56 GLIDE TO INSECTS. 



insect of a yellowish colour. It buries itself in the flesh of small 

 animals and man. It particularly attacks the toes, and if not 

 speedily removed causes a severe wound. Its body, partly by 

 sucking moisture and partly by the development of the eggs, 

 becomes greatly swollen, sometimes to the size of a small pea. It 

 is a native of tropical America, but has been introduced into Africa 

 where it has spread rapidly. It has also been found in Madagascar 

 and China. The natives in Africa who neglect to remove them 

 frequently lose their toes in consequence. 



Order COLEOPTERA. 



The insects of this Order are called Beetles. They have complete 

 metamorphoses. The head is imbedded in the prothorax, which is 

 very large. The front wings, called elytra, are not used in flight, 

 but are hard and serve as covers to the hind wings, which are folded 

 in a complex manner beneath them. When at rest they meet in a 

 straight line down the back and do not cross one another. 



They are commonly divided into thirteen sub- Orders, the 

 principal characters for distinguishing which are explained by 

 Table- drawings and specimens arranged in a tabular form in Table-case 55. 

 A series of specimens will be found in Drawers 20-40 of a cabinet 

 on the west side of the gallery. This series only extends as far 

 as the B?q)restidce. The remainder will be exhibited as soon as 

 circumstances permit. 



Order RHYNCHOTA. 



This Order includes the Bugs, Cicadas, Froth Flies, Aphids, and 

 Scale Insects. 



They undergo incomplete metamorphoses. The head is imbedded 

 in the prothorax which is very large. The mouth is modified 

 so as to form a long proboscis, formed for piercing and for 

 sucking juices ; it lies beneath the body when at rest, directed 

 backwards. 



They are divided into two sub-Orders, the Hemiptera and 

 Homoptera. The former have the base of the front wings leathery, 

 the apical part membranous, crossed over one another when at rest. 

 This sub-Order includes all the Plant Bugs, Tree Bugs, House 

 Bug, &c. 



case 55. 



