124 



ANIMALS OF LAND AND SEA 



a way that when the beetle is at rest they fit closely down over 

 those of the posterior pair, which are folded up beneath them. 

 In flight these anterior wings are held rigidly extended at 



various angles, the 

 hinder wings doing 

 all the work. It is 

 possible, however, 

 that in some cases 

 the anterior wings 

 may serve the pur- 

 pose of a pair of 

 planes, assisting in 

 keeping the insect 

 in the air, though 

 many beetles fly 

 just as well if they 

 are removed, and in 

 some excellent fliers, 

 like the devil's coach 

 horse, they are so 

 small as to be quite 

 functionless. 



As a rule the flight 

 of beetles is slow and 

 clumsy, especially of 

 the larger kinds 

 which fly only at 

 night and rather 

 high so as to avoid 

 the shrubs and 

 bushes. Some, like 



Figs. 273-283. Various Flies. 

 For explanations of the figures see pp. xLx, xx. 



the tiger beetles which in the spring we see running rapidly 

 about on the bare ground in their hunt for smaller insects, are 

 quite expert in turning and twisting in the air, while very many 

 cannot fly at all. The grasshoppers, locusts, crickets and their 

 allies have the fore wings stift" and tough, not used in flight, 



