DYTISCUS. DYTISCUS. 
Generic Character. 
Antenna setaceae. 
Pedes postici villosi, nata- 
torii, submutici. 
Antenna setaceous. 
Hind-Legs villose, formed 
for swimming-, and ter- 
minated by scarcely visi- 
ble claws. 
Xhis, like the Gyrinus, is an aquatic geiius, 
and is rarely seen in flight, except during the 
evening. It is distinguished by having setaceous 
antennae of the length of the thorax, an oval body, 
pointed behind, a bifid sternum, and the hind-legs 
formed entirely for swimming, being tapered to- 
wards the point, and beset on each side with fine, 
strong, close-set hairs, enabling them to perform 
the office of oars. 
One of the largest European species is the Dy~ 
tiscus marginalise which usually measures some- 
what more than an inch in length, and is of a 
blackish olive-colour, with the thorax and wdng- 
sheaths bordered with yellow or ochre-colour; the 
whole insect is of a polished surface on the upper 
part, and the wing-shells are each marked by two 
rows of scarcely perceptible impressed points: the 
under parts are ochre-coloured. This insect is 
not uncommon in stagnant waters, where its larva 
