44 BRITISH BEETLES. 



being slender, nearly always lessened towards the tip, 

 and rarely inclined to be moniliform (i.e. with the joints 

 like beads) : they have, also, the mentum (or chin) more 

 or less deeply notched (Fig. 5, a, p. 24) ; an inner or pal- 

 piform lobe to the maxillae divided into two joints; and 

 the coxae of the hinder legs extended inwards, and be- 

 coming transverse on approaching the middle legs. In 

 the males, the basal joints of the front tarsi (i. e. those 

 nearest to the tibiae) are nearly always widened. 



Superficially, the Geodephaga may be known by their 

 active habits, slaughtering propensities, thin legs and 

 antennae, and hard outer covering. They are the highest 

 in development, and may be considered as the Carnivora 

 of the beetle race ; passing their lives, both in the larval 

 and perfect state, in the pursuit and destruction of their 

 weaker insect brethren. Their chief haunts are wet 

 marshy places, salt and fresh ; on the banks of streams 

 and ponds ; under stones, bark, and felled trees ; in the 

 cracks of mud-banks and chalky cliffs, and on sands 

 and dry heaths. 



The greater part, and the larger species, are nocturnal 

 feeders, prowling about on the ground and up the trunks 

 of trees in search of their victims and victual, and con- 

 cealing themselves by day : some few, however, are 

 pure lovers of sunshine, being most active in the greatest 

 heat. They are usually provided with ample wings, 

 which are readily used by those of diurnal habits ; but 

 several of the dark-loving species (especially the true 

 Carabi) are apterous, and in that case often have the 

 wing-cases soldered together. It may be remarked that 

 this wingless condition does not always afford an indica- 

 tion of the habits of the members of a genus ; since, of 

 two species, closely allied, and found under similar con- 



