LETTEES FEOM ALABAMA. 
165 
a determinate direction ; from the very erratic 
course pursued, I conclude that the object of the 
beetles is merely to scatter the balls, so that all 
shall not remain in one spot. But as their labours 
take place chiefly, of course, in the middle of the 
most frequented highways, where their balls would 
inevitably be crushed, it is not improbable that one 
object of their instinct may be the removal to a 
place of greater security. I believe, but I cannot 
say from my own personal observations, that these 
balls are the repositories of the eggs of the female, 
which I suppose are laid in them after they have 
reached their destination, and that then they are 
buried in the earth, to afford nutriment to the grub 
when hatched. Whether the labourers are exclu- 
sively females, I cannot decide, but from the differ- 
ence occurring between individuals working to- 
gether in colour, development of the thorax and 
frontal horn, &c., I incline to think both sexes are 
engaged in this duty. A kindred species of about 
the same size, but all over of a dull black ( Coprohius 
volvens)j labours peaceably in company with these^ 
in exactly the same manner: and I believe the 
hahits are common to some European species. 
I may add to these notices, that, so effectually 
do these scavengers perform their task, that in a 
few hours no remains, nor even a vestige of the 
original matter, can be traced, save sometimes a 
round hole in the earth, and a darker tint of the 
soil around. 
There is a peculiarity in very many beetles of 
this great tribe {LawAlicornes) ^ which is as singular 
as it is unaccountable. I allude to the prominences 
so often found on the thorax and head, resembling 
horns. They are often of great size and strength, 
