290 TRANSFORMATIONS OF INSECTS. 
Some Svaphylinide, which belong to this division, and which 
are found in the nests of the Zermites of Brazil, are distin- 
guished by the enormous development of the abdomen, which 
is carried in a most peculiar manner, for it is turned up and 
allowed to rest on the back of the insect. The enormous dis- 
tension of this part of the body is due to the fact that the beetles 
do not lay eggs, but produce living larve. This is a very 
VIVIPAROUS Staphylinide. (After Schiddte.) 
Corotoca melantho and larva. Spiractha Eurymedusa. 
The upper figures are those of Coroteca. The turning up of the hinder parts of the 
body is very evident in the engraving. 
curious and interesting discovery, and it was published by Schiddte 
in 1864. They are the only beetles which do not lay eggs and 
whose larva are born alive, and this is a most remarkable dis- 
tinction. The insects are about the tenth of an inch long, and 
their abdomen is soft. It is supposed that the hairs which cover 
some parts of the abdomen are furnished with a peculiar secretion 
that is very much liked by the Termites. 
There are some other Staphylinide which are very small beetles 
