COLEOPTERA. 



447 



ducing a monotonous sound by the friction of their wings. But the 

 cockchafer steers badly when it flies ; it knocks itself at each instant 

 against obstacles it meets with. It then falls heavily to the ground, 



^ik 



Fig 432.— Cockchafer (i')/6'/<7/tf«2'/iii vulgaris). 



and becomes the plaything of children, who are constantly on the 

 look-out for them. There is a saying, "Etourdi comme un hanneton." 

 Wliat contributes still more to render the flight of these msects heavy 

 and sustained only for a short time together is that they are obliged 



