GRAVE-DIGGING BEETLE 
GENERIC CHARACTER. 
Antennae small at the base, but gradually thickening towards 
the end. 
The elytra or wing-cases have a margin, with which the 
thorax is likewise provided. 
The head is prominent. 
SPECIFIC CHARACTER. 
Silpha Vespillo. . . S. oblonga atra, clypeo orbiculato ine- 
quali e]ytris fascia duplici ferruginea. 
Linn. Syst. Nat. Gmel. 1. p. Ibid. 
Of an oblong shape and black colour j 
shield circular and unequal j wing- 
cases marked with two ferruginous 
bands. 
, Nicrophorus ater. Elytris fascia 
duplici ferruginea. Fair. Ins. 1. 
p. 84. no. 2. 
Dermestes Vespillo. Scop. Ent. 
Cam. 33. 
Grave-digging Beetle. Geoff. Ins. 1. pi. 1. f. 5. Roes. Ins. 4. 
pi. 1. f. 1, 2. Schaff. Icon. pi. 9. 
f. 4. Shaw Gen. Zool. 6. p. 50. 
pi. 14. 
The singular manners oft his insect, as recorded by 
naturalists, are well worth our attention. Moles, 
birds, &c. are presently buried in the earth by the 
