COLEOPTERA. 253 



form nearly globular ; covering down} 7 , not polished ; head 

 and legs retractile. Inhabits vegetables, mimicking death 

 if touched ; crawls in the day.; flies but seldom. Noso- 

 dendron, Byrrhus, Aspidiphorus, Simplocaria. 



Dermestites. Larva somewhat shuttle-shaped, very pi- 

 lose. Inhabits and feeds on decayed and dried animal 

 substances. Pupa changes in the same substances. Imago 

 with short clavated antenna ; mandibles short, strong and 

 toothed ; form oval ; head and legs retractile, but less per- 

 fectly so than in the two preceding orders. Inhabits dead 

 animals ; when shaken out or disturbed, mimicking death : 

 flight principally nocturnal. Attagenus, Dermestes, Me- 

 g atom a. 



Ipsites. Larva more elongate, slightly pubescent. In- 

 habits and feeds on the bark of trees or fungi. Pupa 

 changes in the bark. Imago with clavated antennas, the 

 club not abrupt, but generally formed by a gradual incras- 

 sation of the antennae externally ; prothorax nearly square, 

 generally longer than wide ; form elongate : flight only oc- 

 casional, mostly diurnal. Lyctus, Sylvanus, Rhizophagus, 

 Nemosoma, Ips, Tetratoma, Triplax, Mycetophagus, 

 Anther ophagus. 



Nitidulites. Larva pubescent, more active than in the 

 preceding order. Generally inhabits and feeds on decayed 

 animal substances. Pupa changes in the same situations or 

 in the earth. Imago with clavated antennae, the club abrupt 

 and well-defined, usually composed of three joints : active ; 

 flies readily. Inhabits, in great quantities, decayed animal 

 substances, particularly bones, and also strongly-scented 

 flowers. Gather etes, Meligethes, Strongylus, Nitidula, 

 Thymalus. 



Carrion-beetles or Silphites. Larva glabrous, depressed, 

 attenuated posteriorly ; very active. Inhabits putrifying 

 animal substances. Pupa changes mostly in the earth. 



