COLEOPTERA. MORDELLIDiE. 293 



nified). The thorax is trapezoid or semicircular ; the elytra either 

 very short, or acuminated at the extremity as well as the abdomen ; 

 the head (^fig- 33. 7.) is trigonate-ovate, very much inflexed, nnd 

 closely applied to the prosternum ; the penultimate joint of the tarsi 

 is simple, but the claws are bifid ; the superior division being pec- 

 tinated in some of the large exotic species of Mordella i^fig. 

 33.9.), Ctenopus Fisch., S)^c. The antennte are rather short {Jig. 

 33. 8.), and often pectinated or flabellate {Jig. 33. 13.). In the typical 

 genera, the hind legs are broad and compressed, with long tibial spurs 

 {Jig. 33. 10.), evidently serving for their quick motions. 



From the structure of their antenna', some of these insects ap- 

 proach the Pyrochroae ; whilst others, in their maxillae, tarsal claws, 

 and parasitic habits, are more allied to Nemognatha and Sitaris in the 

 following families. They are, however, distinguished from all these 

 insects by their great agility, and by the firmer consistence of their 

 bodies. From a calculation given by MUller, it would appear that 

 the eyes of a species of Mordella are furnished with 25,088 hex- 

 agonal facets. Mr. Hentz has noticed another interesting peculiarity 

 in a North American species of Ilipiphorus (11. diniidiatus, forming 

 the type of the subgenus Macrosiagona Hentz.), in which the maxillae 

 are terminated by a long, slender, and pilose filament, capable 

 of great extension, and analogous to the maxillary seta) of Gnathium 

 in the following family {Trans. A/ner. Phil. Soc. vol. 3.). 



These insects are of various habits. The smaller typical species 

 frequent flowers, especially those of the whitethorn and umbellifera?. 

 These are extremely active, fly with rapidity, and leap well; the 

 posterior coxaj very greatly developed, equalling in size the entire 

 metasternum, and evidently enlarged for supporting the muscles ne- 

 cessary for the increased activity of these insects. When alarmed 

 they draw the head close against the mesostcrnum. The larva of 

 Mordella pusilla is described and figured by Schilling (in the Bcitrage 

 ziir Entomol. 1829) : it is long, subcylindric, with the articulations 

 deeply incised (_^^. 33. li.) ; six short pectoral or thoracic legs, and 

 with the terminal segment smaller than the preceding, and obtusely 

 pointed. The sides of the segments appear to be furnished with 

 fleshy tubercles. It was found abundantly in the stems of Artemisia 

 vulgaris in September and October, feeding upon the pith : in the 

 beginning of the following spring they assumed the pupa state, and 

 were transformed to beetles, in about thirty days. Mr. G. R.Water- 



u 3 



