556 



INSECTA— ORDER COLEOPTERA. 



attention by their habit of spinning round in circles on the surface of the 

 water, which has given them the name of whirligig beetles. They are blue- 

 black beetles, about one-third of an inch long, with reddish legs and anteimiB, 

 They have four eyes (each eye being divided in two, an upper and a lower 

 one), and it has been suggested that the upper eyes are intended for use in 

 tlie air, and the lower ones for use below the surface of the water. The front 

 legs are long and slender, but the two hinder pairs, as well as the anteniiie 

 are very short and stout. 



The Brachelytra are a very extensive family of beetles, distinguished by 

 the very short square-cut elytra, which do not nearly reach to the extremity 

 of the abdomen, but which cover the ample wings, which are folded beneath 



them. They are often called " Rove-Beetles," owing to 

 Kove-Beetles. some of the larger species, such as Ocyprns okns (Linn.) 



being found running about in search of dung or carrion. 

 The beetle to which we have referred is a black, foul- smelling beetle with 

 strong jaws, which lifts up its head and tail when molested, and is known in 

 many parts of the country by the name of the "Devil's Coach-Horse." In 



Fig. 27.— TiiftisffUS 

 margimtUs. 



Fig. 29.- 

 NecTOphorus vespiUo, 



Ireland it is regarded as a diabolical creature, which it is a meritorious action 

 to kill. We have figured StaphyUnus ca'sareus (Cederh.'), a black species with 

 red legs and tegraina, and the thorax and segments of the abdomen partly 

 bordered with silky yellow or golden pubescence. JMost of the species of 

 Brachelytra are much smaller than either of those just mentioned. Their 

 habits are very varied. Many species may be found among moss or flowers, 

 and others again live in ants' nests. 



The next group, the Nccrophaga or Claviconna, is tolerably numerous in 

 species, though less so than the last, and is chiefly distinguished by the con- 

 spicuous knobs at the end of the antennfe. Most of the species feed on 

 decaying animal or vegetable substances (carrion, fungi, etc.), and some of those 

 belonging to the genera I)rrmc6tcs (Linn. ), Aiithrenvs (Geoflr.), and their allies, 

 are very destructive to hams, dried skins, etc. Denricdcs lardarius (Lim.) 

 —the "Bacon Beetle") — is black, banded with grey, and spotted with black; 

 it is about a third of an inch long. The beetle and its hairy larva are too 

 familiar object? to many housekeepers. 



The burying beetles, which belong to this section, are larger insects, half 



