422 ARTICULATES : INSECTS. 



ly spined, but terminated by strong spurs, and the tarsi 

 are commonly ciliated so as to aid in swimming. They 

 are less agile in swimming than the Dyticidae, and move 

 their posterior legs alternately. They stay in the water 

 by day, but take wing at night. 



SILPHIDJE, Leach, OR CARRION-BEETLE FAMILY. This 

 Family embraces beetles which have the body broad and 

 depressed, thorax shield-like, mandibles strong and ex- 

 serted, and the antennae thickened towards the tips, and 

 made up of several pieces. These beetles live together 

 in great numbers in the bodies of decaying animals, and 

 thus greatly assist in removing such noxious substances. 

 Fi t . Some species have the habit of burying 



all the small dead animals which they 

 find, and they find out with astonishing 

 quickness where such animals are ; for 

 although a carrion beetle may not be 

 found in a given locality, let but a dead 

 frog, mouse, or bird be thrown upon the 

 ground, and in a few hours these beetles 



Carrion-Beetle, Silphci. 



will be seen about it, and soon they be- 

 gin to dig beneath it, and will continue their digging till 

 they have sunk it into the ground out of sight. The fe- 

 male then lays her eggs in it, so that, when the young 

 hatch, they find themselves in the midst of suitable food. 

 STAPHYLINID^E, Leach, OR ROVE-BEETLE FAMILY. 

 This Family comprises beetles which are long, narrow, 

 Fig. 314. and depressed, with the head large and flattened, 

 J stout mandibles, short antennae, thorax as wide 

 ~J as the abdomen, and the abdomen much longer 

 j\ than the elytra. When touched, or when they 

 run, they elevate the abdomen and flex it in 

 every direction. They run swiftly, take wing 



Rove-Beetle, J 



staphyiinus. quickly, are very voracious, and revel in all 

 kinds of decayed vegetable and animal substances. The 



