USE OF THE STAPHYLINL 69 



optera, the wings are folded under the elytra, even 

 though the latter organs be comparatively short I 

 but, in the pupae of these curious Beetles, the wings 

 are extended beyond the elytra and fold over 

 the breast, so that two-thirds of their length is seen 

 beyond the elytra. They remain in the pupal state 

 for a fortnight or three weeks, and then assume the 

 perfect form. The Beetle is most plentiful in the 

 autumn. I strongly recommend any of my readers 

 not to injure this .Beetle, repulsive as it may appear. 

 It does no harm, either to the garden, the orchard, or 

 the field, but, on the contrary, from its inveterate 

 insect-eating habits, rather confers a benefit on the 

 agriculturist. 



There are ten British species of this genus, which 

 is known by the long thread-like antennae, with the 

 last joint oblique at the tip, and the 

 large head. 



OUR next example of the Sta- 

 phylinidae is an insect of much less 

 size and very different shape, called 

 Philonthus inarginatus, the only 

 specimen that we can take of the 

 very large genus, of which forty-seven 

 British species are acknowledged. 

 In this genus the thorax is squared, 

 the antennae and palpi are slender, philonthus mginatu S . 

 and there is a strong tooth in the middle of each 

 mandible. The name Philonthus signifies ' dung- 

 loving,' and is given to this genus because the largest 

 and most conspicuous species are found under patches 



