NATURAL HISTORY. 



485 



Family, Carabidse. (Gr. Kdpapoc a Beetle.) 



CAEABUS. 



Cancellatus (Lat. chequered), the Ground-beetle. 



The GROUND-BEETLE is one of our largest and most beautiful 

 beetles. Its general colour is a coppery green, and its wing- 

 cases are ornamented with several rows of oblong raised spots. 



Its length is about an inch. 



Family, Silplridre. (Gr. 2('7<?7, a Burying-beetle.) 

 NECROPHAGTS. (Gr. Neicpur, a dead body; fyayeiv, to eat.) 



Yespillo (Lat. a bearer of the dead,) the Burying-beetle. 



This curious beetle derives its name from its habit of bury- 

 ing any small dead animal left on the surface of the ground. 

 AYith such rapidity does it work, that two beetles have been 

 known to cover up a sparrow within a few hours ; and so un- 



