 609

Rufous, with undulated
bands.
103. 2 Sericaria tessellata, cat. of, ii.

609
8. 1 Siagona Eruropsea, i. 199
Black.
6 Sialis lutarius, ii. 299

10 Silis tricolor, i. 338
Black, antennae and sides of

the thorax yellow, and two
spots on the elytra white.

1 Sinodendron cylindricum, i.
498
Black.

2 Smerinthus lo, ii. 599
Brown and rufous, with a

spot on the lower wings
black, with a blue pupil.
1 Sphaeroderus nitidus, i. 231
Shining copperish black.
1 Sphinx Achemenides, ii. 678
4 Sphinx atropos, ii, 678

PL. FIG.

83. 1

127.
36.

51.

83.

11.

137.
137.

25.

9

85.

6

61.

4

52.

3

89.

7

100.

9

52.

8

66. 3

16. 2

77. 1

52. 9

48. 5

84. 4

48. 2

59.
107.

1

46.

3

120.

6

120. 7

68. 6
93. 4

114.

Sphinx jasminearum, also cat.

of, vol. ii. page 599

Grey, speckled with black,

wings brown, tinged black

Sphodrus terricola, ant. of, i.

220
Spondylus buprestoides, ii. 99

Black.
Stagmatium cicindeloides, de-
tails of, i. 375
Staphilinus tataricus, i. 291

Dull black.
Stenoderus ceramboides, ii. 1 12
Fulvous, head and thorax,
and a band down the su-
ture black.
Stenopterus elegans, ii. 106

Dark blue, elytra yellowish.
Stenus biguttatus, i. 294
Black, with the legs and two
punctures on the elytra
rufous.
Stephanus Brasiliensis, ii. 418,

and pi. cvi. f 2, details
Sterotarsus histrio, i. 363
Stilbium princeps, ii. 434
Stilicus, ant. claw of, i. 294
Stilpnopotus eurypiformis, ii.

22, and pi. Ivi. f. 6. details
Stygia Australis, ii. 605
IBrown, striped and spotted
with black, and lower
wings black, with the cen-
tre white.
Stygmatium cicindeloides, i.
375, and pi. Ixi. f. 4, details
Stylops Childreni, ii. 679
Synagris cornuta, li. 575, and

pi. cvi. f. 1. details.
Syndesmus cornutus, i. 501

Black.
Syntomis myoides, ii. 601
Brown, spotted with white,
base and lower wings fulv-
ous, the latter margined
with black.
Synt. phsegea, cat. and chrys.

ii. 601
b. Syromastes, ant. of, ii. 217
Syrtis fasciata, ii. 242

5 Tabanus Africanus, ii. 696
Fulvous.
22. 8 Tachinus atricapillus, i. 299

Rufous, head, elytra, and tip
of the abdomen black.

INDEX.

795

PL. FIG.

22. 9 Tachiporus marginatus, vol. i.
page 299

Black, basal joints of the
antennae, legs, margin of
thorax, and elytra rufous.
30. 1 Tefflus Megerlei, i. 232
5G. 11 Tagenia orientalis, i. 548. and
pi. lix. f. 4. details.
Bluish black.
60. 1 Temnoscheilasplendens, ii. 93.

and pi. Ixxv. f. 1. details.
98. 10 Tenebrio molitor, i. 5G2
98. 12 Tenebrio obscurus mouth of, i.

562
56. 6 Tentyria punctipennis, i. 545
128. 1 Tephrites violacea, ii. 779
98. 1 Tesseratomaossacruenta, ii.239
68. 4 Tesseratoma Sonneratii, ii. 218

Fulvous.
95. 3 Tetraopes dimidiata, ii. 108

Head, thorax, and legs ru-
fous, elytra yellow, with
the base black.
130. 3 Tetrix bipunctata, ii. 177
3. 4 Thais Cerisyi, ii. 685

Yellowish white, banded with
black, also spotted with
red on the lower wings.
27. 1 Therates Basalis. i. 181

Head and thorax violaceous,
elytra purple, with the
base, antennae, and legs
rufous.
16. 7 Throscus dermestoides,head of,
i. 318
120. 1 Thyris sepulchralis, ii. 600

Black, spotted with white.
126. Tinea longicornis, ii. 625
126. 3 Tinea tapezana, ii, 625
95. 7 Tmesisternus bizonulatus, ii.
107
Dark brown, banded with
greenish yellow.
50. 3 Toxicum Richesiactum, and pi.
ixix. f. 5. i. 561
Black.
98. 6 Toxicum curvicorne, i. 561
Black.
128. 5 Toxophora fulva, ii. 779
89. 5 Toxotus meridianus, ii. 112

Yellow, head and thorax
brown.
88. 3 Trachyderes nigrofasciatus, ii.
102

Fulvous, with a band and
large spot on the elytra
black.

