374 



NATURAL HISTORY OF ARTHROPODS. 



The species of Phanceus are sometimes of considerable size, and are often of metallic 

 or bronzed coloration. They have broad three-jointed labial palpi, the anterior coxa?, 

 short but prominent, and the first joint of the antennal club is hollowed out to receive 

 the other two joints. P. carnifex, from eastern North America, frequents human 

 excrement, especially when left in sandy places. Its prothorax is coppery bronze, its 

 elytra metallic green ; both are roughened, the latter being also striate. In the males 

 the head supports a horn, which curves gently backwards, and, when long, rests be- 

 tween two slight elevations on each side of the prothorax. In_P. damon, from Mexico, 

 these elevations on the prothorax are prolonged into wing-like processes, while the 

 cephalic horn is largely developed. 



Copris differs from Phanceus in having the lamella? of the antennal club alike. 



FIG. 435. AteiicJuis curiolusun, surrounded by se;irab:i.-i. 



The species are black, with densely punctate prothorax and striate elytra, and the cly- 

 peus is bi'oadly expanded and covers the mouth-parts. The males generally have a horn 

 upon the head and tubercles upon the prothorax. f y . Carolina, a species about an inch 

 long and 0.7 of an inch wide, is found along the Atlantic coast of the United States as 

 far north as Massachusetts. C. anaglypticus, a species about 0.6 of an inch long, and 

 C. minutus, about 0.4 of an inch long, are found in the eastern United States. 



Species of Canthon, Ateuchus, and allied genera are remarkable for their peculiar 

 mode of rolling about a globular mass of dung, in which they finally deposit an egg, 

 and then bury in the ground, ("'anthon is distinguished from Copris by its having 

 slender cm-ved middle and hind tibia? ; the head and prothorax are hornless in both 

 sexes ; the epipleura? are narrow. C. Icevis is a common species in parts of the United 

 States. It is from 0.5 to 0.6 of an inch long, nearly smooth when examined only with 

 the naked eye, and of a dull-black color. 



