THE 



333 



cus (WEST 

 FIRE-FLY). 



TRIBE MALACODEEMATA. 



Under this tribe are ranged a number of families which are distinguished for the softness or 

 flexibility of their integuments and the absence of interlocking apparatus, and the consequent greater 

 freedom of movement of the prothoracic division of the body. The antennae 

 are very variable in form, often thread-like and sometimes serrated, but rarely 

 clavate ; and the haunches of the anterior and middle pair of legs in all the 

 typical species are salient and conical, in agreement with the general loosely-knit 

 structure of the whole framework. The habits of the species are variable, and 

 will be mentioned under each family and tribe. The larvae differ greatly from 

 those of the Bupresddse and Elateridae, in being of somewhat flattened form, 

 and possessing firm or horny integuments ; and in this stage carnivorous pro- 

 pensities seem to be generally characteristic of the tribe, although a large 

 number in the adult stage are floral Beetles. 



The two chief families of the tribe are the D^scyllidse and the Malacoder- 



midse, or Malacodermata proper, the former consisting of species of oblong or PYKOPHORUS NOCTTLU- 

 oval form, with five abdominal segments, a more solid consistence of body, 

 and the mentum, or chin, especially of horny texture ; the latter of elongate, 

 soft-bodied Beetles, with the mentum, or chin, often indistinct, blended with the membranous ligula, 



or tongue, and the abdo- 

 men formed of six or 

 seven free segments 

 characters which indi- 

 cate a very low type in 

 the Coleopterous series. 

 Some of the insects be- 

 longing to this family 

 are among the best- 

 known of the whole 

 order. Such are the 

 Glowworms and the 

 Teleph&ri, or "soldiers 

 and sailors," so abundant 

 in gardens in the early 

 days of summer. 



The first sub-family 

 are the Lycince, Beetles 

 of elongate flattened 

 form, very generally 

 widening behind, and 

 of red or tawny- yellow 

 colours, banded with 

 black. About 400 species 

 are known, chiefly from 

 the warmer regions of 

 the earth, only three, 

 belonging to the genus 

 Eros, being found in the 

 British Islands. The 

 adult insects are met 

 with chiefly on the leaves 

 of trees, but Eros minu- 

 tes in England is taken in rotting branches of oak. The second sub-family are the Lampyrinae, 

 or Glowworms, distinguished from their allies by the prothorax forming a shield more or less 



A1AU8 OCULATUS. 



