TRACHEATA 355 



band which cuts into the thorax ; they are sometimes orna- 

 mented with bright metallic spots or patches. 



A few species, as Vanessa, hibernate, but most butterflies 

 pass the winter in the larval or pupal state. The cycle of 

 their developement does not extend over a year, but there may 

 be two generations in a twelvemonth. 



The genus Papilio contains over 300 species; P. machaon 

 is the swallow-tail. The family Pieridae contains the numerous 

 " whites." Vanessa cardui is the " painted lady," and V. io the 

 " peacock," Apatura iris the " purple emperor," etc. 



OedbkS. COLEOPTERA. 



Characteristics. — Insects witJi masticating mouth parts. The 

 anterior wings are horny, and in some eases fused together. 

 They do not overlap, hut ■meet together in the middle line, 

 forming a straight suture. The prothorax is moveable. The 

 metamorphosis is complete. 



The order Coleoptera has rfeceived more attention at the 

 hands of entomologists than any other order of Insects, and the 

 number of species of beetles named and described far out- 

 numbers that of any other group. The beetles form a fairly 

 homogeneous assemblage ; and although they vary considerably 

 in size and shape, they do so to a much less degree than the 

 Orthoptera or Hemiptera. It is a comparatively easy matter 

 to recognise a beetle. As a rule they are sombre in hue, but 

 some of thern show very beautiful metallic colours, especially 

 after rain. Their outline is usually oval, but it may be linear 

 or almost round. 



The head is well developed, and may be free or partially 

 hidden under the projecting prothorax; it bears antennae, which 

 are usually two-jointed and of very various shapes. The antennae 

 are in many cases different in the two sexes. With the excep- 

 tion of a few blind species which inhabit dark caves, beetles 

 usually have a pair of compound eyes ; in the Gyrinidae or 

 whirligigs, which swim half immersed in the water, the eye is 

 divided into two halves, one for seeing in the air and one for 

 the water. Ocelli are as a rule absent. In the weevils and 

 some allied families the head is elongated, and the mouth and 



