The Hydrophili , as the name implies, delight in the water : — 
66 They may be seen (says the author of the Elements of Na- 
tural History ) in ponds during the summer, frequently rising 
to the surface for fresh air ; they swim well, and when laid on 
their back restore themselves by whirling round; they rest in 
the shade, keep in water during the day, come abroad in the 
evening, and are sometimes found sitting on the plants by the 
edge; they fly by night; after having been long out of the 
water they cannot dive but with difficulty.” — Latreille observes, 
that the Hydrophili when in the water conceal their antennae 
under the sides of the head, and advance the palpi ; but when 
they are taken out of that element, they develop those organs, 
from which it appears that the antennae are of little use to 
them when immersed. The larvae, which reside also in the 
water, are carnivorous: the perfect insects are said to feed 
principally upon aquatic plants. 
The genus Hydrophilus is distinguished from Hydrous by 
the simple tarsi of the males, and from Hydrobius of Leach by 
the acuminate sternum. 
The species figured, the only one known to inhabit our 
island, is exceedingly abundant in the ponds and ditches 
round London, where it may be found from January to June, 
and longer probably, living through the winter: in some 
parts of the country it is less plentiful. — We are indebted to 
Mr. Chant for the sight of a specimen taken in August at 
Islington, which at first appeared to be a new species, being of 
a dull brown colour with ochraceous legs ; but after a careful 
examination we think these differences arise from its being an 
immature specimen. 
The plant is Poa fuitans (Flote Meadow-Grass). 
