GYRINl/S. GLIMMERCHAFFER. 



Generic Character. 



Antenna clavatae, rigidae, 

 capite breviores. 



Oculi quatuor; duobus su- 

 pra, duobus infra. 



Antennee clavated, stiff, 

 shorter than the head. 



Eyes (apparently) four; two 

 above, and two below. 



X HE genus Gyrinus is furnished with extremely 

 short, stiff antennae, appearing to consist of an 

 undivided piece or joint; but, if accurately in- 

 spected by means of a magnifier, they will be 

 found to be composed of very numerous close-set 

 joints: the eyes are so placed as to appear double 

 on each side the head ; viz. one above and the 

 other below the base of the antenna. 



The most remarkable European species is the 

 Gyrinus natator, a small Insect, about a quarter 

 of an inch in length, of an oval shape, with some- 

 what sharpened extremities, and of a black or 

 grey-black colour, with so lucid a surface as to 

 shine like a piece of looking-glass in the full sun- 

 shine. It is an inhabitant of the waters, and is 

 chi'eily found in rivulets, being generally seen in 

 great multitudes, and in very brisk motion. It is 

 difficult to catch, diving with astonishing celerity 

 when disturbed ; the hinder legs being very broad, 



