Insects abroad : being a popular account of foreign insects, their structure, habits, and transformations . her the LamellicornBeetles ought not to be placed at the head of the insects insteadof the (reodephaga. We will begin the history of the Lamellicorns with the Scara-beides, one of which is the most celebrated Beetle of their race—perhaps the most celebrated insect in the world. This is ; Sc\i:m;.i;i s (Ateuckus sacer), which was held in suchveneration by the ancient Egyptians, and which is representedin sudi profusion on their tombs and even on their personal THE SACRED SCAR
Insects abroad : being a popular account of foreign insects, their structure, habits, and transformations . her the LamellicornBeetles ought not to be placed at the head of the insects insteadof the (reodephaga. We will begin the history of the Lamellicorns with the Scara-beides, one of which is the most celebrated Beetle of their race—perhaps the most celebrated insect in the world. This is ; Sc\i:m;.i;i s (Ateuckus sacer), which was held in suchveneration by the ancient Egyptians, and which is representedin sudi profusion on their tombs and even on their personal THE SACRED SCARAB/EUS. Ill ornaments. The reason for its sacred character, or at least oneof the reasons, we shall presently see. The mode of depositing its eggs is very remarkable. OurBritish Beetles merely dig through the patch of cowdung, carrysome of it to the bottom of the hole, and therein lay a singleegg. In those places, however, where the Sacred Scarabseuslives, such a proceeding is impossible, on account of the differenceof the soil. The earth of our pasture lands is comparatively t*syt\y •--V - ^-- Mga. Fig. 51.—Ateuclms sacer.(Black.) soft and can be easily excavated, but, as a rule, in the countryinhabited by the Sacred Scarabseus, the earth is hard and stony,so that the insect is obliged to search for a spot sufficiently softto allow her to excavate. It is necessary therefore that theBeetle should be able to transport from place to place a sufficientamount of the material on which the vouncr larva is to feed, andthis she does in a very curious manner. Taught by instinct, she gathers together exactly so much ofthe material as will give to the future young an ample supply offood, places in the midst an egg, works it into a rudely globularform, and then proceeds on her travels in search of a spot inwhich she can burrow. The mode of progression also is verypeculiar. Turning her back upon the ball, and grasping it with 112 INSECTS ABROAD. the hind legs, she works backwards, pus
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjectinsects, bookyear1883
