SILPHA. SILPHA. 
Generic Character. 
Antennie extrorsum crassi- 
ores. 
Elytra marginata. 
Caput prominens. 
Thorax planiusculus, mar- 
ginatus. 
Antennae thickening towards 
the tip. 
Wing-sheaths margined. 
Head prominent. 
Thorax flattish, margined. 
HE insects of the genus Silpha are generally 
found among decaying animal or vegetable sub- 
stances, frequenting dung-hills, carrion, &c. and 
deposit their eggs chiefly in the latter. The 
Larvae are of a lengthened shape, and of an un- 
pleasant appearance, being generally roughened 
with minute spines and protuberances. The most 
remarkable of the European species, and which 
is by no means uncommon in our own country, is 
the Silpha Vespillo, distinguished by having the 
wing-sheaths considerably shorter than the abdo^ 
men, or as if cut off at the tips : they are also each 
marked by two waved, orange-coloured, trans- 
verse bars, the rest of the. insect being black : 
the general length of the animal is about three 
quarters of an inch. This insect seeks out some 
decaying animal substance in which it may deposit 
