THE ATEUCIIUS SACER.- 



279 



figured it on amulets, and cut its shape deeply on their tombs. 

 They worshipped the beetle, knowing its habits, for they were an 

 agricultural people ; and the title of " sacred " has descended to 

 the present day. 



The AtaicJms saccr is quite black, has two tubercles on its 

 head, the elytra are finely striated, there are four spines on the 

 fore legs, and it is scarcely an inch in length. 



THE SACKED BEETLE [AtCUchuS Saccr). 



The instincts of this beetle are very remarkable. It may be 

 found buried in dung, or seen rolling a pill of like substances, 

 which it drags about with its hind legs along the roads and 

 paths. It does not do all this, or select the offensive matters and 

 roll them up and wheel them off in its peculiar fashion to please 

 mankind, or to fertilise the soil for our benefit. The care for the 

 future offspring, which it will never see, is at the bottom of the 



