34 COLEOPTEKA. 



to the Mediterranean district. One of the commonest species is 

 Thorictus Grandicollis, Germ., a chestnut-brown beetle about one- 

 twenty-fifth of an inch in length, which is met with in South 

 Europe and Algeria. Of its habits nothing is known. 



FAMILY XIV. Dermestidce. 



Tarsi five-jointed ; front coxae conical, hind coxae cylindrical ; 

 antennae clubbed ; one ocellus only present ; larvae bristly. 



Though not a very extensive family, the Dermestidce are well 

 known by their destructive propensities. The majority of the 

 species feed on dead animal matter, at least in the larva state, but 

 many of the beetles frequent flowers. Many are very destructive 

 to hides, furs, collections of birds and insects, etc. The Bacon 

 Beetle (Dermestes Lardarius, Linn.) is about a quarter of an inch 

 long, and is black, with a broad brownish-grey band on the elytra, 

 marked with three black spots on each side. A brood of its 

 larvae will soon hollow out a ham, leaving nothing but the skin. 

 Attagenus Pellio, Linn., is a blackish insect, rather smaller than 

 the last, with reddish-brown legs and antennae, which is destructive 

 to furs. Its larva has a curious bushy tail. Anihrenus Musceorum, 

 Linn., is equally destructive, but much smaller, not exceeding one- 

 twelfth of an inch in length ; it is brown, with the base of the 

 antennae and the tibiae and tarsi reddish ; the elytra are marked 

 with three waved yellowish-grey bands. 



FAMILY XV. Byrrhidce. 



Tarsi five-jointed ; all the coxae transverse ; antennae gradually 

 thickened, or with several of the terminal joints large ; body round 

 or oval ; antennae and legs generally contractile. 



Most of the species of this family are found in grassy places, 

 under stones. Byrrhus Pilula, Linn., is not an uncommon brown 

 species ; it measures about one-third of an inch in length. 



FAMILY XVI. Parnidce. 



Tarsi five-jointed; claws and terminal joint very large; antennae 

 filiform, or gradually thickened, sometimes very short ; body more 

 or less completely clothed with water-proof hair; habits semi- 

 aquatic. 



These are beetles of sluggish habits, generally found in or close 

 to water, under stones, and among the stems of water-plants. 

 Potamophilus Acuminatus, Germ., a dark-brown insect, rather more 



