THE CICINDELIDJE. 259 



placed the first in a natural system, they really should 

 come in as the last. 



(230.) We will now make a rapid survey of these 

 families, and give a succinct view T of their contents. 

 The three first are distinguished from all other coleo- 

 pterous insects by their possessing six articulated palpi, 

 two labial, and four maxillary; the external lobe of the 

 maxilla being here converted into a palpus. The Cicin- 

 delidce will first occupy us. We have already given a 

 very general idea of a peculiarity in their habits ; we 

 may, however, further remark, that many of the tropical 

 forms are not ground insects, but occur on plants, 

 doubtlessly in search of prey. The distinguishing cha- 

 racter that separates them from the large family of the 

 Car abides, is one not readily detected without the micro- 

 scopic inspection of the mouth, as it consists in the claw 

 of the maxilla being articulated, and not anchylosed, as 

 in the latter ; but in the Ctenostoma this is not the case, 

 thus showing that rules are not absolute. There is, 

 however, a general facies, which, when these insects are 

 once known in their normal types, will readily guide a 

 speedily acquired tact easily to distinguish them. They 

 are generally of a slender, agile form, with long legs, 

 and very prominent eyes. Larvae of the typical Cicin- 

 dela, only, we believe, are yet known ; but should the 

 habits of these be confirmed, it would help to give a 

 determinate character to the group. Thus, the larva of 

 Cicindela campestris forms a burrow, within which it 

 lurks on the watch for any unwary insect that may in- 

 cautiously come within the grasp of its capacious and 

 prompt jaws. It is so formed, that it easily supports 

 itself at the top of its cylindrical and vertical cell ; for 

 it has a couple of hooks upon a swollen segment, to- 

 wards the apex of its body, whereby it is suspended ; 

 whilst its largely dilated prothorax completely fills the 

 orifice of its den ; and its formidable jaws being bent 

 down, and concealed beneath, are thrown suddenly up 

 when its unhappy prey is within itsreach, and which, 

 like the tiger, it rarely misses. It then retires with it 



