ZOOLOGY. 



19T 



living half that time, and some few live in their complete or 

 Fly-state only a few hours. The metamorphosis, that all 

 excepting the Apterous Order are continually undergoing, 

 renders this science more complex than most others that 

 relate to Natural History : the Larvae or insect as soon as 

 excluded from the egg, is exceedingly voracious, and for the 

 most part when at its full growth is much larger than the 

 mature insect ; the Pupa or Chrysalis, except those of the 

 order Hemiptera, take no nourishment ; the Imago, or per- 

 fect state, is the third and last change the Animal undergoes^ 

 when it appears in its proper shape and colours, in this state 

 it attains wings, is capable of propagating its species, and ac- 

 quires its true Antennas, which, in the previous states were 

 hardly apparent or wanting. 



Insects are divided into seven distinct orders, the charac- 

 ters of the first six are drawn from the texture and num- 

 ber of their wings, and the seventh from their being des- 

 titute of wings. 



ORDER 1. 



COLEOPTERA. 



To most of the individuals of this extensive order the term 

 Beetle is applied in common language, though scientifically 

 it is confined to the first genus. All the species are furnish- 

 ed with thin membranaceous wings, covered by a pair of 

 strong horny coverings, or shells. The order consists of 

 1Jiirty»two genem, 



o 3 



