B24 INSECTA—COCKCHATLER. 
necessary to those insects, as they often live under the surface of the earth 
in holes which they 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 flight, 
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 musc’es 
within. These muscles are formed very much like those of quadrupeds, and 
are endued with such surprising strength, that, bulk for bulk, they area 
thousand times stronger than those of a man. The stiength 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 ina month, and ina 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 leng lived, are bred in the same 
manner. . ow 
THE COCKCHAFER) 
May-svs, or dor beetle, as some call it, has, like all the rest, a pair _« cases 
to its wings, which are of a reddish brown color, sprinkled with a whitish 
ee 
1 Melolontha vulgaris, Lr. 
