368 
COLEOPTERA. 
is not always possible and the life-histories of some of our commonest 
species still remain unknown. For this reason every larva found de¬ 
serves careful rearing ; larvae are preserved in formalin. The student 
may be cautioned against hasty identification of specimens that look ex¬ 
tremely alike, more especially in the Hispides . There is no group that re¬ 
quires more careful scrutiny before pronouncing two specimens to belong 
to the same species, and this is of great importance in the economic 
species. There is also no group that offers such scope to the inquirer, 
especially in the bionomic aspect. To the naturalist living in a forest 
or hill district there is immense scope and the fauna of any one place 
will take years to procure and work out properly. 
Cerambycidje. — (Longicomid ). 
Antennce long, their bases partly encircled by the eyes. 
Upper surface pubescent. 
This large family of large insects is readily recognisable from their 
general form and their long antennae. They range from under half an 
Fig. 245.— Batocera rubra. 
