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THE ORDER OF COLEOPTERA. 
(iig. 52.] i'h e genus Lytta, of Fabricius, or Cantharis, of Geoffrey, 
contains the blistering beetles of the shops, and also the 
well-known ash-colored, black, and striped potato-beetles. 
Some entomologists divide them into two groups or sub- 
genera : Lytta proper, in which the antennae are almost mo- 
niliform, and a little thicker towards the tip, and Epicauta, 
in which the antennae are filiform, or a little tapering, with 
L Fabri'ciu* TA ’ ^ ie joints elongated. The latter group contains all our 
common species. 
Family XLV. ANTHICIDA1. 
This family, founded upon the genus Anthicus, a Greek word, meaning 
(Fiz. 53.] variegated , is of moderate extent, and is composed of very 
small, prettily colored beetles, never much exceeding 
an eighth of an inch in length. They are readily dis- 
tinguished from most other small beetles by their nar- 
row necks. Some of them bear a striking resemblance 
to ants, and others are remarkable for a prominent 
horn on the top of the thorax. The larvae are unknown, 
but some observations of Latreille led him to believe 
that they are parasitic. The perfect insects are found 
on flowers and leaves. 
Most of our species are found in the three following 
genera : 
% 
A. Eyes notched, hairy, and coarsely granulated Xylofiiimjs, 6 sp. 
A A. Eyes oblong and entire. 
B. Thorax prolonged over the head in the form of a horn . .Notoxus, 15. 
B B. Thorax without horn Anthicus, 50. 
Noroxus : — 1, beetle ; 
2, front of body seen la- 
terally ; mandible ; 4, 
maxillary palpus; 5, G, 
tarsi— after Westwood. 
The curious little Notoxus monodon, Fab., is not an uncommon insect. 
It is of a brownish-yellow color, with a black band across the middle of 
the elytra, and two spots of the same at the base, and an obscure one 
at the tip. The horn on the thorax projects forwards so as to cover the 
head. Another, but less common species, is the N. bicolor, Say. The 
head and thorax are yellowish, and tire elytra are blue-black. The 
genus Anthicus is much the most numerous in species. 
Family XLVI. PYROCHROIDAJ. 
The species of this family are few in number, and are most conspicu- 
ous for the usually branched antenna; and their common style of colora- 
tion, which is that of a red thorax contrasted with the black elytra. 
They are of medium size, varying from one-third to three-fourths of an 
inch in length. The name is derived from the genus Vyrochroa of Geof- 
