1 24 BRACHELYTRA. SERRICORNES. 



swimming off with the greatest agility. The four hind-legs are 

 used as oars, and the anterior pair for seizing the prey. When 

 they dart beneath the surface, a bubble of air, like a silvery ball, 

 remains attached to the hind part of the body Numerous species 

 of both these genera are found in Britain. 



646. The next family of the Pentamerous Beetles is that of 

 BRACHELYTRA, distinguished, as the name imports, by the short- 

 ness of the elytra ; these, which have only four palpi, contain 

 but a single tribe, composed of the genus Staphylmus and its 

 allies. These insects run and fly with equal 

 agility ; they are extremely voracious ; but do 

 not feed on living prey, deriving their nutriment 

 from dead and decaying animal and vegetable 

 matters. The majority live in the earth, amidst 

 manure and putrescent substances ; others are 

 found among Fungi and rotten wood, and under 

 stones ; others, again, are only met with near 

 water ; and a few of the smallest are only found 



FIG. 340. STAPHY- n . , , 



LINUS ERYTHROP- in flowers. The larvae feed on the same sub- 



TERUS. 



stances, and in the same situations, as the perfect 

 insects ; and greatly resemble them in form. These Beetles, 

 of which one of the largest is frequently to be seen running about 

 garden- walks, and is commonly known under the name of the 

 Devil's Coach-horse, turn up the end of the body when touched, 

 bending it in all directions ; and they possess the power of emit- 

 ting a strong odour, which is in some instances extremely fetid, 

 and which serves as a means of defence. 



647. The next family, SERRICORNES, is distinguished by the 

 toothed or serrated form of the antennae. As in the preceding, 

 there are only four palpi ; but the elytra completely cover the 

 body. Some of this family, having the body of solid consistence, 

 and oval in form, have the head buried, as it were, in the thorax, 

 which advances on its two sides, nearly as far as the mouth. 

 In this manner is formed the Buprestis, distinguished for the 

 splendour of its colours ; many of its species having spots of 

 golden hue upon an emerald ground; whilst in others, azure 

 glitters upon the gold. The largest and most brilliant species 



