CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 223 



minating in a single point ; prothorax semicir- 

 cular, the convex, being the anterior margin, 

 completely concealing the head ; fore wings 

 and whole body soft and flexible, as though 

 immature ; more round and compact in shape 

 than the preceding orders. Inhabits the leaves 

 and flowers of plants in summer. Dascillus, 

 Elodes, Scirtes. 



749. Click-beetles (Elaterites). Larva elon- 

 gate, cylindrical, with six articulate and one 

 caudal leg ; slothful. Feeds on the roots of 

 wheat, potatoes, &c., also occasionally in decaying 

 timber ; is very destructive to crops, and known 

 to farmers as the WIRE-WORM. Pupa mostly 

 changes in the ground. Imago with moniliform 

 antennae, not unfrequently serrated or pectinated 

 in the males ; mandibles bifid at the extremity ; 

 head received into the prothorax ; prothorax with 

 a projecting spine beneath ; metathorax with a 

 cavity for the reception of the spine. Inhabits 

 flowers, &c. Elater, Campylus. 



750. Burn-cows (Buprestites}. Larva very 

 elongate, cylindrical, with six articulate and one 

 caudal prehensile leg. Feeds on timber. Pupa 

 changes in the same situation. Imago with 

 serrated or pectinated antennae ; mandibles short, 

 strong, and bifid; head more than two-thirds 

 received into the prothorax ; prothorax beneath 

 produced posteriorly into a spine ; but there being 

 no corresponding cavity in the mesothorax, the 



