418 ATTEMPTED DIVISION OF BRITISH INSECTS. 



and feeds as in the larva state ; runs and flies with rapidity in 

 the sunshine. Sphceridium, Cercyon. Anisotomidce ? 



Natural Order. — Hydrophilites, Herbivorous Water- 

 beetles. 

 Larva elongate, attenuated posteriorly, active, carnivorous, aquatic ; 

 head large, with long curved mandibles. Pupa changes in the 

 earth or under dung. Imago, with clavated antennae ; mandibles 

 strong and obtusely toothed ; maxillary feelers very strong, and 

 used in the water as antennae ; the form oval, the sides and 

 back very convex, the surface glabrous. Inhabits water, swim- 

 ming with ease, the feet being moved alternately ; female covers 

 her eggs with silk, forming a kind of cocoon, which she carries 

 about with her in the manner of some spiders. Feeds on the 

 decaying leaves of water-plants. Spercheus, Hydrophilus, Hy- 

 drous, Hydrobius, Berosus. 



Natural Order. — Helophorites, Diving-bell-beetles. 



Larva less elongate ; sluggish ; margins of the segments fringed 

 with hair. Inhabits duckweed, and other plants on the surface 

 and banks of ponds, also the surface of stones, mud, &c. Pupa 

 changes sometimes in the same situations, but mostly in the earth. 

 Imago, with antennae more or less clavated, short, and generally 

 concealed ; the maxillary feelers being employed as antennae ; 

 form elongate. Inhabits the banks of ponds and rivers, among 

 aquatic plants, on which it feeds ; enclosed in a bubble of air, it 

 crawls on water-plants and on the surface of water, with the back 

 downwards, but does not swim. Hydrcena, Helophorus } Hydro- 

 chus, Georyssus, Elmis, Parnus, Heterocerus. 



Stirps V. — Carabina. 



Natural Order. — Gyrinites, Water-fleas. 



Larva, with strong arcuate mandibles ; a long fleshy process, fringed 

 with hair, rising from both sides of each segment ; carnivorous, 

 aquatic, natatory. Pupa changes at the edge of ponds. Imago, 

 with short clavated antennae ; mandibles short and obtuse, but 

 strong; maxillae somewhat obtuse ; galea palpiform, exarticulate ; 

 fore-legs long, middle and hind-legs short and incrassated ; car- 

 nivorous. Inhabits water, performing in the sunshine its beautiful 

 and social gyrations on the surface. Gyrinus. 



Natural Order. — Dytiscites, Carnivorous Water-beetles. 



Larva, with strong arcuate mandibles, perforated at the extremity 

 for suction ; carnivorous, aquatic, natatory. Pxipa changes in the 



