34 OUR HOUSEHOLD INSECTS 



line of junction, thus forming a flattened arch over the 

 body. 



It shows no trace of ornamentation on any part of 

 its body, not even the customary longitudinal furrows 

 and rows of punctures so characteristic of beetles ; and at 

 first sight the integument seems to be perfectly smooth. 

 Examination with a lens, however, reveals a minute and 

 indistinct, irregularly scattered punctuation. The body 

 is broadest a little behind the middle, and at the tail 

 the elytra, instead of terminating in a smooth, evenly 

 rounded edge, are each produced at the tip into a blunt 

 projection, curled upwards (Fig. 14, A). The name mucro- 

 nata, from the Latin mucro, a spear point, refers to this 

 odd little tail, which is, nevertheless, not confined to this 

 species, but is represented in one form or other through- 

 out the genus. Turning next to the organs of sense, we 

 find another striking peculiarity in the eyes : instead 

 of forming projecting rounded masses, as is usually the 

 case, they consist of two long, narrow, almost kidney- 

 shaped strips, just behind the antennae, and not raised 

 above the general surface. This want of prominence of 

 the visual organs finds its explanation in the darkling 

 habits of the creature. Finally, the last four joints of 

 the antennae are like round black beads. 



Blaps has really very little to recommend it. Its dull 

 sombre aspect is the reverse of attractive, and agrees 

 well with the retirement and obscurity of its life. Clad 

 so completely in the deepest of mourning, it could not 

 be let alone by superstition, and has therefore been 

 regarded with terror as an ally of the powers of dark- 

 ness, and an associate of death a creature whose natural 

 abode could be none other than a charnel-house. Ideas 

 so fostered found apparent support in the repulsive odour 

 it continually emits, resembling that of putrid flesh, and 



