138 COLEOPTERA. 



single egg which, after becoming a larva, will find a 

 store of food ready for use. The ant is set before us in 

 the Bible as an example of diligence and patience. 

 The Greek translation in Prov. vi. 8 has the following 

 eulogium on the bee : " Go to the bee and learn how 

 diligent she is, and what a noble work she produces, 

 whose labours kings and private men use for their 

 health ; she is desired and honoured by all, and though 

 weak in strength, yet since slie values wisdom, she pre- 

 vails." This passage is not found in any Hebrew copy 

 of the Scriptures ; it exists, however, in the Arabic 

 version, and is quoted by Origen, Clemens Alexandrinus, 

 Jerome, and other ancient writers. 



COLEOPTERA. 



We now come to the Beetles or Sheath-winged insects, 

 whose first pair of wings are more or less of a horny 

 consistence, and form a covering for the posterior pair 

 when not in use. These sheaths, when the beetle is 

 flying, are extended motionless at right angles to the 

 body, and when the insect is at rest they generally 

 meet in a straight line down the back. The meta- 

 morphosis in the Coleoptera is as complete as in the 

 Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera ; the larvtje are generally 

 soft fleshy grubs, though, in some cases, the integuments 

 are leathery and tough ; they have generally six legs on 

 the thorax, and frequently anal-pro-legs. The pupse are 

 free and inactive. This order contains an immense 

 number of species ; the British species numbering about 

 3,000, and to this additions are made from time to 



