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. 



COLEOPTERA. STAPHYLINID^. 



STAPHYLINUS. 



Generic Distinctions. Head large ; antennae short, inserted be- 

 tween the eyes ; body narrow, and not covered by the elytra ; wings 

 very large ; palpi filiform ; size large. 



STAPHYLINUS ERYTHROPTERUS. 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, j 



