COLEOPTERA. — CARABIDJE. 85 



ceplialotes the cushion of each joint is entire and nearly circular 

 (^fig. 4. 2.) ; and Burmeister figures a tarsal joint of Zabrus, with 

 cushions transversely striated, as in Harpalus. 



Comparatively few of the species are ornamented with metallic 

 colours, the majority being of black or obscure tints, whence they have 

 obtained in some parts of the country the name of Imps. Mr. Stephens 

 mentions that they are greatly infested with Gordii. The metallic 

 species of Amara and Poecilus are termed Sun-beetles, from their habit 

 of running about footpaths during hot sunshiny weather. The obscure 

 coloured species, on the contrary, are barely seen by day, chiefly 

 coming abroad in the twilight, thus affording an instance of that dis- 

 tribution of colours which I have often observed in other groups ; from 

 which it is evident that, although Nature is lavish in her brilliant hues, 

 they are only bestowed upon those which, from the nature of their 

 habits, are exposed to the glare of light and to the view. 



The subfamily Harpalides is closely allied on the one hand to the 

 Scaritides as above mentioned, whilst some of the genera (Licinus, 

 Badister, Panagaeus) approach the aberrant Carabides ; others again, 

 as the Trechi, are intimately allied to the Bembidiides. 



1. The first division (Feronidea TVcsttv., Feroniens DeJ., Simplici- 

 mani Lair.) has the two anterior tarsi of the male alone dilated, the 

 basal joints not bcingoblong nor orbicular, thefour posterior tarsi simple. 

 The central tooth of the mentum is generally notched at the tip. 



The characters of many of the genera of this section are so un- 

 decided, that Dejean has expressed his inability to separate them pre- 

 cisely, and has accordingly united them into one great genus, 

 Feronia, which he has subdivided into various sections ; still, how- 

 ever, to a practised eye, their appearance is so distinct that, with a 

 little tact, they may be at once recognised. 



2. The second division (Harpalidea Westtv., HarpaliensZ)e;m«, Quad- 

 rimani Latr.) has the four anterior tarsi dilated in the males (^ff. 4. 4., 

 anterior male tarsus, Harpalus). The mentum-tooth is generally 

 acute, but never notched : in some genera, however, it is almost im- 

 perceptible ; the claws of the tarsi are simple, and never toothed. I 

 have added the genus Trechus into the synoptic list of the British 

 genera, from its decided affinity with Stenolopluis. 



3. The third division (Chlainiidea Westw., Chla;nicnsZ)f/'., Patellimani 

 Latr.') has the anterior tarsi of the males with two, three, or four of the 

 basal joints square or cordate, with the anterior angles rounded, and 



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