22 NORTH AMERICAN INSECTS. 
stances, and the tooth-ache was immediately relieved; but 
whether the remedy, or the faith of the patient, acted ther- 
apeutically, or the tooth ceased aching of itself, I confess 
I do not pretend to know. Thousands of these insects may 
be gathered in summer with the greatest ease, and may be 
kept for many years in a bottle of alcohol, and if any one 
wishes to test the therapeutic value of the Coccinella he can 
try it. 
Popular superstitions are sometimes beneficial in their 
results, and this has often been the case with the animals 
of which we speak. ‘Thus the ancient Egyptians regarded 
as sacred a certain Dung Beetle (Scarabeus Sacer), because 
by feeding on putrid substances, and consuming them, it 
purified the air, and thus proved beneficial toman. For the 
same reason the Turkey-buzzard, on account of its destroy- 
ing carrion, and the Ibis, on account of its devouring snakes, 
were considered as protected by the Gods. The Lady-birds 
have likewise been held in high estimation from the remot- 
est ages. In Germany they have been called Lrauen, or 
Marien-Kifer (Lady Beetles of the Virgin Mary); and in 
France Vaches de Dieu, or Bétes de la Vierge (Cows of the 
Lord, or Animals of the Virgin). 
Persons who have plants in their conservatories infested 
' with plant-lice will easily get rid of them, and preserve 
their plants, by putting a number of Lady-birds, or their 
grubs, upon the plants. A very simple and a sure remedy 
for a very troublesome evil. 
The Ticer Beet te, another Beetle of prey, is so called 
on account of its variegated color and its rapacious propen- 
sity to devour every insect that comes in its way. It acts 
like the tiger among Mammalia, the hawk among Birds, 
the crocodile among Reptiles, or the shark among Fishes. 
They are ravenous wolves among insects, feeding on cater- 
pillars, flies, other species of beetles and rain-worms, and 
will even devour one another when shut up together, which, 
