FAMILY DYTICID.C. 57 



Xkckopiiorus AMKKicANUs (Ul,). ( PIat€ xxii, fig. 8.) 



Iload, thuiax and elytra black, shining ; forehead marked wilh a cordate yellowii'h brown 

 spot ; tliorax brown, except a black dentate l)order : elytra marked with four ir- 

 regular yellowish ]>rowu sjwts, the anterior prolonged upon the anterior margin ; 

 margin grooved, and of the same color as the spots : club of the antenna; yellowish 

 bMwn, black beneath : anterior tarsi ciliate ; cilia yellowish brown. 

 This large conspicuous beetle presents certain variatii-ns of color and miirking, which 

 indicate a tlifference either in sex or species. The yellowish brown spots de.-cril>ed above 

 are much darker in some individuals, while the forehead mark is rounded behind, «(jiiare 

 in fa)nt, and behind and between the eyes there is a nilbus spot which does not exist in 

 all. The thorax is curiously indented upon its border. Length \\ inch. 



Necrophorus tomentosus ( Wb.). ( Plate x, fig- 2.) 



Black : elytra crossed by two rufous bands, black beneath ; tlmraxand sides pilose ; club 

 of the antennse black. Length about three-fourths of an inch. 

 This species is »piite hairy, esjxcially ujion the thoracic plate : haii-s greenish. 

 Common in July in New-England and New-York. 



Necropuoris PYG.MEis (Rich.). ( Plate xxii, fig. 5.) 



Black : elytra marked witli four angular bright red spots. Length rather more than half 

 an inch. 

 The NECR0pn.«;A perform the part of scavengers in destroying and burying carrion. JV. 

 tomentosus takes its trivial name from the yellow hair upon the prothorax. The family 

 Dermistjd.e is also destructive to animal matter : they deposit their eggs in it ; and when 

 they are hatched, they feed upon it ; but the dermestes attack and devour any animal 

 food, whether in a state of decay or not. It is supposed that the perfect animal, however, 

 prefers flowers to meat, though we always find it busy in the latter. 



Renus SILPHA ( LiN.N.). 



' Broa»lly oval, slightly convex; antennae gradually thickened, cluli foiu--jointed ; thorax 

 ' often truncate anteriorly' ( Wi:stwood). 



SiLPiiA cAUDATA (Say). ( Plate xxii, figs. 3, 7 ) 



Black. Elytra sub4uadrate, papillated ; papilla; in about four rows, placed between sharp 

 ridges ; inner and posterior angle slightly prolonged ; outer angle rounded : thorax 

 tomentose. Length half an inch. 



SiLPitA i\F.Q( Ai.is. (Plate xxii, fig. 6.) 



Insect depressed, black : elytra finely punctured, and traversed by three or four sharp 

 slightly raised ridges. Length half an inch. 

 [ AcniiCLTiRAL Report — Vol. v.] >5 



