GEODEPHAGA. 53 



The Elaphri exhibit a likeness in miniature to the 

 Cicindelce, owing to their thin legs, large eyes, and 

 general build ; they frequent very wet places, running 

 daintily almost in the water, and are curiously marked 

 with circular depressions; and, lastly, the Notiophili 

 may be worthy of notice, as some of the species are 

 likely to be seen running over dry hot paths, even in 

 the metropolis ; they are the smallest of this family, of 

 obscure copper or bronze colours, with shining flattened 

 bodies, very large eyes, and strongly wrinkled fore- 

 heads. 



The Chlaeniides have usually three (sometimes only 

 two) basal joints of the front tarsi in the male widened ; 

 and these widened joints are almost square in shape, 

 with slightly rounded corners (never heart-shaped or 

 elongate), and densely spongy beneath. Many of the 

 species are gaily coloured, being variegated with red and 

 black markings ; some are clothed with short silky down, 

 and all are more or less elegant either in shape or struc- 

 ture. The majority live in wet places, under reeds, etc., 

 but a few are to be found under chalk-stones in exposed 

 situations. 



The species of the typical genus Chltenius are very 

 beautiful, presenting somewhat the appearance of oxi- 

 dized metal ; reddish-copper or bluish-green being their 

 prevailing tones about the head and thorax, and their 

 elytra being more or less shagreened or granulated, 

 generally rich green or brown, with thick golden pubes- 

 cence, which imparts a " shot-silk" like lustre. They 

 are of moderate size, and rather robust in the body. 

 The commonest, C. vestitus, has the sides and apex of the 

 elytra, and the legs and antennse yellow ; it is about five 

 lines in length, and may be found abundantly in very 



