COLEOPTERA. TTINIDiE. 



269 



Fig. 30. 



ence, and of an oval or subcylindric form, but generally short and 

 obtuse at each end {Jig. 30. l. Pthms imperialis). The head is small, 

 and immersed into the thorax as far as the eyes ; the antennae mo- 

 derately long, filiform, serrated, or pectinated, {Jig. 30. 9. antenna 

 of Ptilinus $ .) or rather short, with the last three joints large and 

 compressed {Jig. 30. 8. antenna of Anobium). The thorax is broad 

 in front, serving as a hood for the head over which it is produced 

 {Jig. 30. 2.); the upper lip is transverse and entire {Jig. 30. 4.); the 

 mandibles are small and dentate at the tip {Jig. 30. 5. mandibles of 

 Anobium tesselatum) ; and the palpi are short, and terminated by a 

 rather incrassated joint ( Jig. 30. 6. maxilla, 30. 7. labium of Anobium). 

 The tarsi are 5-jointed, and occasionally very broad {Jig. 30. 3, tarsus 

 of Ptinus imperialis). The colours of these insects are obscure, or 

 but little variegated ; when touched, they counterfeit death by with- 

 drawing their head and antennae, and contracting their legs ; and so 

 pertinacious are they, that they will suffer themselves to be pulled 

 in pieces, or even, as has been asserted, roasted before the fire, rather 

 than offer any signs of life. Their movements are slow, and it is not 

 often that they make use of their wings ; they are found in old houses, in 

 furniture, and in rotten palings, stumps of trees, &c., which they and 

 their larva perforate with round holes, in every direction, which are 

 filled with a very fine powder, formed of gnawed wood and excrements. 

 Some species (as Anobium paniceum, pertinax, <S:c.), feed upon col- 

 lections of dried plants, skins of insects, Sec. ; whilst others (An. 

 striatum) bore into our chairs, tables, and other wood-work, books, 

 &c., in the larva state, from which they escape on arriving at the 

 perfect state, sometimes in such numbers, as to render the furniture 

 attacked completely rotten ; of which an instance is recorded by me 



