230 BRITISH BEETLES. 



wet places, reeds, etc., and may be known by their com- 

 paratively narrow shape and posteriorly right-angled 

 thorax, which is narrower than the elytra. 



The ENDOMYCHID^: (termed also Sulcicolles) have 

 comparatively long antenose; the thorax impressed be- 

 hind; the last joint of the maxillary palpi slightly 

 thickened, and never hatchet-shaped ; and the posterior 

 coxse wide apart. 



Two of our genera, Endomychus and Lycoperdina, 

 are generally associated ; but the others, Mycetaa, Sym- 

 biotis, and Alexia, are usually separated and placed in 

 other families. 



Endomychus contains one species, coccineus, beauti- 

 fully coloured and marked (Plate XV, Fig. 6) ; it occurs 

 not uncommonly under bark, in fungoid growth, and 

 presents a certain superficial likeness to some of the 

 ladybirds, from which its long, gradually- thickened 

 antennae, more elongate shape, and palpi of lesser de- 

 velopment will distinguish it. In some specimens the 

 thorax is entirely red, whilst in others it has a broad 

 black stripe down the entire middle. Its larva has 

 been found under fir and willow bark, and seems to 

 depart entirely from the type of its present allies, being 

 much like that of the Silphida, flat, with comparatively 

 long antennae ; the three first segments large, and the 

 remainder lobed at the sides. 



Lycoperdina bovista, a little flattish black insect, 

 found in puff-balis, of rare occurrence, but plentiful 

 when found, is not unlike certain of the Heteromera 

 (Blaps or Heliopathes) in miniature. Its thorax has a 

 very deep longitudinal impression on each side. 



Mycetcea hirta (a very small, coarsely-punctured, hairy, 

 brownish, ovate insect, contracted behind, and abundant 



