THE BEETLE. 147 



Of the Beetle there are various kinds ; all, how- 

 ever, concurring in one common formation of hav- 

 ing cases to their wings, which are the more ne- 

 cessary to those insects, as they often live under 

 the surface of the earth, in holes which they dig 

 out by their own industry. These cases prevent 

 the various injuries their real wings might sustain, 

 by rubbing or crushing against the sides of their 

 abode. These, though they do not assist flight, 

 yet keep the internal wings clean and even, and 

 produce a loud buzzing noise when the animal 

 rises in the air. 



If we examine the formation of all animals of 

 the beetle kind, we shall find, as in shell-fish, that 

 their bones are placed externally, and their muscles 

 within. These muscles are formed very much 

 like those of quadrupeds, and are endued with 

 such surprising strength, that, bulk for bulk, they 

 are a thousand times stronger than those of a 

 man. The strength of these muscles is of use in 

 digging the animal's subterraneous abode, where 

 it is most usually hatched, and to which it most 

 frequently returns, even after it becomes a wing- 

 ed insect, capable of flying. 



Beside the difference which results from the 

 shape and colour of these animals, the size also 

 makes a considerable one ; some beetles being 

 not larger than the head of a pin, while others, 

 such as the elephant beetle, are as big as one's 

 fist. But the greatest difference among them is, 

 that some are produced in a month, and in a 

 single season go through all the stages of their 

 existence, while others take near four years to 



