210 BRITISH BEETLES. 



the body ; the thorax generally almost transverse ; and 

 the femora but slightly thickened. 



In Khagiuniy the species of which are very abundant 

 in pine woods, and which may be found in all their 

 stages under fir- bark, the larvae eating galleries on the 

 surface, the antennae are very short, and the entire 

 insect is flattened, broad, and of a comparatively dull, 

 mottled appearance. The pupae have rows of short 

 spines across the segments of the abdomen; as in Cossus 

 and other wood-feeding Lepidoptera. 



Toxotus, a most variable insect, both in size and 

 colour, has long straggling legs and antennae, and flies 

 with a considerable noise in the hot sunshine; it is 

 however surpassed, in point of variation, by the common 

 Strangalia armata (Plate XIV, Fig. 1 ; a dark variety), 

 of which it is difficult to obtain two specimens exactly 

 alike ; and in the male of which the hinder tibiae have 

 two conspicuous tooth-like processes on the inner side. 



This insect, which, according to the predominance 

 of colour, may be designated either as yellow with black 

 spots, or as black with yellow, is abundant during the 

 summer months on the flowers of Umbelliferay especially 

 at the margins of woods ; and is very active both with 

 its legs and wings, (at all events when the sun seines), 

 taking to flight readily, and making ludicrous move- 

 ments in its hurry to escape. 



The Longicornes are, as a rule, so rare in this country, 

 that the young collector will probably be some time 

 before he takes more than this insect, one or two small 

 species of Grammoptera, Clytus arietis, and a Rhagium. 



There are no particular works upon this section to 

 which it would be of any use to direct the beginner; 

 except, perhaps, Mulsant's Longicorns of France. 



I 



