ORDER I.—BEETLES. 43 
of Scavenger Beetles is the horned Funeus Eater (Boleto- 
phagus cornutus), which feeds not only on decayed fungus 
and mushrooms, but also on decayed wood. The male 
and female species of this insect I have lately received 
from my esteemed friend, David Smith, M.D., of Provi- 
dence, from whose entomological researches I have ob- 
tained many interesting facts, and to whose kindness I am 
indebted for the free use of his valuable library. 
This insect is represented by the late Thomas Say, in 
his American Entomology, Plate 51, without, however, 
making any mention of its habits, use, or injury. 
The Fungus Eater is about half an inch long, and is re- 
markable for its singular form. Its head has two little 
horns upon its margin, which are curved backward and in- 
ward, resembling that of a Babyroussa. Its thorax has two 
larger horns, which are curved and directed forward, look- 
ing like a bull’s head, and its wing-covers are surmounted 
by so many tubercles that their whole appearance is like 
that of a Turkish country metschet or mosque, covered 
with a number of small minarets or spires. 
The body of this animal is of a dark ash-color and hairy, 
and it lives principally in fungi and in decayed wood. 
Another, and a very important class of insects, belong- 
ing to this family, are the Carrion Beeries, which feed 
on dead or dried animal bodies, of the higher as well as the 
lower classes. They eat the flesh, fat, skin, and intestines 
of dead beasts, birds, fishes, and the internal parts of pre- 
served insects. Hence we see very few of them, for they 
bore into those bodies and conceal themselves in them, de- 
vouring their decayed parts, and depositing their eggs in 
them. ‘Those who will dare encounter fetid exhalations 
and will take the trouble to examine the putrid cadavers 
of horses or cows, or any other dead animal that is left ex- 
posed to the air, will find a very large company of Carrion 
Beetles, of different genera and species, in a variety of 
