STAPHYLINUS. STAPHYLINUS 



Generic Character. 



Antennae moniliformes. 

 Elytra dimidiata. 



tectse. 

 Cauda simplex, exserens 



duas vesiculas oblonsras. 



Antenna moniliform. 



Wing-Sheaths halved. 

 Wings covered. 



Tail simple, protruding oc- 

 casionally two oblong 

 vesicles. 



I 



N the genus Staphylinus, which is pretty numer- 

 ous, the wings, which are rather large, are curi- 

 ously pleated or convoluted beneath the short, 

 abruptly terminated wing-sheaths. The larger 

 species are of an unpleasing appearance, and 

 generally run with considerable swiftness. One 

 of the most remarkable, as well as the largest of 

 the British species, is the Staphylinus major of 

 Degeer, which is more than an inch long, entirely 

 of a deep black colour, and when disturbed, sets 

 up the hinder part of its body, as if in a posture of 

 defence: it is very frequently seen, during the 

 autumnal season, about sunny pathways, fields, 

 and gardens, and is furnished with a large head, 

 and very strong, forcipated jaws. This species has 

 often been quoted as the Staphylinus maxillosus 

 of Linnaeus, but it appears from late observations 

 to be a larger, and totally distinct species from 

 that insect. 



