﻿BRACHELYTllA, 81 



timate segment of their alxlomen being slightly notched 

 on the under side. The different species are found under 

 stones, in dung, carrion, or decaying vegetable matter, 

 or flying in the hot sunshine. 



Oreophilus maxillosus, a common large carnivorous 

 insect, may often be seen in dead animals. It runs 

 rapidly and flies strongly, and is elegantly mottled with 

 short grey pubescence ; the head and mandibles some- 

 times attaining a very large size in the males (Plate IV, 

 Fig. 4). A variety {cUiaris, Leach) with golden-brown 

 hairs is found sometimes in Scotland. 



The very rare Emus kirtus, so thickly clothed with 

 long yellow hairs as to look somewhat like a humble- 

 bee on the wing, flies in the hot sunshine, and has been 

 captured in cow-droppings, where it is supposed to feed 

 on dung-loving beetles. 



The true Staphylini are (with the exception of S. cee- 

 sareus, which may often be seen settling on hot path- 

 ways in the spring) of rare occurrence, and have mostly 

 red wing-cases, their abdomen being often adorned with 

 golden spots. S. erythrnplerus , found in the north of 

 England, closely resembles the above-mentioned ^. C(ssa- 

 reus, from which it may be known by its golden-haired 

 scutellum. Ocypus contains several large (and mostly 

 black) species, one of which, 0. olens, is well known, 

 being the " Devil's Coach-horse " par excellence. This 

 rapacious monster, of fetid smell, with extended jaws, 

 elevated head, and turned-up tail (from which two yel- 

 lowish vesicles protrude), may often be seen in pathways 

 or gardens ; its larva seems to be equally savage, having 

 somewhat similar habits to that of Cicindela, and not 

 sparing even its own species. The perfect insect is quite 

 fearless, and will seize upon anything, however large, 



G 



