THE BE^rr.IDIA. 51 



the floatins^ refuse is crowded witli them, at which time the 

 ccilector will not fail to obtain a rich harvest.' 



Oun first example of this interesting family of Beetles is 

 taken from the typical genus, and is called Bemhidium higut- 

 tatum. This Beetle is by some entomologists placed in the 

 genus Philocthus ; but jNIr. Waterhouse, whose system is followed 

 in this work, has united several genera under the one head of 

 Bemhidium, in which he includes no less than forty-six species. 



The insect is drawn on Woodcut No. V. Fig. 2. Its colour is 

 brassy or bronze-green, and its surface is polished and shining. 

 The head has a shallow impression on each side. The thorax 

 has a slight furrow along the centre, and a depression near each 

 basal angle. The elytra are striated and punctured nearly as 

 far as the apex, and between the second and third striae there 

 are two bold impressions, from which the insect derives its 

 specific name of hlgattatwm, or 'two-channelled.' There is a 

 reddish-brown spot at the apex. The under surface of the body 

 is black, glossed with brassy or bronze reflections. 



On the same woodcut. Fig. 3, is a very pretty, though very 

 tiny. Beetle called Beinhidium {Notajphus) fumigatuni. 



This little insect has the head of a deep green colour, the 

 thorax being very black, with brassy reflections. It has a 

 short central furrow, and a deep pit on either side near the 

 basal angles. The colour of the elytra is exceedingly variable 

 in different individuals. The ground here, however, is pale- 

 brown or smoke-coloured, from which circumstance the insect 

 derives its name of fumigafum, or ' smoky.' Two irregular 

 black bands cross the elytra, and some black spots are scattered 

 about them. A bluish line runs along the suture, and the striae 

 are brown. 



Next comes an insect called Bembidium (Lopha) quadri- 

 guttatum, which is shown on Woodcut No. V. Fig. 4. 



This very conspicuous little Beetle is tolerably common, and 

 may be found in most damp places, whether the water be fresh 

 or salt. The smooth head has a deep but short furrow on each 

 side. The thorax is remarkably convex in front, and its colour 

 i.s shining blue-gree*n, or greenish-blue, as the case may be. 



E 2 



