37 
have been told that almost any quantity of these Weevils may be 
obtained from the docks, and that in some of the vessels they may 
be swept up in handfuls. Beetles are distinguished by two horny 
or leathery wing cases, termed elytra, and two membraneous under- 
wings folding beneath the elytra; these being kept open during 
flight, giving the insect an appearance of having four wings. In 
their pupz state they are not covered by au uniform hard case, as 
in the Lepidoptera, or moths and butterflies ; nor active, as in the 
Hemiptera (an order of insects having membraneous wings, with 
wing covers usually half membraneous and half coriaceous), but 
exhibit all the parts of the future insect in a rudimentary condition, 
covered by a continuous tight-fitting outer skin, which renders 
them incapable of motion by means of their limbs. After briefly 
referring to the metamorphosis which the beetle pass through, 
; namely, egg, larva, and pups, Mr. Taylor then proceeded to 
describe the external anatomy of this interesting insect, and then 
entered upon a description of the various sections of families. The 
order Coleoptera, he said, contains a vast number of species, of 
which nearly 3,000 are known in this country, and these are 
divided into eleven great sections, namely, the Adephaga, or 
carniverous beetles; the Brachelytra, or Devil’s Coach-horses ; the 
Necrophaga, or carrion feeders ; the Lamellicornes, or chafers ; the 
Sternoxi, the Malacodormi, the Heteromere, the Rhynchophora, 
the Longicornes, the Eupoda, and the Pseudotrimera. These 
are again divided into sub-sections, families, &c. The first section 
is divided into two sub-sections—the Geodephaga, which contains 
the terrestial, and the Hydradephaga, the aquatic species. The 
first-named are easily distinguished by their hard well-developed 
mandibles, or jaws, and their legs eminently constructed for rapid 
movements, combined with strength. This section is specially 
noticeable for their carniverous propensities, passing their lives 
both in the larval and perfect state in the pursuit and destruction - 
of their weaker brethren ; they are to be found in wet marshy 
places ; under stones, bark, and felled trees; in the cracks of mud 
banks and chalky cliffs; also on sandy heaths. Most of them are 
nocturnal in their habits ; a few of them, however, are to be found 
~ in the bright sunshine, actively flying or running about in pursuit 
of their victims. Many of the day-feeding species are metallic, 
brightly coloured, prettily banded or spotted; a few are clothed 
‘with scales or scanty hairs, and these form beautiful objects for 
‘microscopical examination. The members of the water-beetle sub- 
~ section exhibit a similarity of structure, with modifications adapted 
to the change of element. Their larva are also aquatic and very 
_ predacious. Mr. Taylor then described the Devil’s Coach Horses 
 (Ocypus olens), which he said constituted a very large group. 
Most of the larger species were predatorial, and must not be placed 
. D 
