THE CERAMBYCID.E. 287 



appear to be cut off, in an abruptly transverse direction, 

 as if by the strokes of an axe or hatchet. Now, to 

 accomplish this, it is evident that the head of the in- 

 sect should be considerably bent downwards, that the 

 jaws may cut transversely instead of obliquely. Hence 

 we find, that as stooping the head during this long 

 and toilsome occupation would have been exceedingly 

 wearying to the insect, nature has given to that part a 

 permanent position most suited to the office it has to 

 perform. By this, also, we see the necessity of great 

 muscular power being placed in the jaws, and the con- 

 sequent enlargement of the head : the compact manner, 

 also, in which this part is joined to the thorax, which, 

 by encasing a considerable portion of its base, gives it 

 still greater strength, is likewise in unison with the 

 economy belonging to the family before us ; and is 

 strikingly opposed to the small exserted heads of the 

 Prionidce, and the feeble structure so characteristic of 

 the LepturidcB. We select tliis, therefore, as the pri- 

 mary character of the Cerambycidce ; for it not only per- 

 vades the typical, but, with a very slight diminution, all 

 the aberrant groups. When to this we add the equal 

 breadth of the thorax and the head, the shortness and 

 breadth of the tarsal joints, and the slight degree in 

 which the hinder legs exceed the others, we enable the 

 most unpractised student to determine at once, with- 

 out minute anatomical investigation, the insects be- 

 fore us. 



(256.) Our analysis of this family has not proceeded 

 sufficiently far to allow of our designating more than 

 the five sub-families, and to offer some remarks upon 

 what appear the typical genera. We arrange the whole in 

 the following divisions : — 1. The Acrocinince, which, as 

 representatives of the Prionida' (with which, indeed, they 

 were once placed), are of a very large size ; having the 

 body considerably depressed, the anterior feet much 

 lengthened, and the elytra spined at their tips : the 

 tarsi in this group are very peculiar, and depart con- 



