106 POPULAR ENTOMOLOGY. 



May- day has but scanty garlands for her Queens and May- 

 poles, even where this pretty and appropriate welcome has 

 not died away with the other rural festivities of our more 

 simple ancestors. Towards the latter end of the month, 

 however, the country is profuse in beauty of various kinds ; 

 many insects may be seen on the wing, sporting in the 

 bright sunshine and enjoying their happy though brief 

 existence. The lovely little blue Butterflies, Polyommati 3 

 may generally be seen in profusion, their small size, brilliant 

 colour, and delicate markings, rendering them very attractive; 

 the Fritillaries begin to display their silver-spotted wings, 

 and the Peacock Butterfly, so well known and universally 

 admired, greets the eye of the lover of nature; several 

 Moths also make their appearance this month, tempted by 

 its more genial atmosphere. 



Amongst the Beetles may be seen species of the ex- 

 tensive family of Cockchafers, Melolonthida, some of which 

 are large and handsome : they live on the leaves of trees, 

 for which the structure of the mouth is well adapted ; and 

 in the larva state, which lasts three or four years, they do 

 equal injury to the roots of various plants. The grubs of 

 the common Cockchafer are white and fleshy; at the com- 

 mencement of spring they quit their winter retreats, at a 



