218 GRAMMAR OF ENTOMOLOGY. 



CHAPTER V. 



CLASSIFICATION OF COLEOPTERA. 



736. The metamorphosis of coleoptera, is 

 necromorphous. Larva, with corneous mandibles 

 moving horizontally ; a pair of articulate feet, 

 generally on the second, third, and fourth seg- 

 ments ; no other feet, unless a prehensile caudal 

 appendage occasionally present can be so denomi- 

 nated. Food very various. Pupa of nearly uni- 

 form appearance. 



737. Imago with the parts of the mouth fully 

 developed ; the mandibles moving horizontally, 

 and being employed in mastication. Wings 

 fully developed ; fore wings hard, crustaceous, 

 not used in flying, when closed meeting with 

 parallel edges, and completely covering the hind 

 wings, to protect which appears their only office ; 

 hind wings generally much longer than the body, 

 folded longitudinally and transversely beneath the 

 fore wings. Prothorax very large ; mesothorax 

 small ; metathorax large. Food various. 



