THE CICINDELID^. 259 



placed the first in a natural system, they really should 

 come in as the last. 



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

 families, and give a succinct view 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- 

 delidcB 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 

 Carabidce, 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 j 

 ! 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 

 i when its unhappy prey is within itsreach, and which, 

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



s 2 



