Layard has figured a bronze cup, and two bronze cubes, found among the ruins of Nimroud, on which occur as
ornaments the figures of Scarabs. Those on the cubes are with outstretched wings, inlaid with gold. The cubes have much the appearance of weights.[116]
The Scarabæus was not only venerated when alive, but embalmed after death. In that state they are found at Thebes. It, however, was not the only insect thus honored, for in one of the heads brought by Mr. Wilkinson from Thebes, several others were discovered. These were submitted to Mr. Hope for examination; and the species ascertained by this gentleman, Mr. Pettigrew has enumerated as follows:
- Corynetes violaceous, Fab.
- Necrobia mumiarum, Hope.
- Dermestes vulpinus, Fab.
- —— pollinctus, Hope.
- —— roei, Hope.
- —— elongatus, Hope.
- Pimelia spinulosa, Klug?
- Copris sabæus? “found by Passalacqua; so named on the testimony of Latrielle.”
- Midas, Fab.
- Pithecius, Fab.
- A species of Cantharis in Passalacqua’s Collection, No. 442.[117] The House-fly has also been found embalmed at Thebes.[118]
Concerning the worship in general of the Scarabæus, many curious observations have been made besides the ones above recorded.
Pliny, in the words of his ancient translator, Philemon Holland, tells us “The greater part of Ægypt honour all beetles, and adore them as gods, or at leastwise having
some divine power in them: which ceremoniall devotion of theirs, Appion giveth a subtile and curious reason of; for he doth collect, that there is some resemblance between the operations and works of the Sun, and this flie; and this he setteth abroad, for to colour and excuse his countrymen.”[119]
Dr. Molyneux, in the conclusion of his article on the swarms of beetles that appeared in Ireland in 1688, makes the following allusion to the worship of the Scarabæus by the Egyptians: “It is also more than probable that this same destructive Beetle (Hedge-chafer—Melontha vulgaris) we are speaking of, was that very kind of Scarabæus the idolatrous Ægyptians of old had in such high veneration, as to pay divine worship to it. For nothing can be supposed more natural, than to imagine a Nation addicted to Polytheism, as the Ægyptians were, in a Country frequently suffering great Mischief and Scarcity from Swarms of devouring Insects, should from a strong Sense and Fear of Evil to come (the common Principle of Superstition and Idolatry) give sacred worship to the visible Authors of these their Sufferings, in hopes to render them more propitious for the future. Thus ’tis allowed on all hands, that the same People adored as a God the ravenous Crocodile of the River Nile; and thus the Romans, though more polite and civilized in their Idolatry, Febrem ad minas nocendam venerabantur, eamque variis Templis extructis colebant, says Valerius Maximus, L. 2, c. 5.”[120]
It is curious to observe how the reason is affected by circumstances. The mind of Dr. Molyneux being long engaged upon the destruction caused by insects, worked itself insensibly into certain grooves, out of which it was afterward impossible to act. The same may be remarked of Mr. Henry Baker, as appears from his article, “On a Beetle that lived three years without Food.” In conclusion, this gentleman says, “As the Egyptians were a wise and learned people, we cannot imagine they would show so much regard to a creature of such a mean appearance (as the Beetle) without some extraordinary reason for so doing. And is it not possible they might have discovered its being able to subsist