SERRICORNES ; ELATER, DEATH-WATCH. 125 



are found chiefly in tropical climates, which these insects appear 

 especially formed to inhabit ; our native species, which are not 

 above a quarter of an inch long, being observed to fly with the 

 greatest activity in warm weather. They live among trees ; and, 

 if an effort be made to seize them, they counterfeit death, and fall 

 to the ground. The Beetles belonging to the allied genus, Elater, 

 are commonly called Skip-jacks ; for, when laid on their backs, 

 being unable to raise themselves on account of the shortness of 

 their legs, they spring perpendicularly in the air, so as to alight 

 upon their feet. This is effected by first bending the head and 

 anterior portion of the thorax towards the abdomen, and then 

 violently straightening it, so as to give a backward stroke against 

 the surface on which they are lying. The larva of one of the 

 British species, known to the farmer as the Wire-worm, does 

 much injury by devouring the roots of the corn. A species of 

 Elater, inhabiting the West Indies and South America, is one of 

 the most brilliant of the Fire-flies ; having two brightly-illumi- 

 nated spots upon the front of the thorax, and a portion of the 

 abdomen which is uncovered during flight being also very lumi- 

 nous. Nearly allied to the Elaters is the Lampyris or Glow- 

 worm tribe ; of which sufficient mention has been already made. 

 To the same very numerous family belong the genus Plinus 

 and its allies ; one species of which is well known under the 

 name of Death-watch. These are insects of small size and slow 

 movements ; many of them are destitute of wings ; and those 

 which possess them seldom use them as means of escape. When 

 touched, they counterfeit death by lowering the head, drawing 



in the antennae, and contracting 

 their feet ; and they remain in 

 this position for some time. Their 

 colours are always obscure, and 

 but slightly variegated; and 

 they live in dark places near 



FIG. 341. ANOBIUM STRIATUAI, NATURAL ,, ,, 



SIZE AND MAGNIFIED. or u P<> n tne surface of the ground. 



Of the sub-genus, Anobmm, 



many species inhabit the interior of our houses, where they 

 do much injury in the larva state, by gnawing furniture, 



