36 MODERN CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 



(but erroneously), incomplete, the term being applicable only to the 

 pupa state. The larvcB are active, and generally resemble short thick 

 worms, with the head and back of the anterior segments of the body 

 scaly, and generally with a pair of short jointed legs attached to 

 each of the first three segments, representing the three thoracic 

 segments and the six legs of the Imago. The head is furnished with 

 the same organs as that of the perfect insect, except that they are 

 more rudimental ; thus the eyes are represented by several small 

 ocelli-like tubercles observable at the side of the head, and the antennae 

 are very short ; the parts of the mouth are, however, more developed, 

 as might be expected from the circumstance of the larva state being 

 that in which the chief amount of nourishment is taken. The more 

 inactive and retired these larvae are, the more they resemble worms 

 or maggots : tlius the Nut Weevil, which is borne in the midst of its 

 food, is destitute of legs. The larvae of the carnivorous species are the 

 most active, being furnished with robust legs ; whilst some of the 

 larvae of the herbivorous species have the legs replaced by fleshy tuber- 

 cles, which are even occasionally wanting. The last segment of the 

 body is often furnished with horns or other appendages, and its 

 under side provided with a fleshy retractile tubercle, which is 

 employed as an additional leg, and even, as is asserted respecting the 

 larva of the Glowworm, as an instrument employed in cleansing the 

 body when soiled. Until the publication of the Horce Entomologicce, 

 entomologists had neglected the study of these larvae since the 

 time of De Geer. Within the last two or three years, however, the 

 attention of several authors has been directed to this branch of the 

 subject, including Messrs. Waterhouse, De Haan, and Hammer- 

 schmidt. I have also been long engaged in the like manner, having 

 observed the transformations of many species, as more fully to be 

 mentioned in the various families. The pujKi is inactive, the insect 

 taking no nourishment in this state, it is of a dirty white colour, and 

 often enclosed in a case composed of bits of earth or chips of wood, 

 united by silken threads or viscid matter formed by the larva 

 previous to undergoing its change. In this state the parts of the 

 future beetle are plainly perceivable, being incased in distinct 

 sheaths ; the head is applied against the breast ; the antennre lie 

 along the sides of the thorax ; the elytra and wings are short, and 

 folded at the sides of the body, meeting on the under side of the 

 abdomen ; the two anterior pairs of legs are entirely exposed, 



