THE MUSK BEETLE. 198 



the segments nearest the head are much larger than those which 

 compose the abdomen, and the head itself is small, but armed with 

 a pair of jaws that remind the observer of wire nippers, so sharp 

 are their edges, and so stout is their make. Old posts and rails 

 are favorite localities with this beetle, and the grubs can almost 

 always be obtained where timber has been left for any length of 

 time in the open air. 



Another well-known boring-beetle is the large and beautiful 

 insect which is popularly called the Musk Beetle {Cerambyx 

 moschatus). Nearly an inch in length, with long and gracefully- 

 curved antenna?, and slender and elegant in shape, it would always 

 command attention, even if it were not possessed of two remarka- 

 ble characteristics, color and perfume. 



To the naked eye, and in an ordinary light, the color of this 

 beetle is simply green, very much like that of the malachite. But, 

 when the sun shines upon its elytra, some indications of its true 

 beauty present themselves, not to be fully realized without the aid 

 of the microscope and careful illumination. If a part of an elytron 

 be taken from a Musk Beetle, placed under a half-inch object glass, 

 and viewed through a good binocular microscope, by means of 

 concentrated light, the true glories of this magnificent insect be- 

 come visible. The general color is green, but few can describe the 

 countless shades of green, gold, and azure, that are brought out by 

 the microscope, and no pencil can hope to give more than a faint 

 and dull idea of the wonderful object. Neither do its beauties end 

 with its colors, for the whole structure of the insect is full of 

 wonders, and from the compound eyes to the brush-soled feet, it 

 affords a series of objects to the microscopist, which will keep him 

 employed for many an hour. 



The odor which it exudes is extremely powerful ; so strong, in- 

 deed, that I have often been attracted by the well-known perfume 

 as I walked along a tree-fringed wood, and, after a little search, dis- 

 covered the insect. It is no easy matter to find the Musk Beetle, 

 even when it is close at hand, for its slender body lies so neatly 

 along the twigs, and its green color harmonizes so well with the 

 leaves, that a novice will seldom distinguish the insect. A prac- 

 ticed eye, however, looks out for the antennas, and is at once at- 

 tracted by their waving grace. By a series of experiments which 

 I have made on this beetle, I have proved that the scent can be 

 retained or emitted at the will of the insect, and it is a rather re- 



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