CHAPTER VI. 



ORDER I. COLEOPTERA ( Continued). 



PRIOCERATA. 



The next subtribe of pentainerous beetles is named Priocerata by Mr. Westwood (Serri- 

 cornes, Latr.). They comprise those families whose antenna? are short, or only of a moderate 

 length, with an equal thickness throughout, and generally attenuated at the tip rather 

 than thickened : they are eleven-jointed, but their peculiar characteristic consists in being 

 serrated upon their inside ; hence the name serricornes by Latkeille : in the males, they 

 are sometimes pectinated. The insect has two short robust maxillary and labial palpi : 

 body elongate and narrow ; elytra narrowed behind, covering the abdomen. 



The Priocerata are divided into two sections, the Macrostcnri and the Jlprostcrni, by 

 Westwood. The first comprises the old genera Bi prestis and Elater, the' consistence of 

 whose bodies is firm, and their forms elliptic and elongate, but narrowed behind : their 

 legs are short, and either partially or wholly retractile ; and their heads are short, and are 

 received into a cylindrical excavation in the prothorax, or in front up to their eyes. The 

 pectus advances beneath the mouth, and is also produced behind to a point. 



These beetles, for beauty and splendor of coloring, are among the finest of the class of 

 insects : they are rich in the metallic hues which ornament their bodies and elytra. They 

 fly swiftly, but walk slowly, from the shortness of their legs. They make their escape, 

 when in danger of being captured, by falling suddenly into the grass and weeds. 



The Bi-pRESTiDiE, or bupestrians, have an oval form, being widest behind the thorax and 

 obtuse before, but narrower behind and frequently acute : their bodies are also wider than 

 deep, with a thorax wider behind than before. The head, according to the typical character 

 of the family, is sunk into the thorax up to the eyes : the antenna? are short, and serrate 

 on the inside. The thorax is widest behind, and fits very closely to the base of the elytra. 

 The legs are set widely apart, and are short, and hence their stand is firm : the soles of 

 the fourth joints of the feet are furnished with spongy cushions, and the foot terminated 

 with two claws : the scutel is small. The insects are rarely seen, except in hot sunny days, 

 when they may be found on fences, limbs of trees, or sides of houses, basking in the sun : 

 they never fly in the night. 



[Agricultural Report — Vol. v.] 11 



