200 THE BRITISH NATURE BOOK 



Sphceridium scarabeoides (Fig. 60). A polished dark brown, with a blood- 

 red spot at the base of the elytra, and a similar one at the apex. Found in 

 fresh dung. Common. 



S. bipustulatum (Fig. 6i). Smaller, but very similar in markings, which, 

 however, need a magnifying glass to distinguish. 



Cercyon flavipes (Fig. 6ib). Shining black. Very common. Found in 

 damp places, under stones, or in dung. 



Family : Staphylinidce. 



These are "Cocktail" or "Rove" Beetles, distinguished by their short 

 wing-cases, which leave the lower part of the long abdomen exposed. Many 

 of them " Cock " their tails when disturbed, emitting a disagreeable odour. 

 They form a very extensive family, consisting largely of small, elongated, 

 blackish species. To be found beneath moss, bark, stones, in decomposing 

 vegetation and dung ; also in fungi, ant-heaps, flowers, etc. 



Myrmedonia canaliculata. Brick red, with a black band crossing the 

 abdomen. Common in ants' nests, under stones, etc. 



Aleochara fuscipes. About ^ inch ; shining black body ; wing-cases 

 brownish red, with dark edges. Very common in dung and refuse. 



Tachyporus obtusus (Fig. 62). Orange coloured, with upper half of wing- 

 cases black, forming a kind of collar, and tip of the abdomen black. Fairly 

 common in vegetable refuse. 



Tachinus humeralis (Fig. 63). About J inch ; shiny black, with reddish 

 borders on thorax ; reddish elytra and legs. Found in dung, decaying fungi, 

 and refuse. 



Quedius picipes (Fig. 64). One of twenty-nine British species comprising 

 the genus. About inch ; shining black, with red elytra. Found amongst 

 decaying leaves, fungi, and moss. 



Q. fuliginosus (Fig. 65). Entirely black, with rusty brown legs. Found 

 in damp, dark places, cellars, etc. 



Creophttus maxillosus (Fig. 66). The only British species of this genus. 

 Black, with grey hair on the wing-cases. Common in dead animals. 



Leistotrophus murinus (Fig. 67). About | inch long. A shabby brownish 

 species covered with downy hairs, living in dung and carcasses in summer and 

 under moss in winter. 



L. nebulosus. The only other species of this genus, |-f inch. Shabby 

 black, covered with down; legs reddish. The abdomen has two rows of 

 round black spots. Found in dung, decaying fungi, and dead creatures. 



Staphylinus ccesareus. Known as the Red Rove Beetle, the commonest 

 of the British Rove Beetles. Found under stones, on warm sunlit paths, 

 etc. ; - inch in length. Dull black, with red elytra and legs ; patches of 

 golden yellow down on thorax and abdomen. 



Ocypus olens (the Devil's Coach-horse) (Fig. 68). The genus Ocypus com- 



