188 THE naturalist's guide. 



Some species are found on flowers, and some in the 

 dry sand of sea-beaches. One, at least, occurs in fun- 

 gus, and a few species under the excrements of ani- 

 mals. 



HiSTERiD^. — I have found many of these Beetles 

 beneath the excrement of cows, especially in Florida. 

 A great many also occur in carcasses, while one is only 

 found in ants' nests in early spring. 



ScAPHiDiiD^. — These small insects are found only 

 in fungi. 



TmcHOPTERYGiDiE. — Thcsc are the smallest Beetles 

 known, and are found beneath the bark of trees, or in 

 ants' nests. 



PhalacridzE. — These small Beetles are found both 

 under bark and on flowers. 



NiTiDULARi^. — These small, flat insects are found 

 beneath the surface of the ground, under bark and 

 stones. 



MoNOTOMiD^ are found under bark of trees. 



Trogositid^ occur in grain, and under bark. 



CoLYDiiD^ may be found in fungi, or under bark. 



Dermestidje, Shin- Beetles. — This is the family 

 which gives so much trouble to collectors. 



Dermestes lardarius is a dark-colored Beetle, with 

 greyish buff markings on the base of the wing coverts. 

 The perfect insect gives but little trouble ; but the lar- 

 vae, which is long, and cylindrical, and covered with 

 red hairs, is particularly destructive. I have known 

 these larva} to destroy small skins in a few hours. 



Ajithrenus varius is another museum pest. Both 

 the Beetles and the larvae attack the skin of the feet, 

 and bills of birds. 



The best way to rid skins of both these species is, to 

 saturate them with benzine. This will not injure the 



