COLEOPTERA. HELOPHORID^T:. 



Fh> 8. 



121 



pressed, with the surface of the thorax rugose {Jig. 8. l. Helophorus 

 aquaticus) ; the legs slender, and slightly spinose, with filiform tarsi, 

 terminated by two strong claws {Jig. 8. 3.); the 9-jointed antennae 

 are terminated by a perfoliated mass {Jig. 8. 2.), and the mandibles 

 have a single notch near the extremity. This family is of small ex- 

 tent, and the species of which it is composed are of a minute size. 

 The structure of their legs indicates that they creep rather than swim. 

 The under surface of the body is clothed with a thick coat of silky 

 whitish down. They inhabit ponds and ditches, creeping slowly 

 about the roots of aquatic plants, or occasionally coming out of the 

 water, and walking upon the muddy banks, covered with dirt, whence 

 the name of the typical genus ; they also often fly about in the hot 

 sunshine. Whilst larvse, their food consists of animal matter ; but they 

 are herbivorous in the perfect state. Some of the species are re- 

 markable for exhibiting a metallic lustre. This family appears to be 

 confined to temperate climates, no species having been hitherto re- 

 corded as inhabitants of tropical countries, or, indeed, as belonging 

 to the southern hemisphere. 



Mr. Wailes has published an interesting account of the habits of the 

 genus Enicocerus in the Entomological Magazwe (No. 3. p. 256.), 

 the species of which are found in the crevices of stones in rivulets, just 

 level with or a little above the surface ; the larva; and pupae are also 



Kiigellan, in Schneider's Mag. 



Germar. Insect. Species nova?. 



Waterhouse, in Entom. Mag. vol. i. (Monograph of Hydra^na}. 



Sturm. Deutchslands Fauna, vol. x. 



Erichson. Kafer der Mark Brandenburg 



And the general works of Stephens, Curtis, Fahricius, Sfc. 



