35^ THE BEETLE. 



Genus I.: — Scarahaus. 'ihe Beetle. 



x'oRMERLT, the nvim& fcarahaus was applied by natural- 

 ifts to all infe(fls whofe wings are covered bj a cruflace- 

 ous elytra ; Linnaus^ however, has difcriminated thefe 

 animals, and confined that term to this fingle genus. The 

 tribe ol fcarahici are characlerifed by the antenute, which 

 terminate in a club, and are divided longitudinally iato 

 different plates or laminct. The fecond joints of the fore- 

 moft pair of legs, in moft fubjeds, are dentated *. 



The larva: or caterpillars of the greater part of this 

 genus lead a fedentary life under ground ; refiding mofb 

 frequently in earth, while in a Hate of fermentation by a 

 large quantity of manure. Pure dung is the favourite 

 food of many ; and it is in its immediate vicinity that 

 they chieiiy delight to dwell. The cockchafer, tlie mofl 

 common of all the beetle tribe, is produced from the ova 

 of the female depofited under ground, where it remains 

 during the whole of its larva ftate, devouring the roots 

 of plants. In this dcilru6live occupation the garden 

 beetle, and all the hairy fcarabaei are employed, till the 

 period of their emancipation arrive, when they take 

 wing, and, forfaking the root?, betake themfelves to tlie 

 leaves of plants f. No calculation can afcertain the mif- 

 chiefs produced by thefe animals, in countera6ling the 



labours 



* -'-^yn;. Nat. nbi fupra. f Barbut's Cencrs Infe(5torum, p. 14. 



