WINGS AND LEGS. 13 



the latter the under surface. In the last figure, a is 

 the metasternum, b the abdomen, c the parapleura, 

 or side-pieces (sometimes called paraptera, because 

 they are situated by the wings), and d the episterna, 

 or breast-pieces. 



Each of these portions is set apart for a definite 

 use, and is employed for the attachment of some 

 portion of the locomotive apparatus. 



The prosternum is used to carry the front pair of 

 legs, as can be seen by looking at the under side of 

 any large Beetle, or indeed of any small one, by the 

 aid of a magnifier. 



The mesothorax bears the elytra, or wing cases, 

 and the intermediate pair of legs, the former being 

 attached to the upper part, or mesonotum, and the 

 latter to the lower part, or mesosternum. The reader 

 must remember that the word ' sternum ' always 

 signifies the breast, or under side of the thorax, and 

 * notum ' the back, or upper side. Lastly, the meso- 

 thorax bears the lower, or membranous, wings and the 

 last pair of legs. As before, the wings are attached 

 to the upper part, or metanotum, and the legs to the 

 lower part, or metasternum. 



We come now to the legs, the three pairs of which 

 are represented successively at Figs. 11, 13, 15 ; the 

 first pair being called the anterior legs, the second 

 the intermediate legs, and the third the posterior 

 legs. 



These legs are divided into several portions, 

 which are marked at Fig. n. Beginning at the ex- 

 tremity of the limb, a is the tarsus, or foot, which 

 consists of several joints. There are mostly five joints 



