ENTOMOLOGICAL CABINET. 



CERCYON QUISQUILIUiM. Stephens. 

 Scarabsens quisquilius. Linne. 



Dermestes quisquilius. Mars ham. 



Nearly oval : head black, convex and closely punc- 

 tured : antennae clavated, the club solid and black, 

 the basal joints are reddish yellow : thorax black, 

 punctured, and with the side margins of a reddish 

 yellow, broader in the female than in the male : 

 elytra of a reddish yellow, the suture and nearly a 

 diamond-shaped spot, beyond the middle, black, 

 which in size is subject to a little variation ; the 

 elytra are striated, the striae punctured and the in- 

 terstices are finely punctured : beneath the breast or 

 sternum is black, the abdomen reddish brown : 

 thighs and tibiae broad and fiat, the latter are fur- 

 nished with numerous fine spines on the outer edge, 

 the tarsi are short and nearly black. 



Length of the body 1£ lines. 



Inhabits the dung of horses and cattle. 



The males of this species are in general smaller 

 and narrower than the females, and are very com- 

 mon during the spring months about London, on 

 heaths, roads, pathways and meadows, and may 

 often be observed on the wing after mid-day in 

 sunny weather. Of this genus Mr. Curtis has enu- 

 merated 54 species in his " Guide ;" they are for the 

 most part minute. Mr. Kirby says some are found 

 21-1 45 



