THE CORSELET. 31 



to be distinguishable. Sometimes it is distinct and 

 free. It has been termed the bridle ( ! ). 



The mid back plate, front view, a, the fore part ; b, the 

 second piece ; c, the third piece ; d, d, the supposed side pieces 

 of the second piece ; e, the internal third piece ; /, /, the wing: 

 scales of the first pair ; g, g, joint bones of the first pair of wings 

 above the sockets. 



The hind back plate is also composed of three pieces, 

 the first being often concealed within the body, but 

 obvious in bees and wasps. The second is occasionally 

 composed of two pieces, as in some water beetles, but 

 these are intimately united in the stag beetle. The 

 third piece is divided by a channel lengthwise, \*hich 

 has led to the mistake of considering it as two separate 

 pieces. The fourth piece is very conspicuous in the 

 common fly, and also in the cockchafer ; but in obe- 



(1) In Latin Franum. 



