TWO YOUNG NATURALISTS. 125 



the intention of preserving them till they become 

 'high,' but more probably to provide a store for 

 their future offspring. Some day we shall see them 

 at their work, and then I can assure you that you 

 will not regret the time spent in watching them. 

 And now, shall we look at the injurious beetles ? " 



With this he opened a box, in which were to be 

 seen transfixed by long pins many Coleoptera, as if 

 condemned and expiating their sins. First of all the 



TURNIP-FLY : NATURAL SIZE AND MUCH MAGNIFIED. 



chafers, who perhaps died regretting their juicy 

 leaves ; the Dermestidee, which frequently cause serious 

 injury to the finest furs; the weevils, and the corn- 

 weevils, dreadful scourges to our stores of grain in 

 barns and granaries ; Halticidse, so small that it had 

 been necessary to gum them on pieces of cardboard ; 

 and in addition a rear-guard of the destroyers that 

 devour roots, wither the young shoots, or perforate 

 the leaves. 



"All these sorts," said Le*on, "I abandon to you ; 



