13S 
COLEOPTERA. 
single egg which, after becoming a larva, will find a 
store of food ready for use. The ant is set before us in 
the Bible as an example of diligence and patience. 
The Greek translation in Prov. vi. 8 has the following 
eulogium on the bee : “ Go to the bee and learn how 
diligent she is, and what a noble work she produces, 
whose labours kings and private men use for their 
health ; she is desired and honoured by all, and though 
weak in strength, yet since she values wisdom, she pre¬ 
vails.This passage is not found in any Hebrew copy 
of the Scriptures; it exists, however, in the Arabic 
version, and is quoted by Origen, Clemens Alexandrinus, 
Jerome, and other ancient writers. 
COLEOPTERA. 
AVe now come to the Beetles or Sheath-winged insects, 
whose first pair of wings are more or less of a horny 
consistence, and form a covering for the posterior pair 
when not in use. These sheaths, when the beetle is 
flying, are extended motionless at right angles to the 
body, and when the insect is at rest they generally 
meet in a straight line down the back. The meta¬ 
morphosis in the Coleoptera is as complete as in the 
Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera; the larvae are generally 
soft fleshy grubs, though, in some cases, the integuments 
are leathery and tough ; they have generally six legs on 
the thorax, and frequently anal-pro-legs. The pupae are 
free and inactive. This order contains an immense 
number of species ; the British species numbering about 
3,000, and to this additions are made from time ta 
