THE DRILUS FLAVESCENS. 319 



This curious insect lives in the body of snails, the common 

 banded snail of our gardens being its usual prey. When it is 

 about to change into the perfect state, it makes a curious cocoon, 

 of a fibrous substance, which has been well likened to common 

 tobacco, the scent as well as the form increasing the resem- 

 blance. The grub or larva of this beetle bears a very great 

 resemblance to the perfect female, and indeed is so similar that 

 none but an entomologist could distinguish the two creatures. 

 It is furnished with a number of false legs, as well as with a 

 forked appendage at the end of the tail, by which it is enabled 

 to force its way into the body of its victims. The head Ls 

 pointed, and the jaws are very powerful. 



