252 CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 



Dung-chafers or Scarabaites. Larva resembles the pre- 

 ceding. Inhabits and feeds on the excrement of animals. 

 Pttpa changes in the ground. Imago with antennxB com- 

 posed of nine or ten joints, the terminal ones forming a 

 compressed club ; lahrum generally concealed by the cly- 

 peus ; mandibles sometimes corneous, sometimes membra- 

 naceous ; colour brown, black, or metallic -tinted black ; 

 form oval, convex above. Inhabits and feeds as in the larva 

 state ; flight easy, rapid, mostly nocturnal. Aphodius. 

 Geotrupes, Bolboceras, Onthophagus, Copris. 



Stag-beetles or Lucanites. Larva resembles the pre- 

 ceding ; feeding on decayed wood. Pupa changes in the 

 same situations. Imago with ten-jointed antenna;, the basal 

 joint very long, and the others bending forward from it at a 

 right angle, forming an elbow, the three apical joints form- 

 ing a club ; lahrum concealed or obsolete ; mandibles very 

 long, strong and toothed ; maxillae weak and pilose. Flight 

 nocturnal. Feeds on the sap of plants. Sinodendron, 

 Lucanus, Platycerus. 



Mimick-beetles or Histerites. Larva rather more elon- 

 gate than that of the Lucanites, in other respects nearly 

 similar in formation. Inhabits and feeds on putrid sub- 

 stances. Pupa mostly changes in the ground. Imago 

 with clavate antenncB ; strong, corneous, and projecting 

 mandibles; head retractile within \he prothorax ; fore wings 

 square and very short ; legs retractile ; covering excessively 

 hard, highly polished. Inhabits putrid substances ; mimicks 

 death when disturbed ; flies occasionally in the sunshine. 

 Hister, Detidrophilus, Onthophilus, Abraus. 



Pill-beetles or Byrrhites. Larva as in the Histerites, 

 but somewhat pilose. Feeds on the roots of vegetables and 

 decaying wood. Pupa mostly changes in the earth. Imago 

 with moniliform antenn(B incrassated towards the extremity, 

 but not clubbed ; mandibles corneous, but not projecting ; 



