COLEOPTERA. 369 



equal thickness, and at others slightly enlarged at the end, are usually 

 composed of lenticular or graniform joints; the elytra are much 

 shorter than the body, which is narrow and elongated, and the coxae 

 of the two anterior legs are very large; near the extremity of the 

 abdomen are two vesicles which the animal protrudes at will. 

 These Coleoptera compose the genus 



STAPHYLINUS, Lin. 



The Staphylini have been considered as forming the passage from the Co- 

 leoptera to the Forficulae, the first genus of the following order. They 

 commonly have a large, flattened head, stout mandibles, short antennae, a 

 thorax as wide as the abdomen, and the elytra truncated at the extremity, 

 but still covering the wings, which preserve their usual extent. The semi- 

 annuli of the top of the abdomen are as scaly as those of the venter. The 

 vesicles of the extremity consist in two conical and pilose points, which are 

 protruded and retracted at the will of the animal; a subtile vapour escapes 

 from them, which, in some species, has a strong odour of sulphuric ether. 



These Insects, when touched, or while they run, elevate the extremity 

 of their abdomen and flex it in every direction. They also use it to push 

 their wings under the elytra. The tarsi of their two anterior legs are fre- 

 quently broad and dilated, and their coxae, as well as those of the interme- 

 diate legs, are very large. They are usually found in earth, and other mat- 

 ters; some live in mushrooms, rotten wood, or under stones; others are only 

 met with in aquatic localities. Some very small ones keep on flowers. 

 They are all voracious, run with great swiftness, and take wing very 

 promptly. 



The larva bears a close resemblance to the perfect Insect: it has the 

 figure of an elongated cone, the base of which is occupied by the very large 

 head; the last ring is prolonged into a tube, and is accompanied by two 

 conical and hairy appendages. It feeds on the same matters as the perfect 

 Insect. 



This genus is very extensive and is now divided into six sections, viz. 

 The FISSLLABRA, where we find the true Staphylini^ the LOITGIPALPI, the 

 DEHTICRTJBA, the DEPHESSA, and the MICROCEPHALA. Each of these sec- 

 tions consists of various genera. The species are excessively numerous, 



VV 



