462 



COLEOPTERA. 



Fig. 424. 



In Corymbites the front is more or less flattened, and the 

 coxal plates are narrow externally. C. ceripennis Lee. is a 

 shiny dark greenish species and is found northward. C. viri- 

 dis Say is dull mahogany brown, mottled with a fine 

 grayish bloom. C. cylindriformis Germ, is more com- 

 mon, and of the usual dull reddish brown. C. triun- 

 dulatus Lee. is frequently found in New England, and 

 kas three transverse waved bands on the pale elytra ; 

 it is found on the blossoms of the rhubarb plant. C. hierogty- 

 pliicus Harris (Fig. 424, elytra) is a similar form. 



To the genus Pyrophorus belong the different species of Fire- 

 flies of Central and South America. P. noctilucus (Fig. 425, 

 natural size) is dark' rusty brown, and has two large eye- like 

 luminous spots on the sides of the 

 thorax, and another at the base of 

 the abdomen. Dr. G. A. Perkins in 

 the "American Naturalist," vol. ii, 

 p. 428, states that "by placing the 

 luminous parts of one insect quite 

 near the paper, very fine print can be 

 |V easily read by its aid, though I can- 

 not imagine the light, even of a large 

 number, to be sufficient for any practi- 

 \ cal illuminating purposes as has been 



affirmed by some writers. The Cuban 

 ladies make a singular use of these 

 rig. 425. living gems, sewing them in lace 

 bags, which are disposed as ornaments upon their dresses, 

 or arranged as a fillet for their hair." 



The species of Melanactes are large shining black insects 

 found under stones, and are known by having the coxal plates 

 gradually dilated inwards. The larvae (Fig. 426, a luminous 

 larva of this genus discovered by Mr. Sanborn in Roxbury, 

 Mass.) are luminous and differ from others of this family, ac- 

 cording to Osten Sacken, by their small sunken head, and the 

 presence of a pair of ocelli. The abdomen ends in a prop-leg. 



Fig. 426. 



CEBRIONID^E Westwood. This family differs from the pre- 

 ceding group in the greater number (six) of abdominal seg- 



