15 



2. Anterior tibiee flattened, either wavy, toothed, or notched 



on the outer side Scaritides. 



3. Anterior tibiae with a deep notch before the apex Harjoalides. 



Carabides and Scaritides require no further sub -division at present ; but 

 the Harpaiides, which comprise about four-fifths of the British Geodephega, 

 are again divided into four classes. 



A. Palpi with the last joint not much (if any) smaller than the preceed- 



ing one. 



a. Anterior tarsi of the males rarely dilated. Elytra generally truncate 



at apex - -- -- -- - Lebiidce. 



b. Anterior tarsi of males with dilated joints. Elytra entire - Feronidce. 



c. Anterior and middle tarsi of the males with dilated joints. Elytra 



entire -- - Harpalidce. 



B. Palpi with last joint very small, and needle-shaped, the preceeding one 



being large and swollen - Bembidiedes. 



In the HarpalidcB we have some difficulty in deciding into which of the 

 first three groups a specimen is to be placed if we possess only a female, for 

 then the dilatation of the tarsi is not usually present ; but the Lebiidce are 

 generally easily recognized by their short elytra, which is cut off square 

 behind, small size, and (often) bright colours, or markings in the form of a 

 cross. The Feronidce and Harpalida can be distinguished from each other 

 by a beginner, if he possesses females alone, only when he has obtained a 

 little experience of each group, and our recommendation to him is to wait 

 patiently, and diligently search for a male of the species whose name is the 

 desideratum. 



