Leistotrophns.'] staphylinid^e. 249 



or l)rownisli piibesconcc, variegated with dark patches, so that tlie upper 

 surface appears brown ; head about as broad as tliorax, transverse, 

 antennaa with basal joints red, darker toAvards apex, penultimate joints 

 moderately transverse ; thorax about as broad as long, sinnately con- 

 tracted behind, anterior angles prominent ; scutcllum velvety black with 

 central line and anterior angles light ; elytra a little longer and evidently 

 broader than thorax ; hind body narrowed behind with two longi- 

 tudinal rows of large dark patches, presenting the ap})earance of cavities, 

 Avhich become obsolete or confused on the hinder segments ; under side 

 Avith silvery pubescence on chest and at base of each segment of hind 

 body ; legs reddish testaceous, with the cox£e, trochanters, and base of 

 femora black. L. 13-18 mm. 



Male with the seventh ventral segment of hind body angularly excised 

 with the apex of angle membranous. 



In carcases, dung, putrid fungi, <tc. ; often on the wicg, especially on hot days in 

 autumn ; not nncommou, and widely distributed throughout the London, Houthern, 

 and Midland districts ; not common in the North of England or in JScotlaud, although 

 it occurs in various localities. 



It. murinus, L. IMuch smaller than the preceding, and rather more 

 parallel-sided ; it is easily distinguished by the black legs and palpi, and 

 by the fact that the apex of the hind body has on its upper surface two 

 bands of silvery pubescence, similar to that Avhicli is seen on the under 

 surface in both species ; the male characters of the hind body are much 

 the same as in L. nebulosus. L. 10-12 mm. 



In carcases, dung, &c.; often on the wing ; commoner in some districts than the 

 preceding, but in others not found so frequently ; London district, common ; Deal ; 

 Hastings; New Forest; Granvilles Woottou (abundant); Devonshire; Swansea; 

 Knowle, near Birmingham; Cannock Chase; Repton, Burton-on-Trent ; Liverpool 

 (rare); Northumberland district "of very rare occurrence" (Bold); Scotland, 

 common, Solway, Tweed, Forth, and Sutherland districts, 



STAFKVI.INUS, Linne. 



There seems considerable difference of opinion as to the division of 

 this genus ; some authorities include Ocijpiis and all its sub-genera 

 {Tasgins, &c.), while others (Thomson, Mulsant and Eey, &c.) divide 

 it into three or four sub-genera ; our six species, according to these 

 latter, are to be referred to three genera, Triclioderma (to include 

 aS'. jmhescens), Sta^^liylinus, containing S. crytliropferus and ccesareits, and 

 Platydracus comprising the other three : the first of these sub-genera 

 does not appear to have much weight, but it is likely that the other two 

 may have to be separated as distinct genera, in which case, as \h\ Sharp 

 remarks, it will be better to apply Linne's name of Staphylinus to the 

 insects placed l)y Thomson under Plaiydracus, as they are much more 

 numerous : Platydracus is separated from BtapliyliJins chiefly on the 

 form of the head, which is always enlarged liehind and narrowed in 

 front, instead of being subquadrangular, and somewhat transverse, with 



