256 MODERN CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 



major part of the Llnneean genus Cantharis, which name is still em- 

 ployed for these insects by some foreign naturalists, who give to the 

 medicinal Cantharides the generic name of Lytta. 



These insects are of a soft consistence, and of a long and narrow 

 form {fig. 27. 11. Telephorus rusticus ? ); they have perfect vi^ings 

 and elytra, and the eyes are of moderate size in both sexes. The head 

 is broad and not concealed under the thorax ; the mandibles are acute 

 and curved i^fig. 27. 12.) ; and the aiitennge are simple, moderately 

 long, and inserted close together ; occasionally they are only 10-jointed; 

 the labial palpi (^fig. 27. 14.) are nearly as long as the maxillary 

 (^fig. 27. 13.), and they are all terminated by a securiform joint ; the 

 penultimate joint of the tarsi is bilobed {fig. 27. 15.). These insects, 

 which are known by the common name of Soldiers and Sailors, are 

 found in the spring in considerable numbers upon flowers, especially 

 those of the umbelliferae and whitethorns. They are very voracious, 

 feeding upon other insects, and devouring such of their own species 

 as they can subdue, the females not even sparing their mates. 

 These circumstances were, indeed, doubted by Olivier, but they have 

 been well authenticated, and I have, myself, been often a witness of 

 their voracious dispositions ; their flight is heavy, and they walk 

 awkwardly. 



De Geer has traced the history of Teleph. fuscus Linn., and has 

 figured it in its different states ; the larva {fig. 27. I6.) is long and 

 fleshy, depressed, and of a velvety black colour, with an exposed 

 scaly flat head {fig. 27. I8., upper side of the head transversely divided 

 by a ridge into two parts, at the lateral extremity of which are the 

 eyes ; fig. 27- 17. the under side of the head), furnished with stout 

 mandibles, two short antennae {fig. 27. 19), and four palpi, with a 

 single ocellus behind each antenna. Each of the first three segments 

 is furnished with a pair of scaly legs, terminated by a curved hook, 

 and the under side of the terminal segment, which is entire and 

 rounded, is furnished with a fleshy tubercle, answering the purpose of 

 a leg. The other segments are rounded at the sides. These larvae 



Bdanger, Voyage de Duperrey. 

 Boisduval. Voyage d'Urville. 

 Perty. Del. An. Art. Brasilia}. 

 Brullt. Exped. Scient. de INIoree. 



Gucrin. Icon. 11. An. Insectes. — Ditto, Voyage de la Coquille. — Ditto in Ann. 

 Soc. Ent. de France, vol. ii. 



