

STAPHYLINUS. 10Q 



Staphylinus erythropterus is smaller than the 

 preceding, and is readily distinguished by the 

 colour of its wing-sheaths, which are of a dull 

 brick-red: it is found about dunghills and in 

 damp places. 



Staphylinus murinus is rather smaller than the 

 erythropterus, and is of a dull blackish colour, 

 clouded with obscure, ash-coloured, villose bands 

 and spots. 



The Staphylini are of a predacious nature, living 

 on the 1 smaller insects, worms, c. Their larvae 

 are subterraneous, and bear a considerable re- 

 semblance to the complete animals. The British 

 species, according to Mr. Marsham's Entomologia 

 Britannica, amount to no fewer than eighty-seven*, 



