THE PILL CHAFER. 24^ 



putrefy, the beetles, allured by the smell, having 

 loosened the end of the stick that was fixed in 

 the earth, brought it to the ground, and they then 

 interred both the toad and the stick. 



The interment of these animals, which generally 

 takes place from about the middle of April to the 

 end of Cctober, has been sufficiently proved to be, 

 not merely for food, but, as a proper nidus for the 

 eggs of the insects, and to nourish the young 

 family of grubs that proceeds from them. If they 

 wanted them for food only, they would no doubt 

 consume them above ground ; but in the continua- 

 tion of the species it is necessary to have them be- 

 low, since otherwise foxes, ravens, kites, and other 

 carnivorous animals, would seize on the bodies, and 

 along with them would swallow the grubs of the 

 beetles, and the whole species might thus be under 

 the risk of extirpation. 



THE PILL CHAFER*. 



The Pill Chafer is somewhat more than an inch 

 in length, and of a dusky black colour, sometimes 

 with a greenish hue above, and underneath of a very 

 brilliant blue or green. The wing cases and thorax 

 are very smooth ; the former marked with several 

 longitudinal streaks, and the latter round, and mar- 

 gined, having a slight groove in the middle. 



It is found both in Europe and America, and in 



* SYNONYMS. — Scarabaeus pilularius. I. inn.— AteuchuspilulariilS.* 

 Fabricius. — Tumble-dung Beetle. Bricktll. 



R * 



