SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



273 



Necrophorus vespillo, the ast of the genus, bears a 

 strong superficial resemblance to N. vestigator, both 

 in size, general appearance, and by having a fringe 

 of yellow hairs on the thorax. It is, however, 

 easily distinguished from that beetle by the fringe 

 being entirely confined to the front border. It 

 further differs from all other members of the group 



where fairly plentiful, from early spring until the 

 end of autumn, and may be attracted by a dead 

 mouse or piece of meat to any situation convenient 

 for observation. They are sufficiently large to be 

 easily watched, and will carry on their interesting 

 operations undeterred by the near presence of man. 

 Each species exhibits some well-marked feature by 



t i 



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British Burying Beetles. 

 Fig. 1, Necrophorus germanicus (male); fig. 2, N. humator (female); fig. 3> 

 N. mortuorum (female) ; fig. 4, N. vestigator (female); fig. 5, N. vespillo (female) ; 

 fig. 6, N. ruspator (male) ; fig. 7, JV. interruptus (female) ; fig. 8, Antenna of 

 burying beetle. 



by having he tibia of the hinder legs strongly 

 curved, these being straight in each of the preceding 

 species. Common in many districts, especially 

 in the south, it becomes scarcer farther north ; 

 although generally found throughout the Kingdom. 

 To anyone desirous of entering upon the fas- 

 cinating study of insect life, the present genus 

 offers many advantages. The beetles are every- 



which it can be determined, and such practice in 

 naming will prove of material benefit to the 

 beginner by rendering him conversant with the 

 various important parts to be examined, at the 

 same time cultivating his powers of observation 

 and educating his mind to a more systematic 

 study of the workings of nature. 

 Hoylake, Cheshire. 



