COLEOPTERA. 365 



ATEUCHUS, Falricius. 



Two species of Ateuchus were worshipped by the ancient Egyptians, and 

 formed a part of their system of hieroglyphics. They are sculptured in various 

 positions, and sometimes of gigantic dimensions, on all their monuments. 

 They were also figured separately and on the most precious materials, such as 

 gold ; they used them as seals and as amulets, which were suspended to the 

 neck and buried with the mummies. The insect itself has been found in some 

 of their coffins. The 



A. sacer ; which is found not only in all Egypt, but in the south of France, 

 in Spain, Italy, and the south of Europe generally, has hitherto been considered 

 the object of this superstitious distinction ; but another species discovered in 

 Sennaar by M. Caillaud of Nantes, appears from its more brilliant colours, and 

 the country in which it is found, the original residence of the Egyptians, to 

 have first attracted their attention. 



The remaining genera are Sisyphus, Coprobius, Oniticellus, Copris proper, 

 Aphodlus, &c. &c. 



The ARENICOLI, with the Aphodii and Psammodii, are the only ones whose 

 elytra entirely cover the posterior extremity of the abdomen, so that the abdo- 

 men is completely concealed; but they are distinguished from the latter by 

 several characters. The labrum is coriaceous, and most frequently juts out 

 beyond the epistoma. The mandibles are corneous, and usually salient and 

 arcuated. The terminal lobe of the maxillae is straight, and has no inward 

 curve. The third and last joint of the kbial palpi is always very distinct, and 

 at least almost as long as the preceding one. With some few exceptions, their 

 antenns are composed of ten or eleven joints. 



These Insects make deep holes in the ground, fly particularly during the 

 evening, after sun-set, and counterfeit death when seized. 



The XYLOPHILI comprise the Geotrupes of Fabricius, and some of his 

 CetoniaB. Here the scutellum is always distinct, and the elytra do not cover 

 the posterior extremity of the abdomen. The tarsial crotchets of several are 

 unequal. The antenna 1 always consist of ten joints, the three last forming a 

 foliaceous club, of which the intermediate leaflet is never completely concealed 

 or encased by the two others. The labrum is not salient, and its anterior 

 extremity at most is exposed. The mandibles are entirely corneous, and jut 

 out beyond the sides of the head. The maxillae are corneous or of a solid con- 

 sistence, straight and commonly dentated. The ligula is covered by an ovoid 

 or triangular mentum, narrowed and truncated at its extremity, the angles of 

 which are frequently dilated. All the legs are inserted at an equal distance 

 from each other. Here we find 



SCARAB^EUS proper, GEOTRUPES, Fabricius, 



The body of which are thick and convex, and the outer side of the mandibles 

 sinuous or dentated. The equatorial countries of both hemispheres produce 

 very remarkable species of this subgenus. 



