328 NATURAL HISTORY. [CHAP. XXXVIII. 



ing the Potomac river, near Acquia Creek. In one 

 of our walks we saw some dogs feeding on part of 

 the carcass of a horse, and a group of turkey-buzzards 

 eagerly looking on close at hand, but not daring to 

 share in the repast. Near the same spot were the 

 skulls of two dogs lying bleached in the sun, and in 

 the hollow of each we found the nest of a large species 

 of wasp, somewhat resembling our hornet, containing 

 a good store of honey. On the surface of some pools 

 of water I saw floating the singular seed-vessel of 

 the nuphar, or yellow pond lily (Nelumbium). These 

 seeds have been known to vegetate after they have 

 been kept for a hundred years. 



In passing through a wood near Acquia Creek, on 

 a hot day, we came upon a large snake, about four 

 feet long, resembling that called the moccasin, which 

 lifted itself up, folding its body into several graceful 

 coils, and then darted its head and neck forward at a 

 dog which had followed us from the inn. The dog 

 dexterously retreated as often as a blow was aimed 

 at him, barking loudly, and enjoying the mock fight. 

 The extremity of the snake s tail, although not armed 

 with a rattle, was in a state of constant vibration. 



On a soft sandy road we saw a great many of the 

 ball-rolling beetles (Ateuchus volvens), which resemble 

 in form the Scarabaus sacer of Egypt. They were 

 all busily engaged in pushing along round balls of 

 dung, in the centre of some of which we found an 

 egg, and in others a maggot. A pair of beetles was 

 occupied with each globular mass, which considerably 

 exceeded themselves in size. One of them went be 

 fore, and usually climbed up the side of the ball till 



