ORDER COLEOPTERA. 387 



In the relation of habits, and in consequence of the den- 

 ticulations of their limbs, and some other characters, these 

 insects seem to approach the lamellicorn coprophagi; but, 

 from other considerations founded on anatomy, they come 

 naturally near Silpha. Such is also the opinion of ]M. Dufour 

 (Annal. des Sciences Nat., Oct. 1824). The digestive canal 

 of the species which he has dissected (Sinuaiics,) is from 

 four to five times the length of the body. The oesophagus 

 is very short, the oblong swelling coming immediately after, 

 presents, through its parietes, some brownish traits which 

 would seem to announce the existence of interior pieces proper 

 for trituration, and if so, this swelling would deserve the 

 appellation of gizzard ; the chylific ventricle is very long, 

 folded back upon itself, and bristling with pointed and very 

 prominent papillae. The hepatic vessels have six distinct 

 insertions around the chylific ventricle (ibid, July, 1825). 

 Their number, according to Ramdohr, should be but three, 

 and each of them would have two insertions ; but such a 

 disposition of these vessels is doubtful. 



These animals feed on cadaverous or stercoraceous sub- 

 stances ; also on corrupted vegetable matter, such as dung, 

 old mushrooms, &c. Some others make their domicile under 

 the barks of trees. Their walk is slow ; they are of a very 

 brilliant black, or a bronze colour. Such of their larva as 

 have been observed, (merdarius, cadaverinus,) feed on the 

 same substances as the perfect insect ; their body is almost 

 of a linear form, depressed, almost smooth, soft, and of a 

 yellowish white, with the exception of the head and the first 

 segment, the dermis of which is scaly, and brown or reddish ; 

 it is provided with six short feet, and terminates posteriorly 

 by two articulated appendages, and an oval and tubular 

 prolongation ; the scaly plate of the first segment is clian- 

 neled longitudinally. 



