COLEOPTERA. — blafsid.t:. 321 



liis Pimeliares (forming his last division, li. An. v. p. 1 1 — 13.) the divi- 

 sion Phaneroglosscs of SoHer [Ann.Soc. Ent. jp/'.1834, p. 502.), is distin- 

 guished by the elytra being generally soldered together ; the wings 

 being obsolete {jftg- 39. 7. Blaps mortisaga) ; the maxillary palpi 

 terminate in a large dilated and triangular joint {Jig. 39.8.); the 

 mentum is narrowed at its base, exposing the external edges of the 

 maxillae, and arises from a narrowed portion of the jugulum; in some 

 species the mentum is emarginate; the labium generally distinct ; and 

 the palpi 3-jointed (^^. 39. 9.) ; the mandibles bifid; the maxillae 

 having the internal lobe armed with a claw; the legs and antenna; 

 {Jig. 39. 10.) generally of moderate length and slender. 



These insects are of a moderate size, of dark, or, more generally, 

 black colour, and are found in damp and obscure situations. They 

 are for the most part strangers to this country, a single genus Blaps, 

 the type of the family, being found in this country. Several instances 

 have been noticed, in which the larva; {Jig. 39. ll.) of the common 

 species Blaps mortisaga, or churchyard beetle, has been discharged 

 from the stomach. Of these, the most remarkable account is that 

 published by Dr. Pickells in the Trans, of Associated Phiisicians in 

 Ireland, vols. iv. v. and vi. 1824' — 1828, of a case of a woman, aged 

 twenty-eight, who efnitted as many as two thousand larva; of this 

 insect at various times, as well as one pupa and one imago ; and which 

 probably originated in an absurd and superstitious practice, which she 

 had for some time followed, of drinking dally for a certain time a 

 quantity of water mixed with clay, taken from the graves of two 

 Catholic priests, and eating large pieces of chalk. One of these 

 beetles was immersed repeatedly into spirits of wine, but revived 

 after remaining therein all night, and afterwards lived three years. 

 A similar case, in which, however, but a ^ew larva; were discharged, 

 has been lately communicated by Robert Patterson, Esq., of Belfast, 

 to the Entomol. Society ; and from one of these larva; I am enabled 

 to give the accompanying figure, from which it will be seen that the 

 larva of the genus very closely resembles that of Tenebrio, having the 



Fischer. Entom. llussica, vol. ii. 

 Germar. Ins. Sp. Nov. 

 Klug. Coleopt. IVIadagasc. 

 Thunberg, in Swcd. Trans, v. 1814. 

 Gu^rin. Mem. sur les Mclasomcs. 

 JFubricius, Olivier, Scfwnherr, Herbst, &c. 



Y 



