The first of a pair of volumes in the incomparable Wayside and Woodland Series that provide an accessible account of the Coleoptera. Using the classification of the time, this volume covers Adephaga and the superfamilies Palpicornia, Staphylinoidea and Diversicornia of the Polyphaga.

For each family a selection of genera and representative species are described and illustrated either as line drawings or small colour paintings.

A good number of species are illustrated.