THE HOMALOTA. 63 



In the accompanying woodcut is represented a 

 good example of this genus, A leochara fuscipes. 



The colour of this Beetle is shining-black. The 

 antennae are short and thickened in the middle. The 

 elytra are red, edged with black, 

 and the legs and base of the 

 antennae are red, the thighs being 

 dull-brown instead of red. This 

 insect flies rapidly. It is a 

 common species, and, small as it 

 is, yet is the largest of its genus. 

 It haunts decaying substances, 

 whether animal or vegetable. 

 Fifteen British species are known. Aieochara fu 



THE Beetle which is our last example of this 

 family belongs to an enormous genus, containing at 

 least 1 60 species. Its name is Homalota bninnea, 

 and it is depicted on page 64. 



In this genus the head is without any distinct 

 neck, and the body is narrow and much flattened. 

 The tarsi of the front legs have four joints, and those 

 of the hind legs five joints, the four first joints being 

 equal in size. The joints of the antennae are bead- 

 like. 



The present species is a flat, shining, brick-red 

 insect, with the exception of the head and the last 

 segment but one of the abdomen, which are grey- 

 black, the abdomen being thickly and rather deeply 

 punctured. There is a very shallow groove in the 

 middle of the thorax. The legs are pale reddish- 

 brown. 



