130 BRITISH BEETLES. 



of the prosternum more or less received into a cavity of 

 the mesosternum, which admits of free motion. 



In this family the puzzling genus Throscus has been 

 placed by some authors ; though by others it is sepa- 

 rated, and (with the exotic Lissomus) located between 

 the Buprestidce and Eucnemidce ; having been even con- 

 sidered to be allied to Byrrhus and Dermestes, in spite 

 of its globose coxse. It differs from the Eucnemidce 

 chiefly in the fixity of its prosternal projection in the 

 sternal cavity ; the existence of an anterior projection to 

 the prosternum (as in Hister) ; and the strong flat three- 

 jointed club of its antennse, which are inserted near the 

 eyes, and (excepting the club) received into furrows in 

 the prosternum. The common little T. dermestoides is 

 found in sand-pits and crawling on old palings it has 

 been said to possess the power of jumping, as in the 

 Elateridce, but its structure appears to be opposed to 

 such a habit : it certainly contracts its legs (of which 

 the front pair are received into cavities) and falls in a 

 jerky fashion when approached. 



This is a most irritating insect to mount, and may be 

 considered as a test object for proficiency in setting, 

 owing to its tightly-packed legs and lop-sided pro- 

 clivities. 



Melasis and Microrhagus, our sole undoubted species 

 in this family, are of considerable rarity. The latter, a 

 small black elongate insect, with long antennae, which 

 are strongly flabellated in the male, and received in 

 repose into slight furrows on the sides, is occasionally 

 taken in the New Forest ; and the former, which is 

 larger, more cylindrical and robust (Plate 8, Fig. 6 ; 

 Melasis buprestoides, male), occurs sometimes close to 

 London, on palings, and in old trees. The males have 



