394 MODERN CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 



head and thorax; the body oval; the thorax trapeziform ; the max- 

 illary palpi filiform, or but slightly thickened, and never terminated 

 by a hatchet-shaped joint {jig> 49. lo,); the second joint of the tarsi 

 deeply bilobed or cup-shaped, receiving the minute third joint near its 

 base, with the fourth joint elongate. 



This family is but of moderate extent, consisting almost entirely of 

 exotic species, of the habits of which nothing has been recorded. 

 The British species are found in fungi, and under the damp bark of 

 the trunks of trees, where they feed upon minute fungi. Lycoperdina 

 Bovistse, as its names imply, feeds upon the puff-ball Lycoperdon Bo- 

 vista. The species are often elegantly coloured ; in which respect, as 

 well as in their general appearance and character, they are closely 

 allied to the Erotylida?. 



We are only acquainted with the larva {fig. 49. ll.) of Endomychus 

 coccineus (^fig. 49. 9.) of which the first notice is that given by Sa- 

 mouelle, who says that it resembles the female glowworm. Kirby 

 and Spence (vol. iii. 166.) also mention it, observing, however, that it 

 agrees with that of Coccinella. Mr. Curtis subsequently gave a figure 

 and description of this larva, which he found in a white cottony web 

 vmder the bark of a decaying stump of a fir tree, and which he at first 

 thought were young glowworms. They moved slowly, and some were 

 attacked by a Chalcidideous parasite. They are composed of eleven 

 segments, besides the head and apical joint, which were so deflexed 

 as to be concealed. They have six pectoral feet ; the antennae are 

 short and filiform ; and the margins of the segments are reflexed and 

 produced so as to form ten hooks on each side. The figure (49. ll.), 

 which I have given of this larva is made from specimens given to me 

 by the Rev. F. W. Hope, who found them feeding upon fungi under 

 the bark of the willow. Mr. Curtis's figure represents the larva as more 

 elongated than that given by me ; but this has probably originated 

 from Mr. Curtis having drawn the larva whilst alive. From this 

 figure it will be seen that the larva is much more analogous to that of 

 the Silphidas than it is either to those of the glowworm or the lady- 

 bird. In the lobed form of the abdominal segments it somewhat re- 

 sembles the exotic larvae figured under the family Lampyridte. I 

 have not yet investigated the structure of its mouth. The antennae 

 are nearly as long as the head. 



There are only two British species constituting the genera Endomy- 

 chus and Lycoperdina. The American and East Indian genus Eunior- 



