COLEOPTEROUS INSECTS. I 95 



the exposition of its virtues and uses both to our 

 minds and bodies. This invaluable beetle, accord- 

 ing to the author of that work, stimulates us to the 

 acquisition of every good quality ; for although no- 

 thing but a crust, it yet surpasses us in numerous 

 virtues, and invites us to modesty, temperance, la- 

 bour, magnanimity, justice, and prudence: "etiamsi 

 nihil sit nisi crustum, variis tamen virtutibus nos 

 vincit, et ad modestiam, temperantiam, laborem, 

 magnanimitatem, justitiam, prudentiamque incitat 

 atque impellit." It teaches us humility by living 

 contented in its stercorareous abodes, and delight- 

 ing in them more than in the perfume of roses ! 

 So fortunate is it in renewing its youth every year, 

 that there can be little doubt that man himself 

 would willingly share in its privileges ! It is guilty 

 of no crime in using the dung of animals for its own 

 purposes, since agriculturists and others do the 

 same, and probably were led to the practice by ob- 

 serving the scarabaeus ! We greatly err if we despise 

 the animal for employing this material ; for so 

 highly was it esteemed in ancient times, that, ac- 

 cording to the testimony of Macrobius, the term 

 Sterculeus was given to Saturn as an honorary cog* 

 nomen ! &c. The medical virtues of this admir 

 able insect are eulogized in a similar strain, and 

 several recipes are given, which are said to have 

 been of wonderful efficacy. 



These insects are frequently alluded to by ancient 

 authors under the various names of Coprion, Can- 





