These pretty little insects which we see sparkling in the sun- 
shine in our fields and gardens, from the beginning of June to 
the end of August, have so much the contour and habit of 
Cicindela, that Linnaeus included his species in that genus. 
They are well characterized by their broad heads and very 
large eyes, and by their highly polished elytra, which are 
perfectly smooth down the back, having a space next the 
margin beautifully punctured. 
The Comte Dejean was mistaken in supposing that the an- 
terior tibiae of the Notiophili were not emarginated, for they 
are deeply notched ; and he is no less in error in stating that 
the mandibles are not dentated, since they have several teeth ; 
and it is amusing enough to see compilers echoing his blun- 
ders. 
When we compare the essential characters of our genus 
with those of Elaphrus, it will be seen how very dissimilar 
they are; the form of the labrum, the maxillae, the internal 
maxillary, and the terminal joints of the other palpi are widely 
different. 
Two species having been added to our Fauna last year by 
T. C. Heysham, Esq. who took them in the neighbourhood 
of Carlisle, and transmitted them to me for the illustration of 
the genus, I shall give specific descriptions of the whole. 
1. N. aquaticus Lmn. — Don. 10. pi. 351. 2. — Panz . 20. 3. — 
semipunctatus Fab. — Marsh . 
Entirely aeneous or bluish black, the tibiae and base of an- 
tennae rarely ferruginous. 
2. N. rufipes Heps. — Curtis Brit. Ent. pi. 254. 
Cupreous ; head very broad ; scutellum small ; apex of elytra 
alone obscurely ochreous: legs and base of antennae ferru- 
ginous. 
3. N. biguttatus Fab. — semipunctatusZ)?//?., Sturm, tab. 183. A. 
Cupreous, base of antennae and tibiae ochreous, apex of 
elytra straw-colour. 
4. N. 4-punctatus Dej ., Spec., Col. 2. 280. 3. 
Scutellum semiovate, each elytron with two punctures on 
the back, and one at the apex. Head narrow, thorax more 
quadrate and less rugose than in N. biguttatus ; base of an- 
tennae and of four posterior legs obscurely ochreous. Elytra 
bronzed black, the apex straw-colour, faintly punctate-striate 
at the margins. 
The plant is Cerastium arvense (Corn Mouse-ear.) 
