250 NATURAL HISTORY. 
431. The Herbivorous Beetles live on vegetable food 
both in their larva and imago state. Some eat fruits, 
some grain, some leaves, and some even wood. Science 
has been of great service in pointing out the Insects that 
inflict these various injuries, and also in indicating the 
means of prevention by discovering the habits of these 
animals. 
432. To this class belong the Spring Beetles, some- 
times called Skippers or Snapping Bugs. They are so 
constructed that when they are laid on the back they 
can throw themselves upward, and coming down alight 
on their feet. This performance, which is a great amuse- 
ment to children, is done by a spring which the animal 
has in its body for this purpose. The largest and hand- 
somest of these Beetles in the United States is the Vel- 
vet-spotted Spring Beetle. Another species of the same 
genus is the Lightning Spring Beetle, Fig. 196. This In- 
ae: sect, which is nearly an inch and 
Wi a half long, has two yellow cone- 
| I, like projections on the sides of 
bit | a», the thorax, which emit light, and 
surface of the segments of the 
abdomen. In Cuba ladies fasten 
these Beetles in their hair as or- 
Fig. 196.—The Lightning Spring naments at evening parties. The 
Beetle. : : : . 
light of our common Fireflies is 
433. The Capricorn Beetles are so named from the re- 
semblance of their long antennz to the horns of the 
Mountain Goat. These Beetles are very beautiful, al- 
though their grubs are ugly. The Painted Capricorn 
appears with us in the autumn, and may be seen in the 
nett 
_ 4 
oe. , 
i} 
! 
appear, while the animal is alive, 
emitted from two or three segments of the abdomen, as 
like two shining emeralds. It 
also emits light from the under 
you may see by catching one, and holding it in your 
hand turned over on its back. 
