ORDO I.
INSECTA COLEOPTERA.
This order is distinguished by the crustaceous elytra which cover
the wings, and contains the following genera:
GENUS I. SCARABjEUS, the Beetle, vide Tab. 1, 2,3, and 4.
Linn. Syst. Nat. page 361.
The Scarabasus is known by the following characters;—the
antennae, or horns, terminate in a kind of club, divided longitudinally
into an indefinite number of laminae, or plates.
The second joint of the anterior or foremost pair of legs is furnished
with spines, or teeth.
There are three different sections, or families, of this genus,
which are as follows:
1. When the thorax is armed with horns.
2. With the thorax unarmed, but having horns on their head.
3. Those in which the head and thorax are plain, and without
horns.
Some individuals of each of these families are scutellati, or having
the part called the escutcheon: others are exscutellati, or wanting it.
Many of the larvae, or caterpillars, of this genus, particularly those
of the cockchaffer, conceal themselves in the earth, and live on the
roots of plants, and in many instances are very destructive animals.
GENUS II. LUCANUS, the Stag Beetle. Tab. 5.
Linn. Syst. Nat. page 559.
The antennae terminate in a sort of club, but compressed on one
side; this part is again divided into laminae, like the teeth of a comb.
The maxillae, or jaws, are strong, projected, and armed with
teeth.
The larvae of this genus are generally found in decayed wood,
and are in figure like those of the foregoing genus.
GENUS III. DERMESTES. Tab. 6.
Linn. Syst. Nat. page 561.
The antennae of the Dermestides are formed club-wise, perfo-
liated, and with an oval head, which is divided into different horizontal
leaves. These appear to be united by a thin stalk, placed
through their centre, having three joints or articulations of a larger
size than the others.
The thorax is convex, and slightly margined.
The head bent in, and concealed under the thorax.
The Dermestides, whether as a perfect insect, or in the larva or
maggot state, feed on every species of dead animals; and indeed
almost every kind of animal or vegetable substance, either in a
recent or preserved state ; consequently are terrible enemies in the
cabinets of naturalists ; and scarcely any method, or preparation,
has yet been contrived effectually to destroy them.