LECTURE IX. 95 



are systematically distributed for the convenience 

 of investigation and arrangement $ and shall give 

 a few examples of each division. 



The Linnaean system of entomology being of 

 all others the most elegant and easy, will be best 

 calculated for our purpose. Linnaeus distributes 

 all insects into seven Orders or great assortments, 

 the first of which contains all the insects of the 

 Beetle tribe, or such as have strong horny sheaths 

 or covers to their wings. I must here observe, 

 that the term Beetle is more particularly restricted 

 to one single genus so called, but in a general 

 sense it takes in the whole tribe called by Linnaeus 

 Coleoptera or sheath-winged insects. In these 

 animals the real or proper wings are of a mern- 

 branaceous nature, and when not in use are cu- 

 riously folded under the exterior strong or horny 

 sheaths. The Coleopterous insects form a very 

 large or extensive order ; the genera or particular 

 sets being very numerous, and each distinguished 

 by some leading particularity of appearance. 



In the genus Beetle, properly and emphatically 

 KO called (in Latin Scarabteus,) the distinctive cha- 

 racter is that the antennae or horns are furnished 

 at the tip with a slightly-expanded part, divided 



