240 POPULAR ENTOMOLOGY. 



I can give the young naturalist is, that one of these beau- 

 tiful creatures may come within his net, that he may have an 

 opportunity of admiring its magnificent size and singular 

 colouring, and of adding a somewhat rare insect to his col- 

 lection. 



COLEOPTERA. HeLOPHORID^. 



HELOPHOEUS. 



Genetic Distinctions. — Antenna of nine joints, and clubbed ; 

 palpi moderately long, the last joint thickened and oval ; body 

 oblong and depressed ; legs not ciliated (hairy), though the beetle 

 is aquatic. 



Helophorus aquaticus is about a quarter of an inch in 

 length, of a dull brassy-brown, with the elytra greyish. This 

 family comprises a few genera of minute aquatic beetles, 

 which seem to form a connecting link between the true water 

 and land beetles ; they creep very slowly, and may often be 

 observed in muddy water, and on aquatic plants ; sometimes 

 in fine weather they leave the water and take flight ; in some 

 genera the palpi are very long. 



