ORDER I. BEETLES. 35 



composed of leaf-like pieces, which can be folded or unfold- 

 ed, like a fan, at the pleasure of the ani- 



Figure 6. 



mal. The thorax and head are external- 

 ly chased, and of an antique bronze color. 

 The head is semicircular, with a purple 

 border on the margin, and in the male 

 with a short perpendicular horn. The 

 wing-covers are striated, and of a change- 

 able green color. The feet black, hairy, The Bronze Dung 

 and strong, calculated for digging holes. 



This Beetle, like all others of this family, contributes 

 much toward purifying the air, by feeding on putrid, un- 

 wholesome substances. It acts in the same manner, and 

 produces the same effect, as those larvce of insects which 

 live in the water and purify it. The experiment of Lin- 

 naeus is perhaps familiar to all. He filled two vessels with 

 fetid, putrid water, and into one he put the larva? of Gnats, 

 Dragon-flies, and Ephemerae, and left the other standing. 

 In a short time the water in the first vessel, which was full 

 of larva?, was found pure, and entirely devoid of smell, while 

 the other continued as fetid and as putrid as before. This 

 experiment can be repeated to the satisfaction of every one 

 who chooses to make it. 



The Bronze Dung Beetle is found in great numbers dur- 

 ing the latter part of summer and in the autumn, more in 

 the Southern and Western States than in the North and 

 East, and for the very obvious reason that its presence is 

 more wanted in the warmer climates, where the air is more 

 apt to become infected by decayed and putrid matter. 



Another use may be made of this insect, and one which 

 I may mention particularly for the young ladies and gentle- 

 men who may read these pages. By taking off its hand- 

 some wing-covers, thorax, and head, and gluing them close 

 to each other on the outside of a fancy box, you will have 

 a beautifully variegated surface, glistening with green and 



