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the abdomen is shown, it ghstens like a, jewel : this has earned for 

 it the name of the "Sparkler" Beetle. It is a very active insect, 

 taking to wing almost as readily as a wasp or bee ; in fact the 

 quickest of any of our beetles, and being equally energetic on its 

 legs, walking or running. On being handled, it emits a delicate 

 scent, of what we should say was rosemary, but has been variously 

 described as lavender, musk, roses, and sweetbriar. The Tiger 

 Beetle delights in sandy banks, and if with a southern aspect so 

 much the better; for in such a soil its peculiar larva finds a home 

 and food. The body of the larva is divided into thirteen segments, 

 first, a very large and horny head, armed with a pair of powerful 

 jaws, like sickles toothed on the inside, so that there is no escape 

 for any poor insect once in their embrace ; the next segments 

 carry the almost useless feet; and the eighth projects out very 

 much from the rest of the body, and is finished off with a small 

 pair of hooks ; this segment and the large head give the larva a 

 very peculiar appearance. The larva digs a tunnel in the sandy 

 soil about twelve inches in depth, carrying the eartli up on its broad 

 flat head ; when the tunnel is completed, the larva climbs to the 

 top, and, hooking itself by the small hooks on the eighth segment 

 of the body to the side of the tunnel, it fills the top of the holes on 

 a level with the ground with its large head and jaws, and there 

 lies in wait for any unfortunate insect that may travel that way, 

 which, when caught, is dragged to the bottom of the den 

 and eaten. Deprived as it is of any powers of locomotion that 

 would be of use to it in procuring food, it makes up for it in 

 cunning — literally making itself into a living trap for its victims to 

 walk into. The larva is not often seen, as it disappears to the 

 bottom of the hole on the slightest appearance of danger ; but if 

 you know the habitat of the insect, all you have to do, is to 

 find the tunnel and insert a stem of grass fully to the bottom, 

 when it will be grasped by the irritated larva, which will not leave 

 its hold till landed safely on the surface. May, June, or September 

 are the best months for finding it ; and there is a bank a few yards 

 to the south of Heads Nook Station where you may study it to 

 perfection. 



