Otjr next example of the Staphylinidae is an insect of much less size and very different shape, called Philontkus marginatus, the only specimen that we can take of the very large genus, of which forty-seven British species are acknowledged. In this genus the thorax is squared, the antennae and palpi are slender, and there is a strong tooth in the middle of each mandible. The antenna of this genus is shown on Woodcut No. VIII. Fig. e, the mandible, with its central tooth, at a, and the labial palpi at c. The name Philonthus signifies ‘ dung-loving,’ and is given to this genus because the largest and most conspicuous species are found under patches of cow or horsedung. Some of the smaller species, however, live under heaps of decaying sea-weed, such as Philonthus fucicola, the latter term signifying some creature that inhabits sea-weed. The present species is generally to be found under dead leaves.

The colour of this little Beetle is black, but the legs and the margin of the thorax are reddish-yellow, a peculiarity from which, it derives its specific name marginatus. The middle segments of the abdomen have their edges yellow. This is a very curious Beetle.

The family of the Xantholinidae may be distinguished from the Staphylinidae by the position of the antennae, which are inserted before, and not within, the base of the mandibles, and are consequently much nearer each other than those of the preceding family. The spiracles of the prothorax are conspicuous. The middle pair of legs is longer than the others. They are nearly all black, diversified with reddish-yellow, and are very slender bodied ; and, in consequence of these charac-

teristics, tlie name of Xantholinidce, or ‘ yellow threads,’ has

been given to them. This thread-like form allows the insects

to pack themselves up into a very small space ; and when they

are reposing, they act like the Hottentots, and double themselves up in so small a space that when they are disturbed and unroll themselves, it is really surprising to see how the insect gradually developes its limbs and general form.

The characteristics of the genus can easily he seen by reference to Woodcut No. VIII. Fig. 5, which represents a comj mon and pretty species called Xantholinus glabratus. The i liead is long, and the small eyes are placed well in the front. I There is a small cylindrical neck, and the thorax is marked j with bold punctures, which afford a valuable means of detect- : ing the various species. The present species is black, with 1 blood-red elytra. The disc of the thorax has four distinct rows of very large punctures. The sides of the head and thorax are ) punctured, and the whole surface is glossy, as indeed is expressed by the specific name glabratus, which signifies smooth or polished. Eight British species are acknowledged.

Another family, the Paederidae, now comes before us. In this family the spiracles of the prothorax are invisible, and the antenna) are set on the sides of the very front of the head. The maxillary palpi are rather long, and have the last joint so tiny that it scarcely looks like a joint. The left maxilla and Its palpus are shown on Woodcut IX. Fig. /. The head is attached to the thorax by a very delicate neck, so that in a dried specimen great care must he taken lest the head should fall

We can only take one example of this family, namely the byeato^oloista / » agUw, a a figure of which is given on Woodcut IX Fia- 1 In this genus, of which there narrowed are seven British species ^the

the Jr!; same illustration. !! ““^^-toothed mandible is shown at Fig c ^ of

The present species is one of the few Brachelvtra th.f i popular name. It is called the Eed-neek, on 00000^ „f bnght-red colour of the thorax. Its held is shrnUlalk!

covered with very small punctures, and the elytra are bluishblack edged with red. The legs are light-red. On account of the extreme tenuity of the connection between the head and the narrowed thorax, this insect is apt to fall to pieces in the cabinet if the drawer containing it be shut with a jerk, and it has therefore obtained the specific name of fragilis. It is not

bhnaoulatus. 8. OmaUum florale. ^ Prognatha qnadrl-

1 StilicusfragiUs. 2. Stenus «. Stenus, Ugula. » left mand^e. c. I Siymma brevipem^e. palpus. e. Prognatha, labium. / StiUcus, right mandible. d. Prognatha, maxillaiy Stilicus, maxillary palpus. g- Stenus, maxillary palpus.

insect, but is spread tolerably widely, an a very common in hotbeds and heaps o may be found by careful searching decaying Vegetable matter. curious genus can be found by lookiu^

Other species of this geniculatus, for example, inin the proper places. Stilicus be soug habits chalky districts, and Stilicus orbiculatus must in marshes.

Next comes the family of the Stenidse. These insects may be known by the position of the antennae, which are generally set between the eyes or on the front margin of the forehead. The basal joint of the maxillary palpi is long, and the last joint almost imperceptible. See Fig. g on Woodcut IX.

Sometimes the young entomologist is much puzzled by a phenomenon which takes place with sundry small Beetles belonging to the Brachelytra. As soon as they are killed a long and slender tongue-like organ darts from the mouth, and protrudes itself until it looks like a proboscis. These Beetles belong to the genus Stenus, of which we have an example in Stenus bimaculatus, which is shown on Woodcut IX. Fig. 2. This tongue-like organ is in fact composed of the ligula, the two paraglossae, and the labial palpi, as may be seen by reference to the same illustration. Fig. a. The mandibles of this genus are strongly formed, having one very large tooth, and four very small teeth, as may be seen at Fig. h. The fourth joint of the tarsi has a slightly double lobe. The long and slender maxillary palpus is shown at g.

