NATURAL HISTORY OF INSECTS. 



TRIBE II. Land Scavenger-Beetles These insects are 

 terrestrial in their habits, and feed upon decaying or dead 

 animals, "upon funguses, etc., and a few kinds are found 

 beneath the bark of dead trees. They may be divided into 

 two Sub-tribes, as follows* 



Fig. 247 



Fig. 246. 



Sub-tribe I. In these insects the body is rather broad, and 

 the antennas are clavate or capitate, with three or more divis- 

 ions in the club. The principal Families are as follows : 



BURYING-BEETLES (Silphidx). These insects are mostly of 

 a large size, usually over half an inch in length; the hind 

 trochanters are large; and the thorax has a thin margin. 



These Beetles feed upon dead animals, which, if not too 

 large, they usually bury in the earth, to serve as food for their 

 young. The latter are flattened and provided with six legs. 

 The Black Burying-beetle (Fig. 246)* belongs to this Family. 



MUSEUM-BEETLES ( Dernestidse. ) . These insects are less than 

 half an inch long; the abdomen is covered by the wing-cases > 

 and the breast is prolonged beneath the head. 



They feed upon dead animal matter (including insects), but 

 several kinds are now and then very destructive to carpets. 



The larvae are generally hairy and provided with six legs. 

 The Rawhide-beetle (Fig. 247) belongs to this Family. (It 

 is sometimes called the Bacon-beetle, from its habit of feeding 

 on bacon, ham, etc.) 



* FIG. 246. a, the larva: /, Its u^per jaw; g, its lower Up; h, its lower jaw; j, its 

 teuua; k, anterior foot of the beetle. 



