BEETLES. 6*7 



The Crusader Carrion-beetle, (Silplia Americana,) 

 (Plate II., Fig. 10), is more than half an inch long, 

 has a black head, yellow thorax, with a large black 

 spot, resembling a cross, in the middle, somewhat 

 like that on the coat of the ancient Crusaders, on 

 which account I give it this name. It has dark 

 brown chased wing-covers, and black legs. These 

 Insects live together, in flocks of immense numbers, 

 in the body of some carrion, where they feed together 

 in the greatest harmony ; and they may always be 

 obtained with ease, provided one will put up with 

 the fetid exhalations which surround them. 



Another Insect belonging to this family of Scav- 

 enger Beetles, and one which has a similar appetite 

 for decayed animal substances, is 



The Big Grave-digger, (Necrophorus grandis,) 

 of which there are also several species. This Beetle 

 has a large black head, with antennse terminating 

 in an orange-coloured knob, a round black thorax, 

 and orange-coloured truncated wing-covers, with an 

 undulating black band crossing the middle of both 

 wings. The habits of this animal are very curious 

 and astonishing. 



The dead body of a frog, mouse, bird, mole, snake, 

 or toad, lying in a garden, field, or meadow, is imme- 

 diately scented by these Grave-diggers, who run to it 

 in great numbers in order to conceal it in the ground. 



