the darkling. 
39 7 
Genus XXVT. — 'Tenebrio. The Darkling. 
X* hese infefts are common]/ of a dark fombre colour i 
Some have wings under their elytra, while others are apte- 
rous; and from this circurcftance, they have been divided by 
naturalifts into two fedions, containing together thirty- 
three different fpecies. The larvte of fome fpecies refide 
among rotten flicks, or rubbifli ; thofe of others take up 
their abode among flour, and different kinds of food. 
After they have become perfect infects, they enter houies 
and devour every fort of provifion. Their principal re- 
fort is to damp cellars, where putrid air and darknefs at- 
tra£l them. It is from their precipitately avoiding light, 
as well as their gloomy appearance, that they derive 
their generic name. 
Tenebrio Mortifager *. This fable animal is found 
among rubbilb and dung ill gardens ; when it enters 
houfes, as is frequently the cafe, the credulous believe 
it the certain forerunner of death. It is entirely of a 
deep black, without the leafi. luflre s The antennse are 
long ; the thorax margined ; and the elytra wrinkled. 
This, as well as fome other fpecies, is remarkable for 
emitting a fetid fmell f. 
t Tenebrio pri«\ns Voyage d'Alandc. f Charleton exercit, p> 4?, 
