186 BRITISH BEETLES. 



variable, but never at the same time linear and directed 

 downwards, the rostrum itself being short, stout, and 

 nearly horizontal. In many of the genera the winglets, 

 or lateral projections at the apex of the rostrum, are 

 much developed. 



Such of their larvae as are known are moderately 

 elongate, fleshy, feebly tuberculated at the sides, set 

 with short hairs, and legless ; and the pupae do not 

 appear to be enclosed in a cocoon. 



In Phyllobius, which much resembles Polydrosus, as 

 before observed, the scutellum and wings are present, 

 the hooks of the tarsi are soldered, and the scrobes of 

 the rostrum are nearly always very short. The species 

 are very abundant on nettles, etc., and, when fresh, are 

 thickly clothed with bright golden green scales, which, 

 however, readily rub off. One of them, P. argentatus, is 

 a common object for the microscope, owing to the beauty 

 of its covering; another, P viridicollis, found in Scot- 

 land, is equally remarkable for all its peculiar abraded 

 appearance. 



In Trachyphlo&us and its allies the scutellum is want- 

 ing, or very small, and the wings absent, the hooks ol 

 the tarsi are free, the antennae robust, and the scrobes 

 of the rostrum lateral^ deep, slightly arched, and reach- 

 ing to the eyes. 



The species are mostly small, oval, and convex, 

 strongly set with short stout bristles, often arranged in 

 lines, and frequently thickly covered with earthy matter, 

 which adheres so firmly as to disguise their outline anc 

 punctuation. They are found in sandy places, at the 

 roots of grass, in moss, etc., and are very sluggish. 



The species may generally be distinguished inter se by 

 the toothing and shape of the front tibiae. 



