4° TChe Hiflory ^ANIMALS. 
■. D E R M E S T E S, 
' * ' ' ' f • •' - • * - o' 4 • - - • * * 'kifiV V • \ ■ ; ... ' . 
f «^HE antennae of the Dermeftes are of aclavated figure, and are perfoliated tranf- 
JL verfely the fpecies of this genus have been confounded with the Scarabaei by 
Ray, and moft other writers; whence that genus has been greatly increafed b6yond it’s 
natural bounds, and as greatly confounded, 
Dermejles niger elytris antics cinereis 
The black Dermejles, with the exterior wings grey on the anterior part. 
This is a fmall fpecies: it’s body is of an oblong form; it’s head and thorax black j 
it’s exterior wings grey towards the top, and elfewhere of a dufky blackifh brown, but 
a tranfverfe ftreak of white. 
It is common in the carcaffes of dead animals: it b particularly fond of birds, and 
often deftroys the preferved fpecimens of them, in the colledions of the naturalifts. 
Godart calls it Dermeftes; Ray, Scarabasus antennis clavatis clavis in angulos divifis 
quartus. 
Dermejles niger, alis exterioribus punciis albis bmis notatis. 
The black Dermejles, with the exterior wings, each marked with a white 
; > JP ot ' 
This is a fmall fpecies: it’s body is of an oval figure, and black, as are alfo it’s legs 
and antennre ; there is on each of the exterior wings a remarkable white fpot, fo that 
there appear two fuch fpots on the back, when thofe wings are clofed; if the creature 
be clofely examined, there ar.e alfo ufually found on each wing five other finaller fpots 
of white : when touched, or terrified with a noife, it draws in it’s head and legs, as it 
were, under the fhell of the body. 
It is found about houfes; fometimes in old walls, but more frequently in larders, and 
other places where there is food. 
Dermejles cylmdraceus collari crajj'o fubhirjuto, elytris tejlaceis* 
The cylindric Dermejles, with a thick hairy neck, and tejlaceous exterior 
wings, 
This is a fmall fpecies alfo ; the body is of a cylindric figure : the bread is thick* 
roundifh, and black, and is fomewhat hairy : the exterior wings are oblong, obtufie at 
the point, and teftaceous, and have a black edge, or margin running all round them: 
the wings are of a whitifh brown ; the body and legs are black*, the antennas are reddifih : 
the fize of the creature is about that of a loufe; on being touched, or terrified, it draws 
itfelf up into a fhorter form, and lies perfedly ftill. 
It is common in houfes. 
The other fpecies of theDermefies are, i. The black Dermefies, with a double undu¬ 
lated white line on the exterior wings. 2. The black Dermeftes, with two red fpots 
on the exterior wings. 3. The black Dermeftes, with four red fpots on the external 
wings. 4. The fmooth, grey, and black Dermeftes, with a yellow hairy bread. 5. 
The teftaceous hairy Dermeftes, with ftriated, retufe, dentated, exterior wings. 6. 
The fmooth teftaceous Dermeftes, with the exterior wdngs obtufe and hairy behind. 7. 
The black Dermeftes, with the exterior wings grey, edged with black. 8. The plain 
black Dermeftes, with the exterior wings grey. 9. The black oblong Derme¬ 
ftes, with an acute belly. 10. The black Dermeftes, with red legs, and with the 
exterior wings of a blackifh brown. 11, The black Dermeftes, with red legs. 12. 
The bluifh-black Dermeftes. 13. The brownilh-black Dermeftes, with beautiful, 
pundated, exterior wings. 14. The fmooth, oblong, teftaceous Dermeftes, with 
gloffy black eyes. 15. The brown Dermeftes, with a fubteftaceous thorax. 
Thefe are all the fpecies of this genius hitherto known ; moft of them are very fmall, 
and their habitations are extreamly different ; fome of them live in horfe-dung j others 
in decayed wood; others in flefh, and others in decayed vegetable fubftances : fome are 
-2 * " found 
