MH. HARDY ON THE BEHWiCKSHIBE STAPHTUNID.K 233 



The species is tlie type of the genus A tax.* There are two 

 eyes in front, one on each side of the scapular spots, and be- 

 hind there are two others of a smaller size, but I could not see 

 either pair until after the insect was compressed between plates 

 of glass. From several pores in the smooth skin of the back 

 there exudes, says Dug(^s, a viscous fluid which is drawn out 

 into silken threads when the animal is held up between the fin- 

 gers. These pores become visible when a specimen is compres- 

 sed between two plates of glass and dried a little ; they are 

 situated on the posterior and somewhat depressed part of the 

 back on each side of the anal region. It swims rapidly in the 

 water by the quick movements of its ciliated legs ; and the 

 purpose probably of the hinder tarsi, which, as we have re- 

 marked, have no claws, is to push the animal forwards through 

 the entangled filaments of confervas. The eggs, Dugbs in- 

 forms us, are laid in transparent layers and of a gummy as^ 

 pect ; the little larvae which are born of them are aquatic, 

 flattened like the seed of the gourd or almond, furnished with 

 two large round eyes placed on each side in front and a little 

 separately, and with a large sucker containing the mandibles 

 with a booklet as in the adult. The palpi are very similar 

 to those of the Arrenurae, viz., inflated and terminated with 

 a fifth joint in the form of a long recurved claw. 



A Synopm of the Berwickshire Species of Staphylinidof, 

 By Mr. James Hardy. 



. The species of Brachelytrous insects forming the family 

 Staphylinidae having been little attended to by British ento^ 

 mologists, and the synonymes much confused, it appeared 

 desirable in recording the local species, to place them on a 

 proper foundation. Accordingly short descriptions have been 

 appended to each species, such as will give a general idea of 

 what is intended. For more precise information, reference 

 must be made to the works I have chiefly followed in thig 



• The namo of the river L'Aude, which runs by the city of Narbonne. 

 PUn. Hist. Nat. 1. 3, c. 5. 



