128 
BRITISH BEETLES. 
have been generally associated ; but the others, 
Mycetcea, Symbiotes, and Alexia, have been usually 
separated and placed in other families ; in the three 
latter the tarsi are plainly four-jointed, whereas in 
the two former only three joints are visible. 
Endomychus contains one species, coccineus, beauti- 
fully coloured and marked (Plate XV., Fig. 6) ; it 
occurs not uncommonly under bark, in fungoid 
growth, and presents a certain superficial likeness to 
some of the ladybirds, from which its long, gradually- 
thickened antennae, more elongate shape, and palpi of 
lesser development will distinguish it. In some speci- 
mens the thorax is entirely red, whilst in others it 
has a broad black stripe down the entire middle. Its 
larva has been found under fir and willow bark, and 
seems to depart entirely from the type of its present 
allies, being much like that of the Silphidce, flat, with 
comparatively long antennae ; the three first segments 
large, and the remainder lobed at the sides. 
Ly coper dina bovistce, a little flattish black insect, 
found in puff-balls, of rare occurrence, but plentiful 
when found, is not unlike certain of the Heteromera 
(Blaps or Heliopathes ) in miniature. Its thorax has a 
very deep longitudinal impression on each side. 
Mycetcea hirta (a very small, coarsely-punctured, 
hairy, brownish, ovate insect, contracted behind, and 
abundant in old cellars) and Symbiotes latus (larger, 
wider, rarer, and found in rotten wood), — both gre- 
garious, — have been by some authors placed in the 
Lathridiidce, and by others in the Cryptophagidce ; 
and Alexia pilifera, — small, round, globose, set with 
delicate but distinct hairs, strongly punctured, but 
with no lateral impressions to its thorax, — commonly 
