Carahidd'.] adephaga. 5 



eii^ht (Brachinina) ; legs slender, formed for running, posterior cox.tb 

 dilated internally, hardly ever reaching the sides of the body.* 



This family is oue of the most numerous of the Coleoptera in point of species, iind 

 one of the most predaccous ; a few species, e.g. Zabrus gibbus and Amara spinipcs, 

 are, in part at least, vegetable feeders. 



I. Mesothoracic cpimera I'eaching the middle coxal cavities which 



are not entirely enclosed by the sterna Carabine. 



II. Mesothoracic epimera not reaching the middle coxal cavities 



which are entirely closed by the sterna Haepalin^. 



CARABIN2E. 

 i. Anterior coxal cavities open behind. 



1. Mandibles without setigerous puncture Carabina. 



2. Mandibles with setigerous puncture Nebriina. 



ii. Anterior coxal cavities closed behind. 



1. Antenniu free at base ; legs not fossorial. 



A. Mandibles without setigerous puncture; anterior tibiaj 



feebly emarginate; head with two supra-orbital seta) . ElaPHRINA. 



B. Mandibles without setigerous puncture ; anterior tibiaj 

 strongly emarginate ; bead with one supra-orbital 



seta LORICERINA. 



2. Antenna; inserted under a frontal plate; legs fossorial . . Scakitina. 



CARABIXA. 



I. Posterior coxa; separated ; labrum prolonged and bifurcated, 



))resentiug a rostrate appearance Ctchrus, Fair. 



II. Posterior coxa; contiguous; labrum not prolonged, simply emarginate. 



1. Mandibles smooth ; ^nd joint of antenna; longer, 3rd 



joint cylindrical Carabtjs, Linn. 



2. Mandibles striated; 2ud joint of antenna; short, 3rd joint 



compressed Calosoma, Weber. 



CYCKRVS, Fabricius. 

 The genus Cychrus comprises a considerable number of insects of dark 

 colour, and somewhat peculiar appearance, owing to the rostrate appear- 

 ance of the head ; some species, however, are more brightly coloureil, 

 and arc metallic. The European species are not as numerous as the 

 North American. According to M. Bedel they attack land molluscs by 

 introducing their long head into the mouth of the shells. Some .of 

 tlie species have the power of stridulating by rubbing the abdomen 

 against the elytra. We possess bitt one species as British. 



The larva of Cychrus rostrahis is figured by Westwood (Classif. i., p. (57, Fig. 2, 

 3), and more correctly by Sehiodte (Part iii., PI. xviii. 1). It is very distinct, being 

 shorter and much broader in proportion than is usual in the Caralnda;, the term 

 onisciform (or like a wood-louse) well expressing its shape ; it is of a eastaneous 

 colour with margins lighter; the head is narrow in proportion to the thorax, which 

 is much narrower in front than behind; the anal segment is very short with the 

 binder angles prominent. 



C. rostratus, L. Colour deep l)lack ; head very narrow and elongate ; 

 thorax truncate in front, with sides rounded, widest about f middle, 

 and thence contracted to base ; base with deep transverse impression ; 



* The only exception to this rule at present known is found in the tribe Trachy- 

 pachina. 



+ In this point the species is somewhat variable, being sometimes widest before 

 middle, althouiih usuallv widest in middle. 



