COLEOPTEROUS INSECTS. 131 



near the middle of the interior row. which is large, 

 somewhat square, and very highly pofisned. The 

 under side of the body and legs a; e bronzed green, 

 except the base of the thighs and greater part of 

 the tibiae, which are pale reddish yellow. 



This insect is of frequent occurrence in most 

 parts of Britain. The genus derives its name ftom 

 a Greek word, referring either to the nature of the 

 place which the species frequent, or to the activity 

 of their motions.* It is distinguished by the an- 

 tennae gradually becoming a little thicker towards 

 the extremity ; by the thorax being at least as long 

 as broad, and nearly of the same width as the head ; 

 by the large and very prominent eyes ; and by hav- 

 ing the four first joints of the anterior tarsi slightly 

 dilated in the males. It contains only a few species, 

 some of which bear such a strong resemblance to 

 each other, as to countenance the conjecture that 

 they may be mere varieties. They frequent marshy 

 places, and the margins of lakes and ponds, running 

 about with remarkable celerity during the heat of 

 the day. They are most prevalent in the northern 

 parts of Europe, the more common kinds becoming 

 scarce in the south, and two or three not extending 

 further than the northern extremity of Germany. 

 There is one species found in America. 



* R'/.oi, a marth< or t?,<ps<r, light* active. 



