8fi 



ORDER COLEOPTERA. 



PHILHYDRIDA 



NECROPHAGA 



BRACHELYTRA 



HETEROCERIDiEl 



Pabnid^. 

 Helofhoridje. 



HvDROrHILlD^. 

 SPH^RIDIlDiG? 



SCAPHIDIID^. 

 SlLPHIDiE. 



NiTIDULIDjE. 



Engid^. 

 Deemestidje. 



SxAPHYLINIDiE. 



Stenidjj. 

 Omalidx. 



PsELAPHIDjE. 



Tacbyforidje. 



Westwood, however, in his work on the British genera, adopts, in preference to the 

 foregoing, the tarsal system, and hence recognizes the following subdivision : 



1. Pbntamera : tarsi with five joints j 



2. Heteromera : the four anterior tarsi_5-jointed, and the two posterior 4-jointed ; 



3. Pseudotetramera : tarsi 5-jointcd, the fourth exceedingly minute ; 



4. Pseodotrimera : tarsi 4-jointed, the third jomt very diminutive and concealed. 



Cicindelidae. 



The femily of beetles, which are known under this name, are among the most beautifVil of 

 the insect tribes : their colors are brilliant, and their markings add to the beauty and 

 elegance of the colors by contrast. In size they occupy a middle ground : the largest 

 scarcely exceed an inch in length, and the smallest are at least one-third of an inch long. 

 Their habits are as interesting as their colors are beautiful : their watchfulness is untiring ; 

 and though their Hight is short, it is difficult to capture them. In tlie nature of their in- 

 stincts they agree with the carnivora among the vertebrate class of animals : they are 

 flesh-eaters ; but in order that they may capture and secure the living insect as their prey, 

 they are qualified to give chase either on the wing or on foot, and they make war upon all 

 insects that are not too strong for them. The cicindelidae hunt upon sandy and arid plains, 

 and seem to delight in the heating rays of the sun ; for in hot days they appear far more 

 numerous, flying and alighting upon the ground l^efore us in dry paths, and turning their 

 heads watchfully towards us when they rest for a moment. 



