540 



ARTICULATA. 



lariTcst Kuri>{»o;iii bccllcs, the iJiiuWN Hyduoimiilk, Hijdrous piceus, which is common in poiuls 



in some localities, belongs to this tribe. 

 It also includes a group of small hemi- 

 spherical beetles, the Sphceridiiihe^ 

 ■which constantly inhabit dung. The 

 aquatic species arc carnivorous in their 

 ■ habits, and the larger ones will often 

 ^ attack young frogs and fishes. 



THE BROWN OYDUOPUILE. 



LARD-BEFTLES. 



THE NECROPHAGA. 



This term is from the Greek nekros, the dead, and phago, to eat, and designates an immense 

 number of small and moderate-sized insects, which live for the most part, both in the larva and 



perfect states, in decomposing animal 

 and vegetable substances. A good many 

 are also found under the bark of trees, 

 and in fungi. The Dermestidce are small 

 beetles, clothed with minute hairs, which 

 often do great damage to skins and furs, 

 and other dry animal matter. The com- 

 monest species, the Lard-Beetle, Der- 

 mestes lardarius, has received its specific - 

 name on account of the fondness exhib- 

 ited by its curious larva for bacon. 



The largest and most interesting in- 

 sects belonging to this tribe are those 

 of the family Silphidce, which includes 

 the Burying or Sexton Beetles — Ne- 

 crophori — and their allies. The Bury- 

 ing Beetles are prompted by their 

 instinct to bury any small animals 

 or pieces of carrion as a provision for 

 their young. In many cases several of 

 them set to work together, getting under 

 the animal to be buried, and digging 

 the earth out with their feet. In this 

 way they will quickly bury animals 

 many times their size, such as mice and 

 small birds. In the excavations they 

 have made, they lay their eggs. When . 

 they have departed, these are frequently | 

 occupied by a larger species, the Necro- 

 phorus Germanicus. 



This family of insects arc common 

 in Europe and America. They run and fly well, and some of them are adorned with bright 

 orange-colored bands ; but they diff"use a most abominable odor, arising probably from the nature 



ti 



THE NECROPHORUS GERMANICUS. 



