COLEOPTEEOTJS INSECTS. 
147 
avert the attack, not only of other insects, but of 
much more powerful foes. Notwithstanding the 
small size of the wing-cases, they suffice for the 
protection of the wings, which, when in a state of 
inaction, are folded up with great nicety, in order 
to bring them within a narrow compass ; this opera- 
tion is assisted by the extremity of the abdomen, 
which can be reverted sufficiently to push the wings 
under their cases. 
These insects live for the most part under stones, 
in excrementitious substances, decaying wood, and 
mushrooms ; many of the kinds inhabiting America 
are observed most frequently flying about trees, in 
search of caterpillars and minute insects. They are 
extremely voracious, and the larger kinds devour in- 
discriminately whatever other species they can .sub- 
due. The larva? are very similar to the perfect in- 
sect, but of a softer substance and a more conical 
form. In the latter the last segment of the abdomen 
is lengthened in the shape of a tube, and furnished 
with two hairy appendages. 
The amount of known species does not fall much 
short of a thousand, and nearly eight hundred have 
been found in Britain. They were all included by 
Linnaeus in his comprehensive genus Staphylinus, 
but are now arranged in a multitude of subordinate 
genera. The term Staphylinus is now restricted to 
such as have all the palpi filiform, and the antennae 
inserted above the labrum and mandibles, between 
the eyes. The general appearance of the insects 
