220 POPULAR ENTOMOLOGY. 



length. Some of the species are highly metallic, and 

 though they lose their beautiful colours when dead, they 

 may be restored by dipping the insect into hot water. The 

 English name almost sufficiently describes the curious form 

 of these Beetles, which greatly resembles that of a shield ; 

 and as, when disturbed, they contract the antennae and 

 legs under the broad sides of the thorax and elytra (the 

 head, too, being often quite concealed), they have the 

 appearance of small Tortoises. The variety of form as well 

 as colour in the Coleopterous tribes will strike every eye 

 on first seeing a large collection of these insects, and 

 nothing can well be imagined more frightful than some of 

 them would appear, were their dimensions equal to that 

 of many quadrupeds ; as it is, they surprise and gratify, 

 without exciting any feeling allied to fear. This idea is 

 well expressed in the following lines : 



* ' Their shape would make them, had they bulk and size, 

 More hideous foes than fancy can devise ; 

 With helmet heads and dragon scales adorn'd, 

 The mighty myriads now securely scorn' d 

 Would mock the majesty of man's high birth, 

 Despise his bulwarks and unpeople earth." 



