MEANS OF DEFENCE OF INSECTS. 225 



in Europe, aiidof the stag-horn capricorn-beetle (Pri- 

 onus cervicornis, F.) in America, may save them from 

 the cruel fate of the poor cockchafer % whose gyrations 

 and motions, when transfixed by a pin, too often form 

 the amusement of ill-disciplined children. The threat- 

 ening horns also, prominent eyes, or black and dismal 

 hue of many other Coleoplera belonging to the Linnean 

 genera Scambceus. Cicmdela, and Carabtis, may produce 

 the same effect. 



But the most striking instances of armour are to be 

 found in the Hemiptcra order amongst the Cicodiadce. 

 In some of these, the horns that rise from the thorax 

 are so singular and monstrous, that nothing parallel to 

 them can be found in nature. Of this kind is the CV- 

 cada spinosa, Stoll'', the Centrotus clavafus, F.% and 

 more particularly the Centrotus globularis, F.**, so re- 

 markable for the extraordinary apparatus of balls and 

 spines, which it appears to carry erect, like a standard, 

 over its head. What is the precise use of all the va- 

 rieties of armour with wliich these little creatures are 

 furnished it is not easy to say, but they may probably 

 defend them from tlie attack of some enemies. 



Under this head I may mention the long hairs, stiff 

 bristles, sharp spines, and hard tubercular prominences 

 with which many caterpillars are clothed, bristled, and 

 studded. That these are means of defence is rendered 

 more probable by the fact that, in several instances, 



* One would almost wish that the same superstition prevailed here 

 which Sparrman observes is common in Sweden, with respect to these ani- 

 mals. " Simple people," says he, " believe that their sins will be forgiven 

 if they set a cockchafer on its legs." Voyage, i. 28. *' Cigales, f. 85, 



" Ibid./. 115. Coquebert, Illmtr. Jc. ii. t. xxviii./. 5. 



" Stoll Cigales,/. IQ3. Comp. Pallas, Spkil. Zoo!, t. \. f. 12. 

 VOL. II. Q 



