26 MANDIBULATA. COLEOPTERA. 



Tachypus evidently comprises insects of two very dissimilar 

 forms, the first of which approximates very closely to the four last- 

 described species of Lopha, the other to the true Bembidia : in the 

 former the thorax has the posterior angles scarcely deflexed, and 

 rather prominent, while the latter has them much deflexed and 

 obtuse. The genus may, however, be known from the preceding 

 by the greater depression of the thorax, and from its being sessile ; 

 and from Bembidium by the smallness of the eyes: the species 

 affect damp sandy districts. 



A. With the hinder angles of the thorax scarcely deflexed, somewhat prominent : 

 body not very broad. 



Sp. 1. celer. lEneus nitidus, antennis fuscis , pedibus piceo-ferrugineis, elytris 



punctato-striatis. (Long. corp. 1 — 1^ lin.) 

 Ca. celer. Fabricius.—Ta. celer. Steph. Catal p. 40. No. 399. 



As small again as the next, but very closely allied ; it is of a brilliant glossy 

 brass above: the head has the two usual frontal sulci : the thorax is very 

 glossy, has a slight dorsal line, and an impression on each side at the base, 

 rarely connected by a transverse series of impressions: the elytra rather 

 deeply punctate-striated, the striae vanishing considerably before the apex : 

 abdomen beneath blackish-bronze : legs pitchy-red, with the tibiae palest, and 

 sometimes testaceous : the femora often dusky : tarsi and antennae the same. 



The great disparity of bulk, and the absence of intermediate sizes between this 

 insect and the following, sufficiently indicates their distinction, which was 

 first pointed out by Count HofFmansegg. 



Extremely abundant throughout the metropolitan district, espe- 

 cially in the damp sandy places near Ripley. " Oxford." — Rev. 

 F. W. Hope, and Mr. Westwood. 



Sp. 2. properans. JEneus, nitidus, thorace glaberrimo, pedibus piceo-rufis, ely- 

 tris subtilissime punctato-striatis. (Long. corp. 1^ — if lin.) 

 Be. properans. Hqffmansegg. — Ta. properans. Steph. Catal. p. 40. No. 398. 



Larger than the last, which it too closely resembles ; above of a brilliant rich 

 coppery brass : head with two frontal sulci : thorax very glossy, with a very 

 faint dorsal line ; the base on each side with a deep impression, united by a 

 transverse row of impressed points : elytra rather faintly punctate-striated, the 

 striae vanishing a little before the apex : body beneath black : legs generally 

 pitchy-red ; the femora sometimes dusky : antennae dusky. 



This is the Ca. rufipes of Marsham, a name necessarily changed by HofFmansegg, 

 in consequence of Illiger having previously described an insect, belonging to 

 the present family, by the same appellation. 



Not uncommon near London. " Spitchweek, Devon." — Dr. 

 Leach. « Netley, Salop."— Rev. F. W. Hope. 



