HANDBOOK OF BEETLES. 59 



SKETCH OF THE PRINCIPAL GROUPS OF 

 BRITISH BEETLES. 



GEODEPHAGA. Ground Beetles. 



Carnivorous beetles, with five joints to the tarsi, and thread, 

 like antennae. 



Cicmdelidte. Tiger Beetles. 



Green or brown beetles, with white markings ; head and eyes 

 large ; legs long; very active by day ; frequenting sandy places. 



CarabidcB. Ground Beetles proper. 



Head and eyes smaller ; less active ; sometimes wingless ; 

 frequenting fields, marshes, etc. 



HYDRADEPHAGA. Carnivorous Water Beetles. 



DytisddcE. Water Beetles. 



Antennae slender, much longer than the palpi ; hind legs formed 

 for swimming ; front legs short. 



GyrinidcB. Whirligig Beetles. 



Front legs long ; four hind legs short. 



PALPICORNIA. Omnivorous Water Beetles. 



Antennce short, clubbed ; palpi as long or longer than the 

 antennae. 



BRACHELYTRA. Rove Beetles. 



Abdomen long, elytra very short ; feed chiefly on decaying 

 vegetable or animal matter. 



CLAVICORNIA. 



Antennas clubbed ; palpi much shorter than in the Palpicomlq ; 

 feed on dung, carrion, etc. 



