STAPH YLINIDJ5. 
95 
segment beneath is often produced in the middle : the 
antennae, also, are frequently more elongate and robust. 
In habits they are very varied, mostly, however, 
frequenting decayed vegetable matter. Some species 
( Antalia , Bolitocliara, Gyrophsena, &c.) are found in 
fungi; others ( Ocyusa , Tachyusa, Myllsena, &c.) 
haunt very wet places ; many ( lschnoglossa , Plilceo- 
pora, &c.) occur under bark, and some in sandy 
localities ; members of the great genus Homalota are 
found in all these habitats. The true Aleocharse feed 
in animal .matter (hence their name), or in the dung 
of animals or putrefying seaweed ; but perhaps the 
most curious habit of any of the family is that of 
parasitism ; Thiasophila, Homoeusa, Dinarda, Atemeles, 
Myrmedonict, and some Oxypodse and Eomalotse, being 
constantly found in the nests of certain species of 
ants, and Haploglossa in those of the sand-martin. 
These Myrmecophilous (or ant-loving) species occur 
not only in the “runs” and purlieus of the nests, but 
also in the most inner sanctuaries, where they appear 
perfectly at home, and are never molested by their 
multitudinous hosts. The terms of the agreement 
between these landlords and tenants have never yet 
been satisfactorily determined ; nevertheless, it is 
certain that the ants must be much attached to the 
beetles. I have seen Atemeles emarginatus (not un- 
common in nests of Formica fusca) being carried 
about tenderly in the mouth of an ant much less 
than itself. This curious species (Plate IV., Fig. 1), 
like others of its allies, coils itself up almost into a 
ball ; and one is much astonished to see the length of 
leg and antenna which it unfolds on endeavouring to 
escape. Myrmfdonia funesta , abundant in nests of 
