ATTEMPTED DIVISION OF BRITISH INSECTS. 413 



Natural Order. — Cantharites, Blister-beetles, 8fc. 



Larva and pupa unknown, supposed in some instances to be para- 

 sitical. Imago, with moniliform antennae incrassated about the 

 middle ; head larger than the prothorax, to which it is attached 

 vertically ; fore-wings short, their margins crossing each other, 

 flexible ; hind-wings often wanting ; tarsi with the terminal 

 claws double. Meloe, Cantharis. 



Natural Order. — Anthicites, Flower-beetles. 



Larva and pupa in decayed wood. Imago, with filiform antennae 

 sometimes slightly serrated ; elongate linear body ; soft fore- 

 wings. Inhabits flowers, flying readily and in the day-time. 

 Notoxus, Anthkus, Xylophilus. 



Stirps. — Buprestina. 

 Natural Order. — Ptinites, Wood-boring-beetles. 



Larva, with the articulate feet distinct, incrassated in the middle, 

 narrower towards the tail, often covered with bristles. Commonly 

 inhabits dry wood, through which it bores in all directions, reduc- 

 ing it to a powder. Pupa changes in the galleries made by the 

 larva. Imago, with long antennae generally filiform, but in some 

 of the males highly pectinated ; the mandibles strong and toothed ; 

 the head retractile within the prothorax ; the prothorax more or 

 less spherical ; the fore-wings completely covering the body, and 

 having often an inflated appearance. Inhabits the habitations of 

 the larva, and occasionally flowers. Ptilinus, Ptinus, Anohium, 

 Mezium, Gihhium. 



Natural Order. — Clerites. 



Larva in structure like the preceding order, but more elongate, and 

 less commonly hairy. Feeds on the larvae" of the preceding order, 

 and occasionally of some Hymenoptera. Imago, with the antennae 

 incrassated externally ; the mandibles bifid ; the maxillse obtuse ; 

 the prothorax is long, slender, cylindrical, of less circumference 

 than the head or body. Necrobia, Clerus, Opilus, Thanasimus, 

 Tillus. 



Natural Order. — Melyrites. 



Larva and pupa unknown. Imago, with the antennae filiform, 

 tapering to the extremity ; mandibles elongate, toothed, bifid at 

 the apex ; head nearly corresponding in width with the prothorax, 

 but rather less ; prothorax with the margins often dilated ; when 



