CONTENTS. XI 



exhibited in the ground beneath. In this, its form of imperfection, it 

 exists within the earth for several years, living in the air as a perfect 

 insect for perhaps a fortnight. On the oak-leaf to the left are two leaf- 

 galls, one exhibiting its enclosed grub a long liver, as compared with 

 the little Gall-fly ( Cynics Quercus folii), which is seen in upward flight 

 above 144 



" The threads of insect life are variously apportioned." 111 



The Parcae meting the lengths of insect existence, allowing them the shortest 

 measure in their perfect and brightest stages ...... 159 



43. STARS OF THE EARTH. 



On the right, creeping down the bank, is a common Glow-worm, the wingless 

 female of a beetle (Lampyris noctiluca) which is seen descending from 

 the corner opposite. Beneath, crawls a numerous or electric Centipede 

 (Scolopendra electrica] / and near, in the centre of the foreground, is one 

 of our native Click Beetles (Elat-eridce), not (as represented by mistake) a 

 luminous insect, but closely allied to, and much resembling, the Fire-fly 

 (JElater noctiluvus) of the West Indies and South America . . . 160 



" Inquire we the uses of the Glow-worm's lamp /" 

 It here supplies to a studious fairy the purpose of the midnight oil . . 177 



44. INSECT MOVEMENTS. 



The examples of slow and swift-footed beetles here given, are the Oil Beetle 

 (Proscaralceus vulgaris), laboriously creeping up, and the Tiger Beetle 

 (Cicindela campestris], rapidly descending the sandy bank. Below, is a 

 fast walker, almost runner, among hairy caterpillars, and above, on a 

 lime-tree twig, sits the stately larva of the Lime Hawk Moth (Smerinthus 

 TiUcu), like the rest of its Sphinx-like brethren, slow-footed and averse to 

 motion. The two flies are of a flower-resorting species, called vibrating 

 (Scwptera, vibrans,} which are distinguished by red heads, scarlet eyes, 

 black-tipped wings, and that quivering or vibrating motion to which they 

 owe their name 178 



