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CHAPTER XII. 



LONGICORNES, OR LONG HORNED BEETLES. 



THIS group of Beetles derives its name from the 

 shape of the antennae, which are generally long, 

 though in some of our commonest species they are 

 only of moderate length ; but, whether they be long 

 or short, they are never clubbed, and are mostly 

 slender and thread-like. Their head is not lengthened 

 into a beak like that of the preceding group, and the 

 elytra are always broader at the base than the thorax. 

 There are other peculiarities of structure, but these 

 are quite sufficient to distinguish them. Indeed, 

 there is something so characteristic in the appearance 

 of a Longicorn Beetle, that even a novice finds no 

 difficulty in recognising it. 



They are all wood-borers in the larval condition, 

 and are thin, long, whitish grubs, rather flattened, and 

 with the segments boldly marked. By means of this 

 latter structure, the larvae are able to force their way 

 through the wooden tunnels in which they live. 

 They possess the usual six legs, but these limbs are 

 only rudimentary, and of no use in locomotion. 



As the grub has to feed upon hard material, it is 

 furnished with very strong horny jaws, and, in order 



