COLEOPTERA. 



473 



We see frequently on roads the Staphylinus olens (Figs. 463 and 

 464), which, when it finds itself attacked, raises its abdomen, and 

 thrusts out two little whitish bladders, which pour out a volatile 

 liquid. Its larva lives under stones, and its habits are the same as 

 those of the adult insect. It is very carnivorous, and very active, 

 and often attacks those of its own kind. The Staphylinus hirtus 



Fig. 464. Staphylinus (Ocypus) olens. 



(Fig. 466) resembles at a distance a humble-bee, on account of its 

 long yellow hairs. The Staphylinus maxillosus (Fig. 465) has black 

 and white hairs. The genera Pselaphus and Claviger, akin to the 

 above, contain little insects which live as parasites in the nests 

 of ants. The Pselaphus Heisii (Fig. 467), less than a line long, lives 

 on the debris of reeds, on the borders of marshes. 



The Claviger foveolatus (Fig. 468) is met with in the nest of a 



