COLEOPTERA. 



447 



ducing a monotonous sound by the friction of their wings. But the 

 cockchafer steers badly when it flies ; it knocks itself at each instant 

 against obstacles it meets with. It then falls heavily to the ground, 



432. Cockchafer (Melolontha vulgaris). 



and becomes the plaything of children, who are constantly on the 

 look-out for them. There is a saying, "Etourdi comme un hanneton." 

 "What contributes still more to render the flight of these insects heavy 

 and sustained only for a short time together is that they are obliged 



