COLEOPTERA. 57 



splits open the green pods for the sake of the grubs contained 

 in the pease, thereby contributing greatly to prevent the increase 

 of these noxious insects. Tlie instinct that enables this beau- 

 tiful bird to detect the lurking grub, concealed as the latter is, 

 within the pod and the hull of the pea, is worthy our highest 

 admiration; and tlie goodness of Providence, which has en- 

 dowed it with this faculty, is still fui'ther shown in the economy 

 of the insects also, which, through His prospective care, are 

 not only limited in the season of their depredations, but are 

 instinctively taught to spare the germs of the pease, thereby 

 securing a succession of crops for our benefit and that of their 

 own progeny. 



The Attelabians (Attelabid.e) are distinguished from the 

 Bruchians by the form and greater length of the head, which 

 is a little inclined, and ends with a snout, sometimes short and 

 thick, and sometimes long, slender, and curved. The eyes also 

 are round and entire ; and the antennse are usually implanted 

 near the middle of the snout. The larvse resemble those of 

 most of the snout-beetles, being short, thick, whitish grubs, 

 with horny heads, the rings of the body very much hunched, 

 and deprived of legs, the place of which is supplied by fleshy 

 warts along the under side of the body. Some of the Eiko- 

 pean insects of this family are known to be very injurious to 

 the leaves, fruits, and seeds of plants. 



The different kinds of Attelahus are said to roll up the edges 

 of leaves, thereby forming little nests, of the shape and size of 

 thimbles, to contain their eggs, and to shelter their young, 

 which afterwards devour the leaves. The larva and habits of 

 our native species are unknown to me. The most common 

 one here is the Attelahus cuialis of Weber, or the red-tailed 

 Attelabus. It is one quarter of an inch long from the tip of 

 the thick snout to the end of the body. The head, which is 

 nearly cylindrical, the antennae, legs, and middle of the breast 

 are deep blue-black ; the thorax, wing-covers, and abdomen are 

 dull red ; the wing-covers taken together, are nearly square, and 

 are punctured in rows. This beetle is found on the leaves of 

 oak-trees in June and July. 

 8 



