(Page 231) 

 others 5-Jointed; first joint of hind tarsi lon-j, at least as lon^ as 

 the two followinji joints together. 



Tachyusa species are lively, a^ile diurnal. They live on open, damp 

 ground at the brim of pools, lakes and watering-places, where they with 

 light, agile motions of antennae and abdomen run about in full sunshine. 

 Several species (such ae constricta , coarctata et al. ) make burrov^s in 

 sand banks, by moving the single grains of 'sand with the mouth-parts like 

 ants. As a rule they live in small flocks, often several species together 

 and often in company with other small Staphyiinids: Bledius , Stenus , and 

 ITomalota species et al. 



In this country 6 species are heretofore found, which are distributed 

 in Middle Europe, partly also in North Europe. They can, principally by 

 the abdominal form, be divided into several subgenera. 

 Key to Subgenera and Species. 



1. Abdomen strongly narrowing toward base (Fig. 88), its first three free 



dorsal joints singly much longer than each of the two following: 



3. Subgenus Tachyu sa s. str 5. 



Abdomen evenly broad, or only feebly narrowing toward base or pos- 

 teriorly somewhat tapering; its first three free dorsal joints 

 singly scarcely longer than each of the two following 2. 



2. Abdominal first three free dorsal joints rather strongly depressed 



at base. Antennae feebly thickened distally. 2. Subgenus Ischno - 



poda Thorns. 3. 



Abdominal first two ,free dorsal joints rather distinctly, the third 



-3S3- 



