THE PINE-CHAFER 321 



structure of the male antennae ? The seven-leaved 

 apparatus is for the Pine-chafer what his long vibrat- 

 ing horns are to the Cerambyx and the panoply of 

 the head to the Onthophagus and the forked antlers 

 of the mandibles to the Stag-beetle. Each decks 

 himself after his manner in these nuptial extravagances. 



This handsome chafer appears towards the summer 

 solstice, almost simultaneously with the first Cigales. 

 The punctuality of its appearance gives it a place in 

 the entomological calendar, which is no less punctual 

 than that of the seasons. When the longest days 

 come, those days which seem endless and gild the 

 harvests, it never fails to hasten to its tree. The 

 fires of St. John, reminiscences of the festivals of the 

 Sun, which the children light in the village streets, 

 are not more punctual in their date. 



At this season, in the hours of twilight, the Pine- 

 chafer comes every evening if the weather is fine^ to 

 visit the pine-trees in the garden. I follow its evolutions 

 with my eyes. With a silent flight, not without spirit, 

 the males especially wheel and wheel about, extending 

 their great antennary plumes ; they go to and fro, 

 to and fro, a procession of flying shadows upon the 

 pale blue of the sky in which the last light of 

 day is dying. They settle, take flight again, and 

 once more resume their busy rounds. What are they 

 doing up there during the fortnight of their festival ? 



The answer is evident : they are courting their 

 mates, and they continue to render their homage until 

 the fall of night. In the morning both males and 

 females commonly occupy the lower branches. They 

 lie there isolated, motionless, indifferent to passing 



22 



