More Beetles 



natural history. Have I succeeded? It 

 may well be that I have. 



Let us now consider the metamorphoses of 

 the grub; let us strive to obtain the adult 

 form, so as to determine the nature of our 

 subject, which has hitherto remained name- 

 less. The rearing presents no difficulty 

 whatever. I install my plump larvae, 

 straight from the pine-tree, in flower-pots of 

 ordinary size. I provide them with a goodly 

 heap of scraps from their old home, the tree- 

 stump, choosing by preference the central 

 layers, which have rotted into soft flakes of 

 touchwood. 



The grubs creep in and out of the well- 

 stocked refectory at their own sweet will; 

 they crawl lazily up and down or stand still, 

 gnawing all the time. I need pay no further 

 attention to them, provided the victuals re- 

 main fresh. With this rough and ready 

 treat I have kept them in first-rate condition 

 for a couple of years. My boarders have all 

 the happy tranquillity that comes from an 

 untroubled digestion; and they know nothing 

 of home-sickness. 



In the first week of July, I catch sight of a 

 grub wiggling vigorously, turning round and 

 round. This exercise is to give suppleness in 

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