THE ORDERS OF INSECTS. 7 



Ccleoptera, OrtJwptcra, Neuroptcra, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, 

 Hemiptera, and Diplcra ; according to the general character of 

 the wings in each Order. The first four Orders are mandibulate, 

 and the three latter haustellate. But we must here point out 

 that it is impossible to place insects in a linear arrangement which 

 shall also be natural. Thus, even in the arrangement of the 

 Orders, the Hemiptera might be placed between the OrtJwptera 

 and Diptera; or the Lepidoptem between the Neuroptera and 

 Diptera, just as well as in the order in which we have placed 

 them above. The Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, and Diptera are the 

 three largest Orders, of each of which we have above three 

 thousand representatives in Britain ; of Lepidoptera we have two 

 thousand species ; but the three other Orders are much less 

 numerous. 



The Ccleopfera, or Beetles, have hard horny wing-cases, beneath 

 which the wings are folded like a fan, and are then doubled over, 

 so as to fit still closer. Their larvee have six legs, and their pupoe 

 are inactive and mummy-like, the legs of the future beetle being 

 enclosed in separate sheaths. In some cases the perfect insect is 

 destitute of wings and elytra, as in the female of the common 

 glow-worm ; and in many other beetles the wings are absent, 

 the elytra being either movable, but of course useless for flight ; 

 or soldered together at the suture, as the line is called where the 

 elytra meet over the back of the abdomen, but the elytra of 

 beetles very seldom overlap. We will proceed to enumerate a 

 few of the commoner and more interesting beetles. 



The Cicindelidce, or Tiger Beetles, are handsome, bright- 

 coloured beetles, with large heads and strong jaws, which run 

 and fly actively in the sunshine. The common Green Tiger 

 Beetle (Cicindela Campestris) is green, with white markings, 

 and is veiy abundant in many places. It feeds on other insects, 

 and its larva is also carnivorous, forming a burrow in the sand, 

 something like an Ant-lion, which is the name given to the larvse 

 of a family of the Order Neuroptera, a few species of which are 

 found on the Continent, but which has no representative in this 

 country. The Green Tiger Beetle is about half an inch in 

 length. 



The Carabida, or Ground Beetles, are also carnivorous. 

 Several species of the typical genus Carabus are common, and 

 may be seen running on paths or by the side of walls, especially 

 in the morning and evening. They are oval beetles, about an 

 inch long, and are of dark colours, with purplish, greenish, 

 or brassy shades. They have movable elytra, but no wings. 

 Many smaller species of ground beetles may be noticed in 



