INSECT A — COLEOPTERA. 
157 
the peculiar texture of the horny shell, the author observed a layer of 
pigment in the unsoftened pieces, which seemed to be composed of a 
homogeneous substance. 
Observations on the History of the Metamorphosis of the Coleoptera 
have been published by Goureau (Ann. d. Soc. Ent. d. Fr. xi. p. 173), 
principally in reference to the transformation of the Beetle from the 
nympha-membrane, and, in particular, of the Pyrochroa coccinea. The 
view very correctly tahen by the author, that the spines and bristles, 
standing out on the covering of the nympha-membrane, serve to retain it 
in its place on the evolution of the Beetle, and thus render that operation 
easier, has already long been maintained by ourselves. 
The reporter has continued his researches on the larvse of the Coleop- 
tera (Arch. 8 Jahrg. 1. Bd. p. 363), with reference to the division of the 
Lamellicornes, Heteromera, Curculiones, Ceramhyces, Cucujidce. 
A knowledge of the larvie is of great importance in the arrange- 
ment of the Heteromera, which present very important variations in this 
respect, according to their natural families. The larvae of the Melasoma, 
Tenehriones, Taxicornes, Helopice, and Cistelines, agree very closely ; 
and from that the idea has been derived, to unite all these divisions into 
one great natural family, which is also accurately enough divided from the 
rest of the Heteromera, by the characteristic marks of the Beetle. The 
Serropalyi, (Edemeridoi, Lagria, Pyrochroa (Pyrochroa and Pytho), 
XRd Mordella, have peculiar forms of larvae. The larvae of the Meloidoi 
are only satisfactorily known in a very youthful state. Of those of the 
Anthicida, and Salpingidoe nothing is known. 
A comparison of some of the ditferences presented in the general struc- 
ture of the body, by which the two sexes of Beetles are distinguished 
from each other, has been published by Hoffmeister (Sechster Jahres- 
bericht iiber die Thatigkeit des Vereins fur Naturkunde in Cassel, ab- 
gestattet d. 18. Apr. 1842, von Dr. A. Philippi). 
Some remarks on the natural history of German Coleoptera, are to be 
found in the Entomol. Zeitung, viz. ; Beitrage zur nahern Kenntniss des 
Lebens und Fanges einiger Coleopteren von Banse, Krasper und Matz 
in Magdeburg (p. 24) : Entomologische Mittheilungen von Dr. Rosen- 
hauer (p. 33, 50), und iiber die an und in alten Zaiinen lebenden Kafer 
von demselben (p. 162.) 
Schaum (Germar Zeitschr. iv. p. 172) has published a contribution to 
the knowledge of the Salt Beetles of Northern Germany ; i. e. such beetles 
as are only found in the salt districts. They are confined to a few fami- 
lies. The half of them are Carahicince. Next to these, Water Beetles, 
which live in brackish water (Dytiscidce and Hydrophilidce). Among the 
Staphylinidce, some species of Bledius ; and, besides these, only two of 
Heterocerus (parallelus, Gebl., and femoralis, Ullr.) ; one Pselaphus 
(Bryaxis Helferi, Schm.) ; and one Anthicus (humilis). 
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