THE BEMBIDIUM. 



45 



nearly as far as the apex, and between the second 

 and third striae there are two bold impressions, from 

 which the insect derives its specific name of bigut- 

 tatum, or ' two-channelled.' There is a reddish-brown 

 spot at the apex. The under surface of the body is 

 black, glossed with brassy or bronze reflections. 



OUR last example of the Geodephaga is the insect 

 called Bembidium quadriguttatiim, which is shown in 

 the illustration accompanying 

 this description. 



This very conspicuous little 

 Beetle is tolerably common, 

 and may be found in most 

 damp places, whether the 

 water be fresh or salt. The 

 smooth head has a deep but 

 short furrow on each side. 

 The thorax is remarkably 

 convex in front, and its colour is 

 shining blue-green, or greenish- 

 blue, as the case may be. The 

 elytra are rather convex, and 

 their colour is something like that of the thorax, but 

 deepening into violet, which is sometimes so dark 

 that it appears to be black. On the shoulder of each 

 elytron is a patch of cream-white, and there is another 

 near the middle, the insect deriving from these white 

 marks the specific title of quadriguttatum, or * four- 

 spotted.' The spot on the shoulder is usually rather 

 triangular, and that on the middle of the elytron 

 nearly round. 



Bembidium quadriguttatum. 



