CONTENTS. Xlll 



[ 



exhibited in the ground beneath. In this, its form of imperfection., it 

 exists within the earth for several years, living in the air as a perfect 

 insect for perhaps a fortnight. On the oak-leaf to the left are two leaf- 

 galls, one exhibiting its enclosed grub a long liver, as compared with 

 the little Gall-fly (Cynips Quercus folii] , which is seen in upward flight 

 above .................... 



" The threads of insect life are variously apportioned" 



The Parcfe meting the lengths of insect existence, allowing them the shortest 

 measure in their perfect and brightest stages ......... 



43. STARS OF THE EARTH. 



O.i the right, creeping down the bank, is a common Glowworm, the wingless 

 it-male of a beetle (Lampyris noctiluca) which is seen descending from 

 the corner opposite. Beneath, crawls a luminous or electric Centipede 

 (Sartopendra electrica) ; and near, in the centre of the foreground, is one 

 of our native Click Beetles (E/ateridce], not (as represented by mistake) 

 a luminous insect, but closely allied to, and much resembling, the Fire- 

 fly (Elater noctilucus) of the West Indies and South America . . 160 



" Inquire we the uses of the Glowworm's lamp ?" 

 It here supplies to a studious fairy the purpose of the midnight oil . . 177 



4-1. INSECT MOVEMENTS. 



The examples of slow and swift-footed beetles here given, are the Oil Beetle 

 (Proscarabeeus vulgaris), laboriously creeping up, and the Tiger Beetle 

 (CicindeJa campestris), rapidly descending the sandy bank. Below, is a 

 last, walker, almost runner, among hairy caterpillars, and above, on a 

 lime-tree twig, sits the stately larva of the Lime Hawk Moth (Smerintkus 

 Tiliee), like the rest of its Sphinx-like brethren, slow-footed and averse to 

 motion. The two flies are of a flower-resorting species, called vibrating 

 (Sciojrfera vibrnas], which are distinguished by red heads, scarlet eyes, 

 black-tipped wings, and that quivering or vibrating motion to which 

 they owe their name ............. .178 



