THE DUNG-EEETLE. 
36a 
weak and flefider in proportion to the thighs, and this is 
uniformly the cafe with all the feet *. 
The Golden-beetle 
T* he laft fpecies of the beetle is deemed the moll beau- 
tiful of the Englijh infeCts. The whole body is of a 
gloffy green, tinged with yellow ; underneath, thefe co- 
lours partake of a fhade of red, which feme naturalills 
have compared to leather, others to finely polilhed cop- 
per t- In the brilliancy of its hues it rivals the einer .Id, 
and has lometimes been diftmgnilhed by that name. 
The fcarabseus in its vermicular Hate remains on the 
furface of the ground, or covered to a little depth with 
the mould ; there it preys on the roots of tender plants. 
After it is transformed into a winged infeft it chiefly de- 
lights in the flowers of the role and piony : It is confe- 
quently an inhabitant of the gardens, where its tranfient 
beauty is reckoned a fmall compenl'aiion for the mifehief 
of which it is guilty §. In the impure abode of the 
dung-beetle, that animal may be lei's pleafing to the fpec- 
tator ; but in return it is productive of lefs harm, and is 
lefs expofed to injury in a dwelling, of which it remains 
the unenvied poffcH'or. 
* Barbut. Genera Infedtor, p. 13. 
f Scarabseus auralus, Lin. Syft. 
1 Vide Regne Ammale, Tom. ii. p. S. § Idem ubi fupra. 
1 
