Thorax margined, and shorter than the head.
Elytra flexible.
The sides of the abdomen are furnished with papillae, as in the
Lampyris.
The Cantharides are divided into two sections,'those with the
thorax somewhat broad and flat, which in the others are narrower,
and rounded on the sides.
The larvae of this genus are like those of the Cerambyces, and
have been found in decayed willows. For which information we
are indebted to the learned botanist and entomologist Mr. William
Curtis of London.
GENUS XXI. ELATER. Tab. 30 and 31.
Linn. Syst. Nat. page 651.
•Their antennae are setaceous.
An elastic spring or spine projects from the hinder extremity of
the breast, or under side of the thorax.
It is observed, all the species of this genus possess the following'
singular property
The insect, when laid on his back, contracts the extremity of the
abdomen and the head towards each other, whereby the body is
considerably curved, and the spine on the breast is by that means
withdrawn from the groove where it rested, in a part of the abdomen,
in its natural position ; then suddenly again inclining the
body downwards, the spine is struck, with that effort, across a small
ridge back again into the cavity from whence it was withdrawn,
that by the shock the back of the insect is forced with such violence
against the subject it rested on,- as to'Cause it to spring or
rebound to a considerable distance. ;u
It is remarked, that the antennas of some Elateies are setaceous,
others filiform, pectinated, or serrated:’ they are nevertheless easily
distinguished from every other genus by the spine at the extremity
of the, thorax,— a character scarcely any other insect' possesses.
Their larvae live in decayed trunks of trees, where they undergo
their metamorphoses.
GENUS XXII. CICINDELA. Tab. 8.
Linn. Syst. Nat. page 657.,
Their antennae are setaceous.
The maxillae, or jaws, project considerably before the head, and
are furnished with teeth.
The eyes are prominent. The thorax orbicular, and margined.
The larvae of this genus are found mostly with those of the Ca-
rabi, in holes in the earth, and make the weaker animals: their
food.
GENUS XXIII. BUPRESTIS. Tab. 8.
Linn. Syst. Nat. page 659.
The antennae of the Buprestides are setaceous, and as long as the;
thorax. The head is partly retracted, or drawn back within the
thorax.
They are divided into the following sections:
In the first, the elytra are elevated at the suture, and decline towards,
the sides.