COLEOPTEROUS INSECTS. 181 



rather unequal. The elytra are. more deeply punc- 

 tured ; each of them with three slightly elevated 

 lines, and a tubercle towards the hinder extremity 

 near the outer angle. The breast is clothed with 

 yellow hairs, and those on the legs are of the same 

 colour. It is frequently met with in England and Scot- 

 land, and most of the northern countries of Europe. 



NJECKOJDES LITTORALIS. 

 PLATE IX. FIG. 2. 



Silpha littoralis, Linn Marsham Curtis' Brit. Ent. vii. 

 334. 



In this genus the antennae are considerably longer 

 than the head, but shorter than the thorax, thick- 

 ening gradually from the fifth joint to the apex. 

 The thorax is nearly orbicular, and the mandibles 

 have a tooth near the middle. The only species 

 found in Britain is that referred to above. It is 

 entirely of a black colour, with the three terminal 

 joints of the antennae orange yellow. There are 

 three elevated lines on each elytron, the spaces be- 

 tween which are very thickly punctured : the se- 

 cond line is angulated a little behind the middle, 

 and connected with the third by a tubercle. The 

 hinder thighs are very thick, and dentate on the 

 under side. It is found on the shores of the sea 

 and the banks of rivers, under sea-weed, carrion, 

 &c. occurring not unfrequently. 



