52 NGRTH AMERICAN INSECTS. 



butes much towards purifying the air, by feeding on 

 putrid, un wholesome substances. It acts in the same 

 manner, and produces the same effect, as those larvae 

 of Insects which live in the water, and purify it. The 

 experiment of Linnaeus is perhaps familiar to all. He 

 filled two vessels with fetid, putrid water, and into one 

 he put the larvae of Gnats, Dragon-flies, and Ephemeras, 

 and left the other standing. In a short time the water 

 in the first vessel, which was full of larvae, was found 

 pure, and entirely devoid of smell, while the other 

 continued as fetid and as putrid as before. This 

 experiment can be repeated to the satisfaction of every 

 one who chooses to make it. 



The Bronze Dung-beetle is found in great numbers 

 during the latter part of summer and in the autumn, 

 more in the Southern and Western States than in the 

 North and East, and for the very obvious reason that 

 its presence is more wanted in the warmer climates, 

 where the air is more apt to become infected by 

 decayed and putrid matter. 



Another use may be made of this Insect, and ono 

 which I may mention particularly for the young ladies 

 and gentlemen who may read these pages. By taking 

 off its handsome wing-covers, thorax, and head, and 

 glueing them close to each other on the outside of 

 a fancy box, you will have a beautifully variegated 

 surface, glistening with green and red, which will 



