COLEOPTERA. C09 



about an inch in length, of a black hue, and extremely fetid. 

 It is noted on account of its finding the carcases of small ani- 

 mals, such as mice, rats, birds, frogs, &c., shortly after death, 

 burying them by working the earth from beneath them, and af- 

 terwards covering them. In these dead animals, the Sexton Bee- 

 tle deposits its eggs. 



7. DUNG BEETLES, Geotrupidce, (Gr. ge, the earth; trupao, to 

 bore.) These, with other similar families, are, in their larva 

 state, incapable of much locomotion, and generally live in the 

 ground. 



8. SCAVENGER BEETLES, Scardbaida, (gen. Scardb&us, from 

 Gr. Skarabos, a beetle or scarabee.) These Beetles use the 

 flat shield of their heads for working in the ground and in the 

 dung upon which they feed. One species labor in pairs, the one 

 beetle pushing their ball backwards with the hind feet, and the 

 other walking up the ball on the opposite side, thus making it 

 roll. The Copris rolls together a small ball which it immedi- 

 ately buries. 



9. STAG BEETLES, Lucanida, (gen. Lucanus,) include some 

 very large sized beetles, distinguished by having the antennae 

 terminated by a large jointed club. The males of Lucanus cer- 

 vus have singular horns affixed to the head and thorax. (Plate 

 II. fig. 8.) 



10. GIANT BEETLES, Dynaslida, (gen. Dynastes, Gr. a ruler.) 

 These include some of the largest of the order. The males 

 have horns or tubercles arising from the head or thorax. A most 

 remarkable species is the Hercules Beetle, Dynastes Hercules, 

 found in South America, measuring sometimes not less than five 

 or six inches in length, having a horn of enormous length in pro- 

 portion to the body, proceeding from the upper part of the 

 thorax. Its larva continues about six years, and is three or four 

 inches long. It is sometimes eaten fried, and esteemed a luxury. 



11. ROSE BEETLES, Cetoniida, (of which Cetonia, is a prom- 

 inent genus,) form an extensive group, including several which 

 are distinguished for their brilliant colors. The common ROSE 

 CHAFER, C. aurata, may be cited as an example, found in roses 

 and upon the flowers of the privet, an insect nearly an inch 

 long, of a shining green color above, and copper-red beneath, 

 with white marks in the elytra. In its larva state, it feeds upon 

 moist rotten wood, and is often met with under ground, in ants' 

 nests. 



12. SPRINGING BEETLES, Elaterida, (gen. Elater, a charioteer.) 

 These have a strong spine situated beneath the thorax, which fits 

 at pleasure into a small cavity on the upper part of the abdomen ; 



