62 INSECTS ABROAD. 



half of the thigh, which is black or green on its junction with the 

 tibia. The long antennae are variously coloured in four tolerably 

 equal parts. The basal quarter is reddish dun, something like 

 tlic hue of the body, only lighter. Then conies a black portion, 

 then one pure white, and the last quarter is black. 



The whole of the body is covered with bristles, which, though 

 in themselves small, are quite large when compared with the 

 size of the body. From this peculiarity the specific name of 

 sctosus, or "bristly," has been given to the insect. The generic 

 name, Pselaphanax, lias been given to the Beetle by way of a 

 joke, on account of its very minute dimensions. It is composed 

 of two words, the former of which signifies " feeling" or "groping 

 by touch," and refers to the great development of the antennae 

 or feelers, which are as long as the head, thorax, and abdomen 

 together. The second Word signifies " a king," and has been 

 given to the insect ironically, just as the name of "General" or 

 "Admiral" is given to a very small dwarf, and the sobriquet 

 of "Baby" is often applied to a man of gigantic stature. 



As to the rest of the group, there is little of interest. They 

 are mostly like our own species, so familiar to those who wander 

 1 ly the sea-shore or river brink and try to use their eyes. It is, 

 however, worthy of notice, that not only do the Bembidiides 

 approach the Water Beetles in their habits, but in portions of 

 their forms. The reader will remember that the minute terminal 

 joint of the palpi was mentioned as one of the distinguishing 

 characteristics of this group. Now, there is a genus of the 

 Water Beetles, called Hallplus — i.e. "a seaman" — which has the 

 same joint of the same organ formed almost exactly like that of 

 the Bembidiides. 



Tins nei essarily brief history of the Carabidaj requires a few 

 remarks by way of summary. 



In the first, place, the word Carahus is apparently quite as 

 inappropriate as is that of Cicindela. Originally it signified a 

 "crab," which word indeed is nothing but a modified and con- 

 tracted form of the Greek Karabos. So is the German Krtibs, 

 and so is the Latin Scarabams. It was also employed to desig- 

 nate the cuttle-fish, on account of its mode of crawling, the name 

 being composed of two (ireek words signifying "to walk on the 

 head." By Aristotle it is applied to an insect which is evidently 



