92 O R D E R I. Staphilinus. 



Genus XXIX. Staphilinus. 



Linn. Syft. Nat. Pag. 683. 



The antennae of the Staphilinus are mo- 

 niliform. 



The elytra are not above half the length 

 of the abdomen. 



The wings are folded up, and concealed 

 under the elytra. 



The tail, or extremity of the abdomen, 

 hjimpk, not being armed as that of the 

 following genus, but is provided with two 

 oblong veiicles, which the infeft can fhoot 

 out or retract at pleafure. 



Geoffrey differs from our Author, and from 

 Scopoli, with regard to the antennas of this 

 genus, which, according to him, are filiform, 



The tarfi, in all the feet, are compofed of 

 five articulations. 



The Staphilini are very voracious, devouring 

 every kind of weaker infects, eventhofe of their 

 own fpecies. Some of them are found upon 



flowers, 



