ON THE CLAVICORNES. 421 



commit upon articles of the most valuable kind. The per- 

 fect insect seems to live only for the purpose of fulfilling its 

 final destination. It is often found on flowers, and if it fre- 

 quents animal substances, it is more with the design of depo- 

 siting its eggs there than to commit any fresh depredations. 

 The voracity of the larvae of Dermestes is especially destruc- 

 tive to cabinets of natural history, and collections of furs. 

 They entirely destroy the birds, the quadrupeds, the insects, 

 and all other prepared animals which are preserved in such 

 places. They destroy furs, from which they cause the hairs 

 to fall, and even gnaw the skin itself. They also attack the 

 carcases of animals of every species which are to be found in 

 the fields, and consume all the fleshy substance and tendinous 

 parts, dissecting them even to the bone, and reducing them 

 to complete skeletons. They are to be found in offices, cup- 

 boards, and in short, in every place which may conceal the 

 animal food which is suitable to their constitutions. Bacon, 

 feathers, horn which may have been left for a long time in 

 drawers, are not spared by these robbers. It is exceedingly 

 difficult to guard against their ravages. They escape research 

 in consequence of their minuteness, and their perseverance 

 bids defiance to precaution. 



The majority of the Dermestes seek out retired places, and 

 generally such as are neglected and dirty, and seem to shun 

 the impression of the light. They are attached to repose, 

 and seldom put themselves in motion but when they are dis- 

 turbed by any noise around them, or touch those bodies 

 which contain them. They are seldom seen on the surface of 

 such bodies. Buried in the interior, they withdraw them- 

 selves from our regards, and seem to quit their retreat with 

 fear and trembling. Their gait is timid and uncertain. 

 When we are habituated to reflect on the external signs of 

 those passions which predominate over ourselves, and con- 

 sider the Dermestes, at the slightest aspect of danger, run- 



