320 ARTICULATA. - TNSECTA. 



The whole skin is usually firm and hard in texture, 

 except on the back of the abdomen. The first state 

 of these Insects, called the larva, resembles a worm, 

 generally pale or brownish, with a scaly head, and 

 six feet. In the next state, the pupa, it is motion- 

 less, the limbs being wrapped together, though dis- 

 tinctly visible ; and it takes no food. 



We cannot, of course, enter into the subordinate 

 divisions of this immense assemblage, but must con- 

 tent ourselves with a very slight notice of a few prin- 

 cipal forms. The subject is inexhaustible. 



The first rank is universally assigned to the car- 

 nivorous tribes, chiefly contained in three great ge- 

 nera, Cicindela,* Carabus,^ and Dyticus.^. The 

 first, often known by the name of Tiger Beetles, 

 from their fierce voracity, and of Sparklers, from their 

 brilliant colours, pursue other Insects with great 

 agility and vigilance on sandy roads, particularly in 

 sunshine. They run with exceeding swiftness, and 

 take flight on being approached, alighting at a short 

 distance, but are again on the wing in an instant if 

 pursued, so that it is difficult to surprise them. 

 They are admirably fitted for their employment : 

 their legs are extremely long and slender; their 

 bodies flat ; their eyes large, round, and prominent, 

 and their mandibles long, slender, hooked, and ex- 

 ceedingly sharp. Their larvae have the same appe- 

 tite ; and are furnished with jaws, even more tre- 

 mendous, and sickle-shaped ; they inhabit holes, in 



* The Latin name of the Glow-worm. f Ka^a/Soy, karabos, a 



species of lobster. AVTJJJ, dytes^ a diver. 



