s 



the corners of the forehead, are the two horns or antenna, very variable in 

 appearance in different groups. In all the ground beetles they taper gently 

 from base (where they spring from the head) to apex, and are then called 

 fiiliform ; they are often of equal thickness from base to apex, and composed 

 of joints from the resemblance of which to a string of beads the term moni- 

 liform has been applied to the antennae, as seen in the meal-worm beetle 

 (Tenebrio molitor) ; the terminal three or four joints are often so much larger 

 that the antenna becomes clubbed (clavate), as in the burying beetles (Ne- 

 crop7iorus). In the cockchafer (Melolontka) , a peculiar modification of the 

 club is seen. Here the terminal six or seven joints become flattened and 

 hinged together by one edge so that the joints open out or shut together 

 like the leaves of a book ; such an antennse is lamellated, and is typical of 

 the Lamellicornes (Chafers, Dor-beetles, Aphodii, &c.) ; very often the basal 

 joint of the antennas is long, and the second joint is fastened not at the 

 extreme end of the first but a little to one side, so as to give the antennas a 

 distinct bend at this point ; such an antenna is elbowed and elbowed antennas 

 are nearly always clubbed as well, as in the weevils, where the long basal 

 joint is known as the scape, and the portion intervening between the scape 

 and the club is called the funiculus. Among a few of the British beetles the 

 joints of the antennas are furnished with a long process or spike on the inside, 

 so as to give the organ a comb-like or pectinate appearance, as seen in some 

 ©f the skip-jack beetles (Corymbites.) 



In front of the antennas and beneath the clypeus we come to the organs 

 of the mouth which are somewhat complicated in structure. Immediately 

 beneath the clypeus, and often projecting beyond it, is the labrum or upper 

 lip ; and if the insect be turned on its back a similar structure will be seen 

 to form a lower lip or labium, the principal portion of which is occupied by 

 the mentum or chin, often notched in front, while springing from its front 

 edge are a pair of small feelers [labial palpi) composed usually of four joints. 

 In the interval between the labrum and labium lie two pairs of jaws, which 

 work, not upwards or downwards as in most animals, but from side to side. 

 These can be easily seen by pulling them apart with a strong pin, and the 

 two pairs will be found to have a very different appearance. The upper pair, 

 often very long and sharp-pointed, and often with teeth on the inside, are 

 called the mandibles ; the lower pair are called the maxillce, and are very 

 variable in form, but each maxilla always consists of several joints, one of 

 which is usually fringed with hair at the margin for use as a brush, while 

 attached to the outer edge is another palpus or feeler, the two constituting 

 the maxillary palpi. 



The thorax, when looked at from above, appears to consist of a single 



