130 NATURAL HISTORY. [CH. VIII. 



prove to be a species of Ploceus or Weaver-bird), 

 to decorate its nest, to which they are attached by 

 means of clay or some other adhesive substance, 

 whether for tlie purpose of food or of light remains 

 to be proved, or " perhaps to scare some nocturnal 

 spoiler ;" one author states it may be " to see com- 

 pany." 



The real object of this light is not thoroughly 

 understood by entomologists ; but Messrs. Kirby and 

 Spence " consider that it may act the part that their 

 name imports, enabling them to discover their prey, 

 and to steer themselves safely in the night," which 

 probably is the case, as most of the herbivorous 

 sucking insects are nocturnal. When this luminous 

 projection is cut down the centre and laid open, it 

 will be found perfectly hollow, without any appear- 

 ance of having contained any luminous matter, 

 which, perhaps, is situated between the outer skin 

 and the interior lining of the rostrum or beak of the 

 insect. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



NATURAL HISTORY OF COLEOPTEROUS INSECTS. 



History of the Cockchafer, its Ravages — Description of the Larva, 

 Pupa, Perfect Insect, its mode of appearing, Habits — Account of 

 its Ravages in Ireland — The history of the Death-watch, the 

 Vulgar Opinion, its I^oise, Number of Strokes — History of the 

 Burying-beetle, its Manner of Burying Moles, 4"C. — For what 

 Purpose — Description of the Larva and Pupa. 



In this and the following chapter we propose to 

 give the natural history of several coleopterous or 

 hard-winged insects. One of the most destructive 

 is commonly known by the name of Cockchafer 

 {Melolontha vulgaris). The larva, which is vulgarly 



