HAIRY WHIRLIGIG. 65 



sousfbt in salt marshes and similar localities. It is much 

 larger in proportion to its width than the preceding species, 

 so that it can at once be detected. The most remarkable, or 

 at least the most divergent, of the Whirligigs is the Hairy 

 "WiriRi.nir. {Orectoch'dus villosus), which may at once be de- 

 tected by the fact that the upper part of its body is black, 

 covered with short greyish down. The body is reddish-yellow 

 beneath, and the elytra are thickly and deeply punctated. 

 This insect is not so fond of society as the other species, 

 neither does it love the light of day, but hides itself in the 

 banks of rivers and running waters during the daytime, and 

 seeks its prey by night. In consequence of this habit it is not 

 often seen, and even in places where it is tolerably common is 

 sure to escape the observation of anyone who does not know 

 how and when to look for it. It is rather a local insect, and 

 Mr. F. W. Hope gives the Dart and rivulets on Dartmoor as a 

 favourite locality. 



The popular name Whirlwig is often substituted for Whirli- 

 gig. The generic title Oredochilus is formed from two Greek 

 words, signifying ' stretched-lip,' and alludes to che structure 

 of the labrum, or upper lip, which is lengthened by a pale- 

 coloured fringe on its edge. 



