116 



THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. 



[Fig. 52.] rpj^^ genus Lytta, of Fabricius, or Cantharis, of Geoffroy, 

 coutains the blistering beetles of the shops, and also the 

 well-knowil ash-colored, black, and striped potato-beetles. 

 Some entomologists divide them into two groups or sub- 

 genera : Lytta proper, in which the antenme are almost mo- 

 niliform, and a little thicker towards the tip, and Eplcauta^ 

 in which the antennce are filiform, or a little tapering, with 



^F^brichl^^^' ^^® joints elongated. The latter group contains all our 



common species. 



[Fis. 53.] 



Family XLV. ANTHICID^. 



This family, founded upon the genus Anthicus, a Greek word, meaning 

 variegated, is of moderate extent, and is composed of very 

 small, prettily colored beetles, never much exceeding 

 an eighth of an inch in length. They are readily dis- 

 tinguished from most other small beetles by their nar- 

 row necks. Some of them bear a striking resemblance 

 to ants, and others are remarkable for a prominent 

 horn on the top of the thorax. The larvjij are unknown, 

 but some observations of Latreille led him to believe 

 that they are parasitic. The perfect insects are found 

 NoToxiis :— 1, beetle ; ou flowers and leaves. 



2, front of body seen la- . n -, • i -, /.li- 



terally; :j, mandible ; 4, JVlost ot our spccics are lound in the three following 



maxillary palpua ; 5, 6, 



tarsi — after Wostwood. genera '. 



A. Eyes notched, hairy, and coarsely granulated Xtlophilus, 6 sp. 



A A. Eyes oblong and entire. 



B. Thorax prolonged over the head in the form of a horn Notoxus, 15. 



B B. Thorax without horn Akihicus, 50. 



The curious little Notoxus monodon, Fab., is not an uncommon insect. 

 It is of a brownish-yellow color, with a black band across the middle of 

 the elytra, and two spots of the same at the base, and an obscure one 

 at the tip. The horn on the thorax projects forwards so as to cover the 

 head. Another, but less common species, is the iV". Mcolor, Say. The 

 head and thorax are yellowish, and the elytra are blue-black. The 

 genus Anthicus is much the most numerous in species. 



Family XLVI. PYROCHROID^. 



The species of this family are few in number, and are most conspicu- 

 ous for the usually branched anteniifc and their common style of colora- 

 tion, which is that of a red thorax contrasted with the black elytra. 

 They are of medium size, varying from one-third to three-fourths of an 

 iuch in length. The name is derived from the genus Pyrochroa of Geof- 



