The Primary Larva of the Oil-Beetles 



more effectual in that the amber colour of 

 their bodies merges in the yellow hue of the 

 florets. So long as nothing unusual happens 

 upon the flower, so long as no sudden shoclc 

 announces the arrival of a strange visitor, the 

 Meloes remain absolutely motionless and 

 give no sign of life. To see them dipping 

 vertically, head downwards, into the florets, 

 one might suppose that they were seeking 

 some sweet liquid, their food; but in that case 

 they ought to pass more frequently from one 

 floret to another, which they do not, except 

 when, after a false alarm, they regain their 

 hiding-places and choose the spot which seems 

 to them the most favourable. This immo- 

 bility means that the florets of the camomile 

 serve them only as a place of ambush, even 

 as later the Anthophora's body will serve 

 them solely as a vehicle to convey them to 

 the Bee's cell. They take no nourishment, 

 either on the flowers or on the Bees; and, 

 as with the Sitares, their first meal will con- 

 sist of the Anthophora's egg, which the hooks 

 of their mandibles are intended to rip open. 

 Their immobility is, as we have said, com- 

 plete ; but nothing is easier than to arouse 

 their suspended activity. Shake a camomile- 

 blossom lightly with a bit of straw: instantly 

 the Meloes leave their hiding-places, come 

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