248 



NATUBAl HISTOBT. 



Figs. 193 and 194 — CateipiUar-hunters. 



426. The Scavenger Beetles, formiDg the second divi- 

 sion, have very fine coverings, and their feet are fitted for 

 digging. Though they are not only in the midst of 

 filth, but live on it, they are remarkably clean, and are 

 generally of a bright color, and some of them are very 

 beautiful. These Beetles, and their grubs, ai-e of great 

 service as scavengers. Although each one does but lit- 

 tle, the multitude of them clear up a great deal of filth, 

 which would otherwise offend our senses and injure the 

 health. Those Beetles of this class which are of very 

 large size, sometimes five inches in length, are found in 

 tli.e_tropical regions of America, Asia, and Africa. 



427. To this class belong the common Tumble-bugs, 

 or Pellet Beetles. These exhibit great industry in roll- 

 ing balls of manure and earth mingled together. In 

 every one of these is deposited an egg! These busy an- 

 imals dig holes two or three feet deep, and into these 

 they roll the balls. While they thus provide for their 

 progeny, they are at the same time useful in distributing 

 manure among the roots of plants where it is wanted. 



428. To this group also belong the Carrion Beetles, 

 of which there are many species, some of them very 

 beautiful. They are exceedingly busy wherever there 

 is the dead body of any animal, devouring it and depos- 



