286 MODERN CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 



which evidently form the connecting links between the two divisions), 

 and being slow in their movements, with the coxte of the fore-legs 

 shortly rounded. * 



The Trachelia are further distinguished by having the body 

 generally of a soft consistence, with the elytra flexible, sometimes very 

 short, and folded on the inner margin over each other; in others, not 

 uniting in a straight suture. The maxillae are not unguiculated. The 

 penultimate tarsal joint is often bilobed, a peculiarity often dependent 

 upon the arborial or floral habits of the species ; the posterior coxse 

 are approximated together, and the tarsal claws are often irregular, 

 being either bifid or (more rarely, Horia, Mordella,) toothed. The 

 antennae are generally elongated and filiform or branched. Many of 

 these insects, when alarmed, counterfeit death by contracting their 

 legs and antennae. They are chiefly found in flowers or upon trees, 

 and are often very active. Some are parasitic in the nests of bees. 



This subsection, pi-ovisionally comprises the nine following families, 

 which I have endeavoured to arrange in accordance with their 

 affinities ; Notoxidae, Pyrochroidae, Lagriidae, Horiidae, Mordellidae, 

 Cantharidae, Salpingidae, CEdemeridae, and Melandryidas. 



The first family, NoTOxiD^f , Stephens, is of small extent and com- 

 posed of insects of minute size {fig- 32. l. Notoxus monoceros, 32. 

 2. the front of the body seen laterally), having the head subcordate, 

 the penultimate joint of the tarsi bilobed i^fig' 32. 5. 6.), and the 

 antennge simple, filiform, or slightly thickened at the tips, either 

 gradually, or with the three last joints evidently enlarged ; the claws of 

 the tarsi are entire, the mandibles are strong and triangularor quadrate, 

 (fig. 32. 3.) ; the maxillary palpi are terminated by a large hatchet- 



* The correspondent variation of habits, structure, and colours in these two di- 

 visions is remarkable. The diurnal versicolorous species have need of increased 

 activity and attention, and their heads are therefore accordingly constructed, so as 

 to afford increased powers of vision. 



•}• BiBLioGR. Refer, to the Notoxid^. 



Hope, in Trans. Zool. Soc. i. 

 Saunders, in Trans. Ent. Soc. i. 



Gutrin, in Voy. Coq. Ins. pi, 5. =-• 



Say. American Entomology, and the general works of Ahrens, Panzer, Stephens, 

 Gt/Uenhall, Sfc. 



