]58 ZOOLOGY. 



from a line to two and a Lalf inches. Buprestis mariana {fig. 22), to 

 which this generic iiame properly belongs, is mnch like the Xorth American 

 M. virginiana. Fig. 23 represents Euclivoma gigas., which inhabits 

 Cayenne. The larvae in this family 1)ore in wood, and may be frequently 

 discovered nnder the bark of pine logs. 



The Elatericle {])l. 81, figs. 30-33) are closely allied to the Buprestidce., 

 but the colors are not so brilliant, and the body is less hard. The chief 

 ditierence is in the structure of the prothorax, which moves so freely in a 

 vertical direction that the insect can employ this power to throw the body 

 about, either to regain its position upon its feet or to escape. The pro- 

 sternum has a projecting spine, which fits into a corresponding impression 

 in the mesosternum. They are generally found among living vegetables. 

 AYe have Ibund the larva of the large North American Alaus oculatus in 

 the wood of ash trees. This species extends from the northern j)art of the 

 United States to the latitude (19'') of Vera Cruz in Mexico. 



The Aj>rosternia (or Malacoderrnia) have the antennae generally long 

 and serrated, sometimes clavate, and not lodged in a groove of the pro- 

 sternum, the head deflexed and deeply seated, the body elongate and 

 generally soft, and the feet rather long and slender. The greater part of 

 them are winged. The larvae feed either upon wood or insects, and the 

 adults are found upon flovv'ers or plants, in dead wood, or upon the earth. 

 Some are predaceous. The Malacodermes of Latreille include the families 

 Cchrionides.^ Lampyrides., Melyrides.^ Clairones.^ and Ptiniores ; but Stephens 

 and "VYestwood extend the group considerably further, and the latter adds 

 the family Segdmcmidcc, which Stephens places with the Heteromera. With 

 this exception, the families of these two authors agree, and are as follows: 1, 

 Ctbrionidm; 2, Cyphonidoe,', ?> Lam pyr idle ; 4^^ Tdcphoridm ; ^.^Melyridce; 

 6, CleridcE ; 7, Ptlntdce; 8, Lymcxylonidce ; 9, BodncTddm ; 10, Scyd- 

 QiicenidcB. 



The Lampyiidce are well known as the family containing the fireflies 

 and glow-worms. The body is lengthened and depressed, and with the 

 elytra of a soft consistence, and the head is more or less hidden by the 

 prothorax. Most of the species seem to be carnivorous. When disturbed 

 they draw in their members and simulate death. The common glow-worm 

 of the middle United States is the female of Photiiris versicolor. 



In the Melyridcc, some of the species of Mcdacliius are remarkable for 

 having red lateral organs which they can swell or relax at pleasure, the use 

 of which is not known. The species of this genus feed upon insects. 



In the Cleridm.^ the larva of the genus Clerus is remarkable for destroying 

 the larvae of bees. Necrdbia and Corynetes are found about old animal 

 carcases, particularly upon the bones. 



The lamily Ptinidm contains various small oval insects with the head 

 placed deep in the prothorax, the antennge eleven-articulate, filiform, or 

 sometimes pectinate. They are of obscure colors, and counterfeit death. 

 They arc very destructive to the woodwork of houses and furniture, and 

 some destroy books and collections of dried plants and insects. The 

 genus Anobium sometimes strikes its jaws upon the wood in which it 

 362 



