PEEDACEOUS GROUND-BEETLES. 



wing-covers, and all the otlier parts reddish-yellow ; and several similar 

 smaller species, which seem to pass insensibly into each other, are often 

 found in colonies under stones in dry places. Lehia contains many 

 prettily colored species, mostly a quarter of an inch or less in length. 

 Lebia graniUs, Hentz (Fig. 11), upwards of a third of an inch long, colored 

 much like a Brachinus, is our largest species. This is one of the pre- 

 dacious insects which have been seen to devour the larvte of the Colo- 

 rado potato-beetle. The species of Lebia are sometimes found on low 

 or herbaceous plants, and sometimes running up the trunks of trees in 

 search for their minute insect prey. 



The genera Bromins^ meaning a runner^ and Calleida, meaning beau- 

 tiful, have similar habits. Gymindis is found under stones. Casnonia 

 pennHylvanica, an elegant little insect, quarter of an inch long, and re- 

 markable for its slender spiudU^shaped thorax, is usually seen running 

 upon the ground. The head and thorax are black, and the elytra red, 

 with two black bands. It is not a very rare species. 



Leptotrachelus also, as its name implies, has a slender thorax, of about 

 the same width throughout. This genus is usually classed in this sub- 

 family, or near it, but it is exceptional in having the elytra entire and 

 completely covering the abdomen. 



Helluomorjpha^ of which we have several species, and the allied genus 

 Morio, of which we have but one Southern species, differ from all our 

 other Carabideous insects, in having the antenme stout and almost 

 bead-like, and either enlarged or strongly compressed toward the tip. 



Siib-tamily CHL/ENHDES. 



The distinctive character of the Chlseniides consists in the structure 

 of the anterior tarsi of the males, which have the three first joints 

 widened, and furnished beneath with crowded points, or hair-like papilla; 



all of the same length so as to 

 resemble a brush. These 

 joints are usually more or less 

 rounded at the corners, bear- 

 ing a fanciful resemblance to 

 i\ie]?ateJIa or lxnee-2)an, which 

 suggested to Latreille the 

 name PafcUimani, by which 

 he designated this sub-family; 

 viani, meaning hands, a term 

 which is sometimes applied by 

 n c 1. I ..+1. . f...t entomologists to tlie fore-feet 



Chl.exkjs pexnsylvakicus, Say -.—a, male beetle ; c, front » 



tarsus of female; d front tarsus of male, showing the of bCCtlCS, bCCaUSC they are of- 

 wideued and rounded or patellitorm joints; c, underside ot ' '' 



saiiio, showing tlie brush-like surfuce— after Kiley : 6, lar- ten COUStrUCtcd aud USCd dif- 

 Ta of Chl^nids — atter Chapuis and Oaiuleze. 



ferently from the others. But 



