44 



INSECTS AT HOME. 



This is a very common Beetle, and is rather interesting to 

 entomologists, because, like the Brachinus, it has the power of 

 defending itself by means of mimic artillery, and can produce a 

 number of the explosions in succession. There are more than 

 twenty British species of this genus. 



1. Anchomenus dorsalis. 2. Pterostichus madidns. 3. Amara obsoleta. 4. Harpalus 

 .Tiicus 0. Stenolophiis Skl'imshiranus. a. Pterostichus, right niaiulible. b. Ptorosti- 



clms, maxillary palpus. c. Harpalus, uuder side of leg. d. Harpalus, right inaudible. 



e. Harpalus, maxillary palpus. 



The family of the Feroniidse, which comes next in order, 

 comprises a number of Beetles, none of which are remarkable 

 for beauty, though there are several whose habits are very 

 curious and interesting. They may be known by the sinuatcd, 

 or wavy, form of the elytra at the apex, and by the basal joints 

 of the front tarsi of the males. These joints are not squared, 

 like those of the Chteniidie, but are somewliat heart-shaped, 

 and fiu'nished with two rows of bristles beneath. 



