108 
THE ORDER OF OOLEOFTERA. 
[ Fig. 49. ] 
nently carnivorous. We have two common species of the genus : the 
C. pcnsylvanicus, DeGeer, (Fig. 49,) with a large oval black spot near 
the end of each elytron ; and the C. 
marginatus, Fab., with a broad black 
stripe through the middle of the ely- 
tron. Telephorus, Schmffer, contains 
many species, varying from less than 
a quarter to more than half of an inch 
in length. They, are black, with the 
— , showing thorax usually partly or wholly red- 
antenmc, mandibles, and palpi, rno small 
.side figures show the same parts still more dish-VellOW. Silis, Meg'erlo, COlltaillS a 
highly magnified ; t, beetle— alter Kiley. ■’ ’ ° 1 
few small species, less than a quarter of an inch in length; and colored 
like Telephorus, from which they differ in having the head inserted in 
the thorax, which is two or three times as wide as it is long, and with 
a notch on the side and near the posterior angle, usually most conspicu- 
ous in the males. 
CUAUI.IOGNATHUS PKNSYLVANICU8, DoGeOr: — 
larva ; 6, head of larva magnified. 
Family XL MELYltllLE. 
This is a family of small extent, and is composed mostly of small or 
very small species. They bear a general resemblance to the preceding 
family, but are usually smaller and differ in the palpi not being widened 
at the t ip, and in the fourth joint of the tarsi not being bilobed, in both 
of which characters they differ from the great majority of the soft- 
winged beetles. The species of the genus Malaehius have the singular 
power of protruding from the sides of their bodies a number of soft 
orange-colored vesicles, the use of which is a matter of conjecture. 
They are supposed to be instrumental in deterring their enemies. The 
larviB are carnivorous, like those of the other Malacodermes ; but the 
perfect insects are generally found upon flowers, and are supposed to 
feed upon their more tender parts. 
The two leading genera in' our fauna are Malaehius — which has been 
divided into a number of sub-genera, all of which possess the extensile 
vesicles — and JJasytes, in which the vesicles are wanting. 
Family XLI. CLERIDiE. 
In this family the labial palpi terminate in a largo hatchet-shaped 
joint, and the fourth joint of the tarsi is bilobed ; but the body is tole- 
rably firm, and the antenna; depart from the common serrate character 
in being more or less widened towards the tip ; but the enlargement 
differs from the genuine clavate, in being more or less flattened, and 
sometimes strongly serrate. They also differ from the Malacoderms 
proper in having usually but five segments in the abdomen, whereas 
the latter have seven. The Oleridic are usually rather below the me- 
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