12 INSECTS AT HOME. 



deep impressions. The body is greenish below, changing to 

 rust-red at tlie tip. This species was first found on the coasts 

 of Norfolk. Three British species of Pogonus are kno\vn. 



Another Beetle belonging to this family is sho"v\Ti on Wood- 

 cut III. P'ig. 3. Its name is Pristonychus terricola. As may 

 be seen by reference to the illustration, it is a very prettily- 

 shaped insect, the curves of the outline harmonising in a way 

 that would have delighted the soul of Hogarth, had he taken 

 the trouble to look at Nature's original of his celebrated ' line 

 of beauty.' 



Except in shape, it is not a very pleasing insect to the eye, 

 the colour being black, with a violet gloss when examined in 

 a proper light. The head is pitchy-black, and the thora,x is 

 sometimes of the same colour as the head, and sometimes blue- 

 black, with a faint furrow in the centre, and a deep oblong 

 pit on eitlier side of the base. The elytra are of the same 

 colour, and rather flattened, and covered with faint but regular 

 striae, which are slightly punctured. Along the edges there is 

 a series of roundish pits. 



This Beetle is plentiful in most parts of England, and may 

 be found in cupboards, cellars, dark outhouses, and similar 

 localities. There is only one British species. 



Thebe 13 a Beetle, called Sphodrus leucopthalmus, which is 

 closely allied to the preceding insect, and, indeed, is included 

 in the same genus by many systematic entomologists. The 

 reader should try to catch one of these Beetles — no very diffi- 

 cult matter — and look at the very long third joint of the an- 

 tenngs, and the long and slender palpi. In the males, the 

 trochanters of the hind pair of legs are developed into long 

 spines. This Beetle is shown on Woodcut III. Fig. 4. 



The colour of the insect is pitch y-black, with a slight polish. 

 The head is smooth, oblong, and has an impression on either 

 side. The elytra are flattish, and faintly streaked, the streaks 

 resolving themselves under the lens into rows of small punc- 

 tures. Like the preceding species, it is common in outhouses, 

 stables, and similar localities, and is said to feed upon the 

 cockroai-hes and other noisome and dark-loving insects. So, 

 though he Sphodrus be not a handsome Beetle, it is worth 



