SA.WHORNED WOOD-BEETLES. 
97 
They are distinguished from the allied Buprestidm, not only by this 
saltatory power, but also by the posterior angles of the thorax being 
prolonged backwards to a point, so as to f Fi s- <«•] 
embrace the base of the elytra, and by the 
bases of the thorax and of the elytra slop- '*** , 
^ 1 Larva of. E later. 
ing downwards towards each other, which, in addition to a slight sepa- 
ration between them, permits the freedom of motion which these parts 
have upon each other. The thighs moreover are almost or entirely des- 
titute of the accessory joint at their base called the trochautin. The 
elaters are also readily distinguished by their usually dull brown colors, 
very rarely changing to black or red, and by their surface being almost 
always clothed with a fine pubescence. 
The larvae are elongate, slender, of the same width throughout and of 
a hard and almost horny consistency, and furnished with short legs. 
The last segment is sometimes forked at the extremity, sometimes 3- 
toothed, and sometimes entire. They bear a strong resemblance to the 
meal-worms or larvae of Teuebrio, but differ in the structure of their 
mouths. 
These larvae go by the common name of wire-worms. With respect 
to their food they may be divided into two classes : those which live in 
rotten wood, being frequently found under the bark of decayed stumps 
and prostrate logs, and sometimes, but rarely, penetrating into solid 
wood* * ; and those which feed upon the roots of grasses and of other 
plants. The natural food of the larvae of the latter division appears to 
be the roots of grasses, both wild and cultivated, but from these they 
spread to the roots of almost all kinds of cultivated plants, including 
Indian corn and the small grains, and various kinds of garden vegeta- 
bles. In some localities they rank amongst injurious insects of a very 
serious character. 
The Elateridae constitute one of the most extensive, and one of the 
most natural families of Ooleoptera, but their division into minor groups 
is very difficult, on account of the great numbers and the strong general 
resemblance of the species. In treating upon this subject, Lacordaire 
makes the following remark: “The classification of this family presents 
extreme, and perhaps insurmountable difficulties. If we examine the 
works ot the most recent authors, Germar and Erichson, we shall see 
that both of them despair of the classification of these insects. The 
latter, indeed, has expressed the wish that some new characters may yet 
*Mr. C. V. Kiley lias shown mo a specimen of llemirhipis f acicularis , Fab., distinguished for its 
beautifully pectinatod antennas, which was reared by him from a larva which ho found boring through 
the heart wood of the Pecan Hickory, thus proving that someof the Elateridie are gonuino wood-borers 
and corroborating the propriety of placing them in the same tribe with the wood-boring Buprestidic. 
[Siuco the above was written, Mr. Kiley informs mo that he strongly suspects that the Heiuirhipis 
l.u\, i was preying on that of Clytus pieties which was boring the same tree, and not feeding on tho 
woud itself.] 
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