586 
THE STUDY OF INSECTS. 
three species. These are heteromerous beetles, which can 
be easily recognized by the characters given in the table of 
families. 
The family MORDELLID^E (Mor-del'li-dae) includes a large 
number of small beetles, which are easily recognized by 
their peculiar form (Fig. 715). The body is arched, 
the head being bent down ; and the abdomen is 
fig. 715. usually prolonged into a slender point. Our most 
common species are black; but many are variegated, and 
all are pubescent. The adults are usually found on flowers; 
the larvae live in rotten wood and in the pith of various 
plants, upon which they are supposed to feed. 
The family ANTHICID^E (An-thic'i-dae) includes beetles of 
moderate or minute size. The head is strongly constricted 
behind the eyes, and the neck is slender; the prothorax is 
narrower than the wing-covers at base. Many of the beetles 
live on flowers and leaves; but some are found near the 
margin of water. Our most common species belong to the 
genus Notoxus (No-tox'us), in which the prothorax is pro¬ 
longed over the head into a horn. 
The family PYROCHROIDiE (Pyr-o-chro'i-dae) includes a 
small number of beetles, which are from one 
third to three fourths of an inch in length. The 
body is elongate; the head and prothorax are 
narrower than the wing-covers; the antennae are 
serrate or subpectinate in the females and usually 
flabellate in the males (Fig. 716). The beetles Fig. 716. 
are found about decaying trees, beneath the bark of which 
the larvae live. 
Family MELOID.E (Me-lo'i-dae). 
The Blister-beetles. 
The blister-beetles are of medium or large size. The 
body is comparatively soft; the head is broad, vertical, and 
abruptly narrowed into a neck; the prothorax is narrower 
