272 MODERN CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 



wide apart at the base, and the tarsi broad and cordate (^fig. 30. 3.). 

 I have always found it in whitethorn hedges. Ptinus latro and P. 

 crenatus have been observed to attack collections of insects. (^Ann. 

 Soc.Ent. Fr., 1836, p. iv.) 



The curious genera Mezium andGibbium might almost be mistaken 

 for drops of blood. I once found a considerable number of the Me- 

 zium sulcatum in an old opera-hat. The following observations upon 

 the same insect were communicated to me by Mr. Davis, by whom it 

 was found in the dead bodies of decayed insects. One was observed 

 in the pupa state between the abdomen and elytra of a beetle, the in- 

 terior of the body of which had been partially consumed by the 

 larva, which resembles those of the other species of the family ; and 

 the pupa is inclosed in a cocoon formed of silky matter, mixed with 

 the excrements of the larva. 



M. V. Audouin (Ami. Soc. Ent. France, 1835, p. v.) recently dis- 

 covered an innumerable quantity of the Gthbium scotias in a small 

 antique vase, dug up at Thebes, in which a small quantity of semifluid 

 resinous matter was also contained. He is inclined to believe that 

 the insects (for one of which I am indebted to him) had been attracted 

 to this n:atter at a subsequent period, rather than that they had been 

 embalmed in it by the Egyptians. Mr. Wilkinson, the distinguished 

 Egyptian traveller, has also informed me of a similar discovery made 

 by himself. 



The species of Plilinus reside in dry rotten wood, piercing it in 

 every direction with their cylindrical burrows: it is in this situation, 

 also, that the union of the sexes takes place ; the male remaining on 

 the outside, and suspended in the air. 



The only British species of Ochina is found upon ivy, in which the 

 larva resides. I have received it from Germany, under the name of 

 Ochina Hederae Germar. A. Cooper, Esq., R.A., has informed me 

 that he has found it upon the trunk of a crab tree, clothed with ivy, 

 in considerable numbers, and that it is preyed upon in the larva state 

 by Cleonymus depressus. 



The Lasioderma testaceum ought probably to be regarded as a doubt- 

 ful inhabitant of this country. I have reared it from a larva found 

 feeding upon gum sumach, which it occasionally deteriorates to a 

 considerable extent. Ihe larva is small and white, and resembles 

 those of the other species. I have also found it in the decayed body 

 of a Squilla ; and Mr. Hope has captured many specimens in his 



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