BEETLES. 67 



* B. dorsalis, Fabr. (Plate VI., Fig. 33). This species is 

 also winged. The band on the wing-cases is not waved, and 

 the thorax has black markings. It is widely distributed. 



Family XX. PARNID^. 



. Body elongated, flat, or convex, sometimes partially covered 

 with short, felty hair. Antennae on the front of the head, 

 usually eleven-jointed. Wing-cases closely contiguous and en- 

 tirely covering the abdomen. Front coxae sometimes cylindrical, 

 sometimes globose ; the posterior pair almost semi-cylindricaL 

 Tarsi five-jointed, with a large terminal joint. They live in or 

 near running or standing water, where they creep about on 

 plants and stones, but do not swim. They subsist upon decom- 

 posing vegetable matter, and are provided with an air-sac, 

 which enables them to remain for a considerable time under 

 water. 



Genus Parncs, Fabr. 



The antennae have an ear-like form, and the head is retractile 

 in the thorax. Middle and hind legs approximated. The 

 terminal joint of the tarsi with two stout claws. They live 

 in water. 



P. viennensis, Heer (Plate VI., Fig. 34). Elytra deeply and 

 irregularly punctured. It is an elongated, rather flat, black 

 beetle, with fine, thick, yellowish-grey, silky pubescence, and 

 longer black hair. It is found in many parts of Central 

 Europe, but not in the British Isles. 



Genus Elmis, Latr. 



Body small and oval, either smooth, or with only thin, short 

 hair above. The antennae hare eleven joints, and are almost 

 imperceptibly thickened towards the extremity. The head is 



