Image from page 069 of "Introduction to zoology; a guide to the study of animals, for the use of secondary schools;" (1900) (14804818523)

Identifier: introductiontozo00dave
Title: Introduction to zoology; a guide to the study of animals, for the use of secondary schools;
Year: 1900 (1900s)
Authors: Davenport, Charles Benedict, 1866-1944 Davenport, Gertrude Anna Crotty, 1866-
Subjects: Zoology
Publisher: New York, Macmillan company London, Macmillian and co., ltd.
Contributing Library: MBLWHOI Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MBLWHOI Library



Text Appearing Before Image:
FIG. 48.—Dorcus, a stag - beetle.Nat. size. Photo.by W. H. C. P. 50 ZOOLOGY
Text Appearing After Image:
• closely applied plates. This family includes many very large insects. We can separate it into two groups, - - the scavengers and the leaf-chafers. The scavenger lamellicorns, commonly known as tumble-bugs, live in the dung of horses and cows, which they form into balls and roll long distances(Fig. 49). The dung-rolling habithas long excited interest; indeed,among the Egyptians it was asource of superstition. So highwas the veneration of this peoplefor this their sacred beetle, thatthey reproduced it in their paint-ings and sculpture. The ball ofdung is really intended for the dep-osition of an egg, and it is rolledby both males and females to a hole in the ground which has been dug in a safe place for its reception. The leaf-eating lamellicorns include the May-beetles or June-bugs (Lachnosterna1) which are attracted by lamplight at night. They enter with a busy humming sound, soon come in violent contact with the wall or a piece of furni-ture, and fall heavily to the floor. They f