ORDER I.—BEETLES. 30 
composed of leaf-like pieces, which can be folded or unfold- 
ed, like a fan, at the pleasure of the ani- 
mal. ‘The thorax and head are external- 
ly chased, and of an antique bronze color. 
The head is semicircular, with a purple —, 
border on the margin, and in the male > 
with a short perpendicular horn. The 
Wwing-covers are striated, and of achange-_ , 
able green color. The feet black, hairy, ne Bronze Dung 
and strong, calculated for digging holes. ete 
This Beetle, like all others of this family, contributes 
much toward purifying the air, by feeding on putrid, un- 
wholesome substances. It acts in the same manner, and 
produces the same effect, as those larve of insects which 
live in the water and purify it. The experiment of Lin- 
nzus is perhaps familiar to all. He filled two vessels with 
fetid, putrid water, and into one he put the larve of Gnats, 
Dragon-flies, and Ephemerz, 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 dur- 
ing 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 one which 
I may mention particularly for the young ladies and gentle- 
men who may read these pages. By taking off its hand- 
some wing-covers, thorax, and head, and gluing them close 
to each other on the outside of a fancy box, you will have 
a beautifully variegated surface, glistening with green and 
Figure 6. 

