IXSECTA. 119 



clothed with silky white bristles, that, like the prickles 

 of the hedge hog. stand up erect. These, formed by a 

 peculiar secretion, which exudes from the body, are easily 

 removed, for if the creature is only touched, they adhere 

 to the finger, but if the larvae is entirely bared, it sus- 

 tains no injury, as they are rapidly replaced. 



The Turnip Fly (nitidula senea) is a line in length, 

 of a dark metallic green, the under surface black. It 

 does great injury to turnips. This species is also found 

 in flowers, appearing with the germinating bud, and 

 remaining until the blossoms fall off. If disturbed in 

 cloudy weather, they suffer themselves to drop to the 

 ground, but at any attempt to dislodge them in sunshine, 

 they fly away. The habitations of these insects vary 

 according to the species,, and it is a difficult matter to 

 extirpate them from the places where they once settle, as 

 they are certain to appear there every year. The turnip 

 fly will devastate whole fields, and the only remedy 

 against such depradations is found in the change of hus- 

 bandry or the strength of the plants. 



The Sexton or Burying Beetle (necrophorus vespillo), 

 plate 22, fig. 3, is from two-thirds to seven-eighths of an 

 inch long, and four in breadth ; black, with two orange- 

 colored transverse bands. It creeps and flies with great 

 rapidity. When a dead mouse, etc., is discovered in 

 their neighborhood, these insects come in parties of a 

 half dozen, and running round 'it, some seem to be meas- 

 uring the carcass, while others are busily rooting in the 

 earth to find out what impediment, such as stones, etc., 

 may be in the way. Having found a place that offers no 

 obstruction, they creep under the carcass, and with their 

 united force drag it thence. They next dig away the 

 earth from beneath the dead animal until the hole is suf- 



