ORDER COLEOPTERA. S09 



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by transitions so gentle, that it is extremely difficult to 

 assign its limits rigorously. 



Some, whose body is always of a firm and solid consistence, 

 most frequently oval or elliptical, with the feet in part con- 

 tractile, have the head engaged vertically as far as the eyes 

 in the corslet ; and the presternum, or the medial portion of 

 this latter part of the body elongated, dilated, or advanced 

 in front as far as under the mouth, distinguished usually on 

 each side by a groove, in which the antennae (always short) 

 are applied and prolonged posteriorly into a point, which is 

 received in a sinking of the anterior extremity of the mesos- 

 ternum. These anterior feet are remote from the anterior 

 extremity of the corslet. These Serricornes form a first 

 section, that of Sterxoxi. 



Others, having also the head engaged posteriorly in the 

 corslet, or at least covered by it at its base, but of which 

 the presternum is not dilated and advanced anteriorly in 

 the manner of a chin, nor usually* terminating posteriorly 

 in a point received in a cavity of the mesosternum, whose 

 body is most frequently altogether, or in part, of a soft and 

 flexible consistence, will compose a second section, that of 

 Malacodermi. 



A third and last, that of Xylotrogi, will comprehend 

 those Serricornes whose praesternum is not equally prolonged 

 at its posterior extremity, but whose head is entirely un- 

 covered, and separated from the corslet by a strangulation, or 

 sort of neck. 



* The cebriones form an exception, and approach in this respect to 

 elater ; but the inferior extremity of the praesternum, does not advance 

 on the under part of the head. The mandibles are advanced, arched, 

 and simple J the palpi are filiform. The feet are not contractile, and the 

 two anterior ones are but little removed, at their origin, from the ante- 

 rior extremity of the corslet, and very much approximating to each 

 other. 



