A MANUAL 



OF 



BRITISH COLEOPTERA, 



OR 



BEETLES. 



JDeetles are distinguished from other Insects by having usually 2 mem- 

 branaceous (posterior) Avings folded longitudinally and transversely during 

 repose, and concealed by a pair of elytra (anterior wings or wing-cases) of a 

 horny or leathery texture, united down the back by a straight suture : — 

 they have also the mouth armed with transversely moveable jaws (mandibles), 

 and with 4 or 6 palpi. 



Obs. — Many genera among the Carabidcc, Curculionidce, Cantharidce, &c, 

 are destitute of wings : — some, as Cychrus, Blaps, many of the Curcidionida-, 

 &c, have the elytra soldered together: — others, as Molorchus, Sitaris, &c, 

 have the wings exposed, or have the elytra divaricating, narrowed at the tip, 

 abbreviated, &c. : other exceptions likewise occur. 



§ 1. ADEPHAGA Clair ville. 



Mouth with 6 palpi ; one pair attached to the labium (or under lip), two to 

 the maxilla? : the superior portion of the maxillae scaly, the internal edge 

 ciliated, its tip armed with a jointed or simple claw: mentum (chin) large, 

 horny, nearly semicircular, deeply notched anteriorly, the notch often 

 furnished with a tooth in the middle : tarsi (feet) with 5 joints. 



Stirps 1. Geodephaga MacLeay. 

 Legs long, and formed for running, the 4 hinder being placed at equal dis- 

 tances apart, and capable of horizontal and vertical motions ; the pectoral 

 lamina? into which they are inserted being of moderate size : body oblong, 

 rarely ovate : ant. long, slender, filiform, or setaceous : eyes prominent : 

 mand. not concealed by the labrum (upper lip): inner max. palpi with 

 1 or 2 joints, outer with 4 ; lab. palpi with 3 or 4 joints. 



Stirps 2. Hvdradephaga MacLeay. 

 Legs short, and formed for swimming, the hinder pair remote from the 

 others, and capable of a horizontal motion only, the pectoral lamina? into 

 which they are inserted being large : body ovate, rarely oblong : ant. 

 slender, setaceous : eyes slightly prominent: mand. with the tip only 

 exposed : hook at the tip of the maxilla? curved at the base : tho. broader 

 than long — 4 posterior tibia? (shanks) and tarsi generally compressed and 

 fringed with hair. 



B 



i^ 6 



