ZOOLOGY. 205 



,30. Mordella. ^?z/fj2wa' knotty, with small hook-like pro- 

 jections from some of the joints ; fig. 22, plate 3 ; head 

 incurved ; Jeclers compressed, clavate, obliquely trun- 

 cate ; wing-covers curving downwards towards the tip; 

 lamina broad, situate at the base of the abdomen, and 

 before the thighs. 



31. Staphylinus. Antenme raoniliforra; tzing-covers half 

 the length of the b«dy ; the wings folded up and covered 

 by the sheaths; tail simple, furnished Avith two exertile 



vesicles. 



These are a very rapacious tribe, devouring all kinds of 

 insects, they can catch or master, and frequently one ano- 

 ther ; they also feed on earth-worms and slugs, and most 

 kinds of putrid substances ; their usual haunts are damp 

 loathsome places, and sometimes they may be found on such 

 plants as emit a foetid smell, or are of a dark lurid colour. 



32. Forficula. Ear-Wig. Antennce setaceous ; wing- 

 covers half the length of the abdomen ; zoings hid by 

 the covers ; tail armed with forceps. 



This genus frequents moist ground, are very injurious to 

 flowers and fruit, and may easily be taken by suspending any 

 hollow substance on a plant or twig, as they retire in the 

 day time fo such retreats, and feed mostly during the night. 



