The Cetoniae 



formed of all the rubbish of the garden and 

 particularly of dead leaves collected at the 

 time of their fall. This is the compost-fac- 

 tory which supplies the needs of my potted 

 plants. Now this bank of corruption, 

 warmed by the slow decomposition which is 

 working in it, is a paradise for the Cetoniae 

 in their larval state. The fat grub swarms 

 there, finding abundant provender in the 

 shape of fermented vegetable matter and 

 an agreeable warmth, even in the heart of 

 the winter. 



Four species live here, thriving admirably, 

 despite the annoyance which my curiosity 

 causes them. The most numerous is the 

 Metallic Cetonia (C. metallica, FAB.). 

 This is the insect that provides me with the 

 greater part of my data. The others are 

 the common Golden Cetonia, or Rose-chafer 

 (C. aurata, LINN.), the Dark-brown Ceto- 

 nia (C. morio, FAB.) and lastly the small 

 Funeral-pall Cetonia (C. stictica, LINN.). 1 



Let us inspect the heap about nine or ten 

 o'clock in the morning. We must be dili- 

 gent and patient, for the advent of the lay- 

 ing mothers is subject to capricious delays 



1 This Beetle, also known as C. Oxythyrea, MULS., is 

 black and, in the males, covered with white spots, sug- 

 gesting a pall. Translator's Note. 

 15 



