220 POPULAR ENTOMOLOGY. 



length. Some of the species are highly metallic, and though 

 they lose their beautiful colours when dead, they may be 

 restored by dipping the insect into hot water. The English 

 name almost sufficiently describes the curious form of these 

 Beetles, which greatly resembles that of a shield; and as, 

 when disturbed, they contract the antennae and legs under 

 the broad sides of the thorax and elytra, (the head, too, being 

 often quite concealed,) they have the appearance of small 

 Tortoises. The variety of form as well as colour in the Cole- 

 opterous tribes, will strike every eye on first seeing a large 

 collection of these insects, and nothing can well be imagined 

 more frightful than some of them would appear, were their 

 dimensions equal to that of many quadrupeds ; as it is, they 

 surprise and gratify, without exciting any feeling allied to 

 fear. This idea is well expressed in the following lines : — 



'' Their shape would make them, had they bulk and size. 

 More hideous foes than fancy can devise ; 

 With helmet heads and dragon scales adorn'd. 

 The mighty myriads now securely scorn'd 

 Would mock the majesty of man's high birth. 

 Despise his bulwarks and unpeople earth." 



