CHAPl'KR V. 



ORDER I. COLEOPTERA ( Continued). 



PENTAMERA. 



Distinguished entomologists have made two grand divisions of the penlanierous insects. 

 Some of the families of the first division have been noticed : the second is equally im- 

 portant with the first, and admits of subdivision into natural groups or families; but there 

 is some diversity of opinion where the lines boimding these families shall be drawn, and 

 also respecting the best terms for designating them. 



A plain and comprehensive subdivision into groups has been made by Stephens : 1, 

 the Clavioornes, which are characterized by the antennae terminating in a solid ball, or 

 a perforated one ; 2, the Lamellicornes, with the antennae terminating in a leafy or 

 lamellated mass ; and, 3, the Serricornes, having the antennae ccnslructed so that their 

 whole length is toothed somewhat like a saw. The Clavicohnes are divided into two 

 families : the first contains those insects which resemble the Linnean Genus Byrbhus, 

 having straight claviform antennae, and called the Family Bybhhidje, Leach. The second 

 fkmily have also claviform antennae, but each with a distinct elbow or angle. 



The BvRRHiDjE are small beetles with short oval convex bodies, and generally pilose or 

 hairy : the elytra cover the body, and the legs can be folded up ; when alarmed, it folds 

 them together under its body, and then remains motionless, appearing like a seed, until 

 the danger is past. In this family the antennae become gradually clavate, and the club is 

 not solid. 



The second family of clavicornes takes its name from the Genus Hister : hence the 

 family name Histerid.«, Leach. In these, the antennae, instead of being straight, have a 

 sudden or short angle in them, or are said to be elbowed. They are small insects, hard and 

 shining or highly polished, and usually black : their forms are somewhat square, but still 

 possess considerable convexity ; their legs are more or less dentate, and the two hind ones 

 are set widely apart ; the elytra are short, and hence leave a portion of the abdomen 

 exposed. Their elbowed antennae, their polished surface and short elytra, clearly distin- 

 j;ni8h them from the byrrhida?. 



