LAMELLICORN-BEETLHS. 



77 



thirty segments of its six tarsi represented the days of the month. 

 All individuals of this species were thonght to be males, and a 

 race of males symbolized a race of warriors. The latter supersti- 

 tion was carried over to Rome, and the Roman warriors wore 

 images of the sacred beetle in rings." The illustration, (Fig 83), 

 shows the familiar action of the two beetles, as well as some 

 scluptures and inscriptions. None of such scavengers are injuri- 

 ous in our coinitry, although exceptions occur in others, where 

 meml:)ers of scavenger beetles destroy roots of the grape vine. 



Other scavenger beetles, like the Copris Carolina Linn., illus- 

 trated in Fig. 84. do not roll balls, but they make holes close to or 



Fig. 84. — Copris Carolina, Linn. 

 After Riley. 



a, larva; b, ball; c, pupa; d, adult female. 



under manure, especially that of cows, and fill the holes com- 

 pactly with this substance as a store of food for their larvae, 

 which hatch from eggs deposited in the lowest parts of such bur- 

 rows, one in each. Some allied beetles are most beautiful objects, 

 of metallic colors, and beautified in the most remarkable manner 

 w itli all sorts of odd horns found upon head or thorax. 



