149 



Ptilinus, is Dorcatoma of Fabricius, which is in- 

 cluded in the family of Ptinidae ; then follows 

 Melasis of the Eucnemidae. Only two species are 

 recorded, one of them being the type of the genus, 

 while the other evidently belongs to the genus 

 Bhipicera, previously mentioned. The locality of 

 the Cape of Good Hope is erroneous, as Rhipicera 

 Mystacina only inhabits New Holland. As Parnus 

 is already treated of, we pass on to 



Necrophorus, Fabricius. 

 NECROPHORiDiE, Kirby . 

 Entaphia, Kirby. 



Genera. 



Country. 



Typical Species. 



1 . Necrophorus, Fabricius. 



2. Hypocephalus,Z)esmaresi5. 



3. Cyrtoscelis, Hope. 



4. Diamesus, Hope. 



England 

 Brazil 

 England 

 Madras. 



Nee. Germanicus, Fab. 

 Hyp. Armatus, Desmar. 

 N. Vespillo, Fabricius. 

 Nee. Osculans, Vigors. 



The above genera belong to the Necrophoridae. 

 There is reason to think that other genera from 

 Asia, belonging to this family, will shortly be added. 

 The prejudice of caste not allowing the Indians to 

 touch a carcass, is partly the cause of their not 

 being collected, united also with a natural antipathy 

 to insects of such disgusting habits. However much 

 they may be disliked, the functions they perform 

 are very important ; for what the vulture leaves 

 when glutted to satiety, these sexton beetles bury 

 in the earth, having previously deposited their ova 

 in the rapidly decaying carcass. Have we here no 



