160 MODERN CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 



hair, and destitute of the two spines observed in the larva of Der- 

 mestes. It is found during the winter under the loose bark of elm 

 trees, in company with a small spider which spins a web-like case, in 

 which it resides, and upon which he believes the larva of the Mega- 

 toma feeds. Mr. Curtis says that in the winter it feeds upon Onisci 

 or woodlice. The former writer has also noticed the peculiar struc- 

 ture of the abdominal segments, whereby the rows of hairs are elevated 

 or depressed at will. These larvae, therefore, much more closely 

 resemble those of Anthrenus than of Dermestes. 



The perfect Anthreni {fig. 14. 21. Anthrenus musfeorum*) are 

 often met with in flowers, especially those of Umbelliferffi, feigning 

 death when disturbed, like the Byrrhidse. In the larva state, however, as 

 above noticed, they are much more injurious, especially in neglected mu- 

 seums, devouring the integuments uniting the bones, which soon fall 

 from each other ; skins, hairs, and the feathers of birds. The larva 

 {fi(j' 14-. 20.) is elongate -ovate, thick, somewhat leathery in its texture, 

 and very hairy, especially towards the posterior extremity; the jaws are 

 very strong and horny ; the six legs are of small size. The hairs upon 

 the bodies of these larvre are arranged in small bundles along the sides, 

 and the tail furnished on each side with a pair of tufts of larger size, which 

 are laid when at rest upon the back ; but when the insect is disturbed it 

 spreads these out, so as somewhat to resemble a shuttlecock (in 

 fig. \^:. 20. the hairs on one side are represented shut, and on the 

 other expanded) ; these hairs are of great service to the larva, en- 

 abling it to glide between the fingers when handled, as though covered 

 with oil. The appearance of these larvae under the microscope is very 

 pleasing, the hairs upon the body being discovered to be furnished 

 with still more minute hairs ; whilst those forming the terminal brushes 

 are individually formed of a series of minute conical pieces placed in 

 succession, the base being very slender, and the extremity of each 

 hair forming a large oblong knot placed on a slender footstalk-)-. Ac- 



* The genus Anthrenus appears to be the connecting link between the Derines- 

 tidaj and Byrrhida>, agreeing with the former in the habit of its larva, and with the 

 latter in the contractility of its limbs, the antenna; (^fig. 14. 23., 14. -2-1. varying In 

 the sexes) being lodged, when at rest, in cavities at the sides of the prosternum 

 {_fig. 14. 22 ) ; the tarsi are, however, exposed, and the tibia; of all the legs fold 

 upon the posterior surface of the thighs ; whereas in the Byrrhidaj, the anterior tibiae 

 fold upon the anterior surface, and the four posterior tibite on the posterior surface 

 of the femora, the tarsi being also lodged in a groove of the tibia3. 



t De Geer, Mem. vol. iv. pi. 8. Sturm's Deutchsl. Ins. Faun. vol. ii. pi. 36. 



