8-1 



INSECTS ABKOAD. 



so translucent that when the light shines on it, it looks almost 

 exactly like a red currant, the convexity of the body adding to 

 the resemblance Tin- generic name of Leptoderus refers to this 

 pi raliarity, being constructed from two Greek words signifying 

 ■' delicate-skinned." The specific name seria us signifies "silky," 

 and is given to the insect on account of a sort of silken gloss 

 upon the surface of its body. 



The habits of the Leptoderus are as remarkable as its form. 

 As far as is known, the insect is found only in one place in 

 the world; namely, Carinthia, in Austria. It inhabits certain 

 dark caves, and is found only in the deepest and darkest recesses 

 of the caverns. The caves in question are profusely adorned 

 with stalactites and stalagmites, and in their crevices the Lepto- 

 derus is to Ik 1 found. 



Tt walks very slowly and 

 deliberately, standing high on 

 its long and slender legs, look- 

 ing, according to M. Lacordaire, 

 as if it were walking on stilts. 

 Being blind, it cannot see an 

 enemy, but at the least noise 

 it stops, crouches low upon the 

 substance on which it is walk- 

 ing, tucks in its legs, lays its 

 > long antennae over its back, and 

 lies motionless until it imagines that all danger has passed away. 

 In such a locality it might appear to dread no enemy, but it 

 has one foe which it may well fear. This is a spider belonging to 

 the genus Obisium, which inhabits the same place, and, curiously 

 enough,is also blind. The rearer may perhaps be aware that there 

 are many examples in the animal world of the absence of eyes 

 in creatures that live in total darkness. We shall come to some 

 more of them among the insects, and in the higher orders the 

 most familiar examples are the Blind Proteus {Proteus anguinus) 

 of the Adelsberg caves, and the Blind Fish (Amblyopsis spclccus) 

 of the Kentucky caverns. 



Fig. 30- — Leptoderns Bericetis. 



(Translucent red. ) 



Now we come to the insects that really deserve the name of 



rying Beetles, the first of which is Necrophobia grandis of 



North America. The genus to whicb this insect belongs is a 



