SUPPLEMENT 



BRACHELYTRA. 



This family is entirely composed of the genus Staph r- 

 LiNus of Linnsus. It is a family of very considerable 

 extent, comprehending about six hundred species, or perhaps 

 more. 



Fabricius made the first separation from it of pederus and 

 OJoyporiis. Subsequently M, Latreille introduced two other 

 genera, or, as they now stand in " The Animal Kingdom," 

 sub-genera, those of lesteva and stenus. Nine others were 

 instituted by M. Gravenhorst, and one by Mr. Kirby, and 

 from the communications of Dr. Leach to M. Latreille, of 

 certain exotic species, which form so many types of new 

 generic sections, some other divisions have benn formed. 



The Staphylini, taken in general, are to be found in 

 fresh and humid places under stones, under the bark of dead 

 or rotten trees. They may be seen running in the fields, 

 gardens, and on the highways, when in search of their prey. 

 They are very courageous and extremely agile ; provided 

 equally with strong feet and good wings, they run with great 

 swiftness, and fly with the utmost facility. They destroy the 

 insects which live in dung-hills, cow-dung, on the branches 

 of trees, &c., carrying on a continual war upon them ; 

 sometimes they surprise them in their retreats, sometimes 



