390 INSECTA. 



various positions, and sometimes of g-igantic dimensions, on all their monu- 

 ments. They were also figured separately and on the most precious 

 materials, such as gold? they used them as seals and as amulets, which were 

 suspended to the neck and buried with the mummies. The Insect itself 

 has been found in some of their coffins. The 



A. sacer; which is found not only in all Egypt, but in the south of France, 

 in Spain, Italy, and the south of Europe generally, has hitherto been 

 considered the object of this superstitious distinction; but another species 

 discovered in Sennar by M. Caillaud of Nantes, appears from its more bril- 

 liant colours, and the country in which it is found, the original residence of 

 the Egyptians, to have first attracted their attention. 



The remaining genera are Sisyphus, CoproMus, Oniticellus, Copris proper, 

 Aphodius, &c. &c. 



The Ahenicoli, with the Aphodii and Psammodii, are the only ones whose 

 elytra entirely cover the posterior extremity of the abdomen, so that the ab- 

 domen is completely concealed; but they are distinguished from the latter 

 by several characters. The labrum is coriaceous, and most frequently juts 

 out beyond the epistoma. The mandibles are corneous, and usually salient 

 and arcuated. Tlie terminal lobe of the maxillae is straight, and has no inward 

 curve. The third and last joint of the labial palpi is always very distinct, 

 and at least almost as long as the preceding one. With some few exceptions 

 their antennae are composed of ten or eleven joints. 



These Insects make deep holes in the ground, fly particularly during the 

 evening, after sun-set, and counterfeit death when seized. 



The Xxiopiiiti comprise the Geotrupes of Fabricius, and some of his 

 Cetonise. Here the scutellum is always distinct, and the elytra do not 

 cover the posterior extremity of the abdomen. The tarsial crotchets of seve- 

 ral are unequal. The antennae always consist of ten joints, the three last 

 forming a foliaceous club, of which the intermediate leaflet is never com- 

 pletely concealed or encased by the two others. The labrum is not saUent, 

 and its anterior extremity at most is exposed. The mandibles are entirely 

 corneous, and jut out beyond the sides of the head. The maxUlae are cor- 

 neous or of a sohd consistence, straight and commonly dentated. The 

 ligula is covered by an ovoid or triangular mentum narrowed and truncated 

 at its extremity, the angles of which are frequently dilated. All the legs 

 are inserted at an equal distance from each other. Here we find 



ScARAEJEus proper, — Geotrupes, Fab. 



The body is thick and convex, and the outer side of the mandibles sinuous 

 or dentated. The equatorial countries of both hemispheres produce very 

 remarkable species of this subgenus. 



S. Hercules, L. Five inches long; black; elytra greenish-grey mottled 

 with black: a recurved and dentated horn on the head of the male, and a 

 second one, long, projecting and pilose beneath, with a tooth on each side 

 of the thorax. South America. Some travellers call it the Mouche comue. 



This section also includes Philcurus, Rutela, Orydes, &c. &c. 



