2IO The Orders of Insects 



live in moss, under stones and bark, or in similar concealed situa- 

 tions. Like the Pselaphids they are sometimes found in ants' 

 nests, and their range is world-wide. 



Silphidae. — The Silpkid^ or Carrion-beetles are a large family 

 including insects of very different sizes, characterised by straight 

 clubbed feelers (usually eleven-segmented) which are inserted under 

 the front margin of the head, quadrate mentum, margined prono- 

 tum, hind-body with only six evident segments, and large conical 

 front haunches inserted close together. The shins are usually 

 spined on the outer edge and the feet have five segments. The 

 larvjE are active and campodeiform with small head, tiiree-segmented 

 feelers, broad thorax, and tapering hind-body with short or moderate 

 cercopods. The larger members of this family (^Nccrophorus , etc.) 

 are the well-known burying beetles which feed in carrion ; the 

 smaller genera (^Anisotoma for example) live in moss, under bark of 

 trees, etc. The family is distributed throughout the world, but 

 seems better represented in temperate regions than in the tropics. 



Histeridse. — The Histerida are a family of small shining black or 

 brown ovate beetles destitute of hair, but with the elytra distinctly 

 striated. The feelers are short, the second segment being relatively 

 very long, the terminal segments forming a flagellum with very 

 distinct club ; they can be retracted into grooves beneath the pro- 

 thorax. The elytra are truncate behind, leaving the tip of the 

 hind-body (which has five or six evident segments) exposed. The 

 legs are short, with compressed shins and five-segmented feet. 

 These beetles are mostly carrion-feeders, living in dung and car- 

 cases. The larva show an interesting transition stage between the 

 campodeiform and eruciform types, having soft skin, and short legs 

 and cercopods ; they have no ocelli, but are provided with large 

 mandibles ; they feed on small insects. The family is world-wide 

 in its range. 



Trichopterygidae. — The Trichoptenjgida are the most minute of 

 all beetles; they may be recognised by their stalked, lance-shaped 

 wings fringed on either side by long hairs. The feelers are long 

 and slender, the three terminal segments forming a club, and bear 

 hairs arranged in whorls. The feet have three segments only. 

 The species are found in moss, dead leaves, and similar situations. 

 The family is generally distributed. 



Corylophidae.— The Corylophida form another family of very tiny 

 beetles with hair-fringed wings, which are, however, much shorter 

 than in the Trichopterygidse ; the feet have four segments. This 

 family is also of general distribution. 



Coccinellidse. — The CoccinelUda: or Lady-birds are a very large 

 family of beetles of rounded, convex form, usually shining and 

 hairless. The short feelers have eleven segments, and end in a 

 club. The head is retracted beneath the pronotum, which has a 

 concave front edge. The hind-body, completely covered by the 

 elytra, has five (rarely six or seven) segments evident beneath. The 



