18 COLEOPTEIIA. 



differ from the more typical forms of the Cicindelidcb by their 

 more elongated form, and especially by their long narrow neck. 



Family II. — Cambidce. 



Maxillae terminating in an unarticulated point ; head generally 

 narrower than the thorax ; eyes not remarkably prominent ; man- 

 dibles strong, and hooked at the tip, but with no prominent 

 teeth. 



This family is much more extensive and varied than the last, 

 and, instead of being represented by one genus and four species in 

 Britain, includes a very large proportion of our native species, 

 many being of considerable interest and importance. Although 

 none of the species are strictly aquatic, yet many of them frequent 

 very marshy localities close to the water, and several are even 

 found habitually on the sea-beach at low-water, and must be able 

 to sustain a long-continued immersion without injury. 



The species of Elaphrus, Fabr., are of a greenish coppery colour, 

 with rows of large, deeply-impressed, bluish punctures. They 

 frequent marshy localities. Nebria, Latr., includes several black or 

 tawny species, some of which frequent mountainous districts, while 

 others are met with in woods, under bark, and Nebria Comvlanata, 

 Linn., which is common in South France, abounds on the sea-shore, 

 and is sometimes found congregated in vast numbers under planks 

 washed up by the sea. 



Carabus, Linn., the typical genus of this family, is of great 

 extent, and includes the largest and most conspicuous of our 

 British Geodepliaga, several of which exceed an inch in length. 

 They are long oval insects, and are of a black or bronzy colour, or 

 more or less metallic. Some of the species are smooth, and others 

 are strongly punctured, or ridged. Several of our commonest black 

 species, such as Carabus Catemdatus, Scop., and Violaceus, Linn., 

 are smooth, and are narrowly bordered with purple or violet. One 

 of our most beautiful species is Carabus Nitens, Fabr., which is 

 gi-een, splendidly glossed with coppery red ; it is about half an inch 

 in length, and is somewhat local. Carabus Aurahis, Linn., which is 

 about an inch long, is scarcely met with in England except as a 

 casual importation, but is abundant in many parts of the Continent. 

 It is of a bright green colour, much less strongly glossed Avith 

 copper than C. Nitens, and is called the Gold Beetle in Germany, 

 where it is common in gardens, and along roads and foot-paths. 

 The Carabi are very predaceous insects, and generally come out at 



