COLEOPTERA. 



AA/ 



ducing a monotonous sound by the friction of their wings. But the 

 cockchafer steers badly when it flies ; it knocks itself at each instant 

 against obstacles it meets with. It then falls heavily to the ground, 



\ 



Fig. 432.— Cockchafer (^Melolontha V7clgar{s). 



land becomes the plaything of children, who are constantly on tlie 

 iook-out for them. There is a saying, "Etourdi comme un hannetoTi.'' 

 What contributes still more to render the flight of these insects heavy 

 and sustained only for a short time together is that they are obliged 



