The Bull Onthophagus: the Cell 



results in the reopening of old subjects, when 

 new investigations throw light within and en- 

 able me to complete or it may be to modify 

 the first text. 



Years ago, I obtained a few noteworthy 

 particulars about the Onthophagi, thanks to 

 a very rough and ready method of rearing 

 a few of them jumbled up with other Beetles 

 in whom I was more interested. One of the 

 earlier volumes gives a rapid sketch of 

 them.^ The results, hurriedly and almost 

 fortuitously acquired, inspired me with a 

 wish to observe systematically and closely 

 the habits, industry and development of an 

 insect which I had already introduced to the 

 reader in too summary a fashion. Let us 

 speak once more of the Onthophagi, that 

 nation of little horned dung-worshippers. 



Lately, I have reared the following 

 species, according as I chanced to pick them 

 up: Onthophagus taurus, LiNN., O. vacca^ 

 Linn., O. furcatus, Fabr., 0: Schreberi, 

 Linn., O. nuchicomis, Linn., O. lemur, 

 Fabr. There has been no choice on my 

 part; I accept all that present themselves 



1 Chapter XI. of the present book appeared in the fifth 

 volume of the Souvenirs entomologiques ; this and the fol- 

 lowing chapter fornaed part of the tenth and last volume, 

 — Translator's Note. 



379 



