] 



176 INSECTS AT HOME. 



these strias, comjDOsed of tiny punctures, are more apparent to 

 the naked eye than under the lens, which brings out the granu- 

 lations in bold relief, and throws the ptmctures into the shade. 



If the Beetle be examined sideways and turned gradually 

 round, a narrow line of warm-chestnut appears near the edge 

 of the elytra, always shifting as the body of the insect revolves. 

 When the l^eetle is placed under the microscope, and a half- 

 inch power brought to bear on it, this chestnut hue is seen to 

 be occasioned by a number of short reddish bristles, Avhich, 

 when viewed from above, are too few to have any perceptible 

 effect on the pitchy-black of the body ; but, when seen in pro- 

 file, so that a number of them are brought into the field of 

 view, are able to assert themselves and develope their colour. 

 The reader may easily see a parallel case by looking at the 

 back of the hand first from above, and then by viewing it side- 

 ways against the light. In the first case the hairs scattered 

 over the surface almost escape observation, wliile in the latter 

 case they assume quite an important aspect. The bristles of 

 this Beetle, by the way, are easily rubbed off, and therefore the 

 chestnut line is not seen to advantage except in young speci- 

 mens that have been carefully handled, as is the case with the 

 example from which I write this description. 



It is common in hedges, and there does no great harm, but 

 when it takes to invading our orchards, its presence cannot be 

 permitted. It is fond of lurking under the loose bark of grape- 

 vines, in the earth around the roots of the fruit-trees, along 

 the bases of the walls, and in old nail-holes. All these places 

 should be searched, the base of the walls well drenched occa- 

 sionally with tobacco-water, the loose bark stripped from the 

 vines, and the nail-holes stopped with mortar. In the present 

 genus, as now restricted, eighteen British species are acknow- 

 ledged. 



Next comes the family of the Erirhinidte. This name is 

 compounded from two Greek words, which signify ' long- 

 beaked,' and is given to the family because their beaks are of 

 considerable length, nearly as long indeed as the thorax. 

 The first pair of legs are set very close to each other. 



On Plate VI. Fig. 7, may be seen one of the Beetles 

 belonging to this family, together with the home in which it 



