COLEOPTEROUS INSECTS. 
189 
tlier shining, except the elytra, which are somewhat 
obscure. The anterior part of the head is rough with 
shallow punctures, and there are two small approxi- 
mating tubercles placed in the middle of the -fore- 
head between the eyes. The thorax is somewhat 
convex, marked with numerous minute points ante- 
riorly, and entirely surrounded by a narrow margin, 
which is crenulated behind. The elytra are usually 
more obscure than the other parts of the body, and 
without any other impressions on their surface than 
a few scattered punctures. The anterior tibiae are 
armed with four long teeth on their outer edge, and 
the posterior pair are slightly bent inwards. All of 
them are pretty thickly clothed with fine hairs. 
This species is very common in all the southern 
countries of Europe, especially in those that lie 
along the shores of the Mediterranean. It likewise 
occurs in the east, and seems to be diffused over all 
Africa, from Egypt to the Cape of Good Hope. 
This renowned insect has been singularly exempt- 
ed from the obscurity and neglect which have fallen 
to the lot of most of its tribe. It was one of those 
“ creeping things” to which the Egyptians paid di- 
vine honours, and appears to have- constituted one 
of the favourite deities of that remarkable people. 
If it enjoyed an inferior degree of veneration to the 
snake-devouring Ibis, it certainly far surpassed in 
virtue the sacred leeks and onions, from which Ju- 
venal takes occasion to congratulate the nation on 
account of the number and dignity of its gods : 
