IS<2 NATURALIST'S CABINET. 



Description. 



the^e there is a sort of sheath, containing a small 

 dangerous sting. It' any person happen to touch 

 this insect he is sure to be stung; and is imme- 

 diately seized with a shivering and trembling all 

 over the body; which, however, may soon be 

 put a stop to, by rubbing the place that was 

 affected with a little palm oil. 



THE BEETLE. 



THERE are various kinds of this insect, all, 

 however, concurring in one common formation 

 of having cases to their wings, two in number, 

 which are the more necessary to those insects, as 

 they often live under the surface of the earth, in 

 holes which they dig out by their own industry. 

 The Cases prevent the various injuries their real 

 wings might sustain against the sides of their 

 abode. These, though they do not assist flight, 

 yet, keep the internal wings clean and even, and 

 produce a loud buzzing noise, when the animal 

 lises in the air. Beside the difference which re- 

 sults from the shape and colour of these animals, 

 the size also makes a considerable one; some 

 beetles being not larger than the head of a pin, 

 while others, such as the elephant beetle, are as 

 big as one's fist: but the greatest difference 

 among them is, that some are produced in a 

 month, and in a single season go through ail the 

 stages of their existence, while others take near 

 3 



