THE CARABID^E. 



263 



extensive sub- family, containing many genera, and dis- 

 tributed throughout the known world. They have been 

 broken up into named sections; and the genera are 

 constructed upon peculiarities in the form and structure 

 of the palpi and mentum, conjointly with the external 

 shape. The most voracious are probably Broscus and 

 its allies, and the type Harpalus ; and the most conspi- 

 cuous forms are doubtlessly Hyperion Schrceteri and 

 Catadromus, both New Holland genera, and the giants 

 of the tribe. 



(233.) The fourth sub-family consists of the normal 

 Carabines, and from which, if Cychrus and its affinities 

 may be associated with them, we certainly cannot agree to 

 separate Elaphrus and its allies. The prominent character 

 of this fine sub-family is to want the notch in the anterior 

 tibiae. They are also, viewing them in their types 

 chiefly, more bulky insects than any in the family, and 

 also more convex ; and amongst them are certainly some 

 of the most elegant. None of the whole of this circle 

 can compare with Procerus in size, or with Pamborus 

 and Tefflus in form and size combined ; whereas Cara- 

 bus presents us with many brilliantly metallic insects 

 for instance, the Regalis, splendens, and rutilans. 

 Cychrus, and its affinities, are evidently considerably 

 more aberrant from the whole of this group, than any 

 other form : in its apterous condition, connate elytra, 

 securiform terminal joint of the palpi, and in the ex- 

 ternal lobe of the maxilla being not palpiform, it seems 

 to point directly towards the Heteromera. To this 

 anomalous group belong Sphceroderus and Scaphinotus, 

 both American genera. Elaphrus, and its sub-aquatic 

 cognates, appear to depart widely, also, from the normal 

 features of the sub-family : in the prominency of their 

 eyes, and active ferocity, they evidently have an affinity 

 to the Cicindelidce, with which Linnaeus associated them ; 

 and it is through them, from the affinity of habits, that 

 we most conveniently pass into the fifth sub-family, the 

 Bembediince, the whole of which, as their characteristic 

 signature, have subulated maxillary palpi. As the pre- 

 s 4 



