76 INSECTS. 



find the high flavour in which they delight in rotten 

 fungi and such substances. In short they are epicures 

 of the haut gout, and, were they men instead of beetles, 

 would probably be lovers of Gruyere cheese, high game, 

 and Verm out. 



The antennae are longer than those of most of the 

 Bypophaga, and are either slightly thickened towards the 

 end, or are of much the same thickness throughout. 



The larvse are not unlike the perfect insect ; and in- 

 deed the perfect insect itself, but for its dark colour, 

 the hardness of its skin, and, above all, the presence of 

 wing-cases, might be mistaken for the larvse of some 

 other species. 



Among these beetles we find an example of insects 

 living in captivity amongst those of a kind altogether 

 different ; namely, the Ants, who take captive and hold in 

 captivity several small species of the Bracheiytra. It 

 appears that the little guests are treated with great care 

 and attention, and that the only incivility exercised 

 towards them consists, first, in taking forcible possession 

 of their persons, and, next, in frustrating the prisoners' 

 attempts to escape. Both these acts have been observed 

 by Mr. F. Smith (Zool. iii. p. 266), and others. 



It is not yet known what is the true relation between 

 the ants and the beetles. It is supposed that the latter 

 exude a fluid useful or pleasant to the ants, and which 

 they suck from them. It is well known that this happens 

 in the case of the Aphides, which are commonly im- 

 prisoned by ants in a like manner. 



The genus Claviger is especially noticeable as a dweller 

 in ants' nests, and, being totally blind, may possibly be 

 well content to live in the home in which it is so well 

 cared for. This genus belongs to a family in which the 



