46 NORTH AMERICAN INSECTS. 



rax, with a large black spot resembling a cross in the mid- 

 Figure 10. die, 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 

 Crusader Carrion ^^ed together in the greatest harmony ; and 

 Beetle. ^j^^^ ^^^^ always be obtained with ease, 



provided one will put up with the fetid exhalations which 

 surround them. 



Another insect belonging to this family of Scavenger Bee- 

 tles, and one which has a similar appetite for decayed ani- 

 mal substance, is 



The Big Grave-digger {Necroplwrus grandis), of which 

 there a4*e also several species. This Beetle has a large 

 black head, with antenna? terminating in an orange-col- 

 ored knob, a round black thorax, and orange-colored trun- 

 cated 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 immediately 

 scented by these Grave-diggers, who run to it in great num- 

 bers in order to conceal it in the ground. First they run 

 around it, and examine it from all sides, as if they wished 

 to measure its size; then they proceed to examine the 

 ground to see if there are any stones in it which would 

 prevent them from digging. Finally, after having selected 

 a place well adapted for their purpose, they by their com- 

 bined efforts move the carrion there, placing themselves 

 under it, and by lifting it up with their head and thorax 

 they at the same time dig the earth away with their fore- 

 feet, so that the carrion gradually sinks into the ground. 

 From time to time one or the other of the Beetles come out 



