Curculio. COLEOPTERA. 53 



Genus XJV. Curculio. 



Linn. Syft. Nat. page 506. 



The antennae of the Curculio are fub- 

 clavated, and feated in a roftrum or probof- 

 cis, which is of a horny fubftance, and 

 prominent. 



The Curculioncs are divided into the fol- 

 lowing fe&ions : 



1. Thofe which have the roftrum longer 



o 



than the thorax, and whofe thighs are 

 fimple, without teeth or fpines. 



2. Thofe in which the roftrum is longer 



a 



than the thorax, and the thighs dentated. 



3. Thofe which have dentated thighs, and 

 the roftrum fhorter than the thorax. 



4. Thofe whofe thighs are Ample, and ro- 

 ftrum fhorter thau the thorax. 



Scopoli obferves that the Curculio is a fltiggifli 

 infect, and that it endeavours to efcape its foes 

 by contracting its members and letting itfelf fall 

 to the ground. That author (who diftinguifhes 



D 3 this 



