ClIAPTKR VII. 



ORDER I. COLEOPTERA ( Continued). 



HETEROMERA. 



This division comprehends those insects in which the four anterior tarsi are five-jointed, 

 while tlie posterior pair are only foui'-joiuted. They are mostly vegetable feeders, some 

 preferring leaves, others flowers, and others farinaceous matters. There is great diversity 

 in their c<.>lor and habitat : some are beautifully ornamented, others dark and gloomy : 

 some prefer the light of day, and are found upon the wing spurting in the beams of the 

 sun ; others inhabit dark and gloomy places, retiring from day, and abiding in obscure 

 and unfrcfiuonted situations In these respects, however, we find elsewhere similar ar- 

 rangements and diversities. 



The IIetekomkka are subdivided by Westwood into two sections or tribes, the lii-st of 

 which he calls Tkachelia. The head in this tribe is considerably dilated behind the eyes, 

 and then narrowed again, so that the thorax does not equal the broadest part of the head. 

 The body of the insect is also of a soft consistence, and the elytra are flexible, and folded 

 or overlapped on their inner margin. The Cantharis is an example of this subdivision, as 

 to the character of (he elytra and the softness of body and gay color of the insect. 



The other great tribe or subdivision is the Atrachelia, In this trilie the thorax has the 

 widtli of the head, the posterior part of which is often concealed by the thorax. The habits 

 of the insects also serve to distinguish them from the first sululivision : they appear in 

 dull colors, rarely fly by day, and seek concealment in darkness. Among the Atrachelia 

 we find the Genera Blaps and Tenebrio. 



The Trachelia comprise the NotoxidiF, Pyrochroidae, Lagriidfc. Horiida?. Mordellid*. 

 Cantharida^, Saljiingid.T, ffidemerida", and Melandryida* ; in all nine families. 



The Atuaciielia emltrace only six families, namely, the Cistelidsp. Helopida-, Tene- 

 hrionidse, Diaperidie, Blapsida^ and Pimeliida^. 



