THE STAPHYLINID^. 271 



sively active insects^ promptly take wing, and fly with 

 considerable velocity. They frequent coprophagous 

 substances of all kinds, and in which they associate 

 sometimes in considerable multitudes, — so much so, that 

 the very surface of it is sometimes wholly alive with them, 

 and by them it appears transformed into a living mass. 

 They have been subdivided into seven distinct sub- 

 families ; the structure of which differs considerably in 

 minute points of a highly interesting nature, in its in- 

 vestigation, to the systematist. The largest majority of 

 these consist of minute insects, comparatively few of 

 which exceed half an inch in length, and the major part 

 are under a line. They appear to be, with very few 

 exceptions, a northern group, replaced within the tro- 

 pics, in the exercise of the peculiar function awarded 

 to them by the ants ; although some few also occur 

 there. These, especially the Brazilian ones, like the 

 prevailing character of its entomology, are of brilliant 

 metallic splendour. 



(238.) They consist, first, of the Staphylini proper, 

 which contain the largest species of the whole family, 

 and are chiefly distinguished from the rest by their 

 fissile labrum, and tarsi always pentamerous. They are 

 courageous insects, and resist aggression, and endeavour 

 to intimidate by opening their powerful jaws ; with 

 which, indeed, they can pinch severely. They also 

 have the habit of erecting their tails, to produce inti- 

 midation; and it is by the flexibility of this part of the 

 body that they are enabled promptly to fold their wings 

 beneath the elytra; and the activity with which this is 

 done, is highly interesting. Their larvse are depressed, 

 and have similar habits of life to the perfect insects, and, 

 like them, occur most abundantly during the spring and 

 autumn. The most interesting genera are VeUeius, 

 which has serrated antennae, and is said to frequent the 

 nests of hornets, — whether as a parasite, or in quest of 

 prey, is not determined. Creophilus is the common 

 black large-headed species, mottled with grey, that 

 occurs so frequently in our walks. Emus is a beautiful 



