COLLECTION OF ARTICULATED ANIMALS. 4^ 



The geotrupes and the lethrus make deep holes 

 in the earth to lay their eggs in. Next to them 

 is the genus hexodon, which is very rare in col- 

 lections ; these insects were brought by Com- 

 merson from Madagascar, although we are as- 

 sured they are also found in Ceylon. 



Next come the cock-chafers (s.melolontha^Lin.), 

 the type of which is a common species (n° 1 3) , very 

 destructive to vegetables, whether in its larva or 

 perfect state. The s.fullo,\im., which inhabits the 

 sandy and maritime shores of Europe, and which 

 is of a brown colour spotted with white, is one 

 of the largest species known. The males (n os 7 

 and 9) are remarkable for the size of the club, 

 divided into seven leaves, which terminates their 

 antennae. The body of the scaly cock-chafer 

 (n° 90) is covered with small scales of a deep and 

 brilliant blue colour ; it is very common on the 

 ferns in the south of France. The thickness and 

 the appendages of the hind feet of the m. eras- 

 sipes (n° 119) give it a singular appearance. Few 

 coleoptera equal the cetonia in the richness and 

 variety of their colours. The c. auratas is often 

 seen in the centre of flowers, and particularly 

 on roses. The c. fastuosa (n° 22) is also found 

 in France. The most remarkable are the Chi- 

 nese cetonia (n° 40 and the cacicus (n°4o). This 

 last, which is sometimes four inches long, differs 



3o 



