98 NATURAL HISTORY OF INSECTS. 



The greater number feed upon decaying animal and vege- 

 table matter, but some are predaceous ; others live in the 

 nests of ants ; while one species has been bred from the pupa 

 of a Cabbage-maggot. 



The larvae (Fig. 172) are provided with six legs. 



SUB-CLASS IV. (Pecticornes.) 



This Sub-class includes the single Family of Stag-beetles 

 (iMcanidse)) in which the antenna3 are usually elbowed (genie- 

 ulate) ; the joints of the club are immovable, and the jaws of 

 the males are greatly developed. 



These insects are generally of a large size, seldom measuring 

 less than half an inch in length ; they feed upon the sap 

 exuding from trees. 



The larva? live in decaying wood ; their bodies are com- 

 monly curved when at rest, and are provided with from four 

 lo six legs. 



SUB-CLASS V. (Lamellicornes.)* 



In these insects the joints in the club of the antennae are 

 immovable. This Sub-class includes two Tribes of widely 

 differing habits ; they are as follows : 



^ TRIBE L These insects usually have the abdomen entirely 

 covered by the wing-cases ; the hind legs are attached behind 

 the middle of the abdomen. 



These Beetles live in excremental, or in decomposing ani- 

 mal matter. They are commonly called ''Tumble-bugs," and 

 comprise the families Gopridss, Aphodidze, Geotrupidse, and 

 Trogidse. 



TRIBE II. In this Tribe the tip of the abdomen is never 

 covered by the wing-cases, and the hind pair of legs are placed 

 at or before the middle of the abdomen. 



These Beetles feed upon fruits or the leaves of plants, and 

 their larvse live in the ground and usually feed upon the roots 

 of plants. The three principal Families are as follows : 



* The iusects belougiug to this Sub-class are sometimes included in one Familj 

 the Scardbieidte. 



