58 ZOOLOGY 



the Spanish fly, has been for ages used as a drug. When 

 disturbed, there exudes from the joints of this insect a 

 liquid serving as a protection, since it burns or blisters the 

 disturber. This property is retained in the extracted or 

 dried substance. The article sold in drug stores is ob- 

 tained from crushing the dried beetle. The larvae of vari- 

 ous beetles have been prized as food by certain peoples 

 from the Romans of Pliny's time down to the present, 

 for they are eaten with relish by certain tribes of South 

 American Indians. Fireflies sewn in lace are sometimes 

 worn by the Spanish and Cuban women as adornments for 

 evening dresses, while other beetles with particularly hard 

 and beautifully colored and iridescent wing-covers are used 

 as settings in hat ornaments and buckles, as well as in 

 jewels. 



APPENDIX TO CHAPTER III 



KEY TO THE PRINCIPAL FAMILIES OF THE COLEOPTERA 



(The terminology of the key may be understood by reference to the figures 



on page 59.) 



a\. Hind tarsi with five segments, as likewise also 

 usually the other tarsi, certain aquatic families 

 excepted [Pentamera]. 



fti. Elytra, short, exposing nearly whole of abdo- 

 men ... . . . . . Staphylinidce 



(Rove-beetles) 

 & 2 - Elytra, nearly or quite covering abdomen. 



c\. Antennae bent, first segment long, ter- 

 minating in a club made of applied 

 lamellae. 



di. Lamellae closely applied and flat- 

 tened ...... LamelUcornia 



(Lamellicorns) 



dz. Lamellae not closely applied ; man- 

 dibles very large .... Lucanidce 



(Stag-beetles) 



