4A BEETLES. 



<3ommon throughout the British Isles. The larva makes a pit 

 in which it lies in wait for other insects. 



* 0. similis, Fabr., is 17-19 mm. in length, dull black, finely 

 pubescent, and wingless. The elytra are only slightly shorter 

 than the pronotum, and are closely punctured, as is also the 

 abdomen. It is found under stones, in moss, &c., but is local. 



* 0. cttpreits, Eoss. Black, and provided with wings. The 

 head and pronotum are bronzy, and the antennae and palpi red, 

 whilst the elytra are brown, with grey down. The legs are 

 black. It is common under stones. 



* 0. cyancus, Payk. (Plate V., Fig. 7). This species is black, 

 with a dull gloss, finely punctured, and is provided with wings. 

 The head, thorax, and wing-cases are dark blue. The antennae 

 are tipped with rusty-brown. Length, 15-22 mm. It is a 

 scarce species, which is sometimes met with running over 

 woodland paths. 



Genus Philoxtiius, Leach. 



Antennae not elbowed. Head rounded, square, or oval, with 

 a neck-like constriction between it and the pronotum, which is 

 as long as it is broad. Wing-cases truncated, middle coxae in 

 contact or only slightly separated. They are black species of 

 moderate size, and live in putrefying animal and vegetable 

 matters, under moss and stones, or on the exuded sap of trees. 



* P. splendens, Fabr. Shining black, with metallic-green 

 elytra. The pronotum is not punctured. The elytra are 

 rather closely punctured and covered with black hair. Length, 

 10-13 mm. 



* F. ccneus, Eossi. This species is black, with the head and 

 thorax bronzy-black, and the wing-cases metallic-green. The 

 head is almost quadrilateral, with five punctures between the 

 eyes. The pronotum with two to four punctures on the surface, 



