126 STRAWBERRY. 



of spare waste meat would answer equally well, for in my own indoors 

 observations, I found that Harpahis rujicomis and Pterostichns vulgaris 

 would feed willingly (as a variety on Strawberry ravage) on live worms, 

 uncooked mutton, cooked meat and fish, and bread. Probably the 

 meat or fish would be the most attractive by reason of the stronger 

 and more widely diffused smell. 



At present we need for completion of the life-history of the beetles 

 some observations of method of life of their grubs, of which, so far as 

 I am aware, we have no descriptions, but which may be presumed to 

 resemble others of the Geodephaga, that is, the Ground Beetles, in 

 their appearance and habits. These are stated to be mostly found in 

 the same places as the perfect beetles. In shape " they are usually 

 flat, elongate, parallel-sided, fleshy, with the head and first segment 

 hard ; . . . the legs are horny, six in number, and situated on the 

 first three segments ; there are short jointed antennae and palpi, and 

 powerful sickle-shaped jaws, and the apex of the body has usually two 

 horny or fleshy appendages on its upper surface, the lower part being 

 lengthened into a membranous supplemental leg." ■'' 



In the case of the three kinds of Ground Beetles which are wing- 

 less, it appears certain that the grubs (or larvce) must either feed in 

 the ground near the plants, or be brought there in soil or enrichments, 

 and it is possible that if we knew whereabouts in the earth the grubs 

 are to be found, and how deep they lie for their pupal changes, 

 we might be able to bring some preventive measures to bear on 

 them also. 



* 'British Beetles,' by E. C. Eye, pp. -k-i and 46. 



