ORDER I. COLEOPTSnA. 51 



Sp. 1. S'llpha Vespillo. (PI. 2. fig. 6.) Oblong and black : the clypeus or- 

 bicular and unequal : the elytra marked with two ferruginous fascke. 

 This species is subject to great variety in size. It is infested with 

 Acari; it flies very swiftly with its elytra erect. The elytra are shorter 

 than the abdomen. It feeds on carrion, and a small dead animal is 

 soon visited by a number of this species, which join in burying it after 

 they have deposited their eggs in its body. Thus a mole or a mouse is 

 often buried by the industry of four or five of them in the space of 

 four-and-t^venty hours. They scoop out the earth all round and be- 

 lo\v the animal, which gradually sinks down; and while the agents are 

 invisible, we see the effect by the disappearance of the carcase. 

 Sp. 2. Silplia quadripimetata. {PI. 2. fg. 7.) Black: elytra and thorax 

 yellow, with two black spots on each elytron : head, antennae and legs 

 black. 



Found at the roots of oak trees in the winter, and in the foliage in 

 the months of May, June, and July. 



Genus 10. Nitidula, Fabr. 

 A'ltenniz davated: the club solid: elytra marginated: head prominent: 



thorax dattish and marginated. 



In the former editions of the Systema Kctunz the insects of this ge- 

 nus were included in the genus Silpha, the habits of which they greatly 

 resemble, being found in decayed animal substances, under the bark 

 of trees, bones, &c. 



Sp. 1. Nit. diacokka. Black: the thorax marginated: the disk of the 



elytra ferruginous: length l| lin. {PL 2. fig. 5.) 



The species of this genus are numerous, subject to great variety, and 

 require a minute examination. 



Genus 11. Opatrum, Fabr. 

 Antennte. moniliform, growing thicker at the end: elytra marginated: 



head prominent : thorax flattish and marginated. 



The insects of this genus are found in sandy situations in May, June, 

 and July. — They were arranged with the Silpha by Linne. 

 .Sp. 1. Opat. sabulosum. Brown: thorax emarginate: el;ytra dentated, 



with three elevated lines. {PL 2. fig. 8. a. antenna: magnified^ 



Genus 12. Tritoma, Fabr. 

 Antenna: clavated: club perfoliated {PL 2. fg. 9. a.): Up emarginate: 



anterior palpi securiform : body much elevated : thorax flat. 



Of this genus we have but one species at present known in this 

 country, which inhabits fungi : I once took them in profusion atCoombe 

 Wood in the month of March. 

 Sp. 1. Trit. bipustidatum. Black: the elytra with a scarlet spot on tht 



shoulder,, in which is a '■mall black dot. {PL 2.fg. 9.) 



