HABITS OP THE ADEPHAGA. 
135 
membranous diphanous sac, filled with air, occupying then the entire extent of 
the abdomen, and appearing free, with the exception of the extremity, which 
opens into the reservoir. The conservatory organ, which is also a reservoir, pre¬ 
sents a spherical body of the bulk of a Turnip-seed, brown or reddish, constant 
in its form, hollow interiorly, and placed under the last dorsal ring, exactly 
above the rectum. It opens by a pore on one side of the anus. A membranous 
tube, very short, moved unquestionably by a sphincter muscle, serves to expel 
the smoke. M. Dufour has observed in Carabi and Blaps an organ similar to 
that which he names preparatory, but which is never swollen with air. 
I am inclined to agree with Mr. Westwood in arranging amongst the Brachi- 
nidce the remarkable Mormolyce phyllodes. The genus Mormolyce is restricted 
to the above-mentioned species, which was discovered in Java by M. Hegenback. 
The feature by which it is principally characterised is the dilatation of the elytra, 
which project beyond the abdomen, the projecting portion being very broad and 
flat, and arched externally. This peculiarity, together with the form of the tho¬ 
rax, gives it the appearance of a leaf; hence its specific name phyllodes. It ap¬ 
pears to be confined to Java. 
The habitats of Brachinidce vary considerably. The typical species are found 
under stones, &c.; Odacantha melanura lives in shady and humid places : great 
numbers of them were captured by Dr. Leach amongst Reeds and Rushes; 
Lebidee , Dromii , &c., occur chiefly under the bark of trees. 
A few particulars respecting the geographical distribution of this family may 
be noticed. Anthice' a and Graphiphorce are peculiar to the deserts and similar 
places in Africa, and Latreille remarks, that although there have been found in 
the Southern parts of Spain and Italy many insects of the North of Africa, there 
has never been discovered there a single species of these genera. The typical 
Brachini are found in various parts of Europe, though the largest species occur 
between the Tropics. All the known species of Drypta belong to the old conti¬ 
nent or New Holland. Agra is confined to intertropical America. Demetrias, 
Dromius , and Lebia are principally European. 
3, Scaritidce constitute a small family, containing, however, species differing 
not a little in habits. Scarcely anything is known of the larvae—that of Ditomus 
Bucephalus (which I believe is the only one known) has the form and habits, 
according to Latreille, of the larvae of Cicindela. In the perfect state La¬ 
treille and Dejean are of opinion that Scaritidce are herbivorous; Olivier, 
Westwood and others contending that they are insects of prey. It appears pro¬ 
bable that both parties are correct; some of the species preferring animal and 
others vegetable food. De Cerise y states, that S. gig as devours Melolonthidce 
and other Lamellicorn insects. S. anthracinus feeds upon decayed animal sub¬ 
stances, and S. laevigatas on live sand Shrimps. Of Dyschirius, the Rev. G. T. 
