COLEOPTERA. 
421 
in which the antennse — always short — are lodged, and prolonged, 
posteriorly into a point, which is received into a depression of the an- 
terior extremity of the mesosternum. These anterior legs are at a 
distance from the anterior extremity of the thorax. They form our 
first section or that of the Sternoxi. 
Others, whose head is enclosed posteriorly by the thorax, or at 
least covered by it at base, but in which the prsesternum is not 
dilated, and does not project anteriorly in the manner of a chin-cloth, 
nor is usually* terminated posteriorly in a point received into a 
cavity in the mesosternum, and in which the body is most commonly 
either entirely or partially soft and flexible, constitute our second 
section, that of the Malacodermi. 
A third and last, that of the Xylotrogi, Avill comprise those 
Serricornes, in which the posterior extremity of the preesternum 
is not similarly prolonged, but whose head is completely exposed 
and separated from the thorax by a strangulation or species of neck. 
We will divide the Sternoxi into two tribes. In the first or that 
of the Btjprestides, the posterior projection of the praesternum is 
flattened, and not terminated in a laterally compressed point, that 
is simply received into a depression or emargination of the mesos- 
ternum. The mandibles frequently terminate in an entire point, with- 
out any fissure or emargination. The posterior angles of the thorax 
are either but very slightly or not at all prolonged. The last joint 
of the palpi is most commonly nearly cylindrical, hardly thicker than 
the preceding ; the others are globular or ovoid. Most of the tarsial 
segments are generally wide or dilated, and furnished beneath with 
pellets. These Insects "never leap, a character which eminently 
distinguishes them from those of the following tribe f ; they compose 
the genus 
Buprestis, Lin. 
The generic appellation of Richard, given to these Coleoptera by 
Geoffroy, intimates the richness of their livery. Several of the 
European species, and many that are foreign to this country, besides 
their size, are remarkable for a brilliant polished gold colour on an 
emerald ground; in others, an azure blue glistens over the gold, or 
* The Cebriones are an exception, and approximate, in this respect, to the Ela- 
terides ; hut the inferior extremity of the praesternum does not advance under the 
head. The mandibles project, are arcuated and simple; the palpi filiform ; the legs 
non-retractile, and the two anterior ones somewhat removed, at base, from the ante- 
rior extremity of the thorax, and closely approximated. 
The Insects of this tribe also differ from all others of the family in their tra- 
cheae which are vesicular — in the rest they are tubular. See Obs. Anatom., of M. 
Leon Dufour. 
