COLEOPTERA. 
361 
called the Chique or Chigre in America, most probably forms a 
particular genus, It insinuates itself under the nails of the 
toes and the skin of the heel, where, by the speedy developement 
of the ova contained in a membranous sac under the venter, it 
soon acquires a size equal to that of a pea. 
The numerous family, to which it gives birth, produces a ma- 
lignant ulcer, that is cured with difficulty, and which sometimes 
proves mortal. These difficulties are generally avoided by rub- 
bing the feet with bruised tobacco leaves and other bitter and 
acrid plants. The Negroes extract the animal from its domicil 
with much address. 
Various Quadrupeds and Birds are infested with Fleas, which 
appear to differ specifically from these two. 
ORDER V. 
COLEOPTERA * 
Coleopterous Insects have four wings, the two superior of which 
resemble horizontal scales, joining in a straight line along the inner 
margin ; the inferior wings are merely folded transversely and covered 
with others, which form cases or covers for them, usually denomi- 
nated the elytra f. 
Of all Insects, these are the most numerous and the best known. 
The singular form and brilliant colouring of many species, the 
volume of their bodies, the greater solidity of their teguments, which 
facilitates their preservation, the numerous advantages which the 
study derives from the various forms of their external organs, &c., 
have secured to them the particular attention of naturalists. 
Their head presents antennae of various forms, and almost ahvays 
composed of eleven joints ; two compound eyes, but none simple 
and a mouth consisting of a labrum, two mandibles, usually of a scaly 
substance, two jaws, each furnished vuth one or two paljti, and of a 
labium formed of two pieces, the mentum and the ligula, and accom- 
panied by two palpi, commonly inserted into the latter. 3 hose ot the 
jaws, or Avhen they have two, the exterior ones never consist of more 
than four joints; those of the lip usually have three. 
* The Eleutherata, Fah. 
'f' For the anatomical characters of the Coleoptera, see Ann. <les Sc. Nni. A III, 
p. 36 , where the resume is given by M. Dumeril. 
J In some of the Brachelytra two small yellowish points have been observed, that 
have been taken for ocelli ; but without, as I imagine, any careful examination, 
particularly as the Forficulae, a genus of the Orthoptera that is nearest to the 
Coleoptera, e.xhibit none. 
