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THE BEETLE;, 
Genus I. — Scarabceus. fhe Beetle. 
Former!, T, the name fear abet us was applied by natural- 
ills to all inlc&i, whofe wings are covered by a cruftaee- 
ous elytra ; Linnaeus, however, has diferiminated thefe 
animals, and confined that term to this fingle genus. The 
tribe of fcarabeei are cOaracterifed by the antenna, which 
terminate in a club, and are divided longitudinally into 
different plates or lamina \ The fecond joints of the fore- 
men pair of legs, in moft fubjects, are denfated *. 
The larva or caterpillars of the greater part of this 
genus lead a fedentary life under ground ; refiding mod 
frequently in earth, while in a Hate of fermentation by a 
large quantity of manure. Pure dung is the favourite 
food of many ; and it is in its immediate vicinity that 
they chiefly delight to dwell. The cockchafer, the mod 
common of all tiic beetle tribe, is produced from the ova 
of tne female depofited under ground, where it remains 
during the whole of its larva flare, devouring the roots 
of plants. In this deftru&ive occupation the garden 
beetle, and all the hairy fcarabaei are employed, till the 
period of their emancipation arrive, when they take 
wing, and,, forfaking the roots, betake themfelves to the 
leaves of plants f. No calculation can afeertain the mif- 
chiefs produced by thefe animals,* in countering the 
labours 
* Nat. ubi fupra. 
t Barbut’s Genera Infeftorum; p, 14, 
