ON THE LAMELLICORNES. 511 



first, and that of bousier (copris) for the second. But these 

 two genera, according to the characters assigned them by this 

 author, would differ one from the other, only because the 

 first had a scutellum, and the second none. This slight dif- 

 ference is hardly sufficient for the establishment of a genus, 

 particularly as we know that the majority of the bousiers or 

 copris have a very small scutellum. There is moreover 

 the greatest analogy between some scarabaei with scutellum, 

 and those which want it. All the insects ranged by Geoffroy 

 in his genus bousier have, in truth, a mode of living peculiar 

 to themselves. They have a form which differs from that of 

 the other scarabaei, and which causes them to be recognized at 

 the first aspect. They all live in the dung and excrements 

 of animals. But the Aphodii live in the same manner, are 

 found in the same places, have the mouth similarly formed, 

 and do not differ from the bousiers very distinctly, but be- 

 cause they have a scutellum, and that all the feet are inserted 

 at equal distances. The want then of this piece, or its 

 existence, cannot be deemed a sufiicient basis for the consti- 

 tution of a genus. 



Degeer has divided into three families the genus Scara- 

 basus, such as it was established by Linnseus. The first 

 family comprehends Scarabceus, oryctes, synodendron, gco- 

 trupeSy onthophaguSy aphodius, copris and trocv ; the second 

 comprehends melolontha and rutela ; and the third, cetonia 

 and trichius. He has distinguished these families under the 

 names of Scarabcsi of the earth, Scarabcei of the trees, and 

 Scarabcei of the Jlowers. 



Voet has followed pretty nearly the divisions of Geoffroy, 

 and those of Degeer. He has divided the genus Scarabseus 

 of Linnaeus, into ScarabcBus and Copris. The first are sub- 

 divided into three families. The first comprehends the Sca- 

 rabaei of the flowers, the second the Scarabaei of the trees, 

 and the third, the Scarabaei of the earth, properly so called. 



