SUPPLEMENT 



ON THE CARNIVOROUS FAMILY 



OF THE 



ORDER COLEOPTERA. 



On this immensely numerous order of the insect class, we 

 can afford but a moderate portion of supplementary matter. 

 Not that the study of coleopterous insects is devoid of 

 interest ; on the contrary, it is replete with all that may 

 gratify curiosity, and communicate instruction. But with 

 not a great many exceptions, the animals now under our 

 consideration arrest our attention, more from peculiarities 

 of structure and appearance, than those of habitudes and 

 manners. On the former it is not our intention to dilate, 

 further than may be necessary to supply any omission in 

 the very ample details of the text ; on the latter we shall 

 endeavour to glean as much information as possible. 



This order is not one of a new creation — Aristotle may, 

 with propriety, be considered as its founder, having been 

 the first to name and define it. The name is derived from 

 •PTTifov, a wing, and xoXeoj, a sheath or case, and Aristotle em- 

 braces within his definition all insects with the character of 

 increased wings, " oo-a to ttte^ov e^e* ev >toXEo." As many as have 

 the wing in a sheath. To this have been added, by subse- 

 quent authors, such characters as the folding of the wings, 

 and the straight suture of the elytra. These characters, 

 however, are not universal in the order; some beetles are 



