BEETLES. 69 



deeper into the ground, and form their cocoons, from 

 which, after about four weeks, they issue as perfect 

 Beetles. 



The immortal Rosel, in his " Insecten Belustigung," 

 (Amusements with Insects,) 1748 — 1761, has made 

 some very interesting and profound observations with 

 regard to this Insect, which all would be pleased to 

 hear, but which our limits forbid us to relate. 



We proceed, then, to the third natural family of 

 the Coleoptera. 



Herbivorous Beetles, or Plant-eaters. 



The Herbivorous Beetles are all provided with 

 a horny skin, and very hard wing-covers. Both as 

 grubs and as perfect Beetles, they feed on vegetable 

 substances. Some on green wood, as the Spring and 

 Capricorn Beetles; some on fruit and seeds, as the 

 different kinds of Weevils or Snout Beetles, and others 

 on leaves, as the Cucumber Beetle. 



As these Insects infringe the privileged prerogatives 

 of Man, who, like every kingly despot, imagines that 

 every living being in his dominion was created only 

 for his sake — as they destroy the wood destined for 

 our fences, fuel, and furniture — as they devour our 

 cherries, pears, apples, plums, chestnuts, peas, rice, 

 and wheat, and all our fruit — as they eat up the 

 leaves of our garden, orchard, and fruit trees, they 



