lU 



THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. 



iimch below the level of the thorax, and by the abdomen usually termi- 

 iiatiug iu a considerably prolonged point. They are, moreover, the only 

 Trachelides which have the upper part of the thorax separated from 

 the lower, on the sides, by a prominent lin6 or margin. The tarsal 

 claws are small, but when strongly magnified they are usually found 

 to be prettily serrated on their lower edge. Their colors are mostly 

 black or slate color, but some of them are slightly variegated with 

 whitish or rufous. The perfect insects are usually found upon flowers, 



[Fig. 50.] 



MORDEi.i.A 8-PUNCTATA, Fab.: — a, larva ; 6, pupa ; c, beetle, 

 outline side view of female; d, dorsal view of same,- e, antenua; 

 /, the serrated tarsal claw of same, highly ruagnitied — after 



and some of the species are 

 very common. The larvse 

 have been found in the rot- 

 ten wood, and in the pith of 

 various plants, upon which 

 they are therefore supposed 

 to feed ; and we have already 

 referred to Mr. Eiley's obser- 

 vations upon the larvai of 

 M. S- punctata, which he 



Riley. found in old oak stumjis, un- 



der circumstances which seemed to preclude the supposition of their 

 beiug otherwise than lignivorous in their diet. 



It would seem, therefore, that in a natural classification of the Oole- 

 optera according to their food-habits, the Mordellidaj should be sepa- 

 rated from the parasitic Trachelides, and united with the heteromerous 

 bark-beetles, which they also resemble in some of their organic charac- 

 ters, such as their in-oportionally smaller heads, margined thorax, and 

 sombre colors. In this case their location Would be adjoining the Ciste- 

 lid<T, which they resemble in the peculiar character of their serrated claws. 



There are upwards of ninety described N. American species of this 

 family, most of which are contained in genera Anaspis and Mordella, 

 the former being distinguished by not having the abdomen prolonged 

 to a point. 



Family XLIV. MELOID^. 



This family contains the well-known Lyttse 

 or Cantharides. They have elongated flexi- 

 ble bodies, with a very distinct neck, and 

 with the claws deeply cleft, the upper portion 

 being often pectinate, or comb-toothed. They 

 are rather large or medium -sized insects. 

 Our most common species are blackish or 

 ash-colored, but some are prettily striped, 

 and others are richly variegated with green 

 affcf p:;.trd;"'^' '''"'= " '''''~ and yellow. Thelarvie, so far as known, are 



