COLEOPTEEA. 



495 



Ctenostomas, peculiar to America (Fig. 539), remarkable for the 

 length of their pendant and bristly palpi ; the Omus, of Cali- 

 fornia; the Tkerates (Fig. 540), insects of New Holland, &c. 



The tribe of Pimeliarice, called formerly Melasomas, because 

 they are nearly all black, resembles in some points the Carabici. 

 They seek after dark places, and avoid the light, and are 



Fig. 539. Ctenostoma rugosa. 



Fig. 540. Therates labiata. 



found on the ground under stones ; their movements are slow, 

 and they walk with difficulty. The best known insect of this 



Fig. 541. Bla[5s obtusus. 



Fig. 542. Tenebrio molitor 

 (larva and imago). 



group is the Blaps, of repulsive smell, inhabiting dark damp 

 places, such as cellars, and only coming out of its retreat during 

 the night. The elytra are joined together, and they have no wings. 

 The vulgar regard them as an omen of ill-luck. Fig 541 repre- 

 sents the Blaps obtusus. According to the report of a traveller, 

 the women in Egypt eat the Blaps sulcata cooked with butter to 



