126 INSECTA. 



with eleven articulations ; two eyes, with facets ; no smooth 

 eyes ; mouth composed of a labrum, or upper lip, a pair of 

 mandibles of a scaly consistence, a pair of jaws having each 

 one or two pair of palpi, and a labium, having a pair of labial 

 palpi. Larva vermiform, with six short feet ; nymph inactive, 

 with limbs visible ; metamorphosis complete. They are the 

 best known and most numerous of insects. Four sections. 



Section I. Pentamera. 

 Five articulations in each tarsus. Four families. 



FAMILY I. CARNIVORA. 



Two pairs of maxillary palpi, and one of labial; antennae 

 filiform. Three remarkable genera. 



GENUS I. CICINDELA, Lat. 



Head strong ; eyes large and projecting ; corselet very nar- 

 row and round ; mouth bristled with hairs ; body generally of 

 a deeper or lighter green, mingled with metallic and brilliant 

 colours, and having white spots upon the cases. Habitation 

 in sandy places, where they actively pursue Flies and other 

 Insects. Their larvae are found in the sand, where they ex- 

 cavate perpendicular holes, and place their large head at the 

 opening, in order to lower it rapidly, like a trap, whenever an 

 Insect happens to pass over the treacherous bridge. 



GENUS II. CARABUS. 



This genus is characterized by setaceous antennae, and by 

 the shape of the thorax, which resembles a heart ; the point 

 cut off and margined. The elytra are likewise surrounded 

 with a margin. 



In their winged state, the heads of these animals are pro- 

 minent; their mouths are armed with jaws, and four palpi. 

 Their eggs are deposited under ground, or in decayed trees, 

 where the larvae reside till they are metamorphosed, It is 

 not vegetable production alone that they devour : they are the 

 greatest tyrants to other Insects, and destroy, indiscriminately, 

 as many as their strength enables them to overcome. They 

 frequently emit a fetid odour, and discharge an acrid, caustic 

 liquor, when touched. 



