INSECT CANNIBALS. 561 



and Mr. Curtis mentions, in his work on British insects, that, 

 off Teignmouth, a rock in the sea was quite reddened with 

 them. In fact they were as numerous as the ladybirds are in 

 some seasons. They seem to be social insects, loving to collect 

 together in groups rather than disperse themselves. Mr. 

 Westwood states that in the neighbourhood of Berlin, especially 

 in the gardens of the palace of Charlottenburg, the place 

 swarmed with them, and that they were employed in sucking 

 various fallen berries and seeds under the trees. 



They also exhibited cannibalistic tastes. Owing to their 

 great numbers, many of them had been trodden under foot, 

 and these unfortunates were eagerly drained of their juices by 

 their suiwiving comrades. It has been also noticed that, 

 although these creatures will thus feed on dead insects, they do 

 not meddle with living ones. This insect does not emit a 

 disagreeable odour, fortunately for those whom it visits in such 

 numbers. 



It has been noticed that, in this group of insects, there are 

 some that are brightly coloured, and some that are compara- 

 tively dull and sombre. Those species that are brilliantly 

 decorated are mostly found on plants and flowers, as if anxious 

 to exhibit their beauties, while their duller companions, as if 

 ashamed of themselves and anxious not to bring themselves 

 in contrast witli their gorgeously clothed relatives, restrict 

 themselves to the roots apd lower parts of the stems. 



The Pyrrhocoris belongs to a group termed Csecigenina. 

 This name, \vhich signifies blindness, is given to the insects 

 because they possess no ocelli. The second joint of the 

 antennse is the longest. As the word apterus signifies wing- 

 less, some entomologists have considered that it is not appro- 

 priate to tliis insect, on the grovmd that many specimens have 

 fully-developed wings, while in others the wings are partly 

 developed, and in none absolutely wanting. They have, there- 

 fore, suggested the specific name of calmariensis, by which it 

 is known in several lists. 



According to Mr. Curtis' theory, climate has some influence 

 in the development of the wings, a hot climate forwarding it 

 and a cold one retarding it. He stated that he had never 

 found specimens in this country with the wings fully developed, 

 tht)ugh he had done so in the South of France. As, however, 



O 



