102 



NATURAL HISTORY OF INSECTS. 



The larvae live in decayed wood or in the ground, and are 

 provided with six or seven legs, and are commonly known as 

 "Wire-worms " (Fig. 258, -, , and 9 ); some kinds feed upon the 

 roots of various plants, but a few species are partially pre- 

 daceous. The Skip-jack Beetles (Fig. 258, >, 3 > and e) and the 

 Black Melanactus Fig. 259),* belong to this Family. 



Fig. 259 



+TRIBE II. Aberrant AVood-Beetles. These insects usually 

 have the head bent down and partially or wholly concealed 

 beneath the thorax, which is frequently prolonged in front; 

 in some the body is elongated, the head is free and exposed, 

 and the first segment is very long. 



These insects live in wood, both in decayed wood and in 

 that which is solid, and a few species feed upon dead animals, 

 and are injurious to cabinets of Natural History. The follow- 

 ing is the principal Family. 



* The larvae figured at a and 6 are supposed to belong to this species, and shovr 

 after night-fall, as Glow-worms, a beautiful green light. 



