SUPPLEMENT, &C. 255 



destitute of both wings and sheath, and many, though pos- 

 sessing the latter, have not the former. Such is the case 

 with Meloe and many Carabi. Nor does the transverse 

 folding of the wings always exist. It is not found for in- 

 stance in Buprestis, Molorchus, and some others. The 

 straight suture of the elytra, again, is wanting in Meloe. 



Notwithstanding these exceptions, it must be owned, on 

 the whole, that the coleoptera constitute one of the most 

 natural groups in the animal kingdom. It unites an im- 

 mense number of insects that have the greatest possible 

 relations to each other, and are separated from all the rest 

 by numerous and strongly distinguishing characters. A 

 reference to the text will be quite sufficient to satisfy any 

 inquirer on this subject. 



This order corresponds to the Eleutherata of Fabricius, 

 a name devised from the disposition of the jaws, which are 

 free, or do not support that appendage called galea, which 

 characterizes the mouth of the Orthoptera, which the same 

 author termed ulonata. 



The coleoptera, for the most part, remain a very long 

 time under the larva form, sometimes even three or four 

 years, while they scarcely live for some weeks in the perfect 

 state. It is only under the first form that their growth 

 takes place, during which they change their skin several 

 times. All such differences are referable to the degree of 

 nourishment. Each family of coleopterous insects expe- 

 riences modifications according to the nature of the climate, 

 the quality of the food, and other particulars which belong 

 to the admirable order which nature has observed in the 

 respective relations of all her productions. Thus, the larvae 

 of the herbivorous coleoptera, as those of chrysomela, crioceris 

 and galerucUf acquire their full growth in a few months, 

 and it is under the form of eggs, that the species is continued 

 and exists during the winter. Others, such as priocerisy the 



