435 



IX. 



COLEOPTERA. 



In collections of insects the Coleoptera almost always occupy the 

 principal place. They are sought after by collectors on account of 

 the brightness of their colours, of the solidity of their integuments, 

 and the facility with which they can be preserved. This circumstance 

 has contributed much to give to the Coleopterous Order marked 

 preponderance in the immense series of insects. Many more have 

 been collected than any one has as yet been enabled to describe ; 

 and the collections are encumbered with species of which no naturalist 

 has yet given an account. 



Admitting that the first-rate collections contain each about 

 25,000 perfectly distinct species, and that a certain fraction of these 

 treasures is peculiar to each collection, M. Blanchard came to the 

 conclusion that we must estimate the number at more than 100,000 

 of the species of Coleoptera which would be obtained if the different 

 entomological collections of France, England, and Germany were 

 put together. But every day we see arriving from different regions 

 of the globe new riches, hardly dreamt of up to that time ; and it is 

 not only the small species, but the larger and more beautiful also, 

 which furnish their contingent. It may, then, be believed that, if the 

 entire surface of the earth were carefully explored, we should obtain an 

 incalculable number of Coleoptera, having sufficient characteristics 

 to constitute distinct species or kinds. 



The Coleoptera (from KoXeos, a sheath, and TrrepoV, a wing) are 

 insects with four wings. The anterior wings, or elytra, are not used 

 in flying ; they are sheaths, more or less hard, sometimes varied with 

 bright colours, and never crossing over each other. The posterior 

 wings are membranous, presenting a ramification of veins, and usually 

 folding up under the elytra, which protect them when at rest. The 

 mouth of Coleoptera is provided with mandibles, with jaws, and two 

 quite distinct lips, and is suited for mastication. They undergo 

 complete metamorphosis. After an existence of greater or less extent 



