OF THE ORDER COLEOPTERA. 303 



The two elytra, which are very short, and as it were truncat- 

 ed at the middle of the back, are one of those characters which 

 strike us most when we consider the staphylini. They cover 

 but one half of the body, and often scarcely more than a third, 

 and usually leave the entire abdomen naked. Nevertheless 

 the two large wings with which the insect is provided, longer 

 than the body when unfolded, are entirely concealed in a state 

 of inaction, under these same elytra. They are folded there 

 with much art, three or four times, so that they are reduced 

 to a small twisted packet. When the insect wishes to employ 

 them it extends them rapidly, they are then admirably 

 adapted for flight, and it is difficult to conceive how they can 

 find room under cases of so small a volume. 



The abdomen, which is left uncovered by the elytra, pos- 

 sesses much suppleness and flexibility. When the staphylinus 

 is touched it raises the tail or hinder part, and gives it all 

 kinds of inflexions. It appears desirous of defending a naked 

 and feeble part, not protected by the elytra, as in the other 

 coleoptera. The position which it gives to the abdomen ren. 

 ders it more difficult to be seized, and less opportunity is thus 

 given to the danger which threatens it. It is also by means 

 of the abdomen, that the insect after having ceased to fly, 

 desiring to replace the wings under the elytra, pushes them 

 in there, and makes them fold up. 



This may easily be observed every time that a staphylinus 

 in flying, comes to rest itself on the ground. Two small 

 hairy and moveable points, between which a conical part 

 equally moveable is observed, in which is placed the aperture 

 of the anus, terminate the extremity of the body. The sta- 

 phylinus can withdraw these three parts into its body, and 

 thus make them entirely disappear. The anterior tarsi are 

 thick and broad, and this confirmation appears well adapted 

 to enable the staphylinus to dig in earth and dung, for the 

 purpose of depositing its eggs. 



