The Rose-Chafer 



or even upon the thrip, which whale-oil 

 soap banishes for a long time. Therefore, 

 I judge that the mixture clogs the wings, 

 and interferes with the breathing of beetles, 

 or, possibly, whatever virtue it possesses 

 lies in the volatile essence which escapes 

 from it, for the fresh mixture is much 

 more deadly than that which has stood 

 for some time. 



But the sad thing about its use is, that The rose- 

 bug draws 



the rose-bug is a being that draws no no moral. 

 moral from any tale, and he is totally de- 

 void of sentiment. I cannot find that the 

 corpses of his relations take away from 

 his appetite in the least. Possibly the 

 numerous attendants we see at the fune- 

 ral come for a wake, and they are full as 

 hungry and thirsty as Conn the Shaugh- 

 raun's cousins, on the same melancholy 

 occasion. 



Though I am disposed to think that the 

 chafers may not be quite so ready to at- 

 tack a bush or tree freshly anointed with 

 the unsavory fluid, I am not sure but that 

 the wish is father to the thought. In any 

 case, it is not practicable to shower a bush 

 every five minutes with anything, however 

 185 



