CuAr. VI.] 



INSECTS. 



249 



and some of tlie Elateridse^ and Lamellicorns exhibit hues 

 of green and bhie, that rival the deepest tints of the eme- 

 rald and sapphire. 



Scavenger Beetles. — Scavenger beetles ^ are to be seen 

 wherever the presence of putrescent and offensive matter 

 affords opportunity for the display of their repulsive but 

 most curious instincts ; fastening on it with eagerness, 

 severing it into lumps proportionate to their strength, and 

 rolhng it along in search of some place sufficiently soft in 

 which to bury it, after having deposited their eggs in the 

 centre. I had frequent opportunities, especially in tra- 

 versing the sandy jungles in the level plains to the north 

 of the island, of observing the unfaihng appearance 

 of these creatures instantly on the di^opping of horse 

 dung, or any other substance suitable for their purpose ; 

 although not one was visible but a moment before. Their 

 approach through the air is announced by a loud and 

 joyous booming sound, as they dash in rapid circles in 

 search of the desired object, led by their sense of smell, 

 but evidently little assisted by the eye in shaping their 

 course towards it. In these excursions they exhibit a 

 strength of wing and sustained power of flight, such as is 

 possessed by no other class of beetles with which I 

 am acquainted, but which is obviously indispensable 

 for the due performance of the useful functions they 

 discharge. 



The Coco-nut Beetle. — In the luxm^iant forests of 

 Ceylon, the extensive family of Longicorns live in de- 

 structive abundance. Their ravages are painfully fami- 

 Har to the coco-nut planters.^ The larva of one species 



^ Of the family of Elatcrido', one 

 of the finest is a Singhalese species, 

 the Comjisostenms Templetonii, of an 

 exquisite golden green colour, with 

 blue reflections (described and figured 

 by Mr. Westwood in his Cabinet of 

 Oriental Entomulor/y, pi. 35, f. 1). In 

 the same work is figured another 

 species of large size, also from Ceylon^ 



this is the Alans sordidus. — West- 

 wood, 1. c. pi. 35, f. 9. 



* Ateuchies sacer ; Copris sagax ; 

 C. capucinus, &c. &c. 



' There is a paper in the Jotirn. of 

 the Asiat. Society of Ceylon, May, 

 1845, by Mr. Cappee, on the ravages 

 pei-petrated by these beetles. The 

 A^Titer had recently passed througli 



