Gases of Protective Resemblance, Mimicry, etc. 357 

 MYCETOPHAGIDiE. 



Mycetaphagus quadripushdatus, L. 



This species has four yellow spots on the elytra, and 

 Mr. Holland suggests that it is probably protected by its 

 resemblance to a lady-bird. 



Dermestim:. 



Dermestes murinits, L. ' 



Mr. Holland points out that the colour of this species 

 is well adapted for concealment in the fur of dead moles, 

 and in his experience it is generally found on that 

 animal. I personally have found it most frequently on 

 stoats, when it is by no means inconspicuous. This is 

 just one of those cases where experiment is required to 

 settle the matter. I am inclined to think that being a 

 carrion-feeder it is distasteful, and certainly at Chidding- 

 fold, where the insect was very plentiful on the dead 

 stoats hung up on trees by the gamekeepers, the beetles 

 were about for months and I never saw birds, or anything 

 else, interfering with them. 



Dermestes larddrius, L. 



Mr. Holland considers this beetle is coloured so as to 

 represent " bird droppings." 



Byrrhid^r. 

 Byrrhus pihda, L. 



All the species of this genus, which are called "pill- 

 beetles," " feign death " when disturbed. The legs and 

 antennse are packed close to the body, fitting into cavities 

 for their reception, and the beetles then represent rabbits' 

 dung, or little lumps of earth : they in no way suggest the 

 appearance of living beetles. When I mentioned this to 

 Mr. Holland, he told me that he takes several species 

 near Oxford, among the rabbit dung, round the roots of 

 " tussocks " of grass, where rabbits have been feeding ; and 

 that they are certainly well protected in such situations. 



Georyssid^e. 

 Georyssus pygmxits, F. 

 This little beetle, which is found on the wet mud in 



