CHAPTKR VI. 



ORDER I. COLEOPTERA ( Continued). 



PRIOCERATA. 



The next subtiil)e of pentamerous beetles is named Priocerata by Mr. West wood {Serri-, 

 conies, Latr.). They comprise those lumilies whose auteunse are short, or only of a moderate 

 length, with an ecjuul thickness throughout, ami generally attenuated at the tip rather 

 than Ihiekened : they are eleven-jointed, but tlieir peculiar characteristic consists In being 

 serrated upon their inside ; hence the name scrricorncs by Latreili.e : in the males, they 

 are s)mctimes pectinated. Tlie insect has two short robust maxillary and labial palpi : 

 body elongate and narrow ; elytra narrowed behind, covering the alxlomen. 



The Priocerata are divided into two sections, the Macrostemi and the Ajnostcrni, by 

 Westwoou. The first comprises the old genera Blprestis and Elater, the consistence of 

 whose bodies is firm, and their forms elliptic and elongate, but narrowed behind : their 

 legs are short, and either partially or wholly retractile ; and their heads are short, and are 

 received into a cylindrical excavation in the prothoras, or in front up to their eyes. The 

 pectus advances beneath the mouth, and is also produced behind to a point. 



These beetles, for beauty and splendor of coloring, arc among the finest of the class of 

 insects : they are rich In Hie metallic hues which ornament their liodlesand elytra. Tliey 

 fly swiftly, but walk slowly, from the shortness of their legs. They make their escape, 

 whfu in danger of being captured, by falling suddenly into the grass and weeds. 



The Bui'REsTiuiE, or 6i//jt'i7n'a«4-, have an oval form, being widest behind the thorax and 

 obtuse before, but narrower behind and frequently acute : their bodies are also wider than 

 deep, with a thorax wider behind than before. The head, according to the typical character 

 of the family, is sunk into the thorax up to the eyes : the antenme ar-c short, and serrate 

 on the Insitle. The thorax is widest l»ehlnd, and fits very closely to the l)ase of the elytra. 

 The legs are set widely apart, and are short, and hence their stand is firm : the soles of 

 the fourth joints of the feet are furnished with spongy cushions, and the foot terminated 

 with two claws : the scutel is small. The insects are rarely seen, except in hot sunny days, 

 when they may be found on fences, limbs of trees, or sides of houses, basking in the sun : 

 they never fly in the night. 



[Agricultural Report — Vol. v.] 11 



