STATES OF INSECTS. 131 



present the trunk of the perfect insect, and to which the 

 six anterior legs when present are affixed. In general, 

 they differ from the remaining segments only in being 

 shorter, and in many cases less distinctly characterized; 

 but in Neuropterous larvae, those of Dytisci, and some 

 other Coleoptera, they are longer than the succeeding 

 ones, and pretty nearly resemble the trunk of the animal 

 in its last state. The surface of the trunk and abdomen 

 will be considered under a subsequent head ; I shall not, 

 therefore, describe it here. The conformation of the dif- 

 ferent segments varies but little, except of the terminal 

 one, or tail, which in different larvae takes various figures. 

 In most, this part is obtuse and rounded; in others acute 

 or acuminate ; in others truncate ; and in others emargi- 

 nate, or with a wider sinus, and with intermediate modifi- 

 cations of shape which it would be endless to particularize. 

 In some, also, it is simple and unarmed ; in others be- 

 set with horns* spines, radii, and tubercles of different 

 forms, some of which will come under future considera- 

 tion. The parts connected with the trunk and abdo- 

 men which will require separate consideration, are the 

 legs, the spiracles, and various appendages. 



Legs. It may be stated generally that the larvae of the 

 orders Coleoptera, Lepidoptfra, and Neuroptera, have 

 legs ; and that those of the orders Uymenoptera and Di- 

 ptera have none. This must be understood, however, 

 with some exceptions. Thus the larvae of some Coleo- 

 ptera, as the weevil tribes (Curculio L.) have no legs, un- 

 less we may call by that name certain fleshy tubercles be- 

 smeared with gluten, which assist them in their motions a ; 



a De Geer v. 203; 



K 2 



