62 INSECTS AT HOME. 



elytra are seen to be covered with alternate stripes and dots, 

 arranged in regular lines, of which there are two on each elytron. 

 This pretty little Beetle may be found in most parts of 

 England, pools and ditches being the best localities for it. It 

 is the only British species of its genus. 



Our last example of the DyLicidoe is that which stands last in 

 the list. It is called Pelobius Hermanni, and is shown on 

 Woodcut No. VI. Fig. 5. This is the only British specimen of 

 its genus, wnich is very distinct from all the otlier Dyticidse, 

 inasmucli as there is a distinct scutellum, and all the legs are 

 formed for walking, the hinder legs not possessing the peculiar 

 mode of jointing which was mentioned on page 54. The body 

 is very convex. 



The colour 'is rather variable, but may be summed up as 

 follows : — The hue of the Beetle is rust-red, and there is a 

 blackish patch round the eyes. The thorax has the front and 

 hind margins black. The convex elytra have a blackish patch 

 in the middle, and are longitudinally wrinkled, the wrinkles 

 converging towards the suture at the tip of the elytra. Like 

 the preceding insect, though not very common, it is spread 

 tolerably evenly over the country. It has the capability of 

 producing a squeaking sound when handled. 



Having now gone through the Dyticidae, we come to the second 

 family of the Hydradephaga — that of the Gyrinidae, or Whirli- 

 gig Beetles, so called on account of the manner in which they 

 whirl themselves about on the surface of the water. 



There is not the least difficulty in determining whether or 

 not a Water Beetle belongs to the Gyrinidae. Besides thi-, 

 distinctions mentioned on page 54, the peculiar antenna of a 

 Gyrinus is shown on Woodcut No. VI. Fig. /, and the hinder leg 

 at Fig. e, both being much magnified. Besides these points, all 

 the Gyrinidse appear to differ not only from the Dyticidoe, but 

 from Beetles generally, in having, or rather in appearing to 

 have, four compound eyes instead of two. The real fact, how- 

 ever, is that, in order to suit the peculiar habits of the insects, 

 the structure of the eye is modified. 



These Beetles pass the greater part of their time on the 

 surface of the water, rowing themselves about with wonderfiu' 



