THE SILPHIDAl. 
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than in the Scarabceidcz. One division of them, the Histeridce 
proper, includes little shining beetles, with truncated elytra which 
do not cover the whole of the abdomen, angular antennae, and 
short legs. The species of the genus Hister are black in colour, 
the tint being very brilliant, and sometimes spotted with red. 
They work in manure-heaps and amongst dung, which they eat ; 
and they even enjoy the decomposing flesh of dead animals. 
Their larvae, which live in the same way, are soft and white, and 
have an elongated and compressed shape, and are provided with 
short legs. Moreover, the end of the abdomen has two double- 
jointed structures upon it, and a long tubercle also, which has 
something to do with the progression of the insect. The genus 
Saprinus contains beetles which are usually of a bronze colour, 
which may be greenish or bluish in tint ; and the heads of the 
insects are remarkable, for they appear to be sunk into the pro- 
thorax. Others, very closely allied to them, live upon decaying 
wood, and exist generally under the bark. The insects of the 
other division of the Histeridce have not small contractile legs 
nor angular antennae. They live upon dead bodies, in mush- 
rooms, in decaying wood, and some frequent flowers. They are 
usually very small insects, and little is known about their meta- 
morphosis. The commonest species is of a green bronze colour, 
and is about the twelfth of an inch in length. It is common on 
flowers. 
There are two genera which are well worthy of attention, and 
they belong to the family of the Silphidce. The Silphidce have 
the tarsus formed of six joints, the antennae ending in a club- 
shaped mass divided into leaflets, and the mandibles are pro- 
jecting. They are found principally in Europe and North 
America. 
The members of the genus N ecrophorus , the Sexton Beetles, 
have a thick body, stout legs, and their hind thighs are more or 
less enlarged. One species is particularly interesting, on account 
of its remarkable habits. 
Necrophorus vespillo is common throughout the greater part of 
Europe, and may be readily recognised by its colour. It is black, 
and is ornamented with yellow hairs on the side of the body ; 
the club end of the antennae are reddish, and the elytra are 
