COLEOPTEBOUS INSECTS. 
243 
LONGICORNES. 
One of the most extensive and important families 
of the tetramerous section has received the above 
name, on account of the great length of the anten- 
nae. Many of the species are of large size, and 
otherwise remarkable for their forms and habits. 
The larger and typical kinds are found only in the 
interminable forests of the tropics, where they fre- 
quent the oldest and largest trees. The larvae live 
in the interior of the stems, which they perforate 
in all directions, and hasten the process of decay. 
In that state they resemble a large white worm, 
which is destitute of feet, but is furnished with 
means of locomotion much better adapted to the ha- 
bits of animals which pass their lives in cylindrical 
excavations not much exceeding their own bodies 
in width. The upper and under sides of most of 
the segments are covered with small prominences 
or asperities. When the insect wishes to advance, 
it contracts its body by bringing the two extremities 
towards each other, and, fixing its hinder end to the 
walls of its hole by means of these asperities, it ex- 
tends the anterior part of its body forwards. This 
operation is repeated at each successive advance- 
ment. When the larva has attained its full size, it 
forms a large cocoon, composed chiefly of saw-dust 
and gnawed portions of wood, in which it changes 
into a chrysalis. Before assuming that state, it 
