464 THE INSECT WORLD. 
intense black, delicately dotted. Two species found in England 

Fig. 450. - Dorcus Titan. 
and in the environs of Paris, Silpha quadripunctata and the 
Silpha thoracica, climb trees and attack cater- 
pillars. It appears to be certain that the larva 
of the Silpha obscura does a great deal of 
damage to beetroot, whose leaves it devours. 
The Wecrodes come very near to the Silphe. 
They are distinguished from them by having 
the hind legs larger. Only one, ecrodes 
ittoralis, occurs in England. Fig. 458 repre- 

Fig. 451.—Syndesus ° 
cornutus. sents the Wecrodes lacrymosa, from Australia. 
The Necrophori, or Grave-diggers, are honest undertakers, who 
