16 COLEOPTERA. 



beetle, which are often enclosed in separate coverings, and very 

 clearly defined. In the case of beetles which assume the pupa state 

 in a cell of agglutinated earth, the beetle is often fully developed 

 and remains inactive for a considerable time before quitting its cell. 

 The German and American coleopterists often recognise no 

 divisions higher than genera in this extensive Order, except 

 families, of which seventy-four are enumerated in Gemminger and 

 Von Harold's great Catalogus Coleopterorum ; but English and 

 French writers employ a more complicated system of classification. 

 In the present work, the families will be brought together under 

 the main groups, and all those of special interest will be noticed ; 

 but the more minute subdivisions between families and genera 

 will not always be alluded to. The arrangement of the above- 

 mentioned catalogue is generally followed. 



SECTION I. ADEPHAGA. 



Tarsi generally five-jointed ; six palpi (four maxillary, i.e. two 

 to each maxilla), and two labial ; antennae filiform ; habits carni- 

 vorous. 



This section includes two groups, the Geodephaga and Hydra- 

 dephaga, comprising the bulk of the carnivorous beetles. But it 

 must be remembered that there is no rule without an exception, 

 especially in natural history; and thus we find species among 

 the Adephaga which have fewer than five joints to the tarsi ; and 

 others which are wholly or partially herbivorous. 



SUB-SECTION I. Geodephaga. 



Antennae and legs long and slender ; mandibles not concealed 

 by the upper lip ; eyes large and prominent ; body oblong, convex. 



The Geodephaga, or Carnivorous Ground Beetles, are a very 

 extensive group, and, with few exceptions, may be regarded as 

 beneficial insects, as they generally feed on other insects, which 

 would otherwise multiply to a far more injurious extent than at 

 present. They are very similar in shape to some of the Heteromera 

 from which their filiform antennae and five-jointed tarsi will a* 

 once distinguish them. 



FAMILY I. Cicindelidce. 



Maxillae terminating in a moveable hook ; head large, broader 

 than the thorax; eyes very large and prominent; mandibles 

 large, sharply pointed, and armed with several large teeth. 



