]58 ZOOLOGY. 



from a line to two and a lialf inches. Bujyrestis marimia {Jig. 22), to 

 which this generic name properly belongs, is much like the North American 

 M. virginiana. Fig. 23 rejiresents Eachroma gigas, which inhabits 

 Cayenne. The larvce in this family bore in wood, and may be frequently 

 discovered under the bark of pine logs. 



The ElateridiB {jpl. 81, figs. 30-33) are closely allied to the Buprestidm., 

 but the colors are not so brilliant, and the body is less hard. The chief 

 difierence is in the structure of the prothorax, which moves so freely in a 

 vertical direction that the insect can employ this power to throw the body 

 about, either to regain its position upon its feet or to escape. The pro- 

 sternum has a projecting spine, which tits into a corresponding impression 

 in the mesosternum. They are generally found among living vegetables. 

 AYe have found the larva of the large North American Alans oculatus in 

 the wood of ash trees. This species extends from the northern part of the 

 United States to the latitude (19°) of Vera Cruz in Mexico. 



The Ajyi'osternia (or Malacodermia) have the antennae generally long 

 and serrated, sometimes clavate, and not lodged in a groove of the pro- 

 sternum, the head deflexed and deejjly seated, the body elongate and 

 generally soft, and the feet rather long and slender. The greater part of 

 them are winged. The larviE feed either upon wood or insects, and the 

 adults are found upon liowers or plants, in dead wood, or upon the earth. 

 Some are predaceous. The Malacodermes of Latreille include the families 

 Ccbrionides., Lamj^xjrides., Melyrides., Clairones.^ a.\\^ Ptiniores ; but Stephens 

 and AYestwood extend the group considerably further, and the latter adds 

 the family Scydriiosiiidw., which Stephens places with the Ileteromera. With 

 this exception, the families of these two authors agree, and are as follows: 1, 

 Cchrionidie; '^., CAjphonidcE ; Z Lampjridw ; ^.^ Telephoridcfi ; t)., Melyindce ; 

 G, Cleridm I T, Ptmidct'; 8, LynicxylonidcB ; 9, Bostricliidce; 10, Scyd- 

 inanidcB. 



The Lampyrid(E are well known as the family containing the fireflies 

 and glow-worms. The body is lengthened and depressed, and with the 

 elytra of a soft consistence, and the head is more or less hidden by the 

 prothorax. Most of the species seem to be carnivorous. When disturbed 

 they draw in their members and simulate death. The common glow-worm 

 of the middle United States is the female oi Photuris versicolor. 



In the MelyrldcB., some of the species of Malachius are remarkable for 

 having red lateral organs which they can swell or relax at pleasure, the use 

 of which is not known. The species of this genus feed upon insects. 



In the Cleridce., the larva of the genus Clerus is remarkable for destroying 

 the larvse of bees. Necrolna and Corynetes are found about old animal 

 carcases, particularly upon the bones. 



The family Ptinidcu contains various small oval insects with the head 

 placed deep in the prothorax, the antennae eleven-articulate, filiform, or 

 sometimes pectinate. They are of obscure colors, and counterfeit death. 

 They are very destructive to the woodwork of houses and furniture, and 

 some destroy books and collections of dried plants and insects. The 

 genus Anohium sometimes strikes its jaws upon the wood in which it 

 362 



