402 INSECT A. 



curve their head and fold up their feet as if they were dead; the 

 others are very active. 



We will divide this family into six tribes, forming as many genera. 



In the first, or that of the Lagriaei^, the body is elongated and 

 narrower before; the thorax either almost cylindrical or square, or 

 ovoid and truncated; the antennae, inserted near an emargination of 

 the eyes, are simple, filiform, or insensibly enlarged towards the end, 

 most frequently and at least partially granose, the last joint being 

 longer than the preceding ones in the males; the palpi are thicker 

 at the extremity. 



The species indigenous to France are found in woods, on various 

 plants; their body is soft, their elytra are flexible, and like the Me- 

 loes, the Cantharides, when taken, counterfeit death. 



This tribe is formed of the genus 



Lagria, Fab. 

 Those species, in which the antennae gradually enlarge, and are either 

 wholly or partly almost granose, with the last joint ovoid or oval; in which 

 the head projects but little before, and is prolonged and insensibly rounded 

 behind; and where the thorax is almost cylindrical or square, compose the 

 ^enus Lagkia properly so called. 



The second tribe, that of the Pyeochroides, approaches the first 

 in the tarsi and the anterior elongation and narrowing of the body, 

 but it is flattened, and the thorax is almost orbicular or trapezoidal. 

 The antennae, at least in the males, are pectinated or plumousj the 

 maxillary palpi are slightly serrated, and terminated by an elongated 

 and almost securiform joint; the labial palpi are filiform; the abdo- 

 men is elongated, entirely covered by the elytra, and rounded at the 

 extremity. 



These Heteromera, which are found in the spring in woods, and 

 whose lai-vae live under the bark of trees, form the genus 



Pyrochroa, Geoff. 

 In Pyrochroa properly so called, the antenna: are simply pectinated and 

 shorter, the eyes are remote from each other, and the thorax is almost orbi- 

 cular and transversal. 



In the third tribe, that of the MoRDELLONiE, so far as respects the 

 form of the joints of the tarsi and of their hooks, and of that of the 

 antennae and palpi, we find no common and constant character. 



