1 96 COLEOPTERA 



CHAP. 



for stridulation from the imago ; it is placed on the second and 

 third pairs of legs, the latter pair being much reduced in size. 



The most interesting division of the Coprides is the group 

 Scarabaeini. No member of this group inhabits the British 

 islands, but in Southern Europe, and in still warmer lands, these 

 Insects are well known from the curious habit many of the species 

 have of rolling about balls of dung and earth. The long hind 

 legs are chiefly used for this purpose, and it is on the peculiar 

 structure of these limbs that the group has been established. 

 Many of the stone Scarabaei found in Egyptian tombs represent 

 some kind of Scarabaeini, and it has been said that the ancient 

 Egyptians looked on these Insects as sacred because of their 

 movements. These must certainly appear very strange to those 

 who see them and are unacquainted with their object. It is 

 stated that the dwellers in the valley of the Nile thought the 

 actions of these Insects, when rolling their balls, were typical of 

 the planetary and lunar revolutions ; and that the sudden 

 appearance of the beetles after a period of complete absence was 

 emblematic of a future life. Many accounts have been given 

 of the habits of members of this group, but according to Fabre 

 all are more or less erroneous ; and he has described the habits 

 and life-history of Scarabacits sacer (Fig. 89), as observed by him 

 in Southern France. These Insects act the part of scavengers by 

 breaking up and burying the droppings of cattle and other 

 animals. The female tiearabaeus detaches a portion of the dung 

 and forms it into a ball, sometimes as large as the fist ; this it 

 rolls along by means of its hind legs, by pushing when necessary 

 with its broad head, or by walking backwards and dragging the 

 ball with its front legs. The strength and patience displayed by 

 the creature in the execution of this task are admirable. Fre- 

 quently the owner of this small spherical property is joined, so 

 Fabre informs us, by a friend, who is usually of the same sex and 

 assists her in pushing along the ball till a suitable place is reached. 

 "When this is attained, the owner commences to excavate a chamber 

 for the reception of the ball ; sometimes the false friend takes ad- 

 vantage of the opportunity thus offered and carries off the ball 

 for her own use. Should no disappointment of this sort occur, the 

 Scarabaeflts accomplishes the burying of the ball in its subterranean 

 chamber, and accompanies it for the purpose of devouring it ; the 

 feast is continued without intermission till the food is entirelv 



