312 TRANSFORMATIONS OF INSECTS. 



Snaps, or Springing Beetles, or Clip Beetles. They belong to the 

 family of the ElatcridcE, and they are very easily distinguished. 

 They have solid integuments, the antennae either cone-shaped or 

 toothed, and the tarsi have five joints, the first being more or 

 less enlarged, and furnished underneath with flexible plates, 

 which enable the insects to walk easily over plants. But the 

 most characteristic structure is a projection of the first piece of 

 the under part of the body, which can be fixed by the will of 

 the insect in a cavity of the second portion. Generally speaking, 

 these insects are of an elliptical or oval form ; sometimes they 

 are nearly linear, and are usually flattened. They fly very well, 

 but they cannot run fast. When placed on their back they are 

 able to spring up to a height of ten or twelve times their own 

 length, and this leaping motion is accompanied by a snapping 

 noise, which has given the insects their popular name. Their 

 legs are so short, that when they are on their backs they cannot 

 turn over, but by contracting the body vigorously, the projection 

 of the under part of the body, which we have just noticed, is 

 placed within the cavity in the second part ; it remains there, 

 the insect exercising great force to withdraw it. Suddenly, by a 

 sort of trigger motion, the point gives way, the curved body 

 becomes straight, and of course bounds into the air ; and should 

 the insect not have the good fortune to come down on its feet, 

 the same process of gymnastics is tried over and over again, until 

 the desired result ensues. One of these beetles is well known in 

 meadows and corn-fields. When in the larval condition it is called 

 the Wire Worm ; and as it attacks the roots of grass, it does an 

 infinity of mischief. 



Alans oc7ilatus belongs to this family, and is found in Louisiana. 

 In the engraving on page 311 the beetle, with curious eye-shaped 

 markings on the thorax, is upon a leaf; there are two larvae below 

 it, and the nymph is represented in its underground cell. 



The CleridcB are very pretty little beetles, which are orna- 

 mented with bright and varied colours, and which resemble 

 somewhat the Clicks, and, moreover, they have some likeness 

 to the DermcstidcB. They are of an elongated, nearly cylindri- 

 cal form, and have club-shaped antennae, the head and thorax 

 roughened with hairs, and the elytra adorned with lively and 



