STAPHYLINIDiE. 
289 
Forficulidce which these beetles much resemble at first sight. The tip 
of the abdomen is curled upwards over the dorsum to assist in packing 
away the wings under the small elytra after flight. 
Nothing is on record as to the life-history of Indian species. In 
general the larvae resemble the imagines in general form, with large 
Fig. 164.— Leitoocraspe 
DUM PULCHELLUM. 
(From Kraatz. | 
Fig. 165.— Leptochirus mandibularis 
LARVA (LEFT) : HOLOSUS TACHINIFORMIS. 
(From Kraatz.) 
heads, shorter antennae and prominent mandibles : the body tapers and 
is provided with two dorsal processes and a short anal tube. The latter 
assists in locomotion much as the anal prolegs of a caterpillar. The 
larval habits are probably similar to those of the imagines, though the 
larvae live a more retired life and are not readily found. They form 
par t of that great fauna which lives on the surface of the soil in conceal¬ 
ment, and of whose habits we are profoundly ignorant. The study 
of the habits of this immense fauna is far less advanced than that, for 
instance, of the plant feeding species and there is here an immense 
field for research. 
IIL 
19 
