376 INSECTA. 



head and thorax narrower than the abdomen, and the eyes emargi- 

 nated. 



Most of these Insects are found on flowers, the remainder on the 

 trunks of old trees or in dry wood. Such of the larvae as are known 

 are carnivorous. 



This tribe will comprise the genus 



CiiERus, Geoff. 

 Now divided into Cylidrus, TH.llus, Friocera, &c. &c. 



Clertjs proper. 



The maxillary palpi of the Cleri, properly so called, are terminated by a 

 compressed joint in the form of a reversed triangle; the last of those that 

 belong to the labium, wliich are larger than the others, is securiform. The 

 antennal club is hardly longer than wide, and is composed of crowded 

 joints; the thu'd is longer than the second. The maxillae terminate in a 

 projecting and fringed lobe. The thorax is depressed anteriorly. 



These Insects are found on flowers; their larvse devour those of certain 

 Bees. 



C. apiarius. Blue; elylra red; traversed by three bands of deep blue, 

 the last of which occupies the extremity. The larva devours that of our 

 domestic Bee, and does much injury to hives. 



C. alvearius. Almost like the preceding, but with a bluish-black spot on 

 the scutel. It inhabits the nests of the Mason Bees — Osbiia — of Reaumur, 

 and feeds on their larvae. 



The type of the fifth tribe of the Malacodermi, or the Ptiniores, 

 consists of the genus Ptinus of Linnaeus, and of some other genera 

 depending on, or which most closely approach it. The body of these 

 Insects is of a tolerably firm consistence, sometimes almost ovoid or 

 oval, and at others nearly cylindrical, but generally short and round- 

 ed at the two extremities. The head is nearly globular or orbi- 

 cular, and almost entirely received into a strongly arched or vaulted 

 thorax, resembling a hood. The antennae of some are filiform, or 

 diminished towards the end, and are either simple, flabelliform, pec- 

 tinated, or serrated; those of others terminate suddenly by three 

 larger and much longer joints. The mandibles are short, thick, and 

 dentated under the point. The palpi are very short and terminated 

 by a larger and almost ovoid joint, or like a reversed triangle. The 

 tibia are not dentated, and the spurs at the extremities are very small. 

 There is but little variety in their colours, which are always dark. 

 They are very small. When touched they counterfeit death, lower 



