260 SUPPLEMENT ON THE CARNIVOROUS FAMILY 



frequent, either in search of food, rest, or for the purpose of 

 depositing their eggs. 



The wings are, therefore, in general, very carefully folded 

 up under the elytra, and when the latter are short, this 

 folding is more complicated. There are cases, however, in 

 which the wings are only partially protected by the elytra, 

 and in such instances it is probable that, from the peculiar 

 habits of the animals, the wings are in less danger of being 

 torn or otherwise injured. They also protect the upper 

 part of the body and the abdomen. The coleoptera not 

 having the spiracles covered in the latter part, by the inoscu- 

 lations of the segments, as most other insects have, may 

 require some peculiar covering for this part, when they are 

 not on the wing. The elytra, too, are not wholly without 

 their use in flight. Many flying beetles of considerable bulk, 

 require more support in the air than the extent of their 

 wings would appear to afford, and though elytra do not 

 move much in flight, they may, by presenting a broad 

 surface to the air, act in some measure as sails, and assist 

 the progress of the insect, especially in flying before the 

 wind. 



The membranaceous wings are inserted equally on the 

 upper part of the breast, within the elytrum, which covers 

 them. They are veined with anastomoses, pretty nearly like 

 those of the hymenoptera, a peculiarity by which they are 

 distinguished from those of the neuroptera. With one or two 

 exceptions, which have been remarked in the rhipiphora and 

 the molorchi, these membranaceous wings are bent on their 

 external edge. They form there an angular articulation, 

 which permits the wing, generally double the length of the 

 elytrum, to conceal itself underneath, and to fold itself 

 crosswise by a sort of hinge movement, which distinguishes 

 these wings from those of the orthoptera. The nervures of 

 these wings present very great varieties in the different ge- 



