18.2 BRITISH BEETLES. 



minute specific differences, but because the sexes vary 

 somewhat. Mr. Walton (p. 39 of his paper above 

 mentioned) points out the assistance to be derived in 

 this respect from the coloration of the coxse and tro- 

 chanters, in which many species differ sexually. One 

 of the most curious in the genus is called (and rightly 

 so) difforme ; its male has the basal joints of the an- 

 tennae much dilated, the basal joint of the front tarsi 

 hooked, the middle legs elongate, the hinder legs bent, 

 dilated, flattened, and generally distorted, and a spine 

 to the epigastrium. It is found usually on furze, Poly- 

 gonum, etc. 



The BRACHYDERID.E have the antennae elbowed, with 

 the basal joint variable in length, the funiculus usually 

 seven-jointed, the scrobes of the rostrum generally 

 linear, and directed downwards, the rostrum being short 

 and stout, and not received into any groove of the pro- 

 sternum ; the mandibles are usually slender, the scutel- 

 lum is absent or very small, and the elytra cover the 

 pygidium. 



There is nothing particularly noteworthy in this fa- 

 mily, which consists of moderate-sized, mostly dull- 

 coloured insects, many of which are apterous. The 

 species of Strophosomus, globular in shape, with pro- 

 minent eyes, usually abound on hazel and oak, some 

 being also found on heaths ; one of these latter, C. lim- 

 batus, has the appearance of being entirely denuded of 

 scales. 



The genus Sitones comprises many species, especially 

 noxious to clovers and trefoils, many of them abounding 

 at all times of the year. They are very troublesome to 

 beginners, and have been fully described by the author 

 in the ' Entomologists' Monthly Magazine/ vol. ii. 



