90 POPULAR ENTOMOLOGY. 



spots, each with a ring of metallic lustre; colour brassy- 

 green, under side bronzed green; legs pale yellow. This 

 insect frequents marshy places and the margins of ponds, 

 running very quickly. 



COLEOPTEBA. STAPHYLINTD.E. 



STAPHYLINUS. 



Generic Distinctions. Head large ; antenna short, inserted 

 between the eyes ; body narrow, and not covered by the elytra ; 

 wings very large ; palpi filiform ; size large. 



STAPHYLINUS ERYTHB.OPTEKUS. About half an inch long, 

 with red elytra ; found under dead leaves, or stones, or seen 

 flying in hot sunshine. 



STAPHYLINUS OLENS (Plate I.) is of a dull black colour, 

 with pale reddish elytra ; it is known under the name of the 

 " Devil's Coach-horse. " When alarmed, it opens its jaws, 

 and throws its tail over the back ; it is frequently seen run- 

 ning quickly across roads and sandy paths ; one very small 

 species sometimes causes great annoyance by flying into the 

 eyes, giving a smarting sensation from the vapour it emits; 

 they feed on decaying vegetable and animal substances. 