PL. FIG.

88. 4 Trachyderes succinctus, details

of, vol. ii. page 102
56. 16 Trachynotus vittatus, ii. 550.
and pi. Ivii. f. 7- details.
Black, with longitudinal band
brown.
9 6 Trachys cruentata, i. 313

Black, with the posterior
angle of the thorax and
tip of the elytra red, the
latter spotted with yellow.
95. 8 Tragocerus bidentatus, ii. 107
Brownish yellow, banded
with brown.
115. Transformations of the Butter-
fly, ii. 670
26. 5 Trichognathus marginatus, i.
192

Rufous, elytra black, margin
rufous.
35. 4 Trichius fasciata, details of, i.

491
35. 3 Trichius zebra, i. 491.

Green, and the elytra yellow.
32. 5 Trichocoryne striata, i. 306
5. Trictenotoma Childreni, i. 534
113. 5 Tridactylus fasciatus, ii. 174
130. 5 Tridactylus paradoxus, ii. 196
128. 2 Trigonosoma perilampiformis,
i.774
25. 2 Trigonotoma viridicollis, i. 217

Greenish black.
60. 5 Triplatoma variegata,ii. ; allied
to Erotylus, ii. 155; and pi.
Ixxv. f. 5

Purplish, banded with red.
60. 3 Trogosita squamosa, ii. 93. and

pi. Ixxv. f. 4. details.
23. 9 Trox JEger, i. 467

Brown.
27. 3 Trycondylaaptera, i. 182

Bluish black.
48. 6 Trypanaeus denticollis, ii. 91.
and pi. Ixi. f. 9. details.

U.

98. 9 Upis ceramboides, i. 562

Black shining.

99. 1 Urania Boisduvalii, ii. 595

Golden green, banded with

black, the lower wings

tinged with blue on the

margin.

90. 3 Urophora Hardwickii, ii. 261

and pi. cxxxviii. f. 6, details

790

INDEX.

PL. FIG.

89. 2 Vesperus Graecus, vol. ii. page
111
Male, yellow, with the heads

and thorax brown.
Female 2 a. greenish yellow,

body brown, legs fulvous.

123. 1 Xylocopa violaeea, ii. 381

Y.
126. 5 Yphonomeata pusiella,-ii. 626

Z.

25. 8 Zabrus gibbns, ant. tarsus and

jaw of, i. 220
97. 2 Zelus rufescens, ii. 244
84. 6 Zeuzera aesculi, cat. of, ii. 606
84. 5 Zeuzera scalaris, ii. 636

White, vermiculated with
black, and marked with
rufous.
135. 5 Zephronia ovalis, i. 142
Fulvous.
Allied to Glonieri, but formed
of ten rings, with a circular
ocellus on each side of the
head.

PL. FIG.

58. 6 Zephyris amor. ii. 593

Brownish black, the upper

wings with a white lunar

mark on each, the lower

wings with a band of red

and of black, margin white.

120. 3 Zigsena pulchella, ii. 600

Brown spotted with white,

lower wings red, with band

white, and margined with

black.

120. 4 Zigasna filipendulae, cat. and

ch-ys.
124. 3 Zophorus Chilensis.

Brownish white, spotted

with black
The type of a new genus
near Zophosis.
50. 5 Zophorus Mexicanus, and pi.
ixix. f. 4.

Black, vermiculated with
white, antennae and legs
black.
56. 3 Zophosis testudinarius, i. 544.
and pi. Ivii. f. 14. details.
Black.
26. 7 Zuphium olens, head and tho-
rax of, i. 190
62. 3 Zygothricadispar.
32. 4 Zyrophorus coriaceus, i. 306
52. 12 Zyrophorus striatus, i. 296

Black, the antennaa and tip
of the abdomen rufous.

THE END OF VOL. XV,

LONDON:
GILBERT AND RIVINGTON, PUINTEKS, ST JOHN'S SQUARE.