98 INSECTS. 



of this volume for much that is interesting relating to the 

 larvae of beetles, but a few words concerning them are 

 necessary. 



They vary in form according to the mode of life laid 

 down for them. Thus, such larvae as are predaceous, as 

 the terrestrial larvae of the Carabus (fig. 37), and the 

 aquatic larvae of the Dyticus (see fig. 26, 

 p. 57), are comparatively light and active in 

 ^ J$ * form, and have legs of considerable length 

 and power ; while, to go at once to the other 

 extreme, the larvae of some of the mining 

 and boring species, as the nut-weevil, are 

 footless grubs, merely furnished with tu- 

 kk bercles, or small fleshy prominences, which, 

 Larva somewhat like the false legs of the cater- 



of Carabus. 



pillar, aid the insect in such motion as 

 is necessary. 



Others, again, as the underground, root-eating Cock- 

 chafer larvae (fig. 38), are strange, clumsy-looking 

 Fig. 38. animals, rendered totally incapable 



of walking on the surface of the 

 earth by the large, curved, lumpy 

 termination to their bodies. 



Some long terrestrial larvae, as of 

 the Glowworm, the brachelytrous 

 beetles, and such of the Skipjacks as 



Larva of Melolontha , , -, 



(Cockchafer). are no ^ subterranean, have their long 



(Less than nat. size.) an j s i eD der abdomens supported, like 

 the caterpillar, by a terminal false leg, whilst the Wire- 

 worm, an underground larva in the latter family, is hard, 

 stiff, cylindrical, and pointed. 



It is not, however, to be supposed that running after 

 food, or crawling after it, or quietly living in its midst, 



