178 BEETLES. 



this insect is short, in comparison with that 

 which it passed in its aquatic state, the frosts 

 of the close of Autumn destroying the whole 

 race. They are also the prey of several sorts 

 of birds. 



Meloe Proscarab.^s. — The Oil Beetle. 



This insect is of considerable size, often 

 measuring near an inch and a half in length ; 

 its colour is violet black, especially on the 

 antennae and limbs ; the wing sheaths are 

 very short, in the female insect especially, 

 scarcely covering more than a third of the 

 body, and are of an oval shape. This insect 

 is frequent in the advanced state of spring in 

 field? and pastures, creeping slowly, the body 

 appearing so swoln, or distended with eggs, 

 ' as ,^0 cause the insect to move with difficulty. 

 X$n being handled it suddenly exudes from 

 the joints of its legs, as well as from some 

 parts of the body, several small drops of a 

 clear, deep yellow oil or fluid, of a very 

 peculiar, and penetrating smell. This oil or 



