32 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. [March 



The family Tenehrionidae contains a number of species that 

 live upon vegetable matter in various conditions. A very common 

 insect, Tenehrio MoUtor, called in its larval state the meal worm, 

 belongs to this family. 



MeloeideB : to this group belongs the Cantharis Vesicatoria, 

 or Spanish fly. Examples of the genus Meloe are called oil 

 beetles, on account of a yellow oily substance exuding from their 

 joints on their being handled. 



The different species of weevils or snout beetles, belong to the 

 Curculioiiidce. They feed upon plants, fruits, nuts and seeds, 

 and are peculiar for their having the wing-cases, in many instances, 

 covered with beautiful scales. This family requires careful 

 study, as but little is as yet known of the species belonging to 

 this interesting section. 



The Longicornes belong to the family Ceramhycidce; this is a 

 very extensive group. They are principally lignivorous, and in 

 their larval and perfect states feed on solid and decayed wood. 



Members of the genus Leptura are mostly floral species, feeding 

 in their grub state on wood, and in their perfect state on flowers. 



The leaf-eaters come next; they include the two families 

 ChrysomeUd(B and Cassididoe. These insects feed entirely on 

 the leaves of plants, and are very destructive in gardens. 



The last family we will mention is the Coccinellidoe (or lady 

 birds) ; they are carnivorous and^are very useful in gardens, rid- 

 ding plants of the small green insects called ApMdce or plant lice. 



I have cursorily glanced at some of the leading characters 

 represented in the families contained in the list, as regards their 

 habits and their food. In concluding these remarks, I would 

 state that looking at the insect world from an economic point of 

 view, they are worthy the attention of mankind. Tnsiiinificant 

 though insects appear, the wondrous results they bring about, are 

 well known ; the number of hands they keep busy are exemplified 

 by the productions of the silk worm. We are indebted to them 

 for ink, dyes, and lac ; to the bee for honey and wax. Who 

 knows but that an insect may yet be found in Canada that will 

 be the means of developing some sphere of industry ? In medicine 

 we have the blister beetle or Spanish Jly ; that our Canadian 

 Meloe and Epiccmta may secrete Cantharadine I have no doubt, 

 as it is an ally of the blister beetle of commerce. The oily 

 matter exuding from the joints of Meloe warms the tongue con- 

 siderably on applying it to that member. Then look how nature 



