. The popular natural history . Zoology. ROVE BEETLES, 52'/ rustics generally call it the Devil's Coach-horse. It has, moreover, the power of throwing out a most disgusting odour, which is penetrating and persistent to a degree, refusing to be driven off even with many washings. These beetles are termed Staphylinidae, or Brachelytra, the latter term signifying short elytra, and being a very apposite name, as the elytra are short, square, and not more than one-fourth the length of the abdomen. If we watch one of these beetles settling after its flight, we shall see the object of its flexible ta
. The popular natural history . Zoology. ROVE BEETLES, 52'/ rustics generally call it the Devil's Coach-horse. It has, moreover, the power of throwing out a most disgusting odour, which is penetrating and persistent to a degree, refusing to be driven off even with many washings. These beetles are termed Staphylinidae, or Brachelytra, the latter term signifying short elytra, and being a very apposite name, as the elytra are short, square, and not more than one-fourth the length of the abdomen. If we watch one of these beetles settling after its flight, we shall see the object of its flexible tail. The wings are so large, and the elytra so small, that the process of folding the delicate membranes could not be completed without some external aid. When the insect alights, it suddenly furls its wings into loose folds, and then, by means of its tail, it pushes the wings under the elytra, which are then shut down. This process, although rather elaborate, is effected in a very rapid {Ocy^s olms.) ROVE BEETLES. (Creopktlus maxillosus.) The two species which are represented in the illustration are common in England. The lower figure represents the Creophilus maxillosus, which is plentiful in and about drains or dead animal matter, and may be known by the grey hairy look of the elytra. The upper figure represents the Devil's Coach horse, shown of the natural size. Next to the Staphylinidae are placed some insects that have become quite famous for their curious and valuable habits. These are the Necrophaga, popularly and appropriately termed Burying Beetles. it is owing to the exertions of these little scavengers that the carcases of birds,- small mammals, and reptiles are seldom seen to cumber the ground, being buried at a depth of several inches, where they serve to increase the fertility of the earth instead of tainting the purity of the atmosphere. These beetles may easily be captured by laying a dead mouse, mole, bird, frog, or even a piece of meat on the ground,
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectzoology, bookyear1884
