24-4 INSECTS ABROAD. 



The Earlequin Beetle is extremely fond of the juice which 

 is secreted by the Bagasse tree (Bagassa Guiancnsis). This 

 juice is white, thick, and, when newly taken from the tree, 

 gives out a strong and penetrating odour, which the Beetles can 

 perceive at a considerable distance. The collectors take advan- 

 tage of this predilection, and, when they go in search of the 

 Harlequin Beetle, they attract it by wounding a Bagasse tree 

 and allowing the sap to flow freely. Negroes, when employed 

 in collecting, are apt, with the usual improvidence of their race, 

 to cut down the trees so as to secure a greater number of 

 Beetles at the time. In consequence of the fondness of the 

 insect for this juice, it is popularly called Mouche Bagasse. 



The Beetle can fly pretty well, and, like most of its kin, takes 

 to the air in the evening, remaining quiet during the day. The 

 long fore-legs appear to incommode the Harlequin Beetle when 

 Hying, for it seems to have but little power of directing its course, 

 and is apt to blunder against any object that may happen to be 

 in the way. When it does so, like our own Stag Beetle, it falls 

 to the ground at once. It has rather a noisy, rustling flight, and, 

 when walking, it makes a sort of creaking sound which betrays 

 it to anyone who knows its customs. 



It is an extremely variable insect, both in size and colour. 

 The variation in the latter, however, is often due to the effect 

 of light, the bright scarlet and yellow fading into dull red and 

 dusky ochre if the insect has been kept for any length of time 

 in a case which is exposed to light. Those specimens which are 

 obtained near the coast are said to be much more brilliant than 

 those which are found inland. These are not uncommon insects, 

 and as they are exceedingly handsome and imposing, and look 

 well in show-cases, the negroes who choose to hunt after them 

 can be sure of earning money by capturing them and selling 

 (hem to the professional collectors, who are always ready to buy 

 up any insects which are likely to have a sale in Europe. 



The wood-boring habits of this splendid Beetle are well shown 

 by a specimen in the British Museum. It was fortunately 

 secured before it had escaped from the piece of timber in which 

 it had undergone its change into the perfect state, and there lies, 

 with its long legs packed up in a most wonderful manner, so as 

 t«j take up. a space which is very small in proportion to the 

 size of the insect and the length of its limbs. 



