82 



ORDER COI.EOPTERA. 



PHILIIYDKIDA 



NECROPIIAGA 



BRACnELYTRA : 



Heterocerid^? 

 Parnidje. 



HELOrHORIDiE. 



HYDRorniLir>.£. 

 Srn^RiDiiDjE? 



ScArnimiDJE. 



SlLPHIDJE. 



NlTIDULID.E. 

 EnG1D/E. 



Dermestid^:. 



Staphs linidje. 

 Stenidje. 

 Omalidje. 

 PselaphiDjE. 



TACHVPORIDiE. 



Westwood, however, in his work on the British genera, adopts, in preference to the 

 foregoing, the tarsal system, and hence recognizes the following subdivision : 



1. Pentamera : tarsi witli five joints ; 



2. Heteromera : the four anterior tarsi 5-jointcd, and the two posterior 4-joiuted ; 



3. Pseudotetramera : tarsi 5-jointcd, the fourth exceedingly minute ; 



4. Psecdotrimera : tarsi 4-jointed, the third joint very diminutive and concealed. 



Cicindelidse. 



Trre family of beetles, which are known under this name, are among the most beautiful of 

 the insect tribes : their colors are brilliant, and their markings add to the beauty arid 

 elegance of the colors by contrast. In size they occupy a middle ground : the largest 

 cely exceed an inch in length, and the smallest arc at least one-third of an inch long. 

 Their habits are as interesting as their colors are beautiful : their watchfulness is untiring ; 

 and though their flight is short, it is difficult to capture them. In the nature of their in- 

 stincts they agree with the carnivora among the vertebrate class of animals : they are 

 flesh-eaters ; but in order that they may capture and secure the living insect as their prey, 

 they are qualified to give chase either on the wing or on foot, and they make war upon all 

 insects that are not too strong for them. The eichidelida? hunt upon sandy and arid plains, 

 and seem to delight in the heating rays of the sun ; for in hot days they appear far more 

 numerous, flying and alighting upon the ground before us in dry paths, and turning their 

 heads watchfully towards us when they rest for a moment. 



