CHAPTER IV. 



ORDER 1. COLEOPTERA. 



The Coleoptera is the order wliicli lias usually been first described, and Westwood has 

 lolluwed tlie comuiou practice in this respect in his Genera of British Insects. This order 

 is tlius characterized : 



Anterior wings homy or leathery, concealing the posterior when at rest, placed parallel and 

 joined by a straight suture. Posterior or inferior wings membranous, longitudinally and transrerse- 

 ly folded. Mouth furnished with transverse jaws. Pupa incomplete. 



Tlie insects of tliis order are denominated beetles : they constitute the most beautiful of 

 the class, and occupy the foremost rank among the tribes. They are grouped as follows bj 

 Mr. M'Le.w : 



1. GEODEI'HAGA : containing those beetles which have setaceous antennae, with the 



outer processes of the maxillx palpiform. 



2. HYDRADEPHAGA. 



In the first division the following families are included, being the old genus Cakabub 

 subdivided into 



GEODEPHAGA 



ClCINDELlD.1. 

 CarABID.!. 



HarpalidjE. 



ScARITIDiE. 



Bhachinid^e. 



HYDRADEPHAGA .- \ Gyhinwje. 



( DVTICID.E. 



The above is regarded as a normal group, and is followed by an aberrant one, character- 

 ized by clavate antennfe,or such as become gradually thickened towards ihe apex. and the 

 external lobe of the maxilla losing its palpiform character. This constitutes the Rvpophaoa 

 of Stephens. 



