ENTOMOLOGICAL CABINKT. 



NECKOPHORUS ANGLICUS. Leach. Stephens. 



Oblong and black, antennae clavated, the club per- 

 flated and imbricated, consisting of small concave 

 pieces, connected in the middle, the three last of 

 which are red : the basal joints moniliform, the an- 

 tennae ai»e inserted at the base of the clypaeus, and 

 from their form appear to be well adapted to catch 

 the effluvia arising from dead animals. The head is 

 broad, black and punctured ; the thorax is con- 

 siderably broader than the head, and the form ex- 

 hibits great muscular power : the elytra are short and 

 do not cover the last joints of the body, (which are 

 capable of great extension) they are black and 

 marked by two red transverse and undulated fascia : 

 the body, and outward parts of the hinder thighs, 

 are covered by long stiff hair of a brilliant yellow 

 colour— the thorax round the margin is also clothed 

 in a similar manner. This species approach in ap- 

 pearance the Vespillo, but may be distinguished by 

 the comparative breadth of the thorax, which is con- 

 siderably broader in anglkus. This is a rare 

 insect, and the specimens we possess were captured 

 in marsh meadows, in the months of August and 

 September. To illustrate the history of those useful 

 insects and " scavengers of nature," we shall quote 

 the following observations en N. respillo by M. 

 Gleditsch. 



" He begins by informing us that he had often re- 

 marked that dead moles when laid upon the ground, 

 4-2 



