The Glow-Worm and Other Beetles 



definite grooves. The first thoracic segment 

 is a little longer than the rest, with the dor- 

 sal plate very slightly tinged with russet, 

 as is the top of the head. Beginning with 

 the tenth segment, the body tapers a little. 

 A slight scalloped rim divides the dorsal 

 from the ventral surface. 



The legs are short, white and transparent 

 and end in a feeble claw. A pair of stig- 

 mata on the mesothorax, near the line of 

 junction with the prothorax; a stigma on 

 either side of the first eight abdominal seg- 

 ments; in all nine pairs of stigmata, dis- 

 tributed like those of the pseudochrysalis. 

 These stigmata are small, tinged with red 

 and rather difficult to distinguish. Varying 

 in size, like the pseudochrysalid which seems 

 to come from it, this larva averages nearly 

 half an inch in length and an eighth of an 

 inch in width. 



The six little legs, feeble though they be, 

 perform services which one would not at first 

 suspect. They embrace the Mantis that is 

 being devoured and hold her under the 

 mandibles, while the grub, lying on its side, 

 takes its meal at its ease. They also serve 

 for locomotion. On a firm surface, such as 

 the wooden top of my table, the larva can 

 move about quite well; it toddles along, 

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