GEODEPTTAGA. 
65 
five subdivisions, which depend upon the number of 
joints of the anterior tarsi of the male which are 
dilated, and upon the clothing of their under surface. 
To the first of these, the Diversimani, which need 
not here be further discussed, we must refer the 
two British genera, Broscus and Miscodera. Broscus 
cephalotes is an opaque black, elongate monster, with 
large head, and thorax contracted behind : it is found 
rarely inland, but abundantly on the coast, where it 
burrows under stones and tidal rubbish, devouring 
ruthlessly everything that comes in its way, even its 
own species. Miscodera arctica, a near but small 
relation to the above savage, dwells on our highest 
moors and mountains, and is but rarely taken. It is 
very shining and entirely brassy, with its globose 
thorax and dilated elytra separated by a neck. The 
two last-mentioned genera have much the appearance 
of Byschirius in the Scaritina ; from which the dilata- 
tion of the basal joints of the front tarsi in the males, 
and the want of a tooth on the outer side of their 
anterior legs, will serve to separate them. 
In the Patellimani the male has the first two 
or three joints of the anterior tarsi dilated, either 
square, transverse-oblong, or rounded , the soles being 
clothed with fine short erect hairs. Many of the 
species are gaily coloured, being variegated with 
red and black markings; some are clothed with 
short silky down, and all are more or less elegant 
either in shape or structure. The majority live in 
wet places, under reeds, &c., but a few are to be 
found under chalk-stones in exposed situations. 
The species of the genus Chlrenius are very beautiful, 
presenting somewhat the appearance of oxidized metal ; 
V 
