8TAFHYLIN1DA5. 
03 
instant of death : the best way to counteract this, is 
to gum only the head, thorax, and breast on the card 
at first, and, when these are securely dried (which may 
be in about a quarter of an hour, or less), to damp the 
abdomen slightly on its upper and under sides ; the 
setting needle may then be inserted into the opening 
at the extremity of the body, and the segments gra- 
dually and gently pulled out by its slightly hooked 
point. Another, and less secure way is to drag out 
all the segments by piercing the last one through its 
under surface after inserting the point of the needle ; 
but this is apt to destroy or distort the end of the 
abdomen. In either case the abdomen must not be 
left with the articulating surfaces of the segments 
exposed, or unduly elongated ; and a good supply of 
thick gum on each side, after the first gum is dried, is 
necessary to retain it in its place. Sometimes even a 
small card brace is required to prevent it from again 
contracting, or losing its hold on the card. 
A level position of the head and thorax is best ob- 
tained by placing the two front legs rather backwards 
than forwards, otherwise the great development of the 
anterior trochanters often gives trouble in setting. 
A specimen of each sex should be mounted on its 
back, to show the abdominal characters beneath. 
The British species of Staphylinidx (upwards of 
800 in number) may be considered as divided into 
sixteen sub-families, viz. the Aleocharinse, Tacliy- 
porinx, Ilabrocerinx, Trichophyinx, Stapliylininx, 
Xantholininx, Pxderinx, Evxsthetinx, Steninx, Oxy- 
porinx, Oxytelinx, llomaliinx, Proteininx, Ph Iceobiinx, 
Phlaeocarinx, and Piestinx ; to these may be added 
with resorve the Micropeplinx, which in many respects 
