THE SILPH/E, 
287 
pidity. These larvae are represented in the engraving as crawling 
upon the ground, whilst the full-grown beetles are upon the 
leaves. 
Silpha obscura is the commonest species, and may often be 
seen running about the roads. It is less than an inch long, is of 
a black colour, and has three ridges upon the elytra. Its larva 
lives upon the dead bodies of animals, and is of a brownish 
colour, and is marked with black lines. 
Silpha rugosa is as common as the species just mentioned, 
and its larvae, which are perfectly black, are often seen in little 
groups upon carcases. 
Silpha opaca is found in uncultivated lands during the spring, 
when its larva devours the shoots of young beet-roots. The 
Silpha represented in the engraving inhabits woods and forests, 
where it climbs about the oak trees, and chases the caterpillars 
which frequent the trees in a most active manner. This insect 
cannot be mistaken, for its body is black, and it has its elytra, 
which are of a straw colour, ornamented with four black points. 
The larva remains upon the ground, and, like the perfect insect, 
is carnivorous, for it attacks any insects which it may come across 
under the fallen leaves or amongst the grass. Finally, the largest 
of the carrion beetles, Silpha thoracica , whose prothorax is of a 
br ight red colour, is as carnivorous as the rest of them, and is 
found amongst underwood, especially in damp places. 
The Staphylinida are a family which contain a great number 
of beetles, some of them being of moderate size, but the gene- 
rality are very small. They can usually be distinguished 
from all other Coleoptera by the shortness of the elytra, which 
only cover a portion of the abdomen. If the elytra of other 
beetles were compared to a long coat, those of the Staphylinidce 
would resemble a waistcoat ; but, nevertheless, the wings are as 
large as usual, and are hidden, when the insect is quiet, under- 
neath their cases, being folded up once or twice, so as to be 
packed away safely. The antennae are rather long and thread- 
shaped, or more or less beaded. 
They are very agile insects, and live under very different 
conditions of life. Some are absolutely carnivorous, and only 
feed upon the living prey they catch ; others frequent dung- 
