The Clythrae 



gant modifications, suits the clan of the 

 Clythrae and Cryptocephali, those pretty and 

 magnificently coloured Beetles. Their larva, 

 a naked little grub, makes itself a long, nar- 

 row pot, in which it lives just like the Snail 

 in his shell. As a coat and as a dwelling the 

 timid creature makes use of a jar, better 

 still, of a graceful vase, the product of its 

 industry. 



Once inside, it never comes out. If any- 

 thing alarms it, with a sudden recoil it with- 

 draws completely into its urn, the opening of 

 which is closed with the disk formed by the 

 flat top of the head. When quiet is restored, 

 it ventures to put out its head and the three 

 segments with legs to them, but is very care- 

 ful to keep the rest, which is more delicate 

 and fastened to the back, inside. 



With tiny steps, weighted by the burden, 

 it makes its way along, lifting its earthenware 

 container behind it in a slanting position. It 

 makes one think of Diogenes, dragging his 

 house, a terra-cotta tub, about with him. 

 The thing is rather unwieldy, because of the 

 weight, and is liable to heel over, owing to 

 the excessive height of the centre of gravity. 

 It makes progress all the same, tilting like a 

 busby rakishly cocked over one ear. One of 

 our Land-snails, the Bulimus, whose shell is 



451 



