AN UNPLEASANT ODOUR. 67 



the DEVIL'S COACH-HORSE, as it is popularly and 

 fancifully called. Its scientific name is Ocypus olens. 



I really think that this is the very ugliest insect 

 in England. It is scarcely so repulsive as the cock- 

 roach, its wonderful courage and spirit being redeem- 

 ing points, but it is so very hideous, that the popular 

 name exactly expresses its appearance. Its colour is 

 dull, dead-black ; its eyes, which scarcely project from 

 the head, have a cold, cruel look about them, and its 

 tail, when raised menacingly like that of a scorpion, 

 protrudes two yellow vesicles at the tip, from which 

 emanates the horrible odour that has been already 

 mentioned. Sometimes it finds its way into cellars 

 and larders, if they be wholly or partially under- 

 ground ; and then the servants are always much 

 alarmed at the creature, of which they have a dread 

 which is superstitious rather than the offspring of 

 mere prejudice or ignorance. 



This is one of the most active of Beetles. Being 

 furnished, like all its family, with long and ample 

 wings, and not being burdened, like the chafers, with 

 a thick and heavy body, it flies with great rapidity, 

 and can pass over incredible distances without being 

 obliged to rest. It is equally active on the ground, 

 for which reason the generic name of Ocypus, or ' swift- 

 footed,' has been given to it. Some writers on ento- 

 mology have given to this insect the generic name of 

 Goerius, or ' mournful,' in consequence of its sombre 

 and funereal colouring. The specific title olens, or 

 * stinking,' is given to it in consequence of the horrible 

 emanations from the tail tubercles. 



We will now glance at the life history of this 



F 2 



