50 LINNEAN SYSTEM. 



Sp. 1 . Gyr. Natator. Oval : elytra with punctured striae : the inflected 



margin testaceous. (P/. 2.fg. 2.) 



Inhabits stagnant waters, running swiftly in circles on the surface, 

 and when it dives carrying along with it a bubble of air which appears 

 like quicksilver. These insects live in society, and often in their brisk 

 motions strike against one another. In the evenings they betake tlicni- 

 selves to still places under bridges, or under the roots of trees which 

 grow at the watcr'b edge. 



Genus 7. Byrrhus. 

 AntenncE a little shorter than the thorax, with the four or five terminal 



joints gradually thicker, compressed {PL 2- Jig. 3. a.): /)«//»/ short, 



the last joint longest ; thick, somewhat ovate ; bodj/ somewhat ovale, 



very convex above: scutellum minute. 



When touched, they apply their antennae and feet so close to the 

 body, remaining at the same lime motionless, that they resemble a seed 

 more than an animated being. They are found in sand-pits and road- 

 ways in the spring months, and are very common. 

 Sp. 1. Bt/r. Piluk. Brown; the elyti-a with black interrupted strire. 



(P/. 2.>s-. 3.) 



Genus 8. Anthrenus, Fabi-icius. 



Antenna shorter than the thorax, with the club solid (P/. 2., fig- 4. a.): 

 ;»«//«■ filiform, short: i'Of/y orbiculatc, ovate : .sc;</e//(/wi very minute : 

 inuxUUc and lip bifid. 



These insects are found on flowers; they are small, but in general 

 ))rcttily coloured. Thev contract on the appearance of danger, and ap- 

 pear as if dead. Their lanaj are found in carcases, skins, and dried 

 animal substances. They pass nearh a year in that state before chang- 

 ing into a pupa; the perfect insecLs are found chiefly in spring. 

 Sp. 1. Antli. Scropltuhn'uc. Black; sides of the thorax and three trans- 

 verse bands on die elytra, grey ; suture and external margin of the 

 elytra and hinder margin of the thorax, red-lutescent. {PL 2. jig. 4.) 



Genus 9. Silpha. 

 yl«/c««<f gradually thickening towards their extremities (P/. '2.. fig. 7. a.), 

 or terminated by a solid or perfoliated club (Jig. (3. a.): elytra cover- 

 ing the greater portion of the abdomen and marginatcd: head pro- 

 jecting: thorax flattish and margined: body oval or parallclopiped. 

 The Silpha feed on dead carcases and the excrements of animals; 

 they have generally a fetid smell, and when taken they discharge Ly 

 the mouth or the anus a drop of black liquor of a very disgusting 

 oJour; this liquor serves to accelerate the putrefaction of the matters 

 on which they feed. The larvae live in the earth in dung-hills and 

 dead carcases; they have six short feet; the head is small, armed with 

 strong jaws; they undergo their transformations underground. 



