The obtuse somewhat truncated tooth or lobe in the centre 
of the mentum of Foecilus is the only character that is essen- 
tially different from many other genera that are closely allied 
to it: there are however minuter differences in the trophi, 
which may be of importance as they bear upon neighbouring 
genera, and will be pointed out as opportunities offer ; and in 
our British species at least, the great length of the abbreviated 
stria next the scutellum, which is frequently united to the 2nd, 
thereby making that furcate at the base, appears to be a con- 
stant character. 
About 20 species of this genus have been enumerated or 
described, most of which are inhabitants of Europe, but this 
country has hitherto only presented four. 
1. P. lepidus PayJc. & c. 
2. dimidiatus Fab . — Don. 16. 565. — Kugellani 111 . — 
Panz. 39. 8.— tricolor Fab. ? 
3. cupreus Finn . — Don . 16. 554. — 'Panz, 75. 2. — var. a coo 
rulescens Linn. 
4. versicolor Sturm's Deut. Faun., jpl. 120. f. 5, c. 
The 1st is a rare species in this country ; it has been 
found in June in Norfolk, Hants, and Devon : it varies from 
a fine copper colour, to blue and black, with all the interme- 
diate gradations of tint. The one represented in the plate is 
from the cabinet of Mr. Samouelle to whom it was transmit- 
ted from Devon, by Dr. Leach. 
The 2nd is a handsome though not a rare species, occa- 
sionally appearing black : it is generally found under stones 
in April, May, and June. 
The 3rd is one of our commonest insects, abounding from 
April to August, in fields, meadows & c., where at every step 
it is often seen running across our path. These beetles are 
also found in gravel and sand pits, where they live, and are 
well supplied with food from the numerous insects that fall 
into those traps, until they are destroyed either by the rays of 
the sun or excess of rain. 
The 4th is probably nothing more than a small variety of 
P. cupreus. 
The plant is Hordeum murinum , Wall Barley. 
