COLEOPTERA. CICINDELID^. 47 



The first stirps, GEODEPHAGA,or predaceous Land-beetles, have 

 the legs long and formed for running, the four posterior being placed at 

 equal distances apart, and capable both of vertical and horizontal 

 motion ; the jaws are long, horny, and curved, not being concealed by 

 the upper lip ; the terminal internal lobe of the maxillae is straight, 

 except at the tip, which is hooked ; the antennae are long and slender ; 

 the body is generally oblong, seldom oval ; and the eyes prominent. 

 This is one of the most extensive groups of insects ; Dejean enume- 

 rating 2500 species, and Stephens describing about 450 as inhabitants 

 of this country. From their numbers, therefore, they must be emi- 

 nently serviceable in keeping in check the tribes of other insects 

 which, if undisturbed, might become noxious. They are chiefly found 

 beneath stones, under clods of earth, &c. 



This stirps corresponds with the Linnaean genera Cicindela and 

 Carabus, which appear to constitute the two chief divisions of the 

 stirps. Mr. MacLeay has indeed divided the Carabi into four groups, 

 and Mr. Stephens into six, each of which is considered of equal rank 

 with Cicindela. Messrs. Kirby and Spence, however, follow Linnaeus 

 and Latreille, adopting only two chief divisions, proposing for Ci- 

 cindela the name of Eupterina (in allusion to their powers of flight), 

 and for Carabus that of Eupodina (from their power of running). I 

 however prefer regarding these two divisions as families, and of equal 

 rank : — 

 1st, Cicindelidae, or Tiger-beetles (maxillae armed with a moveable 



claw). 

 2d, Carabidae, or Ground-beetles (maxillas not armed with a move- 

 able claw). 



The first family, Cicindelid^ Leach*, is distinguished by the 

 terminal hook of the maxillae being articulated at its base [fig- \. 3.) : 



* BiBLiocR. References to the Cicindelidje. 

 Dejean. Species General des Coleopteres, vol. i. and App. to vol. ii. and v. Paris, 



1825 — 18:31. 

 Latreille and Dejean. Coleopteres d'Europe, 8vo. Paris, 1822. 

 Van der Linden. Memoir upon the Insects of Java, part 1. Bruxellcs. 4to. 1829. 

 MacLearj. Annulosa Javanica, part 1. 4to. London, 1825. 

 Lapnrte de Castelnait. Etudes Entomolofriques. 8vo. Paris, 1834, — Memoirs in 



Silbermann Rev. Entomol. torn. i. and ii. — Hist. Nat. des Anim. Articules. 



Paris, Svo. 1837. 



