SKIP-JACKS. 387 



shown in the illustration ; sometimes of the breast-bone of a 

 goose ; and sometimes of a piece of wood cut into the semblance 

 of a frog, and painted. In all cases, however, the machinery is 

 practically the same. I may mention en passant that these frog 

 Skip-jacks are most acceptable presents to savage chiefs in 

 many parts of the world, and that the most powerful and 

 venerable warriors are as delighted with these toys as any 

 European child of six years old. 



Now we will turn to Nature, and see what she has in the 

 way of Skip-jacks. 



All entomologists will at once have before their minds the 

 vast groups of Skip-jack Beetles, technically termed Elateridce, 

 and also known as Click-beetles, from the sharp clicking 



SKIP-JACK BEETLE. 



GBASSHOPPEB. 



sound which they produce when in the execution of their 

 curious gymnastics. In this group belong the fire-flies of 

 warm countries, and it may be mentioned that the larvae of 

 some of our species are too familiar to the agriculturist under 

 the name " wireworm." 



All these beetles have very short legs and very long bodies, 

 so that if they should fall on their backs on a smooth surface, 

 they could not recover themselves. Now, as they, when dis- 

 covered, instinctively try to save themselves by falling to the 

 ground, it is evident that some means must be used to enable 

 them to regain their position. This is found in a most curious 

 apparatus. 



Attached to the " prothorax " is a rather long, pointed, and 

 very elastic projection exactly corresponding with the tongue 



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