20 THE MOUTH-ORGANS, ETC., OF 



The Antennae do not exhibit any striking variety ; they are all 

 eleven-jointed and simple in character. The Claws are generally 

 simple, but in some cases they are toothed on the inside. The 

 genera Dejuetrias^ Calathus^ Frtsto?iychus, and Taphria are instances 

 of this pecuHarity (see Fig. 26). There is an important character- 

 istic possessed by all the Geodephaga, except the section Cicindelidce. 

 and the sub-sections Elaphrides and Cai-abides. I refer to the 

 hollow on the inside of the anterior tibiae (Fig. 26). This is of 

 peculiar form, being placed obliquely, and furnished with comb-like 

 bristles. One of the large spines which is usually found at the 

 tip of the tibiae is set at the root of the hollow; a friend has 

 suggested that this remarkable organ may be for cleaning the 

 antennae, and although I have not been able to prove it, I think 

 it is very likely that such is the case. A similar arrangement 

 exists in the Hymenopfera, but in this case the hollow is in the 

 first joint of the tarsus. It is well shown in the foot of the 

 common wasp. 



In " Westwood " I find the following note : — " Mr. Curties has 

 noticed an interesting peculiarity in the anterior tibiae of the genus 

 Cillenuifi, which are not only armed with the two ordinary spurs 

 (one above and the other below the notch), but have, also, two 

 additional deflexed spines at the outer extremity of the notch, 

 between which spines, he presumes, the lower moveable spur is 

 received ; hence he conceives that these notched anterior legs of 

 the Carabidce, are used in seizing and retaining their prey, for the 

 limb of an insect being received into the notch, and the lower 

 moveable spur being pressed upon it, the insect would be effect- 

 ually secured." It is quite possible that in this particular genus it 

 may have this use, although I very much doubt it ; but in the 

 numerous other genera it is obviously of a character unsuited for 

 this purpose. Its obHque direction, and the fringe of bristly hairs, 

 something between a comb and a brush, together with the curved, 

 hair-like spines, which close over the hollow like a spring, all show, 

 I think, an adaptation to a use, such as drawing the antennae 

 through to cleanse them from dust and dirt. The Humble Bees 

 possess this notch, and use it for the purpose of a pair of nippers ; 

 also, the Carder Bees use it for hackling the moss with which they 

 build their nests. In these instances the form of the notch is 



