AND OVERCOME. 171 



perhaps, a caterpillar from a cauliflower, or a cockroach from 

 the kitchen. She even looks with a reconciled eye upon our 

 pet stag-beetle. 



Apropos of this Goliath of British Coleoptera. Though re- 

 puted to live on sap, we have never, during the six weeks of 

 his captivity, seen him extract it from leaf or branch by pres- 

 sure of his pinching jaws. His preferred and chosen fare is 

 the syrup from sugared bread, and the only leaves he cares for 

 are those of which the surface is bespread with honey dew. 

 He seems, in short, to dispense gladly with all labour inciden- 

 tal by nature to procurement of food, and, provided always that 

 he be defended from the unwelcome intrusion (by a leafy 

 canopy) of daylight, seldom evinces restlessness, not even of an 

 evening, his time when at liberty for taking wing. 



On two occasions only has he shown impatience under con- 

 finement, and these have been previous to and during thunder- 

 storms, when atmospheric influence has urged to the most 

 energetic efforts at escape. 



"iCJjere'f apetforgou! 1 



