826 INSECTA— CANTHARIS...TUMBLEDUNG. 



lurk in clusters, and seldom quit the tree till they have devoured all its 

 verdure. 



Their duration, however, is but short, as they never survive the season. 



Of all the beetle kind this is the most numerous, and therefore deserves 

 the chief attention of history. Like them, all other beetles are bred from 

 the egg, which is deposited in the ground, or sometimes, though seldom, in 

 the barks of trees ; they change into a worm ; they subsist in that state 

 Dy living upon tlie roots of vegetables, or the succulent parts of the bark 

 around them. 



THE CANTHARISi 



Is of the beetle kind, whence come cantharides, well known in the shops by 

 the name of Spanish flies, and for their use in blisters. They have feelers 

 like bristles, flexible cases to the wings, a breast pretty plain, and the sides 

 of the belly wrinkled. Cantharides differ from each other in their size, 

 shape, and color ; those used in the shops also do the same. The largest in 

 these parts are about an inch long, and as much in circumference ; but others 

 are not above three quarters of an inch. Some are of a pure azure color, 

 others of pure gold, and others again have a mixture of pure gold and azure 

 colors; but they are all very brilliant, and extremely beautiful. These 

 insects, as is well known, are of the greatest benefit to mankind, making a 

 part in various medicines conducive to human preservation. They are 

 chiefly natives of Spain, Italy, and Portugal ; but they are to be met with 

 also about Paris in the summer time, upon the leaves of the ash, the poplar, 

 and the rose-trees, and also among Avheat, and in meadows. 



THE TUMBLEDUNGi 



Particularly demands our attention ; it is all over of a dusky black, 

 rounder than those animals are generally found to be, and so strong, though 

 not much larger than the common black beetle, that if one of them be put 

 under a brass candlestick, it will cause it to move backwards and forwards, 

 as if it were by an invisible hand, to the admiration of those who are not 

 accustomed to the sight; but this strength is given it for much more useful 

 purposes than those of exciting human curiosity, for there is no creature 

 more laborious, either in seeking subsistence, or in providing a proper retreat 



' Cantharis vesicatoria, Lin. ^ Ateuchus volvcns, Lin. 



