192 NATURAL ARRANGEMENT OF INSECTS. 



number ; their cases, or covers, occupying the situation 

 of the larger or superior wings of the other orders. 

 Every thing, in short, points out to us that the Coleo- 

 ptera, in regard to flight, are the most imperfect of four- 

 winged insects ; and it therefore follows that they are the 

 most aberrant. 



(166.) On the other hand, when we look to the strength 

 and structure of their legs, we perceive that the defi- 

 ciency of flight has been amply made up to them in the 

 power of walking. No insects run with such swiftness, 

 or retain their hold with so much security. The whole 

 race of predaceous beetles (Predatores) are remarkable 

 for their swiftness, a quality which seems to be one of 

 their typical perfections. The tiger beetles (Cicindeli- 

 dae) fully illustrate this fact j and every one may have 

 witnessed the rapidity with which the small shining 

 CarabidcB course along the footpaths of our fields on a 

 bright spring day. How suddenly again do the water 

 beetles (Dytiscida) dart down to the bottom of a pool, 

 by the aid of their powerful oar-like legs. In those fa- 

 milies, again, which live among foliage, the same 

 strength of foot, and tenacity of grasp, is equally ap- 

 parent. Whoever has handled a chafer (Melolontha 

 vulgaris Linn.) knows how difficult it is to take the in- 

 sect from the leaf or spray to which, with its long and 

 acutely hooked claws, it tenaciously holds. So admir- 

 ably, indeed, are the feet of arboreal beetles constructed 

 for grasping, that they will cling to the naked hand with 

 as much ease as to a leaf or a twig. The Coleoptera, in 

 short, seem conscious of their superiority in this re- 

 spect ; for, upon all occasions of attack, there are very 

 few which do not depend more upon their feet for es- 

 caping harm than upon their wings. These latter mem- 

 bers, however, are of great and essential use ; though 

 not employed for removing to every short distance, they 

 are always used upon long excursions. When the food 

 upon one tree is exhausted, or the flowers of one plant 

 have been visited, a coleopterous insect crawls to the 

 edge of a slight eminence, and, after a moment's consi- 



