The Beetles of the Mountains 



averaging about 6 mm. in length, and there are two or 

 three of them that are not uncommon in carrion ; the 

 Saprini are smaller, 3 to 4 mm., and of these we may find 

 four or five under similar conditions. All these beetles 

 are a very short oval in shape, convex, black and shining. 

 There are a few striae, usually taking the form of in- 

 complete engraved lines on the elytra, often enclosing 

 curiously limited areas of punctuation ; their legs are 

 short, strong and toothed, because like the same 

 members in Aphodius (Fig. 13, Plate VI), of which in 

 that respect they remind us, they have been so modified 

 to serve the function of digging implements, and to the 

 same end the antennae are shortened and retractile so 

 that they should not interfere with the utility of the 

 front of the head as a spade. This structure is common 

 to all the species of both these genera and to some others 

 of the Histeridce, although the majority of their species 

 are unassociated with carrion and more often to be 

 found in decaying vegetable matter such as garden 

 refuse or the damp bottoms of hayricks. 



Thus we have about thirteen British species of Histcr 

 in all, and about eight of Saprinus, some of the former 

 being marked with a large dull reddish spot on each 

 elytron, and some of the latter having a greenish or purple 

 metallic reflection. Another genus called Gnathoncus, 

 which is very nearly related to Saprinus, is represented 

 by two British species which are sometimes found in 

 birds' nests ; other genera of the same family are associated 

 with ants, and some occur in rotten wood. Many of 

 these species are very rare and difficult to obtain, and 



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