THE SILPIIIDM. 283 



than in the Scarabccidce. One division of them, the Histcridce 

 proper, inckides little shining beetles, with truncated elytra which 

 do not cover the whole of the abdomen, angular antennae, and 

 short legs. The species of the genus Histcr are black in colour, 

 the tint being very brilliant, and sometimes spotted with red. 

 They work in manure-heaps and amongst dung, which they eat ; 

 and they even enjoy the decomposing flesh of dead animals, 

 Their larvae, which live in the same way, are soft and white, and 

 have an elongated and compressed shape, and are provided with 

 short legs. Moreover, the end of the abdomen has two double- 

 jointed structures upon it, and a long tubercle also, which has 

 something to do with the progression of the insect. The genus 

 Sapriiuis contains beetles Avhich are usually of a bronze colour, 

 which may be greenish or bluish in tint ; and the heads of the 

 insects are remarkable, for they appear to be sunk into the pro- 

 thorax. Others, very closely allied to them, live upon decaying 

 wood, and exist generally under the bark. The insects of the 

 other division of the Histerid(Z have not small contractile legs 

 nor angular antennae. They live upon dead bodies, in mush- 

 rooms, in decaying wood, and some frequent flowers. They are 

 usually very small insects, and little is known about their meta- 

 morphosis. The commonest species is of a green bronze colour, 

 and is about the twelfth of an inch in length. It is common on 

 flowers. 



There are two genera which are well worthy of attention, and 

 they belong to the family of the SilpJddce. The SilpJudcB have 

 the tarsus formed of six joints, the antennae ending in a club- 

 shaped mass divided into leaflets, and the mandibles are pro- 

 jecting. They are found principally in Europe and North 

 America. 



The members of the genus Ntxrophorus, the Sexton Beetles, 

 have a thick body, stout legs, and their hind thighs are more or 

 less enlarged. One species is particularly interesting, on account 

 of its remarkable habits. 



NccropJiortis vespillo is common throughout the greater part of 

 Europe, and may be readily recognised by its colour. It is black, 

 and is ornamented with yellow hairs on the side of the body ; 

 the club end of the antenna: are reddish, and the elytra are 



