HEXAPODA : COLEOPTERA OR BEETLES. 323 



Some beetles are very important in their relations to 

 pharmacy. The (Jantharides or Meloidse are extensively 

 used fcfr blistering purposes. 



The StylopidsB are minute beetles so apparently abnor- 

 mal in their appearance and structure that they have by 

 some naturalists been referred to a distinct order called 



FIG 426. 



Stylops male magnified. 



STREPSIPTERA, from strepsis, a twisting, and pieron, a 

 wing. In the larva state these beetles live as parasites 

 in the body of the bee. 



Of the small beetles, none are more destructive than 

 the Weevils or Ciireulionidae. Some kinds of weevils 

 attack the pea, others the plum, others grain, others 

 rice, others stored grain, and others the pine, etc. All 

 Curculios are hard-shelled, and the fore part of the head 

 is generally prolonged into a slender snout, at the extrem- 

 ity of which is the mouth armed with small horny jaws. 

 (Figs. 427-9.) In the larva state they are white grubs. 



The long-horn Beetles or Cerambycidre have exceed- 

 ingly long antennae. When caught they generally make a 

 squeaking noise. The larvae are wood-borers, and they 

 are exceedingly destructive. In some species they are 



