COMPONENT DIVISIONS OF THE COLEOPTERA. 201 



leaves the Coleoptera for the Neuroptera, by means of 

 the earwigs [Foificulidce), — a passage so apparent, that 

 it has been recognised by almost every writer since the 

 days of LinnEUs. 



(176-) Having now sufficiently treated of the Coleo- 

 ptera as an order, we may look to its component parts. 

 On examining the structure of the feet of these insects, 

 several remarkable differences will be perceived. In 

 some, the tarsi, which may be said to represent the 

 human finger, consist of four distinct cylindrical joints, 

 tenninated by a forked hook or claws ; while in others, 

 these joints, apparently*, are only three or two, and, 

 instead of being rounded and simple, are flattened, and 

 two-lobed. Now, it is obvious that insects which 

 belong to the first of these groups, — that is, having 

 the tarsus altogether composed of five distinct joints, — 

 are the most perfect in the construction of their feet ; 

 just as insessorial birds (^Insessores), and four-handed 

 quadrupeds (Quadrumana), are the most perfect of their 

 respective classes. AU the great systematists of the 

 present day tacitly concur in this opinion, by placing 

 the pentamerous, or five-jointed beetles, at the head of 

 their systems. Yet among these, again, we find two 

 very different races; — one composed of insects living 

 upon vegetables ; while the other comprehends all such 

 as subsist by pursuing and devouring their weaker 

 brethren, just as do the feline tribe of quadrupeds, or the 

 falcons among birds. Here, then, we see the two great 

 divisions of the pentamerous Coleoptera. The first, pre- 

 eminently typical, herbivorous, and harmless, constitute 

 the tribe of Lamellicornes : so called from the shape of 

 their antennae, which are short, clavate, and lamellar. The 

 second, which is the sub-typical tribe, are predaceous, or 

 live upon animal substances : these form our tribe of 

 Predatores; and have their antennae longer, filiform, 

 and composed of lengthened joints. All other Coleoptera 



» We say apparently, because there is reason to think that most insects 

 have the full number, but that some are in a rudimentary state. 



