204 MODERN CLASSIFICATION OF INSECTS. 



single spur; the intermediate tibiae have one or two calcaria, whilst 

 the posterior have but one. 



These insects compose a very numerous group of dung-feeding La- 

 mellicorns, of which, however, the majority are inhabitants of tropical 

 countries*^ few only being found in our island, and those but of small 

 size. Some of the tropical species, as the metallic Coprides, are 

 amongst the most bulky species of beetles. The species are gene- 

 rally of a black hue ; but amongst them are to be found some (es- 

 pecially the Phanaei, many Coprobii, Onthophagi, &c.) adorned with 

 the richest metallic colours. 



From the great similarity in the structure of the mouth of all these 

 insects, a great uniformity of habits is evident. But a more remark- 

 able peculiarity exists in the structure and situation of the hind legs, 

 which are placed so near the extremity of the body, and so far from 

 each other, as to give the insect a most extraordinary appearance 

 whilst walking. This peculiar formation is, nevertheless (as Mr. Mac- 

 Leay well observes), particularly serviceable to its possessors in rolling 

 the balls of excrementitious matter in which they enclose their eggs; 

 whence these insects were named by the first naturalists Pilularioe. 

 These balls are at first irregular and soft, but, by degrees, and during 

 the process of rolling along, become rounded and harder: they are pro- 

 pelled by means of the hind legs ; and the insects occasionally mount 

 to the top, when they find a difficulty in urging them along ; probably 

 in order to destroy the equilibrium. Sometimes these balls are an inch 

 and a half or two inches in diameter ; and in rolling them along tlie 

 beetles stand almost upon their heads, with their heads turned from 

 the balls. These mana-uvres have for their object the burying of the 

 balls in holes, which the insects have previously dug for their recep- 

 tion ; and it is upon the dung, thus deposited, that the larvae, when 

 hatched, feed. It does not appear that these beetles have the instinct 

 to distinguish their own balls, as they will seize upon those belonging 

 to another, in case they have lost their own ; and, indeed, it is said 

 that several of them occasionally assist in rolling the same ball. The 

 males, as well as the females (of Gymnopleurus pilularius, at least), 

 assist in rolling the pellets. They tly during the hottest part of the 

 day. (See Dysderi, in Trans. Soc, Turin, vol. iii., E?it. Mag, vol. ii. 



* Mr. MacLeay stated the proportions which tlie tropical Scarabanda; bear to tliose 

 from without the tropics to be nearly as 5:1. The former niunber has, however, 

 been greatly increased of late years. 



