76 INSECTS AT IIO^IE. 



formidable. Tlie maxillary palpi are slender, and the ligula 

 small. The spiracles of the prothorax are largo. The tarsi 

 of the front feet are dilated in the males and slender in the 

 females, and may be seen by reference to Woodcut No. VIL, 

 where Fig. a represents the tarsus of a female Staphylinus, and b 

 the same joint in the male. The jaws, too, are not so powerful 

 in the female, neither are their heads so large as in the case 

 with the other sex. 



Our first example of the Staphyliuidoe is one of the finest — in 

 my opinion the very finest — of that family. It is called scien- 

 tifically CreopJiilus maxillosus, but has, unfortunately, no 

 popular name, probably because it is confounded in the popular 

 mind with the common black species, which will be presently 

 described. Its name is more appropriate and expressive than 

 is generally the case with insect names. The word Greophilus 

 is of Greek origin, and signifies ' flesh-lover,' while the specific 

 title of maxillosus signifies ' large-jawed.' Both names show 

 that those who affixed them to the insect were thoroughly ac- 

 quainted with its character and form, for the Beetle is a most 

 voracious carrion eater, and has jaws that are of enormous size 

 in proportion to its body. The colour of this Beetle is shining- 

 black, but it is mottled with short grey down. 



In some places this Beetle is tolerably plentiful, but in others it 

 is seldom if ever seen. It can generally be captured in the bodies 

 of moles that have been suspended by the professional mole- 

 catchers — and, indeed, these unfortunate moles are absolute 

 treasure-houses for the coleopterist, as we shall see when we come 

 to the next group of Beetles. A figure of this insect is given on 

 Woodcut No. VIII. Fig. 3. It is the only British species of its 

 genus, which is distinguished by having short and thickened 

 antennae, smooth head and thorax, and the latter rounded. 



Next comes a Beetle belonging to the typical genus of the 

 family, or, indeed, of the entire group. It is the Red Eove 

 ;Beetle {Staphylinus ccesareus), which is represented on 

 Woodcut VII. Fig c, in the act of closing its wings after flight, 

 and on Plate IV. Fig 3, as it appears when flying. 



There is some little difficulty respecting the name of Staphy- 

 linus. IChis title is given by ancient writ.ers to two very 



