THE PREDACEOUS WATER BEETLES. 57 
THE PREDACEOUS WATER BEETLES 
(HYDRADEPHAGA) OF LEICESTERSHIRE. 
BY G. ROBSON, 
Whilst the sciences of Geology and Botany are favourite subjects of 
study with those who possess a taste for Natural History, very few care 
for working up, with anything like thoroughness, the science of Ento- 
mology, particularly some of the obscurer branches, such as the order 
Coleoptera. Botany is regarded as being a very beautiful science, and 
Geology has powerful attractions; but, Beetles! why the very name is 
too much for the sensitiveness of ladies, and even gentlemen shrink from 
handling them. Butterflies and moths have many admirers of both 
sexes, but Beetles, particularly Water Beetles, live almost totally undis- 
turbed in their native habitats. A short account of some of the Water 
Beetles of the county of Leicester may, therefore, be of some use, and 
tend to excite an interest in these little creatures. I am sure this 
branch of Natural History would well repay the labours of any earnest 
worker. Very little seems to be known by the people generally about 
the Hydradephaga or Predaceous Water Beetles, in proof of which it may 
be stated that in all my rambles in search of specimens I never met with 
any, amongst the mass of those who stopped to look on, who could divine 
my object. The pursuit of Natural History is little appreciated by the 
common people. My vasculum has often been mistaken for a candle- 
box, and I am frequently asked questions like this—‘I say, master, 
what have you brought your candle-box out for this warm day?” My 
answer has been—“ Because we want more light.” 
Thave been induced to look up the Hydradephaga of Leicestershire 
at the instigation of my friend and patron, F. T. Mott, Esq., F.G.S. 
Furnished with ‘‘ Stephens’ Manual of British Coleoptera,” a water-net, 
killing-bottle, and other apparatus, all complete, I looked anxiously 
forward to the day when I could try my hand upon this, to me, new 
branch of Natural History. The hoped-for day came at last, and found 
me, with laurel bottle and net, and some misgivings mingled with my 
hopes, ready to take my way, guided partly by instinct, to those hunting 
grounds where I had many times before, with much pleasure, engaged in 
pursuits of a kindred nature. It was rather a cold morning in May when 
TI started on my way to Anstey, and, the season not being very forward, 
my doubts as to my probable success were strengthened rather than 
dispelled. All animated things seemed to be still wrapped in their 
winter sleep, and, standing by the cold, glassy waters of the first pond I 
arrived at, I could not help a half shudder of hopeless feeling creeping 
upon me as I thought I should certainly fail in my new undertaking, 
There was, however, no help for it, but to try my best; so down I got to 
the water’s edge, where I could obtain the most favourable sweep with 
the net. I watched the water drain through the net, anxiously asking 
myself—Is there anything init? Yes, sure enough, there was—strange 
creatures, which, in all my boyish wading, I had never before seen. 
K 
