GROUND BEETLES. 235 



In 1895, the Ground Beetles, of which specimens were sent 

 to me as samples of the kinds destrojang ripe and ripening 

 Strawberries, j^roved, as before, to be of Harpalus ruficornis 

 and Pterostichiis ( = Steropus) madidus, and, besides these, of 

 Pterostichus ( = Omaseus) vulgaris. Judging by description, 

 Calathus cistcloides was also present, but I did not receive 

 specimens ; and this being an important fruit matter, I not 

 only identified the other three above-named si^ecies myself, 

 but submitted specimens to an expert, who pronounced my 

 identifications correct. 



In 1897, the specimens of " Ground Beetles " sent me were 

 once again Harpalus ruficornis and Pterostichus ( =-= Omaseus) 

 vulgaris, which had appeared in 1895. These two species are 

 very similar in shape, as figured magnified at p. 233. 



Harpalus ruficornis is 6-7 lines long, pitch black, with the 

 long horns and long legs usually red ; the thorax is thickly 

 punctured at the base, and the hinder angles acute; the 

 wing-cases are faintly striated, and are thickly covered (whilst 

 the specimens are fresh) with golden or greyish down. 

 Beneath the wing-cases are ample icings, which they use freehj 

 for flight. 



Pterostichus ( =: Omaseus) vulgaris is rather larger than the 

 foregoing, and is 6^-75 lines, or possibly more, in length. 

 Wholly black, and rather shining. Thorax 

 rather broader than long, hinder angles 

 bluntly pointed ; wing-cases strongly and 

 smoothly striated. No wings. 



PterosticJius {= Steropus) madidus (figured 

 accompanying) is from 6 to about 9 lines in 

 length, and is black, though sometimes the 

 legs have red thighs. The hinder corners of 

 the thorax are rounded behind, so as to be 

 narrower than the wing-cases. No wings. 



Calathus cisteloides, Panzer, is a good' deal Pterostichus mam- 

 11 ,1 ,1 1 J.- 1 1 • 1 BUS, maLmined, and 



smaller than the above-mentioned kmds, Hne showing natural 



being from about 3-6 lines in length. Colour length. 



black, with horns and legs brownish red. 



It is of the same general shape as the other "Ground Beetles," 



but distinguishable to some degree by the fore body being 



slightly narrowed in front, sinuated behind, and the hinder 



angles rounded off. Wings none, or imperfect. 



The four above-mentioned kinds of beetles look very much 

 alike, but a very little careful examination is enough to make 

 out the difference clearly. H. ruficornis has ample wings, 

 which may be seen by lifting the wing-cases, and unfolding 

 the wings beneath with the help of the head of a small pin if 

 no better instrument is at hand. The point is apt to tear 



