THE BLAPS. 305 
engraving, where there is also a nymph on the right hand. The 
beetles may be seen on the right and on the left side of the 
engraving. 
The beetles of the genus A/aps are closely allied to those 
just mentioned. SAlaps mortisaga, or the Churchyard Beetle, is 
the best known species in this country. It hates the light, 
is of a deep black colour, and has the power of producing a very 
offensive smell. It lives upon rubbish of all kinds, and keeps 
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THE METAMORPHOSES OF Zenebrio molitor. (The Meal Worm.) 
in damp places, and the darkest and most retired spots of caves 
and grottoes. Almost all country people look unfavourably upon 
these beetles, and consider them of evil omen. They are very 
tenacious of life, and there are instances recorded of their 
having been kept in spirits of wine for many hours without any 
ill effect. Curiously enough, the larve have been ejected in great 
numbers from the human stomach, but how they got there we 
cannot pretend to say. 
The Cantharid@ are well known as the blistering flies, and 
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