134- STATES OF INSECTS. 



several Coleoptera, as those of Dytiscus, Staphylinus, Coc- 

 cinella, &c., they more resemble the legs of the perfect 

 insect, the joints being more elongated, and the femoral 

 one projecting beyond the body a . 



You will find no other than true legs in most Coleo- 

 pterous, Neuropterous, and Hymenopterous larvae. But 

 those of the saw-flies ( Tenthredo L.), and all caterpillars, 

 have besides a number of prolegs : a few Dipterous larvse 

 also, are provided with some organs nearly analogous to 

 them. These prolegs are fleshy, commonly conical or 

 cylindrical, and sometimes retractile protuberances, usu- 

 ally attached by pairs to the underside of that part of 

 the body that represents the abdomen of the future fly b . 

 They vary in conformation and in number; some having 

 but one, others as many as eighteen. 



With regard to their conformation, they may be di- 

 vided into two principal sections: first, those furnished 

 with terminal claws; and secondly, those deprived of 

 them. Each of which may be divided into smaller sec- 

 tions, founded on the general figure of the prolegs, and 

 arrangement of the claws or hooks. 



legs apparently fleshy and singularly incrassated at the apex into a 

 pyriform figure, terminated by a pair of claws. This conformation 

 is for some particular purpose in the economy of the animal, since 

 they are the most busily employed of all in arranging the threads of 

 her web. Reaunj. ii. 258. In the larva of a geometer (Geometfa lu- 

 lutna) the third pair are remarkably long. Illig. Mag. 402. In that 

 of another moth, according to Kuhn (Naturf. xvi. 78. t. iv./. 3), the 

 third pair of the fore-legs is remarkably incrassated, being twice as 

 thick and long as the other pair, though consisting of the same num- 

 ber of joints, the last of which has claws. 



a On the legs and prolegs see also what is said above, Vol II 

 p. 286'—. 



b In some few instances these legs are dorsal. Ibid. 281. 



