ARTICULATA. 149 
straight line along the dorsum, lap the one over the other in a few cases ; 
and in others they are connate, or soldered together into a single piece, 
there being no wings beneath them. 
The galea of the maxille in the Orthoptera is rarely represented in the 
Coleoptera, and when it is, the form is entirely different ; and the wings are 
neither formed nor folded as in that order. The head, thorax, abdomen, 
and feet, are distinct, and the prothorax is a conspicuous part, capable of 
motion, and allowing the head to move upon it. The eyes are generally 
two in number, and stemmata are extremely rare. In rare cases the eyes 
are absent. The mouth is composed of a labrum, mandibles, maxillee, and 
labium, with their appendages. The antenne and parts of the mouth are 
extremely variable, and afford characters for genera and higher groups. 
The abdomen is attached by its entire base; beneath it is more or less 
hard, but above it is membranous, being protected by the elytra. Coleoptera, 
with a few exceptions, do not fly with the ease and rapidity of some of the 
other orders, and they do not take wing so readily, it being necessary first — 
to raise the elytra and extend the wings; but in the Cicindelide and some 
other families, this is done with remarkable quickness. 
The head and prothorax are often ornamented by horn-like projections, 
sometimes resembling jaws, as in (pl. 81, fig. 148) Scarabeus hercules, 
in which the upper projection is from the pronotum, and the lower one from 
the head; and Oryctes nasicornis (fig. 145) has a horn arising from its 
head resembling that of a rhinoceros. The sexes are distinguished in 
various ways in the different groups, as by the antennz in some, and the 
feet in others. In some genera, as Lucanus (jig. 124), the mandibles are 
much larger in the male than in the female, and of a different form. This 
order is oviparous, the male dies soon after pairing, and the female after 
depositing her eggs. In cases where the male has not paired, it has been 
preserved alive for a period much beyond that of its ordinary life. 
The Coleoptera have been studied more than any other order of insects, 
the causes of which may be stated.as follows. With the exception of the 
Lepidoptgra, they contain the handsomest species. The Lepidoptera are 
difficult to take in a perfect condition, and when taken they require more 
attention in carrying and handling, and in expanding the wings, besides 
taking up more room in cabinets, and being more likely to be destroyed by 
moths and other destructive larve. Coleoptera_present great variety in 
their structure; their exterior hardness renders their preservation a simple 
matter. It requires but little trouble to collect and bring home a great many 
at a time, and they can be easily caught and collected when insects which 
are more upon the wing are not seen. There are more books upon. the 
Coleoptera, which facilitates their study and renders it more easy to: ¢lis- 
cover new species. 
In forming a collection of Coleoptera (and these remarks will, in most 
“eases, apply to other orders), various localities must be sought. Many 
frequent the blossoms and leaves of shrubs and trees, various species are 
found in rotten wood, dung, carrion (Wecrophorus prefers dead reptiles), 
beneath stones, logs, bark, or under the earth. Species which live in fungi 
ICONOGRAPHIC ENCYCLOPADIA.—VOL. Il. 23 353 
