562 INSECTS AT HOME. 



a perfectly-winged specimen was taken by Linnseus in a lati- 

 tude more northerly than that of England, the theory cannot 

 be universally true, though it may be partially so. 



On "Woodcut LXV. Fig. 1 is a cmious-looking insect called 

 Neides depressus, belonging to the family Berytidse. 



The members of this genus are remarkable for the length 

 and slenderness of their bodies and legs, which very much 

 resemble those of the water-gnats. This is not a handsome 

 species in point of colour, yellowish-brown being the chief hue. 

 The antennae are rather light-yellow, and the edges of the 

 front part of the thorax whitish-grey. The abdomen is black 

 above, and the elytra are so transparent that they permit the 

 colom- of the abdomen to be seen through them. 



It is a local insect, living on plants that prefer the seaside. 

 At Deal it has been found about the roots and stems of the 

 liemlock stork's-bill {Erodium cicutariuon), and in the Isle of 

 Wight it has been captured under the common restharrow, or 

 cammock {Onoyiis arvensis). Mr. Westwood states that he 

 ha« found the Neides in all its stages imder the last-named 

 plant in a spot at the back of the Isle of Wight. The insect 

 was very slow in its movements, and did not attempt to use 

 its wings. As both larvse and pupaB were found in the 

 same situations, he thinks that there is no doubt that the 

 Neides derives its nourishment from ijie plant under which he 

 found it. 



The chief point in this genus is the extreme length of the 

 antennae, which are as long as the abdomen and thorax 

 together. The basal joint is extremely long, and when the 

 insect is alive the antennae are slightly elbowed at this joint. 



Next in order comes the insect which is shown on Wood- 

 cut LXV. Fig. 2. Its name is Rkyparoohromus dilatatus, 

 and it belongs to the family of Ehyjjarochromidae. The insects 

 belonging to this genus are known by the two ocelli and the 

 ilattened and widened thighs of the fore-legs. In the present 

 species this peculiarity is very strongly marked, and from that 

 circumstance the specific name of dilatatus, or widened, has 

 been given to the insect. The same joint is also remarkable 

 for the very bold toothing of its inner edge, as may be seen by 