The present species is black, with the exception of a round tawy spot on each elytron, from which the insect has derived its specific name of himaoulatus, or ‘ two-spotted.’ The surface is thickly and deeply punctm-ed, and is covered with a scanty whitish dm™. There is a deep furrow along the middle of the thorax. The legs are tawny, with the and tarsi, which are black. exception of the knees

This is a very common and very good example of the genus and indeed so well exhibits the oharacteristios of the familv that It IB worth a detailed examination. It is a very common insect, being found all over taken on the banks of ponds England, and almost alwUs “ be and rivers amono- . plants. In tolerably warm weather it mayTe tek n^T about upon the stems of the plants, and on cold davs 1 in the muddy soil about their r;ots. Mr E 1 T are whom I am indebted for smaller Brachelytra, tells me much that informa":,; all c^tr "nf e one. i, " found in the wettest .it,,. n,,.,. . . the spotted Stem St “■ ar

i in the wettest situations. This genus is a W containing more than fifty ^ ^ species.

Tim next family on our list is that of the Omalidm. In

these Beetles the spiracles of the prothorax are hidden, the antennse are set on the sides of the forehead, and the maxilla3 have a horny hook at the tip ; and there are two ocelli, or simple eyes, upon the back of the head, this being a very valuable characteristic in arranging these insects. As a rule the Omalidae have flattened bodies, and long slender antennae, and delight in damp places, whether wetted by fresh or salt water ; so that they can he found under heaps of decaying sea-weeds on the coasts, and under stones on the banks of ponds. Some of them may he found under bark, and some in flowers ; so that they have a very wide range of locality.

Our first example of this family, Micralymma brevipenne, is remarkable for its fondness for wet. The genus is known by its very minute elytra, the long and broad abdomen, and the long hairs upon the tarsi. A figure of the insect is given on Woodcut IX. Fig. 5.

The colour of this tiny Beetle is shining-black, and it may easily he recognised by its size, shape, and colour, and the locality in which it resides. It takes up its abode under decaying seaweed, hut always selects a spot that is well below high-water mark; its object being, apparently, to give itself a chance of being drowned or carried away to sea twice in the twenty-four hours. It remains in this singular locality throughout the whole of its life, and contrives, in some strange way, to pass through its transformations, subject to the perpetual washing of the waves.

Another example of the same family is shown on Woodcut IX. Fig. 3, its name being Omalium fiorale. In tins genus the body is rather oval and flattened. The antennse are short becoming thicker at the tips. The thorax is short, and hairy, and narrowed behind. The four basal somewhat heart-shaped, joints of the tarsi are short. species which serves as our example of the typical

The and shining, the surface being thickly genus is greyish-black inclined to form strise on the

punctured, and the punctures The legs are reddish, and the antennae and palpi black.

elytra. flower-loving species, being found in the

This is one of the the flowers of the hawthorn and sallows,

spring time frequenting England generally, but does not seem to

it is distributed over

be plentiful in any particular locality. Twenty British species of this genus are known.

We have only space for one more example of the Brachelytra : it is drawn on Woodcut IX. Fig. 4. As may be seen by reference to the illustration, this is a very curious insect. It is the only British representation of the family to which it belongs, namely, the Piestidse. In this family the spiracles of the prothorax are hidden, the coxae of the front legs are globular, and those of the hind legs transverse ; there are five joints to the tarsi, and the last segment of the abdomen is very small.

The genus is characterised by the flat, elongated body, the long and hairy antennae, the long elytra, the five-jointed tarsi, and the horned head of the males. The maxillary palpus is shown at Fig. d, and the labium at e. The colour of this insect is shining-hlack. The elytra have four striae, and on the disc is an oblique mark or dash of reddish-brown, the outer angle being dusky. The tip of the abdomen is chestnut, and the legs and antennae red. The illustration represents a male insect, in which sex the sides of the head are developed into two sharp liorns pointing forward. The mandibles are each furnished with a large horn. This very remarkable insect is not very scarce, and may be found under the bark of various trees. Kensington Gardens is a good locality for it, where it may he found lurking under the bark of elm-trees.

The scientific name of this Beetle is PTogno/thcb guadncoTniSf and it is popularly styled the Four-hom.

I MAY here mention that the only viviparous Beetles at present known, belong to the Brachelytra. They are about onetenth of an inch in length, and are found parasitic in the nests of the Brazilian Termites or White-ants. The abdomen is enormously large, and is turned back over the head, tail like the

of a squirrel.

CHAPTER VI.

Necb Ophaga.

The reader will probably observe that, in the groups of insects which have already been described, allusion has been made to the analogies between them and certain groups of vertebrates. The G-eodephaga, for example, represent the land Carnivora, the Hydradephaga those of the water, and the Brachelytra represent in some degree the slender and lithe-bodied weasels. We now come to a group which takes among insects the part which is played among the higher animals by the hyenas and vultures, these Beetles being the scavengers of the insect world.

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