64 COLEOPTERA^ OR BEETLES. 



cially that of the larger herbivorous Mammals, and 

 from this source derive their nourishment. 



But whatever may be their habits in the larva 

 state, a period arrives at last when the food, on which 

 they have hitherto been regaling themselves so vora- 

 ciously, loses its attractions for them, and after form- 

 ing a convenient receptacle in which to pass their 

 period of helplessness, they become converted into 

 inactive pupse, in which, however, each limb is always 

 perfectly free. After remaining in this state for a 

 longer or shorter period according to the species, the 

 perfect Beetle at length emerges from its conceal- 

 ment j but for a time its scaly armour is far from pos- 

 sessing that hardness or brilliancy which distinguishes 

 the mature insect, and it is only by exposure to air 

 and light that it attains these qualities. 



When we consider the vast number of Insects 

 belonging to the order Coleoptera known to ento- 

 mologists (it is calculated that about 40,000 have 

 already been described, of which about 3000 are 

 natives of this country), it is evident that in these 

 few pages we can only hope to make a very limited 

 acquaintance with the innumerable phases of Beetle- 

 life, and our object must be to select as well as we 

 can such examples as may give the best general idea 

 of the almost endless variety of habits, beauty, and 

 ingenuity of construction displayed in these little 

 creatures. 



Let us turn out in search of Beetles this glorious 

 spring morning, — with the sun shining as if there 

 were never to be another winter, or as if, having just 

 escaped from that dreary season, he was determined 

 to make the best of his time before fogs and clouds 

 extinguished him again, — wdth all nature springing 



