BEETLES, BOOKWORMS AND DEATH-WATCHES 225 



able to keep our ancient parliaments, and put a much- 

 needed check upon our kings. Let us not be over-proud 

 of our virtues, for geological and geographical accidents 

 have had much to do with the prosperous history of 

 England. 



XLII. FURNITURE-BEETLES, BOOK- 

 WORMS AND DEATH-WATCHES. 



In the days of timber-built houses much loss was caused 

 by the borings of small beetles, which riddled the beams, 

 floors and wainscots, and often spoiled the furniture as 

 well. Now that we build with brick and plaster, and 

 paint exposed surfaces of wood, the ravages of these 

 insects have been lessened to such a degree that few houses 

 contain the worm-eaten timber, which was formerly so 

 common and so vexatious. 



An attack of furniture-beetles is indicated by round 

 holes in the wood, and little heaps of fine dust thrown 

 out from them. The round holes lead to cylindrical 

 burrows, which may run far beneath the surface, and in 

 bad cases the strength of the wood is impaired. The 

 hardest and driest wood is not safe, for boot-lasts, and the 

 legs of chairs daily warmed before a fire have been attacked. 

 It is the larva of the beetle which does the mischief. This 

 is a whitish, soft-bodied grub, whose body is curved like 

 that of a cockchafer-larva. Its head, jaws, and small 

 legs are the only hard parts, and also the only parts which 

 show a distinct colour. 



Observation of other insects might enable us to predict 

 that the growth of any larva which feeds upon dry wood 

 will be slow. Hardly any poorer stuff for food can be 

 found, but the supply is inexhaustible, and the larva runs 

 no risks. A furniture-beetle has been known to pass 

 three years in the larval stage. Contrast with this the 

 history of a leaf-eating larva. Here the food is both more 



P 



