The Beetle. 59 



One such " bug-box " contained a bottle of water having 

 some sort of larvae, a baking-powder box of vegetable mould 

 in which were some white grubs, another full of meal con- 

 taining " meal-worms," and numerous twigs bearing cater- 

 pillars. If these twigs are found in early September, they 

 should be often renewed, and be set in bottles of water to 

 prevent their wilting. Later in the season the caterpillars 

 will not eat so much, and late in September and October 

 no food need be given them, as they are usually ready to 

 form their pupas then. 



It is not possible to give the exact names of the insects 

 which will be found. No two cases would be inhabited by 

 the same denizens, but it is reasonable to assume that there 

 will be members of the great families of insects, viz.: 

 i, straight-winged; 2, net-winged j 3, two-winged; 4, scaly 

 winged; 5, shell-winged; 6, half -winged; and 7, membrane- 

 winged. These families may be represented respectively by 

 i, grasshoppers; 2, dragon-flies; 3, flies; 4, butterflies; 5, 

 beetles; 6, bugs ; and 7, bees. On this assumption I shall 

 outline lessons on these typical insects. 



Suppose, then, that there is among the insects a grub. 

 The earth will be watched day by day. A pupil will keep 

 count of the days and note when he comes out ; also his 

 size, shape, color, and actions. 



Suppose it to be a beetle, for beetles are plentiful enough, 

 then questions like the following may be asked : 



How many parts has the body ? Which part is largest ? 

 How many legs ? Are the legs alike ? To which part are 

 the legs fastened ? How many joints in each leg? What 

 kind of feet has the beetle ? How many wings ? How do 

 the outer differ from the inner wings ? What is a baby 

 beetle ? Grub. Do you see this beetle's feelers ? Some 

 beetles have horns on their heads. Let us try to get differ- 

 ent kinds of beetles. Let us watch them every day and see 

 how they live. 



(Note. Beetles are often called bugs, but they are not 

 real bugs). 



