Genus I. SCARAB2EVS, 



GENERIC CHARACTER. 



Antenna clavated, or club-shaped, the club la- 

 minated, or divided longitudinally into dif- 

 ferent plates, in some seven, in most three, in 

 others two in number. Palpi, or feelers, four 

 in number. Tibia, or second joint of the fore- 

 most pair of legs, generally armed with spines 

 or teeth. 



General Observatio?is. 



This extensive genus, which has been divided 

 by authors subsequent to Linnaeus into several 

 different families, contains many insects of great 

 beauty, and some of singular habits. It was 

 from among the Scarabaei that the Egyptians 

 took the symbol which we meet with so re- 

 peatedly upon their sculptured monuments ; and 

 it was also to these insects that we owe the fa- 

 bles in which the ancients indulged, respecting 

 their origin, their habits, and their sex. 



Scarabasi are generally met with in shady 

 B2 



