256 



HALF HOURS "WITH INSECTS. [Packard. 



cerning its habits, nor of the appearance of its grub. The 

 beetle itself is blackish brown, with slight, dark blue reflec- 

 tions. The top of the head and the sides of the prothorax 



Fig. 195. 



The Shining Arrhopalus. 



and under side of the body are covered with short, fine gray- 

 hairs, and there are silvery w-like markings on the wing- 

 covers. 



We have thus seen what a force in the world these beetles 

 are. Their work is done slowly but effectively, and their 

 gnawing teeth, though slow in action, are as resistless as 

 the "mordant tooth of time." Beetles have in fact well 

 earned the right to have engraved on the escutcheon of their 

 order the old saying : Scarabceus aquilam qucerit. 



32 



