INSECTS : THEIR FEET. 133 



insect does not appear to be able to give out this secre- 

 tion, though it can still attach itself: indeed, this fluid 

 is not essential for that purpose."* It is asserted that 

 the speckled pattern of fluid left on the glass bj the fly's 

 footsteps remains (if breathed on) wlien the moisture is 

 evaporated ; and hence it is presumed to be of an oily 

 nature. 



In some Beetles the joints of the foot are furnished 

 with similar appendages. I shall now show you the 

 fore-foot of a well-known, insect, called by children the 

 Bloody-nose Beetle {TimarcJia tenehricosa), a heavy- 

 bodied fellow, of a blue-black colour, abundant in 

 spring and summer on hedge-banks. You have doubt- 

 less often observed it, and have been amused, perhaps, 

 at seeing the drop of clear scarlet fluid which exudes 

 from its mouth when touched. 



Tlie feet in this species are broad and well devel- 

 oped. You may see witli the naked eye, on turning 

 it up, that its dilated joints are covered on the under 

 surface with a velvety cushion of a rusty-brown colour ; 

 and here, under a low power of the microscope with 

 the Lieberkuhn, you can resolve the nature of the 

 Telret. 



The foot, or tarsus as it is technically called, is com- 

 posed of four very distinct pieces ; of which the first is 

 semicircular, the second crescent-shaped, the third 

 heart-shaped, and the fourth nearly oval. Tlie last is 

 rounded on all sides, has no cushioned sole, and can-ies 

 two stout hooks. The first three are flat or even, hol- 

 lowed beneath into soles, something like the hoof of a 

 horse, and the whole interior bristles with close-set 

 minute points, the tips of which terminate at the same 



* Microsc. Journal, for April, 1854. 



