312 TRANSFORMATIONS OF INSECTS. 
Snaps, or Springing Beetles, or Clip Beetles. They belong to the 
family of the Elateridg, and they are very easily distinguished. 
They have solid integuments, the antenna either cone-shaped or 
toothed, and the tarsi have five joints, the first being more or 
less enlarged, and furnished underneath with flexible plates, 
which enable the insects to walk easily over plants. But the 
most characteristic structure is a projection of the first piece of 
the under part of the body, which can be fixed by the will of 
the insect in a cavity of the second portion. Generally speaking, 
these insects are of an elliptical or oval form; sometimes they 
are nearly linear, and are usually flattened. They fly very well, 
but they cannot run fast. When placed on their back they are 
able to spring up to a height of ten or twelve times their own 
length, and this leaping motion is accompanied by a snapping 
noise, which has given’ the insects their popular name. Their 
legs are so short, that when they are on their backs they cannot 
turn over, but by contracting the body vigorously, the projection 
of the under part of the body, which we have just noticed, ts 
placed within the cavity in the second part; it remains there, 
the insect exercising great force to withdraw it. Suddenly, by a 
sort of trigger motion, the point gives way, the curved body 
becomes straight, and of course bounds into the air; and should 
the insect not have the good fortune to come down on its feet, 
the same process of gymnastics is tried over and over again, until 
the desired result ensues. One of these beetles is well known in 
meadows and corn-fields. When in the larval condition it is called 
the Wire Worm; and as it attacks the roots of grass, it does an 
infinity of mischief. 
Alaus oculatus belongs to this family, and is found in Louisiana. 
In the engraving on page 311 the beetle, with curious eye-shaped 
markings on the thorax, is upon a leaf; there are two larve below 
it, and the nymph is represented in its underground cell. 
The Clerid@ are very pretty little beetles, which are orna- 
mented with bright and varied colours, and which resemble 
somewhat the Clicks, and, moreover, they have some likeness 
to the Dermestide. They are of an elongated, nearly cylindri- 
cal form, and have club-shaped antenne, the head and thorax 
roughened with hairs, and the elytra adorned with lively and 
