24 BEETLES. 



* P. paruTivpiinctatus, Germ. Wing-cases with a metallic 

 lustre, oval, and deeply striated, with three punctures in the 

 third interspace. It is found under stones on hill-sides. 



P. metallicus, Fabr. (Plate III., Fig. 21). This is distinguished 

 by the coppery lustre of the wing-cases. It is common in 

 mountainous districts on the Continent. 



Genus Abax, Bon. 



Eather large, black beetles, with a very broad thorax, and a 

 compressed form. They are found under stones and moss. 



* A. striola, Fabr. (Plate III., Fig. 20). Thorax widest in 

 the middle, with two deep longitudinal depressions. It is 

 common in many parts of Britain. 



Genus Molops, Ziegl. 



This genus resembles the last, but the wing-cases are some- 

 what convex, and the pronotum is more rounded. Their habits 

 are the same as those of Pterostichiis. 



M. ierricola, Fabr. (Plate III., Fig. 22). Thorax heart- 

 shaped ; wing-cases smoothly furrowed. It is common on 

 wooded hills. 



Genus Zabeus, Clairv. 



These are easily distinguished by their stout, almost cyclin- 

 drical shape, which separates them from all the allied genera. 

 They live in fields. 



* Z. gibhus, Fabr. (Plate III., Fig. 23). These humpbacked 

 black beetles are sometimes found trodden upon on field paths. 

 They are said to live on the grain of wheat, and the larvae 

 on the shoots and young corn ; but most ground-beetles feed 

 only on insects, and this is the most notable exception among 

 them. 



