THE PSELAPHID^, 2?3 



which is the only general character which seems to 

 pervade them ; for they present numberless diversities 

 of form, and remarkable anomalies in the numerical 

 relations of the joints of their tarsi. The knowledge 

 of these particulars must, of course, be referred to other 

 works. They comprise the greatest number of insects 

 of any of the families of Staphylinidce, and differ as 

 much in their habits as their forms. Thus, some, as 

 Pella, Dinar da, Lomechusa, occur only in ants' nests ; 

 Deinopsis, Diglossa, Oxypoda, amoiigst rejectamenta; 

 Falagria and Astilbus, in moss ; Homalota and Calo- 

 dera, beneath the bark of trees. Deinopsis, Diglossa, 

 and Mi/llana, are remarkable for the protrusion of their 

 labial palpi as setee; and Callicerus has beautifully 

 formed antennas. 



(244.) The Pselapliida form the last family, if pro- 

 perly they be a constituent of the Staphytinida ; for they 

 differ so considerably in many particulars, and agree in 

 so few, that we think they should compose a distinct 

 group. They are the smallest and the most elegant of 

 the series, and are distinguished by their clavate and 

 frequently nodose antennae ; elongate clavate palpi ; 

 three-jointed tarsi, which terminate in a single claw. 

 The only character they have in common with the Sta- 

 phylinidce, is the abbreviation of their elytra; for their 

 abdomen is usually bulky, and incapable of reflexion. 

 They occur in the nests of ants, at the roots of 

 grass, and in moss in damp situations. They are 

 very voracious, and feed upon living insects. In the 

 observations on the Hymenoptera, we have already al- 

 luded to the remarkable Claviger; and, by so singular 

 a form, we may quit the Predatores. (2,30 244.) 

 W.E.Sh.] 



