S66 THE DUNG-BEETLE. 



weak and flehder in proportion to the thighs, and this is 

 uniformly the cafe with all the feet *• 



The Golden-beetle f. 



J HE lafl fpecies of the beetle is deemed the moft beau- 

 tiful of the Er/g/i/b infefts. The whole body is of a 

 gloffy green, tinged with yellow ; underneath, thefe co- 

 lours partake of a fiiade of red, which feme naturalifts 

 have compared to leather, others to finely polifhed cop- 

 per J. In the brilliancy of its hues it rivals the emerald, 

 and has fometimes been diftinguiilied by that name. 



The fcarabaeus in its vermicular flate remains on the 

 furface of the ground, or covered to a little depth with 

 the mould ; there it preys on the roots of tender plants. 

 After it is transformed into a winged infect it chiefly de- 

 lights in the flowers of the rofe and piony : It is confe- 

 quently an inhabitant of the gardens, where its tranlient 

 beauty is reckoned a fmall com pen lotion for the mifchief 

 of which it is guilty §. In the impure abode of the 

 dung-beetle, that animal may be lefs pleafing to the fpec- 

 tator ; but in return it is produ6live of lefs harm, and is 

 Icfs expofed to injury in a dwelling, of which it remain^ 

 the unenvied poireiior. 



* Baibut. Genera Infeclor, p. 13. 



•f ScaraLxus auralus, Lin. Syft. 



$ Vide Regne Ammale, Tom. ii. p. 8. § Idem uLi fupra. 



