CLASSIFICA-nON. 



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the sub-orders, and not to illustrate the families or 

 genera. 



DESCKIPTION OF COLEOPTERA. 



1st. — Wing structure: Have four wings, of 

 which the anterior or first pair are hard like 

 horn or leather, forming a pair of slieathes 

 called elytra^ which, when the insect is at 

 rest, are joined in a line down the back. 



The posterior, or second pair of wings, are 

 the true organs of flight; they are mem- 

 branous, and when unemployed are folded 

 longitudinally and transversely, and protect- 

 ed by the elytra. 



2d. — Mouth parts: Mouth made for chewing, 

 with transversely moveable jaws. 



3d. — Transformations or Metamorphoses : Larvae 

 active, resembling sliort thick worms, with 

 three pairs of short legs attached to the first 

 three segments. 

 ^ Pupa incomplete. 



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