46 NORTH AMERICAN INSECTS. 
rax, with a large black spot resembling a cross in the mid- 
Figure 10. dle, 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 feed together in the greatest harmony; and 
ee they may 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 Bic GRAvVE-DIGGER (Vecrophorus grandis), of which 
there are also several species. ‘This Beetle has a large 
black head, with antenne 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 
