COLEOPTEEA. 437 



in flying ; they are sheaths more or less hard, sometimes varied 

 with bright colours, and never crossing over each other. The pos- 

 terior wings are membranous, presenting a ramification of veins, 

 and folding up under the elytra, which protect them when at rest. 

 The mouth of Coleopters is provided with mandibles, with jaws, and 

 two quite distinct lips, and is suited for mastication. They undergo 

 complete metamorphosis. After an existence of greater or less 

 extent in the larva state (in the case of the Cockchafer three 

 years), the insect changes into a pupa, which remains in a 

 state of complete immobilitjr. After a certain time, the pupa 

 bursts its envelope and assumes the form of a perfect insect. 

 The Coleoptera present the utmost variety of habits, as regards 

 their habitations and food. One does not find in this Order 

 those admirable instincts, those manifestations of intelligence, 

 which bring certain Hymenoptera near to those beings which 

 are highest in the animal scale ; but they offer peculiarities very 

 well deserving serious and profound study. Some are carnivo- 

 rous, and thus they are useful to man in destroying other noxious 

 insects, which they seek on the ground, on low plants, on trees, 

 and even in the depths of the waters. Many of these Coleoptera 

 feed on animal matter in a state of putrefaction. We may look 

 on them as useful auxiliaries : they are Nature's undertakers. 



A great number live in the excrements of animals. The 

 dung of oxen, buffaloes, and camels afford shelter to Coleoptera 

 of different families, which live also on vegetable matter more 

 or less animalised. Others attack skins and dried animals in 

 general ; and some are the pest of entomological collections. Lastly, 

 immense legions of Coleoptera are phytophagous ; that is to 

 say, they attack roots, bark, wood, leaves, and fruits, and cause 

 much annoyance to the agriculturist. Above all, the larvae are to 

 be dreaded. Those which live in wood may in a few years 

 occasion the loss of trees, vigorous and full of life ; or completely 

 destroy the beams of a building. Certain larvse, such as those of 

 the cockchafer, eat away the roots of vegetables, and so destroy 

 the harvests. Others, lastly, devour the leaves and the stalks of 

 plants, attack the flowers in the gardens, or the corn in the barns ; 

 and so man makes desperate war against them. 



In the immense variety of known Coleoptera we must be con- 



