INSECTA. 



127 



Genus lit. Gyrinus. 



These animals have four eyes, two on the upper, and two 

 on the under side of the head ; the antennae are clavated, stiff, 

 and shorter than the head. The hinder legs are also short, 

 flat, and very broad. 



The colour of this insect is a resplendent black, with a 

 shade of brown. The elytra are adorned with beautiful striae, 

 consisting of a number of points, so minute as hardly to be 

 observed without the assistance of a microscope. On the 

 hinder part of the margins of the elytra are seen, by the same 

 means, small protuberances, borne upon pedicles, and so de- 

 ciduous, that the smallest friction sweeps them away. The 

 feet of this Insect are of a yellowish brown, and the hinder 

 pair so short, that in certain positions the animal seems to 

 have but two. These are the insects seen wheeling around 

 with inconceivable rapidity on the surface of stagnant waters. 



FAMILY II. SERRICORNES. 

 Antennae filiform, or like a saw. Three remarkable genera. 



Genus I. Elater. 



The insects of this genus are distinguished by setaceous 

 antennas, but more particularly by an elastic spine, which 

 springs from the under side of the thorax, near the extremity. 

 By the means of this spring, these animals, when turned upon 

 the back, are capable of jumping into the air, and recovering 

 their position. 



In the state of larvae, the insects of this genus inhabit the 

 trunks of decayed trees, and are there metamorphosed into 

 the winged form. Their residence is then changed, and they 

 are seen in various haunts, flowers, thickets or open fields. 



The chestnut-coloured Elater. This Insect is found both 

 in corn and pasture fields. 



The antennae are branchy, and the tips of the elytra black; 

 the rest of a pale flesh colour ; the thorax is covered with a 

 fine ash-coloured down. A South American species gives 

 out a vivid light during the night. 



Genus II. Lampyris. 



Elytra soft; corselet semicircular, and covering the head; 



