546 
ARTICULATA. 
largest European beetles, the Brown Hydbophile, Hydrous piceus, "wMch is common in ponds 
in some localities, belongs to this tribe. 
It also includes a group of small hemi- 
spherical beetles, the Sphmridiidce, 
whicb constantly inhabit dung. The 
aquatic species are carnivorous in their 
habits, and tbe larger ones will often 
attack young frogs and fishes. 
THE BROWN HYUaOPHILB. 
LARD-BEETLES. 
THE NECROPHAaA. 
BTJRYINU BEETLES. 
This term is from the Greek neTcros, the dead, and phago, to eat, and designates an immense 
number of small and moderate-sized insects, which live for the most part, botb in the larva and 
perfect states, in decomposing animal 
and vegetable substances. A good many 
are also found under the bark of trees, 
and in fungi. The Dermestidce are small 
beetles, clothed with minute hairs, which 
often do great damage to skins and furs, 
and other dry animal matter. The com- 
monest species, the Lakd-Beetle, Der- 
mestes lardarius, received its specific 
name on account of the fondness exhib- 
ited by its curious larva for bacon. 
The largest and most interesting in- 
sects belonging to this tribe are those 
of the family Silphidce, which includes 
the Burying or Sexton Beetles — Ne- 
crophori — and their allies. The Bury- 
ing Beetles are prompted by their 
instinct to bury any small animals 
or pieces of carrion as a provision for 
their young. In many cases several of 
them set to work together, getting under 
the animal to be buried, and digging 
the earth out with their feet. In _ this 
way they will quickly bury animals 
many times their size, such as mice and 
small birds. In the excavations they 
have made, they lay their eggs. When 
they have departed, these are frequently 
occupied by a larger species, the Necro- 
phorus Germanicus. 
This family of insects are common 
in Europe and America. They run and fly well, and some of them are adorned with bright 
orange-colored bands \ but they diffuse a most abominable odor, arising probably from the nature 
THJB KECR0PH0RT3S GERMANICUS. 
