COLEOPTEROUS INSECTS. 14? 



avert the attack, not only of other insects, but of 

 much more powerful foes. Notwithstanding the 

 small size of the wing-cases, they suffice for the 

 protection of the wings, which, when in' a state of 

 inaction, are folded up with great nicety, in order 

 to bring them within a narrow compass ; this opera- 

 tion is assisted by the extremity of the abdomen, 

 which can be reverted sufficiently to push the wings 

 under their cases. 



These insects live for the most part under stones, 

 in excrementitious substances, decaying wood, and 

 mushrooms ; many of the kinds inhabiting America 

 are observed most frequently flying about trees, in 

 search of caterpillars and minute insects. They are 

 extremely voracious, and the larger kinds devour in- 

 discriminately whatever other species they can sub- 

 due. The larvae are very similar to the perfect in- 

 sect, but of a softer substance and a more conical 

 form. In the latter the last segment of the abdomen 

 is lengthened in the shape of a tube, and furnished 

 with two hairy appendages. 



Tne amount of known species does not fall much 

 short of a tnousand, and nearly eight hundred nave 

 been found in Britain. They were all included by 

 Linnaeus in his comprehensive genus Staphylinus, 

 but are now arranged in a multitude of subordinate 

 genera. The term Staphylinus is now restricted to 

 such as have all the palpi filiform, and the antennae 

 inserted above the labrum and mandibles, between 

 the eyes. The general appearance of the insects 



