The Glow- Worm and Other Beetles 



makes the Meloid go through the larval 

 dimorphism of the Anthrax and the Leuco- 

 spis. The primary larva finds its way to the 

 victuals ; the secondary larva consumes them. 

 The second hatching, that of the pseudo- 

 chrysalis, reverts to the usual course, so that 

 the insect passes through the three customary 

 forms : larva, nymph, adult. 



The tertiary larval stage is of brief dura- 

 tion, lasting about a fortnight. The larva 

 then sheds its skin by a longitudinal rent 

 along the back, as did the secondary larva, 

 uncovering the nymph, in which we recognize 

 the Beetle, the genus and species being almost 

 determinable by the antennae. 



The second year's development turned out 

 badly. The few nymphs which I obtained 

 about the middle of June shrivelled up with- 

 out attaining the perfect form. Some 

 pseudochrysalids remained on my hands 

 without showing any sign of approaching 

 transformation. I attributed this delay to 

 lack of warmth. I was in fact keeping them 

 in the shade, on a what-not, in my study, 

 whereas under natural conditions they are ex- 

 posed to the hottest sun, beneath a layer of 

 sand a few inches deep. To imitate these 

 conditions without burying my charges, whose 

 progress I wished to follow comfortably, I 

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