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134 THE WATER CABINET. 
with facility, and have two fleshy appendages at the tail, 
by means of which they suspend themselves at the surface 
with their heads downwards, when they have occasion to 
respire (Cuvier). The beetle differs greatly in habit 
from the grub; it is by no means carnivorous, but quite 
harmless, docile, playful, and tameable. It is a noble 
creature for the cabinet, and may even be kept in the 
Aquarium safely. In its complete form it is as interesting 
HYDROUS PICEUS. 
for its gentleness as it is in the larva state for its rapacity 
and destructiveness. The female spins an elegant and 
waterproof cocoon for the reception of its eggs, and when 
they are deposited she watches them with a maternal 
solicitude not frequently exhibited by creatures of this 
family. 
