136 
NATURAL HISTORY OR 
hairs, and no doubt assist materially in swimming. 
The food of the larvae is similar to that of the per- 
fect insect, and they are perhaps even more vora- 
cious in their early condition than after they have 
undergone their final change. The following cut 
represents the larva of Dytiscus marginalia } the 
most common species throughout the southern parts 
of Britain. 
The largest species of Dytiscus with which we 
are acquainted is D. latisshnus , which is found in 
Germany and the north of Europe. About eight 
or nine different kinds inhabit Britain, some of 
which are common in England ; but they become 
scarcer in the more northern parts of the island. 
The species represented, for which we are indebted 
to Mr Curtis* beautiful figure, is 
