290 



TRANSFORMATIONS OF INSECTS. 



Some Staphylinidcs, which belong to this division, and which 

 are found in the nests of the Termites of Brazil, are distin- 

 guished by the enormous development of the abdomen, which 

 is carried in a most peculiar manner, for it is turned up and 

 allowed to rest on the back of the insect. The enormous dis- 

 tension of this part of the body is due to the fact that the beetles 

 do not lay eggs, but produce living larvae. This is a very 



VIVIPAROUS Staphylinida:. (After SchiiKlte.) 



Corotoca nielantho and larva. Spiractha Eitrytticdiisa. 



The upper figures are those of Corotoca. The turning up of the hinder parts of the 



body is very evident in the engraving. 



curious and interesting discovery, and it was published by Schiodte 

 in 1864. They are the only beetles which do not lay eggs and 

 whose larvae are born alive, and this is a most remarkable dis- 

 tinction. The insects are about the tenth of an inch long, and 

 their abdomen is soft. It is supposed that the hairs which cover 

 some parts of the abdomen are furnished with a peculiar secretion 

 that is very much liked by the Termites. 



There are some other StapJiylinidce which are very small beetles 



