in zoology, a genus of insects belonging to the order of coleoptera. The antennae are elavated, with three of the joints thicker than the rest; the breast is convex; and the head is inflected below the breast. The species are pretty numerous.

1. The lardarius is of an oblong form and of a dim black colour, easily distinguishable by a light brown stripe that occupies transversely almost the anterior half of the elytra. That colour depends on small grey hairs situated on that part. The stripe is irregular at its edges, and intersected through the middle by a small transversal streak of black spots, three in number on each of the elytra, the middlemost of which is somewhat lower than the rest, which gives the black streak a serpentine form. Its larva that is oblong, somewhat hairy, Dermestes hairy, and divided into segments alternately dark and light coloured, gnaws and destroys preparations of animals preferred in collections, and even feeds upon the insects; it is also to be found in old bacon. 2. The domesticus varies greatly in size and colour, some being found of a dark brown, others of a much lighter hue. The form of it is oblong, almost cylindrical. The elytra are striated, the thorax is thick and rather gibbous. This little animal, when touched, draws its head under its thorax and its feet beneath its abdomen, remaining so motionless that one would think it dead. This is the same insect which makes in wooden furniture those little round holes that reduce it to powder. 3. The violaceus is a beautiful little insect: its elytra are of a deep violet blue. The thorax is covered with greenish hairs, the legs are black. The whole animal being of a glittering brilliancy renders it a pleasing object. The larva, as well as the perfect insect, inhabits the bodies of dead animals. 4. The fumatus is of a light brown, except the eyes, which are black. It is however sometimes more or less deep. The thorax is margined, and the insect has the whole carriage of a scarabaeus; but its antennae have the character of those of the dermestes. This little creature is found in dung. It also frequently finds its way into houses.

There are 25 other species, distinguished by their colour.—Many varieties of this genus, as well as the larvae, are to be met with in dried skins, bark of trees, wood, seeds, flowers; the carcases of dead animals, &c. —The lardarius, so destructive to birds, insects, and other subjects of natural history preserved in cabinets, is to be killed by arsenic.