SUPPLEMENT 



LAMELLICORNES. 



The first division of this family begins with the tribe 

 ScARAiJGEiDEs, Section CoPROPHAGi, sub-genus Ateuchus. 



We do not see on the hood of the insects of this sub-genus, 

 the horns which are observed in this part in the other copro- 

 phagi. This is the character to which M. Weber, the 

 founder of this genus, has made allusion. Ateuchus is de- 

 rived from the Greek, and signifies " without arms," or 

 " without defence." The ateuchi formerly composed a part 

 of the Scarahoeus of Linnaeus, and the Copris of Fabricius. 



These insects are found but little in Europe, beyond the 

 fiftieth degree of north latitude. They appear proper to 

 the warmer climates, and particularly to Africa, They live 

 in ordure of all kinds, the excrements and dung of animals. 

 Aristotle and Pliny have spoken of them, and designated 

 them under the name of P'dularicB, because they form, with 

 the dung of animals, a tolerably thick ball, which they roll 

 with their hinder feet. This ball, which encloses their eggs, 

 is at first of a soft consistence, and irregular form, but by 

 dint of being rolled it hardens, and becomes round. When 

 it has acquired a sufficient degree of solidity, the insect 

 pushes it with its hinder feet, as far as the hole which it has 

 dug for its reception, with its anterior feet, the legs of which 



