THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 73 



2. Rhyiichophora, (a) containing Hylurgus ; (b) containing 

 Curculio ; (c) containing Brentlms. 



B. LarvEe of 13 to 14 segments (head and prolegs included, each for 

 one segment), without folds, with or without eyes. 



3. Tetramera, (^rt;j containing Capric07-nia; f^^-j containing Bruchidce; 

 (c) containing Phytophaga. 



4. Pentamera, (a)co\\\.-3\\\\\\%Stenioxa, {si) Bnprestidccih) Elaieridce, 

 (c) Cebrionidce ; ( b) zowx.'iAnxwg Cleridce ; (c) Q.oxi\.-x\mxig Lycidce. 



5. Heteromera. 



C. Larvae of 13 to 14 segments (mostly 14), above scaly, swift footed, 

 always with eyes. 



6. Adephaga. 



7. Rhypophaga. 

 S. Brachelytra. 



I have directed all my powers upon the investigation of the larvae. 

 Up to this day, however, I did not discover any more or better distinctive 

 characters than those given above, and which appear to contain all the 

 external characters worthy to be trusted, for you know already that 

 numbers of them change their dress and form with each moulting. I 

 may remind you here of the curious transformations of the larvae of Meloe, 

 as investigated in the Linnean Transactions, vol. xx. These little 

 creatures appear as frequently delineated, at first with long legs for swift 

 running, which is necessary for them in order to reach their final abode ; 

 having 9,ccomplished that they become by degrees fatter and more 

 sluggish, whereby, curiously enough, the length of their legs decre-ases. 

 The apparent difference between the larvae of Biipj-estis and Elater may 

 be explained upon similar necessities, for the body of the larvs of 

 Buprestis is soft and necessarily so, living as it does in hard and unyield- 

 ing substances, whereas the body of the larvae of E/ater, which lives in 

 more damp, soft and cold substances, will find its stiff and hard dress 

 more comfortable than it would a softer one. The larvae of Buprestis, as 

 well as that of Elater, are of a structure sufliciently similar to be placed 

 in the same great division (B), and more similarity was not necessary, for 

 the structure of the beetles themselves had to decide their systematic 

 station. 



