198 MANUAL OF NATURAL HISTORY. 



66. Family. — Mimic Flower-Beetles (Lagriicte). 



Antenna filiform, inserted in a notch of the 

 eyes ; palpi thickened at tip; mandibles thick, 

 short ; head inserted ; thorax narrower than 

 elytra ; body elongate ; elytra, free, ample, 

 soft, flexible ; femora oval, clavate ; penul- 

 timate tarsal joint bilobed, claws simple. 

 Found on plants in woods and hedges. Feign 

 death when alarmed. 



67. Family. — Blistering - Beetles (Cantharididae). 



Antennae various ; palpi mostly filiform ; head 

 dilated behind eyes, united to thorax by a 

 distinct neck ; thorax somewhat quadrate ; 

 elytra flexible, deflexed at sides, often short- 

 ened or devaricating ; claws bifid. Varie- 

 gated in colour ; feign death. Many possess 

 powerful blistering properties. 



68. Family. — Soldier -Beetles (Pyrochroidae). An- 



tennae filiform, pectinate or serrated ; maxil- 

 lary palpi with terminal joint somewhat 

 hatchet-shaped ; head exserted, with a dis- 

 tinct neck ; thorax small, somewhat orbicu- 

 lar ; elytra ample, flattish ; penultimate joint 

 of tarsi bifid ; claws simple. Colours often 

 red. Frequent leaves and flowers. 



69. Family. — Parasitic Flower-Beetles (Mordel- 



lidae). Antennae short, often flabellate or 

 serrated ; head inflexed, closely applied to 

 thorax ; thorax trapeziform ; body elevated, 

 arched ; elytra narrowed at tip ; abdomen 

 conic, sometimes with an anal style ; legs 



