212 



FBESH-WATEE AQ0AEIA. 



length, and are occasionally found in brackish water. These 

 insects are noted for the great development of their hind- 

 legs and for their excellence as swimmers. L. minutus is 

 ovate and rather convex in shape and greenish-grey in colour. 

 The head and thorax are yellow, and upon the elytra there 

 are some rather faint spots. The legs are reddish. This 

 little beetle is abundant. L. hyalinus is, if anything, i-ather 

 a commoner insect than the preceding. In shape it is 

 oblong-ovate and rather flat. The elytra are a greenish 

 brown, with rather lighter-coloured margins. The legs are 

 yellowish. 



The beetles belonging to the genus Noterws are in form 

 somewhat like those known as " Whirligigs." There are only 

 two species, and both are rather common. N. semipunctatus 

 is a small dark-red and shining beetle, a httle more than iin. 

 in length. The elytra are rather lighter in colour at their 

 margins, and are covered with large punctures; the antennae 

 are short and thick; and the under-part of the body is not 

 quite so dark in colour as the upper. N. crassicomis is very 

 like the preceding species, but a little lighter in colour. 



Pelohius Hermanni (Fig. 136) is the only representative in 

 this country of the sub-family to which it belongs. It is an 



Fig. 136. Pelobids Hekmanni (Male and Female). 



interesting and handsome beetle, and very popular with 

 aquarium-keepers. Prom a habit it has of rubbing the hard 

 edge of the last segment of its body in a groove under its 



