BEETLES. 47 



into a cocoon (puppa) ; then, with the material of their 

 dwellings, which they anoint with a gelatinous sub- 

 stance, coming from their bodies, they form an oblong 

 cocoon, into which they gather themselves, and remain 

 safe from all external influences, until after a longer or 

 shorter time their metamorphosis is complete, and they 

 emerge as perfect Beetles. 



A number of such larvse were considered by the 

 ancient Romans as a wholesome and delicious article of 

 food, and even fried and eaten by them, in the same 

 manner as the inhabitants of the West India Islands 

 now do with the Palm-worm, which is a disgusting- 

 looking, fat larva, from three to five inches long. This 

 larva lives in the stem of the Palm-tree, usually in the 

 Cabbage Palm (Areca Oleracea), and afterwards changes 

 into a black Weevil, two inches long (Calandra Palma- 

 rum, which will be illustrated in the next number), 

 which, however, belongs to the herbivorous Beetles, of 

 which we shall speak hereafter. 



The gigantic beetles of this family, some of which 

 are from three to five inches long, are found in the 

 tropics of America, Asia, and Africa, and, from their 

 size and magnificent colours, as well as from the oddity 

 of their appearance in contrast with those of other 

 climes, form great ornaments in an Entomological 

 cabinet. They are as rare in the Insect world as are 

 the Elephants, Rhinoceroses, and River-Horses among 



