THE BURYING-BEETLES. 317 



pencils of hairs on the wing-covers, and from a cavity on the dorsal surface of the abdomen. 

 According to a recent observation of Lespes, herds of these diminutive milch-cows, belonging to an 

 allied species (Claviyer duvalii) appear to be the hereditary property of certain families of Ants, 

 who know their utility, other families of the same species, who have had no experience of such pets, 

 refusing to tolerate them ; he having found that Clavigers, when taken from one nest and put into 

 another in a different locality, were immediately destroyed. The species of the allied genus Articerus, 

 found in Australia, have been observed by Mr. Bostock, of Fremantle, to be also the jealously- 

 guarded pets of Ants. One genus of Pselaphidse is found in caverns in the South of Europe, some of 

 its species being blind, and others furnished with excessively minute eyes. 



The family SCYUM.ENID.E differ from the Pselaphidse by their fully-developed elytra, which cover 

 the abdomen to its apex. But they differ very essentially also in other respects, especially in their 

 five-jointed tarsi and their abdomen of six segments. In general form and colour they closely 

 resemble Pselaphidse, and are met with in the same situations. 



TRIBE XECROPHAGA, OR CLAVICORNIA. 



Under the head of Necrophaga some modern entomologists include a large number of families 

 which have scarcely any characters in common, except that of feeding on decaying animal or vegetable 

 substances. As, however, they vary amongst each other in structure not much more than the 

 Brachelytra admitted to be a natural group their association under one tribe is not without 

 plausible grounds. The antennae have a general tendency to assume a clavate form, that is, the 

 terminal joints are more or less thickened, the three last sometimes forming a perfoliate club ; but to 

 this there are some exceptions, and in extreme cases the antennae are long and simple. There are also, 

 as in the Brachelytra, numerous exceptions to the rule of five-jointed tarsi and the loosely- knitted body. 

 We observe, in fact, here, as in that tribe, all degrees of consolidation, commencing with species in 

 which the abdominal segments head, and thorax, and limbs have all free movement, and ending with 

 others in which the parts are more or less consolidated or locked together. We commence our review 

 of the families with those which have the nearest relationship to the Brachelytra. 



FAMILY SILPHID.E, OR CARRION-BEETLES. 



The Silphidse comprise, besides many genera of small and obscure insects, the conspicuous and 

 gaily-coloured Necrophori, or Burying-beetles. In all, the abdomen has six free segments, and the 

 antennae are distinctly thickened or clavate at the tip. The insects which give their name to the family 

 are further distinguished by their considerable, and sometimes large, size, their ovate or oblong, slightly- 

 flattened form, and their rather long spiny legs. In the genus NECROPHOSUS the elytra are shortened 

 and truncated at the tip, leaving the end of the abdomen exposed. The family comprises also a group 

 of Cave-beetles of strange form (Leptoderime), one genus of which (Leptodirus) has an excessively 

 long and cylindrical prothorax, joined to a short, oviform hind body, destitute of membranous wings. 

 The species are blind, and are found only in the most retired parts of caves in Carniola, hidden in 

 fissures of stalagmites, or clinging to stalactites on the walls. They walk slowly, with body raised on 

 their long legs, and when a sound is heard, suddenly lower themselves flat to the ground, with legs 

 stretched out and antennae elevated. Other genera, equally blind, and of the same pallid colour which 

 distinguishes cave insects, present all gradations of form, between the eccentric Leptodiri and the 

 ordinary-looking genus Catops, of which many species are quite commonly met with in England, in 

 dried carcases or skins of animals in parks and similar situations. 



Four or five species of Necrophori, or Burying-beetles, are not uncommon in England ; one 

 (X. vespiUo), the handsomest, with its broad bands of bright orange and rows of yellow hairs, being 

 frequently seen in streets and gardens in the fine days of spring, probably resting on its long journeys 

 through the air in search of fresh booty. If we would see them in greater number, and at work, we 

 have only to place upon light soil in a field, in some suitable situation known to be favourable to insects 

 generally, a dead mouse, or similar small animal, and examine it a day or two afterwards. If the 

 weather be fine, a number of Necrophori, sometimes of two or three distinct species, may then probably 

 be caught in the act of burying the dead body. If we luckily time our visit at the commence- 

 ment of the operation, we shall see them flying one by one from a distance, and settling near the edge 

 of the carcase. They proceed by excavating the soil around and underneath until, in a few hours, by 



