26 
BEETLE. 
A much more elegant insect of this kind is the 
Scarabceus Fullo or Variegated Beetle. It is 
nearly twice the size of the Cockchaffer, and of 
an elegant chesnut-coloiir, with the wing-sheaths 
beautifully marbled with white variegations. It is 
common in many parts of Europe, but extremely 
rare in England. 
A species of peculiar beaut}^ is the Golden 
Beetle, Scarabceus auratus ; it is about the size of 
the common or black garden beetle,' but of a 
somewhat flatter shape; and of the most brilliant. 
Tarnished golden-green colour, with the wing- 
shells varied towards the lower part by a few 
slight, transverse, white streaks. This beautiful 
species is not uncommon during the hottest part 
of summer, frequenting various plants and flowers; 
its larva or caterpillar is commonly found in the 
hollows of old trees, or among the loose dry soil at 
their roots, and sometimes in the earth of ant-hills. 
It remains about three years before it changes to a 
pupa or chrysalis, out of which the insect emerges 
in a short times afterward. 
This may be suflicient for a general idea of the 
Linneean genus Scarabceus, It may be added that 
the species are extremely numerous, and that so 
great is the singularity of appearance in many 
kinds, that even the most romantic imagination 
can hardly conceive a structure of horn or process 
which is not exemplified in some of the tribe. 
