﻿BRACHELYTRA. 73 



are securely dried (which may be in about a quarter of 

 an hour, or less) to damp the abdomen slightly on its 

 upper and under sides ; the setting needle may then be 

 inserted into the opening at the extremity of the body, 

 and the segments gradually and gently pulled out by its 

 slightly hooked point. Another, and less secure way 

 is to drag out all the segments by piercing the last one 

 through its under surface after inserting the point of the 

 needle; but this is apt to destroy or distort the end of 

 the abdomen. In either case the abdomen must not be 

 left with the articulating surfaces of the segments ex- 

 posed, or unduly elongated ; and a good supply of thick 

 gum on each side, after the first gum is dried, is neces- 

 sary to retain it in its place. Sometimes even a small 

 card brace is required to prevent it from again contract- 

 ing, or losing its hold on the card. 



A level position of the head and thorax is best ob- 

 tained by placing the two front legs rather backwards 

 than forwards, otherwise the great development of the 

 anterior trochanters often gives trouble in setting. 



A specimen of each sex should be mounted on its 

 back, to show the abdominal characters beneath. 



The British species of Brachelytra (nearly 700 in 

 number) may be considered as divided into thirteen 

 families, viz. the Aleockarid^e, Tachyporida, QuediideB, 

 Staphylinid(S, XanthoUnida, Paderida, Stenida, Oxyte- 

 lidce, Omalid(S, Proteinidce, Phlceocliarida, Piestidee, and 

 MicropeplidcB. These families, the members of which 

 (except perhaps in the Aleocharidce) preserve a certain 

 family likeness amongst themselves, are chiefly sepa- 

 rated by the place of insertion of their antennae, and by 

 the hidden or conspicuous position of their first (or pro- 

 thoracic) pair of stigmata or spiracles, which are situated 



