ZOOLOGV* 



205 



30. Mordella. Antennas knotty, with small hook-like pro» 

 jections from some of the joints ; fig. 22, plate 3 ; head 

 incurved ; feelers compressed, clavate, obliquely trun- 

 cate ; wing-covers curving downwards towards the tip; 

 lamina broad, situate at the base of the abdomen, and 

 before the thighs. 



31. Staphylinus. Antennae moniliform; iving-covers half 

 the length of the body ; the wings folded up and covered 

 by the sheaths i tail simple, furnished with two exertile 

 vesicles. 



These are a very rapacious tribe, devouring all kinds of 

 insects, they can catch or master, and frequently one ano- 

 ther; they also feed on earth-worms and slugs, and most 

 kinds of putrid' substances ; their usual haunts are damp 

 loathsome places, and sometimes they may be found on such 

 plants as emit a foetid smell, or are of a dark lurid colour. 



32. Forficula. Ear- Wig. Antennae setaceous ; zoing- 

 covers half the length of the abdomen ; zcings hid by 

 the covers ; tail armed with forceps. 



This genus frequents moist ground, are very injurious to 

 flowers and fruit, and may easily be taken by suspending any 

 hollow substance on a plant or twig, as they retire in the 

 day time to such retreats, and feed mostly during the nlglii. 



