88 



P. minor has the apical joint of the palpi truncate at the apex ; the whole 

 insect is more or less parallel-sided ; the thorax has the posterior angles right 

 angles, and a shallow basal depression on each side. Length three lines. A 

 somewhat local species, occurring in damp places. 



P. strenuns and P. diligens much resemble each other, and differ from 

 P. minor in being slightly smaller and not so parallel-sided ; in having the 

 thorax with a distinct deep depression on each side at the base, and in the 

 posterior angles being acute ; the palpi have the last joint ovate, not truncate 

 at tJie apex. P. diligens, which is rather smaller than P. strenuus, is dis- 

 tinguished from that species by having the strise at the outer portion of the 

 elytra as deep as those near the suture, and in having the under side of the 

 thorax not puncttired ; whereas strenuus has the thorax punctured at the 

 sides underneath, and has the outer strise on the elytra very fine and indis- 

 tinct, whilst those next the suture are very deep. 



[For the use of those students of Coleoptera who use " Dawson's Geodephaga/ , 

 I may point out that the descriptions of the two insects last given are the 

 reverse of those described by him. Mr. Dawson's erythropus is the insect 

 described above as the strenuus of Panzer, whereas Mr. Dawson's strenuus 

 is described above as the diligens of Sturm,] 



AMARA. 



This genus — a very puzzling one to most beginners — contains about 26 

 British species, but several of these have occurred so rarely that only a very 

 short notice of them will be required. The genus is very naturally divided 

 into two groups which differ considerably in their habits, for, whereas the 

 species of the first group, consisting of those which have the thorax narrowed 

 behind the middle, are nocturnal in their habits and frequent herbage — from 

 which they are often brushed by the sweeping net— the members of the 

 second group, or, at least, of the commoner sub-group, commencing at tibia- 

 lis, are all sun-loving insects, and are most frequently met with on dry sandy 

 ground, or on pathways, and are immediately recognised by their shining 

 bronze colours. In this group the thorax is never narrower behind than in 

 the middle. 



Group A. 



Thorox narrower at the base than in the middle ( Brady tus, Stephens). 



a. — Colour of the upper side yellowish brown or reddish. Length 

 about 4 lines - - A . fulva, 



d. — Colour of the upper side pitchy black. 



1. Length not over 4 lines - A, apricaria and A co?tsularis % 



