FAMILY STAPHYLINID^. 61 



Melsh., which is a short oval insect about one-eighth of an inch in length, of a fuscous color, 

 and marked by several waved whitish fascia. The larva of another small and much nar- 

 rower insect, Dermophagus tarsale of Melsheimer, is also very destructive to entomological 

 collections. 



Staphyliiiidae. 



The characteristics of the insects belonging to this family are, their long, narrow, and 

 depressed fjrm ; the shortness of their elytra, and hence the great exposure of the ab- 

 dominal segments. Their true wings are closely folded beneath the curtailed elytra, al- 

 though they are large when expanded. Their heads too are remarkably large ; and when 

 set out by their projecting mandibles, it is no easy matter to persuade oneself that it is 

 safe to catch them. Tlieir antennae are not very conspicuous, but are sometimes enlarged 

 towards the extremity. Tlie thorax is strong, and as wide as the first segment of the ab- 

 domen. From the shortness of the wing-covers, the abdomen is equally hard above as 

 beneath, and is not confined by them : it therefore admits of free motion, and- is employed 

 as an instrument to assist in f )lding and unfolding the wings. When the insect is captured, 

 a curious organ protrudes from the extremity of the abdomen, consisting of two vesicles, 

 which are extruded at the will of the insect, and from whicli it is not uncommon to per- 

 ceive that a peculiar vapor escapes that is by no means pleasant. 



Westwood regards this family equal in rank to the Cakaeidje, and susceptible of sub- 

 divisions of the same value : the name Brachyelytra has been generally employed in 

 denoting it. 



Genus STAPHYLINUS (Linn.). 



' liotly nearly gla1)rous ; antennae subflliform, with the fourth and tenth joints subequal ; 

 * thorax sul)quadrate ' (Westwood). 



StAPHYLINUS VILLOSUS. 



Head and thorax black and glossy : back, sides, and abdomen beneath villose, or covered 

 with a dense coat of hair ; abdomen banded with greenish buff. Length six-tenths 

 of an inch. 



Stapiiylinus cyanipennis. ( Plate xxxi, fig. 6.) 



Heafl and thorax black and glossy ; elytra steel-blue ; abdomen hairy and black. 



Staphylinus chrysvrus. ( Plate xxxi, fig. 3.) 



Above an olive brown, clothed with short yellow hair ; sides and extremity of the abdo- 

 men golden yellow ; thighs black, except at their lips, and a dorsal line. 



