482 THE LADY-BUG. 



mole, and covered, as before, with a fine linen cloth. About seven 

 o'clock in the morning, the Beetle had drawn the head of the mole 

 below ; and, in pushing the earth backward, had formed a tolerably 

 high rampart around it. The interment was completed in this instance, 

 by four o'clock in the afternoon, a space of time so short, that one 

 could scarcely have imagined the operation possible, by so small a 

 creature, without any assistance, and considering that the body of the 

 mole must have exceeded the insect in bulk and weight at least thirty 

 times. 



While engaged in these experiments, a friend, who wished to dry a 

 Toad in the shade, fixed it to a stick which he stuck into the ground. 

 When it began to putrefy, the Beetles, allured by the smell, having 

 loosened the end of the stick that was fixed in the earth, brought it to 

 the ground, and they then interred both the Toad and the stick. 



The interment of these animals, which generally takes place from 

 about the middle of April to the end of October, has been sufficiently 

 proved to be not merely for food, but as a proper nidus for the eggs 

 of the insects, and to nourish the young family of grubs that proceeds 

 from them. If they wanted them for food only, they would no doubt 

 consume them above ground ; but in the continuation of the species, 

 it is necessary to have them below, since, otherwise. Foxes, Havens, 

 Kites, and other carnivorous animals, would seize on the bodies, and, 

 along with them, would swallow the grubs of the Beetles. 



OF THE COCCINELLA, OR LADY-BUG TRIBE. 



The principal food of these insects consists of aphides or plant-lice, 

 by destroying which, in immense numbers, they render a most impor- 

 tant service to mankind. 



Their antennae are club-shaped, and the club is solid. The thorax 

 and elytra are margined. The body is hemispherical, and the alxlo- 

 men flat. The larvie or grubs of some of the species, have their bodies 

 covered with scaly plates ; others have hairs on the upper parts of the 

 body, and on the sides ; and there are others still dillcrcut. 



THE SEVEN-SPOTTED AND IIVO-SPOTTED LADY-BUG. 



Few insects are either more common or better known than these. 

 They are usually found on plants, where they repose with the legs 

 concealed under their body, and their antennae beneath the head. In 

 winter they hide themselves and become torpid, and they again appear 

 abroad in the spring. 



The females deposit their eggs on such plants as abound with ap- 

 hides or plant-lice. The larvaa have each six feet, and a conical body 

 divided into twelve rings. At the extremity of the posterior ring, 

 there is a kind of fleshy teat, by which they are able to adhere to solid 

 Oodies, and firmly to support themselves while employed in seizing 



