146 JOURNAL OF THE [july, 



dwells in the woods, hidden under the bark of trees, in canes, 

 or in chips left by the wood-cutter. Strong jawed it goes its 

 way. 



Much has been said regarding the strength of insects, and 

 especially of beetles. It has been asserted that they have made 

 their way through sheet-lead {Hyloirupes), and even through 

 iron pipes. Fortunately I have been able to watch this beetle 

 while engaged as a metal-worker, and to learn something of its 

 powers. 



My first specimen was from Yucatan, presented to me last 

 summer by a friend from Mexico. It was contained in a card- 

 board box, which I enclosed in my desk over night. The next 

 morning I found the creature had eaten a large hole in the side 

 of the box, and was enjoying its liberty with a commingling of 

 deliberation and satisfaction. Having recaptured it I placed it 

 in a small glass jar, to which I fitted a cover of' wood, after 

 boring a few holes in the latter for ventilation. The next day 

 I found on the bottom of the jar numbers of chips of the Black 

 Walnut wood of the cover. I then substituted the metal cover, 

 which belonged to the jar, after punching through the metal 

 several holes, about three-eighths of an inch in diameter, and 

 supplied the captive with some sugar. 



About one week after this I left home for a day, and, when I 

 returned, I found that the beetle had cut out in small bits all 

 the metal between two holes in the cover, and through this en- 

 largement had thrust out its pro-thorax, in such manner as to 

 give evidence that if left alone it would soon regain its liberty. 

 This work upon the metal was all done within the space of forty- 

 eight hours. Upon examination, the cutting edges of the man- 

 dibles appeared to be unbroken, and in perfect condition. 

 About three weeks after this time this beetle died. 



Several attempts were made during the winter to secure some 

 more living beetles of the same species. But they all died be- 

 fore reaching New York. About a month since, however. I had 

 the good fortune to receive two lively specimens. These were 



Hxplanation of Plate 14. 



Fig. 1.— The metal cover, showing the enlargement between two holes, made by the 



beetle. 

 Fig. 2.— Edge of this enlargement, grooved by the mandibles, magnified 10 diameters. 

 Fig. 3.— View of the metal chips, magnified 10 diameters. 



