SNOUT BEETLES. 



97 



feel themselves to be subjects of observation. Hundreds of these 

 are seen in summer-time in every garden, known by their thin 

 elytra, slender limbs, and pretty tints, to be the fit concomitants of 

 flowers. Among the most remarkable examples of the group are 



The Blister Beetles (Cantharis}, valuable from their great utility in 

 medicine. These little insects, as is well known, contain a peculiar irritating 

 matter, which when applied to the human skin has the property of producing 

 a blister. They are of a golden green colour, and are very common in France, 

 Italy, Spain, and Russia, where they feed upon the leaves of the ash, the lily, 

 and tne privet. The " Potato Fly " (Cantharis vittata) is an American species, 

 which possesses qualities similar to the European, for which it forms an 

 efficient substitute. 



SECTION OF TETRAMERANS. 



The third great section of the Coleoptera includes all those 

 beetles that have only four joints in the tarsi of all their legs. It 



FlG. 85. COM'ER-COLOURED WEEVIL. 



FIG. 86. NUT-WEEVIL. 



embraces an immense host, which, however, have the following 

 characters in common. They all live upon vegetable substances. 

 Their larvae have very short legs, or in some instances legs are 

 entirely wanting, their place being supplied by little fleshy tu- 

 bercles. The perfect insect frequents the flowers or leaves of plants. 

 First and most conspicuous among this extensive group are 



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