8 INSECTS AT H0:MK. 



segments. The first of these forms the head, the next \.llle^ 

 carry the legs, and the remaining rings constitute the body. 

 Should the same larva be successfully reared, and examined 

 after it has reached the perfect state, it will be found to have 

 precisely the same number of rings, though some are fused 

 together, and others are greatly modified. 



There are few things more marvellous than the development 

 of a Beetle — say, for example, the Stag Beetle, because we shall 

 presently examine one of these insects in detail. In its larval 

 state it is a large, fat, soft grub, with legs so disproportioned 

 to the size of its body that it cannot walk, but can only move 

 about while lying on one side. It lives in the dark, buried in 

 the interior of some tree, and feeds upon the fragments of 

 wood which it bites off with its short- but sharp and powerful 

 jaws. In its perfect state, it is furnished with highly developed 

 legs, with two wide and powerful wings, sheltered under their 

 horny elytra, with an elaborately organised mouth, and two 

 enormous jaws, while the antennae and eyes are in themselves 

 absolute wonders of mechanism. The larva of this Beetle is 

 almost exactly like that of the cockchafer, shown in Plate V.: 

 and the reader will see that it is hardly possible to imagine a 

 more complete contrast than exists between the very shapeless 

 grub and^the insect in its perfect form. 



In the accompanying illustration we have an example of the 

 Beetle, taken to pieces so as to show the tarious parts. The 

 Stag Beetle has been chosen for the purpose. 



We begin with the head and its appendages. Fig. 1 shows 

 liie mandibles, or upper jaws, which in the male Stag Beetle 

 are of very great size. Fig. 4 shows the maxillae, or lower 

 jaws, with the maxillary palpi, or jaw-feelers. Fig. 4a. Fig. 3 

 shows the labium, or lower lip, with the labial palpi, or lip- 

 feelers, 3a. Next come the antennae, or feelers, Fig. 2. These 

 organs are divided into two parts — namely, the scape, or long 

 joint nearest the head. Fig. 2a, and the club, 2b. This latter 

 portion is subject to most extraordinary variations of form, as 

 will be seen in the following pages. 



The head itself is shown at Fig. 5, the upper surface being 

 liere given. 5aa are the eyes, 5b tlie vertex, or crown of the 

 .'ii3;ad. 5c is the occiput, or back of the head; and 5d the 



