DELICATE SCALES. 



137 



of the species, which is apt to be very variable in 

 other respects. 



The young entomologist must be very careful in 

 handling this and other scale-clad Weevils, as the 

 scales are easily rubbed off, so that nothing is seen 

 but the dull-black of the elytra. A roughly-handled 

 Weevil is just as unfit for the cabinet as a butterfly 

 with the rich plumage rubbed from its wings. 



All the members of this genus are injurious to the 

 crops, especially clover and peas. The generic name 

 of Sitones (erroneously spelt Sitona by some entomo- 

 logists) is a Greek word signifying a corn-dealer, and 

 has been given to the Beetles in consequence of their 

 influence upon the harvests. 



THE next family upon our list is that of the 

 Otiorhynchidae. This rather crabbed name is com- 

 pounded of two Greek words, the 

 former signifying an ear and the 

 latter a nose or snout, and is given 

 to this family because the beak is 

 developed at each side into a flat 

 ear-like lobe. The beak is short 

 and stout, and the basal joint of 

 the antennae reaches beyond the 

 eyes when directed backwards. 



Of this family our typical ex- 

 ample is Otiorhynchnspicipes, which odorhynchus picipes. 

 is here represented. The typical genus, to which 

 this insect belongs, has the antennae long, and gene- 

 rally set on the tip of the beak. The scutellum is 

 often absent, and where it does exist is very small ; 



