250 CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 



small, soft, and somewhat imperfect ; the prothorax flat- 

 tened, dilated at the margins ; the fore wings flexible, 

 leathery; females sometimes without wings. Frequently 

 flies by night, emitting from the two last segments a bright 

 phosphoric light. Lampyris, Drilus, Omalisus. 



Soft- winged beetles or Cebrionites. Larva and pupa un- 

 known. Imago with the antennae very simple, filiform ; man- 

 dibles imperfect, terminating in a single point ; prothorax 

 semicircular, the convex, being the anterior margin, com- 

 pletely concealing the head ; fore wings and whole body 

 soft and flexible, as though immature ; more round and 

 compact in shape than the preceding orders. Inhabits the 

 leaves and flowers of plants in summer. Dascillus, Elodes. 



Click-beetles or Elaterites. Larva elongate, cylindrical, 

 with six articulate and one caudal leg ; slothful. Feeds on 

 the roots of wheat, potatoes, &c., also occasionally on de- 

 caying timber ; is very destructive to crops, and known to 

 farmers as the WIRE-WORM. Pupa mostly changes in the 

 ground. Imago with moniliform antennae, not unfrequently 

 serrated or pectinated in the males ; mandibles bifid at the 

 extremity ; head received into the prothorax ; prothorax 

 with a projecting spine beneath; mesothorax with a cavity 

 for the reception of the spine. When laid on its back it 

 rights itself by a spring, in giving which it makes a loud 

 click. Inhabits flowers, &c. Elater. 



Buprestites. Larva very elongate, cylindrical, with six 

 articulate and one caudal prehensile leg. Feeds on tim- 

 ber. Pupa changes in the same situation. Imago with 

 serrated or pectinated antennae ; mandibles short, strong 

 and bifid ; head more than two-thirds received into the pro- 

 thorax ; prothorax beneath produced posteriorly into a 

 spine ; but there being no corresponding cavity in the me- 

 sothorax, the insect has not, when placed on its back, 

 the power of leaping possessed by the Elaterites. Inhabits 



