COLEOPTEROUS INSECTS. 179 



often form a nearly solid club or knob. The spe- 

 cies are provided with only two pair of palpi, one of 

 them affixed to the maxillae, the other to the under 

 lip. The joints of the tarsi are for the most part 

 undivided. The most conspicuous and interesting 

 genus which it contains is named NECROPHORUS, 

 a term nearly corresponding in meaning to the 

 English one Bury ing -beetle, and both of them re- 

 ferring to a remarkable peculiarity in the manners 

 of the insects. The females deposit their eggs in 

 the decaying carcasses of moles, mice, and other 

 small animals, which they previously bury for this 

 purpose. To effect this operation, seemingly so 

 disproportionate to their size and strength, two or 

 three beetles generally unite their labours, and re- 

 move the earth from beneath the dead body, which 

 gradually sinks into the excavation. During this 

 process they may be seen dragging at the object 

 from below, and even mounting upon it as if to tread 

 it into the grave. They labour at their task of inhu- 

 mation with the most unwearied industry. According 

 to Mr Gleditsh, who was the first to give an accurate 

 account of the proceedings of these grave-diggers, 

 four beetles were observed to inter in a very small 

 space of earth, to which they were confined, no 

 fewer than twelve carcasses, few of which were in- 

 ferior in size to a mole. The object of all this so- 

 licitude is the security and comfort of their young, . 

 as the carcass, which forms a nidus for the eggs, if 

 left exposed, would run the risk of being devoured 



