. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Reptiles; Fishes; Mollusks; Natural history; Reptiles; Poissons; Mollusques; Sciences naturelles. tl^! 1 .li SACRED EGYPTIAN SCARAB/EUS.—ScoroSwis sacer. ATLAS alias. extraordinary powers of scent, are sure to be on the spot as soon as their labours are re([uired. There are few parts of the globe where beetles possessing similar habits are not to be found, and although they do not display equal skill in the construction of ogg-containinw balls, they are equally etficacious in the results. It may be here mentioned that the watchma
. The illustrated natural history [microform]. Reptiles; Fishes; Mollusks; Natural history; Reptiles; Poissons; Mollusques; Sciences naturelles. tl^! 1 .li SACRED EGYPTIAN SCARAB/EUS.—ScoroSwis sacer. ATLAS alias. extraordinary powers of scent, are sure to be on the spot as soon as their labours are re([uired. There are few parts of the globe where beetles possessing similar habits are not to be found, and although they do not display equal skill in the construction of ogg-containinw balls, they are equally etficacious in the results. It may be here mentioned that the watchman beetle of England {Oeotriipes stercordrius) is the "shard-borne" beetle men- tioned by the poets, the title being due to the shelly elytra which are held aloft during its tlij,'lit. They are marvellously tenacious of life; and as an example of this property I may mention that I once caught a Geotrupes in the air which had been mulcted of one elytron, lost several of its limbs, and the whole of its abdomen, the contents having been evidently scooped out by some bird. Yet it was quite strong on the wing, and seemed little the worse for its injuries. The right-hand figure in the illustration represents a very fine Lamellicorn, the Atlas Beetle, a native of the Philippines and part of India. The form of this insect can be seen from the drawing, and its colours are as follows :—The male is of a brilliant metallic olive green, brightly polished and shining ; but the female is of a much duller hue, having tlie thorax and the base of the elytra rough, and the green of a blackish cast. The length of tlie male is about three inches. Tlie very odd looking beetle on the left hand of the illustration belongs to the family Euteliilio, the members of which belong entirely to the hot countries of the globe, and are most plentiful in the tropics. They do not seem to attain the gigantic dimensions which are found among the allied families, such as the Dynastidiie, but are all ver
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, booksubj, booksubjectfishes, booksubjectmollusks
