528 CLASS VIII. 
Family LIX. Brachelytra (Microptera GRAVENHORST). An- 
tenne mostly moniliform, of the same thickness towards the apex, 
or thicker at the apex. Hlytra much shorter than abdomen, en- 
tirely covering the wings which are long and replicate, not dehis- 
cent. Body mostly narrow, elongate, arcuate upwards, the insect 
running. Dorsal segments of abdomen all horny. 
Most of these insects live in offal, dung, or under decaying plants. 
They live on animal substances, especially other insects ; so also the 
larvee, which are elongate, with a large head and six strong feet. 
The intestinal canal of these beetles is straight and short ; there are 
four vasa urinaria. The similarity of these beetles with the genus 
Forficula amongst the Orthoptera (see above, p. 462, 463) is rather 
external and does not rest upon a natural affinity in the internal 
structure. 
The species of this family are very numerous, and in Europe far 
surpass even those of the Carabici. However, this is quite other- 
wise with the exotic species hitherto known, and hence some writers 
are of opinion that this family is eminently a form of the northern 
hemisphere. Perhaps this may be a hasty conclusion, and the 
rarity of Staphylini from warm countries, in our collections, may in 
part be attributed to the inadvertence of travelling collectors. 
Compare J. L. C. GRAVENHORST Coleoptera microptera, Brunsvige, 1802, 
8vo.; Ejusd. Monographia coleopteror. micropterorum, Gottinge, 1806, 8vo.; 
MANNERHEIM in Mém. presentés & Acad. des Se. des Petersbowrg, i. 1831, 
pp. 415—461 ; G. F. Eritcuson Genera et Species Stauphylinorum, cum tab. 
an. V. Berolini, 1840, 8vo. 
Section I. Staphylinina. Abdomen with six or seven segments 
distinct. Cutaneous papilla exsertile, pilose, on each side near 
anus in both sexes. 
Staphylinus L. (in part), GRAVENHORST. Head entirely exsert, 
separated from thorax by a narrower base as by a neck. Labrum 
mostly bilobed. Palps mostly filiform, labial triarticulate, maxil- 
lary quadriarticulate, with last joint in the former sub-equal. An- 
tenn inserted in the anterior margin of frons, with eleven joints, 
filiform, or in some incrassated towards the apex. ‘Tarsi with five 
joints. 
Sub-genera. a) With antenne approximate at the base: Platy- 
prosopus MANNERH., Othius Leacn, Holisus Ericuson, Sterculia 
Laporte, Xantholinus Daut., &e. 
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