348 CLASS INSECTA. ' 



by a larger articulation, almost ovoid, or in a reversed tri- 

 angle. The legs are without denticulations, and the spurs of 

 their extremities are very small. The colours are always 

 obscure, and but little varied. All these insects are of small 

 size. When they are touched, they counterfeit death, lower- 

 ing the head, inclining the antennae, and contracting the feet. 

 They remain some time in this apparent lethargy. Their 

 motions are, in general, rather slow. The winged individuals 

 seldom take flight for the purpose of escaping. Their larvae 

 are very injurious to us, and have a great resemblance to those 

 of the Scarabaei. Their body, often curved in an arch, is 

 soft, whitish, with the head and feet brown and scaly. Their 

 mandibles are strong. They construct for themselves, with 

 the fragments of the substances which they have gnawed, a 

 shell, or they are transformed into nymphs. Other species 

 establish their domicile in the country, in old wood, stakes, 

 and under stones ; otherwise, their habits are similar. 

 Such are the general characters of the genus. 



Ptinus, Lin. 

 Some have the head and corslet, or the anterior moiety of 

 the body, more narrow than the abdomen, antennae always 

 terminated in an uniform manner, simple, or very little ser- 

 rated, and, at least, almost as long as the body. 



Ptikus (Proper), Lin. Fab Bruchus, Geoff. 

 Have the antennas inserted between the eyes, which are 

 prominent or convex. Their body is oblong. 



They remain for the most part in the interior of houses^ 

 principally in the garrets and inhabited parts. Their larvae 

 gnaw herbals, and the prepared and dried skins of animals. 

 The antennae of the males are longer than those of the fe- 

 males, and in many species, these last individuals are deprived 

 of wings. 



