220 
BRITISH BEETLES. 
tlie tarsi ; and in that the same proportions are pre- 
served (4, 4, 3), — the apparently missing joints being 
represented by a slight constriction. 
Thomson has divided this section into two tribes, 
the Globicoxx and Conicoxse ; in the former of which 
(amongst other characters) the anterior coxas are 
globose or ovate, and the thorax is mostly margined, 
whilst in the latter, the anterior coxae are long, conic 
and exserted, the thorax being very rarely margined. 
The Globicoxx comprise all except the Pyrochroidm, 
Melo'idse, (Edemeridse, Anthicidee, Xyloph/ilidse and the 
Rhipidophoridse. 
The typical Heteromera ( Melasoma , Latr.) are of 
darkling and sluggish habits, black or obscure in 
colour, hard and wingless. It has been ingeniously 
remarked that the fact of the eyes in these light- 
shunning species being but slightly elevated above 
the surface of their head affords an indication of their 
habits ; and this is borne out, to a certain extent, by 
the utter absence of eyes in certain cave-frequenting 
Goleoptcra ; and, per contra, by the large size and 
extreme prominence of the same organs in many 
diurnal species ; but in this theory, as in many others 
equally good at first sight, exceptions occur so often 
that it is very difficult to turn it to any practical benefit. 
Others of the section are eminently active, gaily 
coloured, soft, with ample wings, and frequeDt flowers : 
many occur in rotten wood, flour, or sandy places ; 
and one or two species are parasitic in their habits. 
Perhaps the best known are the “ cellar-beetle ” 
(Blaps), “ Mealworm ” ( Tenebrio ), “Cardinal ” (Pyro- 
chroa), “ Oil beetle ” {Melon), and “ Spanish-fly,” or 
“ Blister-beetle” ( Lytta ). 
