﻿230 BRITISH BEETLES. 



wet placesj reeds, etc., and may be kuown by tlieir com- 

 paratively narrow shape and posteriorly right-angled 

 thorax, which is narrower than the elytra. 



The Endo.mychid/E (termed also Sulcicolles) have 

 comparatively long antennse ; the thorax impressed be- 

 hind ; the last joint of the maxillary palpi slightly 

 thickened, and never hatchet-shaped ; and the posterior 

 coxae wide apart. 



Two of our genera, Endomychus and Lycoperdina, 

 are generally associated ; but the others, Mycetcea, Syni- 

 biotis, and Alexia, are usually separated and placed in 

 other families. 



Endomychus contains one species, coccineus, beauti- 

 fully coloured and marked (Plate XV, Fig. 6) ; it occurs 

 not uncommonly under bark, in fungoid growth, and 

 presents a certain superficial likeness to some of the 

 ladybirds, from which its long, gradually-thickened 

 antennse, more elongate shape, and palpi of lesser de- 

 velopment will distinguish it. In some specimens the 

 thorax is entirely red, whilst in others it has a broad 

 black stripe down the entire middle. Its larva has 

 been found under fir and willow bark, and seems to 

 depart entirely from the type of its present allies, being 

 much like that of the Silphidce, flat, with comparatively 

 long antennse ; the three first segments large, and the 

 remainder lobed at the sides. 



Lycoperdina bovista, a little flatfish black insect, 

 found in puff"-balls, of rare occurrence, but plentiful 

 when found, is not unlike certain of the Heteromera 

 [Bhtps or Heliopatlies) in miniature. Its thorax has a 

 very deep longitudinal impression on each side. 



Mycetcea hirta (a veiy small, coarsely-punctured, hairy, 

 brownish, ovate insect, contracted behind, and abundant 



