COLF.OPTERA. CAKABID^. 81 



The second sub-family Scaritides (Bipartiti Latr.) is distinguished 

 by having the elytra separated from the lunate thorax by a consider- 

 able space, which causes them to appear pedunculated {fiO' 3. 14. 

 Scarites IfEvigatus), and they are rounded at the extremity ; the 

 antennas are short, and often elbowed {Jig. 3. 15.), the first joint being 

 long ; the head is large ; the tarsi {Jig. 3. 18. under side of tarsi of 

 Scarites) are generally alike in both sexes ; and the tibiae of the fore- 

 legs are broad, and very much dentated {Jg. 3. 17.) or palmated, 

 wherewith the insects are enabled to burrow in the earth or sand ; 

 the mandibles {Jig. 3. 16.) are generally very powerful, and internally 

 armed with broad teeth. 



These insects are for the most part found under stones, and in 

 holes in the ground near water, or upon the sea-shore. They 

 appear to be chiefly nocturnal in their habits, and hence their 

 colours are for the most part black or obscure. The larger 

 species are chiefly inhabitants of the New World. Their numbers 

 are much more limited than those of the Brachinides or Harpa- 

 lides. Latreille and Dejean consider these insects as not carnivorous, 

 but Olivier and De Cerisy have stated, that they are insects of prey, 

 and that S. gigas lurks by day in holes and under stones, and sallies 

 forth at night to feed upon Melolonthida? and other Insects which may 

 fall in its way. (See Ann. Jav. pt. 1.) M. Lacordaire states that 

 the species of Scarites burrow in the sand of the sea-coast in South 

 America, but are more generally found under the stumps of felled 

 trees ; whilst one of the species, Sc. anthracinus Dej., is necrophagous, 

 being found in half-decayed carcasses. Scarites loevigatus, according 

 to an anonymous author {Ent. Mag. vol. iii. p. 177.), feeds upon 

 live sand shrimps (Gammari ?) upon the shores of the Mediter- 

 ranean, which it drags out of their perpendicular burrows. 



The genus Scarites comprises some of the largest species in the 

 family: that found in this country is very rare; the body is oblong, 

 subdeprcssed, the antenna; strongly elbowed, and the jaws armed with 

 strong teeth. I have already noticed the habits of Scarites gigas. 

 M. BruUe* has observed, upon the sea-coast in Greece, a quantity of 

 the Scarites lajvigatus running about in the hot sunshine, and 

 entering into circular burrows in the sand, from which they passed 

 and repassed without apparent reason: "car il ne transpor- 



* Hist. Nat. Insectes, col. 2. p. 35. - 

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