202 INSECTS AT HOME. 



one of these nests, owing to t?ie fragility of the material. One 

 of them, in which a female Rhaj^ium was reposing-, was found 

 in the fir-wnod whicli lias just been mentioned. The excava- 

 tion is ratlier more than an inch and a quarter in depth, and 

 the actual cocoon, which lies at the bottom of the burrow, is 

 live-eighths of an inch long and not quite a quarter of an inch 

 wide. The mouth of the excavation, however, is an inch and 

 a quarter in length, and a little more tlian a quarter of an 

 inch in width. I noticed that the inhabitant of this burrow, 

 instead of availing herself of the opportunity of escape, as did 

 all the others, crept closely into the recesses of the cocoon as 

 soon as it was opened, and would not leave it until she was 

 removed by force. The same stump contained two other 

 nests of the Ehagium, but none so perfect as that which has 

 been described. 



Anotfier Beetle, belonging to the same family, is shown on 

 Woodcut XXI. Fig. 2, and is known by the name of Strangalia 

 armata. In this genus the thorax is without spines, is narrow in 

 front and flattened above. The body is very narrow and almost 

 pointed behind. The front of the head is rather lengthened. 

 The present species has the ends of the elytra deeply cut, so as 

 to form a rounded notch with toothed edges, and the male can 

 be recognised by two conspicuous tooth-like processes on the 

 inner side of the hinder tibise. Owing to these peculiarities, the 

 specific name of armata, or ' armed,' has been given to the 

 Beetle. In colour and size it is one of the most variable of 

 British Beetles, scarcely any two specimens being exactly alike. 

 Sometimes it is almost entirely black barred ^vith yellow, 

 sometimes yellow barred with black, while it varies in length 

 from five lines to three-quarters of an inch. Being so variable, 

 the entomologist ought to have a series of specimens in his 

 cabinet. There is not the least difficulty in obtaining them, 

 as it is a very common Beetle, and can be found in plenty 

 upon the umbelliferous plants — these being the favourite 

 resorts of many Beetles. It is tolerably active, and takes to 

 the wing as soon as it is alarmed. Seven species of this genus 

 are knoAvn in England. 



