142 COMMON BRITISH INSECTS. 



bent downwards, and capable of being received into a 

 groove on the under side of the body. This attitude 

 is assumed when the Beetle is in repose or alarmed. 

 In the accompanying woodcut is represented one of 

 these insects, named Cceliodes querciis. In this genus 

 the hollow in which the beak lies is between the first 

 and middle pairs of legs, and it is on account of this 

 channel that the name Cceliodes, or ' hollowed,' has 

 been given to the genus. 



These are all very little, dumpy-bodied, sober- 

 coloured insects, and, when placed under the micro- 

 scope, they bear a curious resem- 

 blance to the apteryx, whose round 

 body and long curved beak almost 

 exactly reproduce the form of the 

 Weevil. They are generally to be 

 found on nettles, and can be taken 

 with the sweep-net. Owing to the 

 rotundity of their bodies, they are 

 very difficult subjects for the setting 



Coeliodes quercus. , _ _ 



board. Moreover, in death, the head 

 always bends itself downwards, and the beak tucks 

 itself so firmly into its groove, that to bring it out 

 without injuring the insect is no easy matter. 



Although this species is not a brilliantly-coloured 

 one, it is very pretty when viewed through a lens. 

 The colour is pitchy-black, the head and thorax being 

 thickly granulated. The elytra are striated and 

 punctated, and are variegated by a few whitish 

 patches. The under surface of the body is clothed 

 with white down. As its specific name implies, it is 

 to be found upon the oak. 



