6a 
7 - 
394 . ■ 
SPERCHEUS EMARGINATUS. 
Order Coleoptera. Fam. Hydrophilidae. 
Type of the Genus, Spercheus emarginatus Fab. 
Spercheus Fab., Lat., Gyll., Sam., Curt . — Hydrophilus III., Mars., Fab. 
Antennae inserted beneath the clypeus, close to the eyes, very 
short and capitate, 6-jointed, basal joint the longest, elongate 
obovate, smooth, producing a few hairs near the apex, the re- 
mainder very hairy, the 2nd being the largest and subglobose, 
3rd saucer-shaped, 4th and 5th cup-shaped, 6th ovate (6). 
Labrum short transverse, the sides rounded, margin slightly con- 
cave and densely ciliated (1). 
Mandibles subtrigonate, dilated and rounded externally towards 
the apex which is curved and bifid with a thin coriaceous lobe 
below, densely pubescent (2). 
Maxillae with a large internal lobe truncated and ciliated with 
long bristles at the top, the internal angle produced and minutely 
denticulated, external lobe long, curved and subulate, distinctly 
articulated near the base, the apex and internal margin ciliated 
with long bristles. Palpi long naked and 4-jointed, basal joint 
minute, 2nd and 3rd long of equal length, clavate, 4th much 
longer stouter and clavate (3). 
Mentum very large transverse oblong. Lip short and very broad, 
horny excepting a small portion in the middle, concave in front 
and ciliated with long close hairs, a detached lobe at each extre- 
mity from which rise the Palpi, they are triarticulate, the basal 
joint short, 2nd obovate and pilose, 3rd the longest, elliptic- 
conical (4). 
Head broad, the sides margined and slightly reflected anteriorly form- 
ing a deep notch in the centre and concealing the trophi. Eyes small 
and remote. Thorax broad and short the sides margined. Scutellum 
elonga te- trigonate. Sternum simple. Elytra hemispherical, truncated 
at the base, much larger than the abdomen. Wings ample. Legs 
compressed, very similar, formed for walking. Tibiae simple very 
much compressed. Tarsi not very long, 5 -jointed, 4 first joints very 
short, 5th very long and clavate. Claws bent strong and acute. 
Pulvilli horny (5, afore leg). 
Emarginatus Fab. Ent. Syst. v. 1. pars 1 . p. 183. n. 1 . — Curtis's 
Guide, Gen. 1 10. 1 . — sordidus Marsh, p. 403. 5. — verrucosus 
Marsh. 404. 6. var. 
In the Author's and other Cabinets. 
Although this insect bears a strong resemblance to the Hy- 
drophilidae, it is by no means easy to ascertain its exact affi- 
