192 Prof. J.C. Schjodte on the Classification 
spine out of its bed on the mesosternum, and we shall then find 
that this bed is shaped so as to fit the spine exactly, so that there 
is nothing different in the arrangement from what we find, for 
instance, in Carabi and in Dytisci ; that is to say, it has no other 
object than to procure a firm junction between the parts. And 
this same tendency to firmness, and even rigidity, is not confined 
to this point, but is carried out in the whole structure, by every 
means which the elements of the body offer, along the whole 
ventral surface—that is to say, in that line which in Arthropoda 
corresponds to the spinal column of Vertebrata. We observe, 
first, the peculiarity that not only the mesosternum and episterna 
mesothoracica, but also the epimera mesothoracica, take part in 
the articulation with the prothorax; secondly, the complete 
coalescence of the ventral segments, save the last three ; finally, 
that the abdomen prolongs itself with a very strong spine or 
wedge between the posterior cox, reaching the metasternum, 
embracing also the posterior coxe laterally by means of two 
large lobes, which reach the epimera metathoracica. In most 
Buprestide there is this further provision, that the pronotum, 
by a backward prolongation, wedges itself in between the elytra. 
Whilst now in Carabi the firmness and compactness of the body 
is required to render them fast runners, in Dytisci to increase 
their power of swimming, its significance in Buprestidz is to 
render their flight strong. They are the Colibris amongst 
beetles, creatures fitted for living in strong sunlight, with 
markedly sculptured surface, sparingly endowed with hairs, rich 
in glittering metallic colours, resplendent with green, gold, purple, 
and azure—with a broad metathorax for the powerful muscles of 
the wings—of ovoid figure, pointed behind, with the centre of 
eravity between the wings, which are without cross folds (unique 
amongst Coleoptera), so that they can be unfolded for flight 
with lightning speed—with large oval eyes, presenting nu- 
merous fine facets, calculated for broad daylight—short naked 
antennee, with spots of pores—short folding legs which, though 
not of very characteristic form, pointedly retain their character of 
walking legs, being of very nearly equal length, the trochanters 
of the posterior pair not supporting—the feet also, by their broad 
soles and membranaceous pads, announcing themselves as the 
representative of the herbivorous type of insect foot within the 
series of Serricornia*. Looking to their mternal structure, we 
find that their tracheal system is extremely rich in air-vesicles— 
a peculiarity which does not seem to reappear amongst Coleoptera, 
except in Scarabzei, which, next to the Buprestide, contain the 
most powerful fliers of the order, 
* Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 3. vol. xv. pp. 182-183, On the Classi- 
fication of Cerambyces.” 
