MUSEUM BEETLES. 87 



is a pit on either side of the head, the elytra are 

 thickly punctured and striated, and beneath it is rust- 

 red. This Beetle has been chosen because it is the 

 largest of the genus, sometimes exceeding one-sixth 

 of an inch in length. 



THE family of the Cryptophagidae will be repre- 

 sented by one example. 



One example of this family is CryptopJiagus pilosus, 

 which is shown in the accompanying illustration. 

 The genus is known by the shape of the 

 margins of the thorax, which are more 

 or less toothed. The present species is 

 oblong, and its colour rust-red, the 

 surface of the body being sparingly 

 covered with very fine down. The 

 thorax is thickly punctured, especially 

 on the disc. In this Beetle the marginal 

 toothing of the thorax is not so con- Cr ypt ophagus 

 spicuous as in most of the species, and piiosus. 

 is rather undulated than toothed. It is to be found 

 in and about fungi. There are about twenty-three 

 species of this genus. 



PASSING by a number of insects, we come to the 

 family of the Dermestidae or Museum Beetles, a very 

 interesting one to the entomologist, although he can 

 but hold its members in bitterest hatred. The word 

 Dermestes is of Greek origin, and signifies ' skin-eater.' 

 The name is but too appropriate, as all possessors of 

 zoological collections know to their cost. It is the 

 Dermestes which forces taxidermists to use the 



