26 COLEOPTERA. 



Coach Horse {Ocypus Olens, Linn.), a black insect about an inch long, 

 with il:e antennae tipped with reddish. It is often seen running 

 on paths, etc., and, if alarmed, turns up its head and tail. It is 

 armed with powerful jaws, and is capable of inflicting a severe 

 bite. The species of Staphylinus, Linn., are rather smaller, and are 

 black, with red elytra. One or two genera are more or less 

 covered Avith downy hair, which is most remarkable in Emus 

 Hirtus, Linn., a black insect, with downy yellow hair, which some 

 authors have compared to a Bombus, and others to a Bomlnjlvm. 

 It measures about three-quarters of an inch in length, and though 

 common in some parts of the Continent, is considered a great rarity 

 in England, though I have lately seen a specimen which was taken 

 in Cornwall. 



Velleius Dilatatus, Fabr., is a black insect, about three-quarters 

 of an inch in length, with reddish-brown antennae. It is rarely 

 common, although gregarious, and is generally found in hornets' 

 nests, but is sometimes met with in hollow trees, where no 

 hornets are present. Its larva somewhat resembles that of the 

 hornet. 



Pcederus Caligatus, Er., may be taken as typical of the Pcederince. 

 It is rather a pretty insect, and measures about a quarter of an 

 inch in length. It is black, with blue elytra, and the collar and 

 first four segments of the abdomen are red ; the base of the 

 antennae and the legs are also reddish. 



Stenus, Fabr. (typical of the sub-family Stenince), includes a 

 number of small species, which are found in marshy places. 



Stenus Oculatus, Grav., a species widely distributed in Europe 

 and North Africa, is black, with a leaden lustre, and the legs and 

 antennae are brownish yellow. 



Oxyporus Rufus, Linn., figured as a representative of the 

 Oxytelinm, is a black species, about one-third of an inch long. 

 The collar, the elytra, the four first segments of the abdomen, a 

 spot on each shoulder, and the greater part of the legs, are red. 

 The beetles and their larvae are found in fungi, 



Homalium Pdvulare, Payk., belonging to tin! Homalimce, is alwut 

 one-eighth of an inch long, and is black, with brown elytra and 

 yellowish legs. The species of Homalium differ in their habits 

 from any Staphylinidm that we have yet mentioned, being found 

 on grass or among flowering plants or bushes, and sometimes 

 under bai*k. 



The PkstincB are a sub-family of rather large species, most of 



