﻿210 BRITISH BEETLES. 



the body ; the thorax generally almost transverse ; and 

 the femora but slightly thickened. 



In Rhagium, — the species of which are very abundant 

 in piue woods, and which may be found in all their 

 stages under fir- bark, the larvae eating galleries on the 

 surface, — the antennae are very short, and the entire 

 insect is flattened, broad, and of a comparatively dull, 

 mottled appearance. The pupae have rows of short 

 spines across the segments of the abdomen; as in Cossus 

 and other wood-feeding Lepidoptera. 



Toxotus, — a most variable insect, both in size and 

 colour, — has long straggling legs and antennae, and flies 

 with a considerable noise in the hot sunshine ; it is 

 however surpassed, in point of variation, by the common 

 Strangalia armata (Plate XIV, Fig. I ; a dark variety), 

 of which it is difiicult to obtain two specimens exactly 

 alike ; and in the male of which the hinder tibiae have 

 two conspicuous tooth-like processes on the inner side. 



This insect, — which, according to the predominance 

 of colour, may be designated either as yellow with black 

 spots, or as black with yellow, — is abundant during the 

 summer months on the flowers of Umbellifera, especially 

 at the margins of woods ; and is very active both with 

 its legs and wings (at all events when the sun shines), 

 taking to flight readily, and making ludicrous move- 

 ments in its hurry to escape. 



The Longicornes are, as a rule, so rare in this country, 

 that the young collector will probably be some time 

 before he takes more than this insect, one or two small 

 species of Grammopiera, Clyius ai'ietis, and a Rliayium. 



There are no particular Avorks upon this section to 

 which it would be of any use to direct the beginner; 

 except, perhaps^ Mulsant's Longicorns of France. 



