The Glow- Worm and Other Beetles 



Decency forbids. I have never been able 

 to understand why natural history need in- 

 flict upon a lovely flower or an engaging ani- 

 mal an odious name. 



As a matter of fact, our Crioceris, so ill- 

 treated by the nomenclators, is a sumptuous 

 creature. She is nicely shaped, neither too 

 large nor too small, and a beautiful coral 

 red, with jet-black head and legs. Every- 

 body knows her who in the spring has ever 

 glanced at the lily, when its stem is beginning 

 to show in the centre of the rosette of leaves. 

 A Beetle, of less than the average size and 

 coloured sealing-wax red, is perched up on 

 the plant. Your hand goes out to seize her. 

 Forthwith, paralysed with fright, she drops 

 to the ground. 



Let us wait a few days and return to the 

 lily, which is gradually growing taller and 

 beginning to show its buds, gathered together 

 in a bundle. The red insect is still there. 

 Further, the leaves, which are seriously bit- 

 ten into, are reduced to tatters and soiled 

 with little heaps of greenish ordure. It 

 looks as if some witchcraft had mashed up 

 the leaves and then splashed the mess all 

 over the place. 



Well, this filth moves, travels slowly along. 

 Let us overcome our repugnance and poke 

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