1838. HOUSE— No. 72. 71 



the earth. The number of eggs, in each individual, is stated by Dr. 

 Green, never to exceed 30, being generally below 20. They are 

 nearly globular, whitish, and about one thiriiethof an inch in diameter. 

 In the space of 20 days after being deposited, they are hatched, and 

 the young larvassoon begin feeding on such vegetable substances as are 

 within their reach. Like others of the genus, when not eating, they 

 lie upon the side, with the body curved, so that the head and tail are 

 nearly in contact. I have never been able to rear these insects in 

 pots, so as to trace the same individuals from birth, through all their 

 changes ; and Dr. Green informs me, that he has been equally un- 

 successful. However, by re])lenishing the pots, from time to time, 

 with fresh larvae from the ground, he has come to the conclusion, 

 that they arrive at their full growth about the last of October. Dur- 

 ing the winter, they remain torpid, and at such depth in the soil, as 

 to escape the effects of frost. At the approach of spring, they as- 

 cend near the surface, and prepare to take the pupa form. They 

 are then about half an inch long, and over one line in diameter. The 

 body of the grub is soft, whitish, with a bluish tinge near the tail, 

 and slightly hairy. The head is covered with a corneous shell of a 

 pale rust color, the jaws are rather darker. There are six legs near 

 the head, namely, one pair to each of the first three segments of the 

 body. About the first of May, the grub, by moving its body round and 

 round, forms a little cavity or cell, in which, after a few days, it be- 

 comes a pupa. This change is effected by the alternate contractions 

 and dilatations of the grub, during which, the skin near the head bursts 

 and is gradually pushed down, (like a stocking from the leg,) until 

 the pupa is entirely liberated. The pupa is of a yellowish white color 

 at first, but gradually becomes darker, as it approaches the perfect 

 state. The rudiments of the future wings, antennas, and legs, are 

 distinctly visible, folded under the body, and enclosed in a thin mem- 

 brane, which wraps each part separately : the eyes appear as two 

 blue spots ; the dorsal segnients of the body are prominent in ridges ; 

 the tail is acuminated, and retains upon it the exuviae or cast-skin of 

 the larva, until a few days before it throws off its last covering, and 

 emerges from the earth a perfect insect. This last and important 

 change is not effected but by the greatest efforts, during which the 

 pupa appears to writhe in agony, until, by its continued exertions, it 



