474 



THE INSECT WOELD. 



whose larva, covered with yellowish hairs, has at its extremity a 

 sort of broom, which assists it in moving. 



The Anthrenus museorum, the fifteenth of an inch in length, 

 black with three grey bands, drives collectors to despair, for its 

 larva destroys their collections. It is covered with grey and 

 brownish hairs, which it bristles up the moment it is touched. 

 The perfect insect feeds on flowers, and counterfeits <}eath when 

 seized. All possible means have been tried for getting rid of the 

 Anthrenus by placing in the collection camphor, benzine, tobacco, 

 sulphur, &c., but benzine very soon destroys them. 



Fig. 471. Hydrophilus piceus. 



The HydropMKf very different to the group which we shall 

 presently consider, are herbivorous, and are to be found on the 

 leaves of aquatic plants. The Hydrophilus piceus (Fig. 471), which 

 attains to an inch in length, is common in our fresh waters. It 

 must not be seized without taking precautions ; as its thorax is 

 provided with a strong point, which pierces the skin. It draws 

 in air by thrusting its antennae out of the water, and, placing them 

 against its body, the bubbles of air, which get involved in a sort 

 of furrow, slip under the body, and fix themselves to the hairs, 



