^4 INSECTA — COCKCHAFER. 



necessary to those insects, as they often live under the surface of the earth, 

 in holes which ihey dig out by their own industry. These cases prevent 

 the various injuries their real wings might sustain by rubbing or crushing 

 against the sides of their abode. These, though they do not assist in flifiht, 

 yet keep the internal wings clean and even, and produce a loud buzzing noise 

 when the animal rises in the air. 



If we examine the formation of all animals of the beetle kind, we shall 

 find, as in shell-fish, that their bones are placed externally, and their muscles 

 within. These muscles are formed very much like those of quadrupeds, and 

 are endued with such surprising strength, that, bulk for bulk, they are a 

 thousand times stronger than those of a man. The strength of these 

 muscles is of use in digging the animal's subterraneous abode, where it is 

 most usually hatched, and to which it most frequently returns, even after it 

 becomes a winged insect capable of flying. 



Besides the difference which results from the shape and color of these 

 animals, the size also makes a considerable one; some beetles being not 

 larger than the head of the pin, while others, such as the elephant beetle, 

 are as big as one's fist. But the greatest difference among them is, that 

 some are produced in a month, and in a single season go through all the 

 stages of their existence, while others take near four years to their produc- 

 tion, and live as winged insects a year or more. To give the history of all 

 these animals, that are bred pretty much in the same way, would be in- 

 sipid and endless ; it will suffice to select a few from the number, the origin 

 of which may serve as specimens of the rest. We will therefore begin by 

 offering the history of the may-bug to the reader's attention; premising, 

 that most other beetles, though not so long lived, are bred in the same 

 manner. 



THE COCKCHAFER,! 



May-bug, or dor beetle, as some call it, has, like all the rest, a pair of cases 

 to Its wings, which are of a reddish brown color, sprinkled with a whitish 



' Melolontha vulgaris, Lin. 



