ORDER COLEOPTERA. I7I 



facets, but no simple eyes. It is true that in some brachely- 

 tra, two small yellowish points have been observed, which 

 have been taken for simple eyes, but, in my opinion, without 

 sufficient examination ; for the forficulas, a genus of the or- 

 thoptera, the nearest to the coleoptera, exhibit none. The 

 mouth is composed of a labrum, of two mandibles, most fre- 

 quently of a scaly consistence ; of two jaws, each having one 

 or two palpi, and a labium formed of two pieces, the mentum 

 and the lingua, and accompanied with two palpi, usually in- 

 serted on this latter piece. Those of the jaws or their exter- 

 nals, when there are two, have never more than four articu- 

 lations : those of the labium have generally but three. 



The anterior segment of the trunk, or that which is in 

 front of the wings, and which is usually called the corslet, 

 has the first pair of feet, and considerably exceeds in extent 

 the two other segments. The interior membrane presents, on 

 each side, behind, a stigma, a character which, I believe, 

 had hitherto escaped notice, but the existence of which was 

 presumable. The other two segments unite closely with the 

 base of the abdomen, and their lower part, or the postpectus, 

 serves as an attachment to another pair of feet. The second, 

 on which is placed the scutellum, grows narrow in front, and 

 forms a short pedicle, which is inclosed in the interior cavity 

 of the first, and serves for a pivot in its movements. 



The elytra and the wings originate on the lateral and upper 

 edges of the posterior trunk. The elytra are crustaceous, 

 and, in a state of repose, are applied, one against the other, in 

 a right line along the length of their internal edge, or at the 

 suture, and always in an horizontal position. Almost always 

 they conceal the wings, which are broad and folded trans- 

 versely. Many species are apterous ; but the elytra always 

 exist. The abdomen is sessile, or united to the trunk in 

 its greatest breadth. It is composed, at the external part, of 

 six or seven rings, membranous above, or of a consistence 



