THE SILPIIyE. 287 



pidity. These larvae are represented in the engraving as crawling 

 upon the ground, whilst the full-grown beetles are upon the 

 leaves. 



Silpha obscura is the commonest species, and may often be 

 seen running about the roads. It is less than an inch long, is of 

 a black colour, and has three ridges upon the elytra. Its larva 

 lives upon the dead bodies of animals, and is of a brownish 

 colour, and is marked with black lines. 



Silpha rugosa is as common as the species just mentioned, 

 and its larvje, which are perfectly black, are often seen in little 

 groups upon carcases. 



Silpha opaca is found in uncultivated lands during the spring, 

 when its larva devours the shoots of young beet-roots. The 

 Silpha represented in the engraving inhabits woods and forests, 

 where it climbs about the oak trees, and chases the caterpillars 

 which frequent the trees in a most active manner. This insect 

 cannot be mistaken, for its body is black, and it has its elytra, 

 which are of a straw colour, ornamented with four black points. 

 The larva remains upon the ground, and, like the perfect insect, 

 is carnivorous, for it attacks any insects which it may come across 

 under the fallen leaves or amongst the grass. Finally, the largest 

 of the carrion beetles, Silpha thoracica, whose prothorax is of a 

 bright red colour, is as carnivorous as the rest of them, and is 

 found amongst underwood, especially in damp places. 



The Staphylinidcs are a family which contain a great number 

 of beetles, some of them being of moderate size, but the gene- 

 rality are very small. They can usually be distinguished 

 from all other Colcoptcra by the shortness of the elytra, which 

 only cover a portion of the abdomen. If the elytra of other 

 beetles were compared to a long coat, those of the Staphyliiiida; 

 would resemble a waistcoat ; but, nevertheless, the wings are as 

 large as usual, and are hidden, when the insect is quiet, under- 

 neath their cases, being folded up once or twice, so as to be 

 packed away safely. The antennae are rather long and thread- 

 shaped, or more or less beaded. 



They are very agile insects, and live under very different 

 conditions of life. Some are absolutely carnivorous, and only 

 feed upon the living prey they catch ; others frequent dung- 



