102 MANDIBULATA. — COLEOPTERA. 



Var. /3. He minutus ? Steph. Catal. p 55. No. 554. Rather less,, and con- 

 siderably more narrow, with the spots on the elytra somewhat distinct: 

 probably the male. 



More frequent near London than He.marginatus, and also found 

 in Norfolk and Suffolk. " On Wandsworth-common, in the spring." 



— Mr. Ingpen. 



Sp. 5. obsoletus. Niger, hirtus, thorace antics macula luted utrinque, elytris 

 circiter punctis septem pallide ferrugineis aut ochraceis, pedibus nigris. 

 (Long. corp. 2 — 3 lin.) 



He. obsoletus. Curtis, v. pi. 224. — He nebulosus mini. — Steph. Catal. p. 55. 

 No. 552. 



Dusky-piceous or black, shining, very finely and thickly punctured, and pu- 

 bescent : thorax with a luteous spot on each side, at the anterior angle : elytra 

 with about seven or eight pale ferruginous or ochraceous spots on each, one 

 near the scutellum, frequently obsolete, three placed somewhat triangularly 

 before the middle, beyond these a larger lunate one near the suture, and finally 

 three small ones, placed triangularly near the apex : the mandibles, spines 

 on the tibise, and apex of the tarsi castaneous. 



This insect stands in the collection at the British Museum as He. marginatus : 

 that it is the species thus called by Marsham, his character, " hirtus, niger, 

 elytris punctis septem ferrugineis," as well as his habitats, " prope Harvici 

 oppidum, Maio. Prope Skeerness copioss, Septembre," and one of his authentic 

 specimens in my collection sufficiently testify. 



In the utmost profusion on the shores of the Thames and Med- 

 way. " Plentiful near Rochester." — Professor Henslow. " The 

 Isle of Sheppy, in June last." — Rev. F. W. Hope. 



Family XI.— PARNIDiE, Leach. 



Antennce very short, 9- jointed ; the second with a lobate appendage, the rest 

 forming a clavate mass : body subcylindric, convex, margined : head deeply 

 inserted into the thorax; the latter subquadrate, slightly narrowed anteriorly: 

 legs similar, all formed for walking ; tibice cylindric, incurved : tarsi filiform, 

 elongate, all five-jointed. 



One genus only of this family has been found in Britain, which 

 inhabits the borders of ponds and ditches during the spring; but 

 although often found on the surface of the water, they are incapable 

 of swimming: their food is unknown, but it is presumed to consist of 

 animal matter, from the form of the maxillae and mandibles. 



