COMMON BRITISH INSECTS. 



very appropriate title. All these Beetles are very 

 small, none of them exceeding a quarter of an inch in 

 length. They may be found on the banks of ponds 

 and streams, running over the wet soil with great 

 activity in search of prey. In consequence of their 

 fondness for water they were for a long time classed 

 among the Hydradephaga, or the voracious Beetles 

 of the water, but have now been placed in their right 

 position among the Carabidse. 



Accompanying this description is a magnified 

 figure of a common species of this genus, called 

 NotiopJiilus bignttatns. It is a very 

 small Beetle, sometimes only one- 

 sixth of an inch in length, and 

 seldom, if ever, exceeding a quarter 

 of an inch. It is a pretty little 

 creature, with a highly polished 

 surface, as if made of bronze in 

 which the copper predominated. 

 Five species of this genus are 

 known to inhabit England, and 

 they may be found hidden under 

 stones or at the roots of trees in 

 damp places. Willow trees on the 

 borders of streams are good localities for these pretty 

 little Beetles. They do not, however, confine them- 

 selves to wet places, although they prefer such places 

 as a residence. They may be seen running about in 

 the hottest weather over places a mile at least from 

 water. 



Notiophilus biguttatus. 



NEXT upon our list comes the family of the 

 Chlaeniidse. In these Beetles the front tarsi of the 



