20 BEETLE. 



A much more elegant insect of this kind is the 

 Scarabceus Fullo or Variegated Beetle. It is 

 nearly twice the size of the Cockchaffer, and of 

 an elegant chesnut-colour, with the wing-sheaths 

 beautifully marbled with white variegations. It is 

 common in many parts of Europe, but extremely 

 rare in England. 



A species of peculiar beauty is the Golden 

 Beetle, Scarabceus auratus ; it is about the size of 

 the common or black garden beetle, but of a 

 somewhat flatter shape; and of the most brilliant, 

 varnished golden-green colour, with the wing- 

 shells varied towards the lower part by a few 

 slight, transverse, white streaks. This beautiful 

 species is not uncommon during the hottest part 

 of summer, frequenting various plants and flowers; 

 its larva or caterpillar is commonly found in the 

 hollows of old trees, or among the loose dry soil at 

 their roots, and sometimes in the earth of ant-hills. 

 It remains about three years before it changes to a 

 pupa or chrysalis, out of which the insect emerges 

 in a short times afterward. 



This may be sufficient for a general idea of the 

 Linnasan genus Scarabceus. It may be added that 

 the species are extremely numerous, and that so 

 great is the singularity of appearance in many 

 kinds, that even the most romantic imagination 

 can hardly conceive a structure of horn or process 

 which is not exemplified in some of the tribe. 



