COLEOPTERA. 445 
Germany Maikafer (Maychafer). They are met with also in 
June. The duration of their life as a perfect insect is six weeks. 
They fear the heat of the day, and the bright sunshine; s0, 
during the day, they remain hooked on to the under surface 
of leaves. It is only early in the morning, and at sunset, that 
one sees the cockcHafers fluttering round the trees which they 
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Fig 431.—Cockchafer (We/olontha vulgaris). 
frequent. They fly with rapidity, producing a monotonous sound 
by the friction of their wings. But the cockchafer steers badly 
when it flies. It knocks itself at each instant against obstacles 
it meets with. It then falls heavily to the ground, and becomes 
the plaything of children, who are constantly on the look-out 
for them. There is a saying, “ Etourdi comme un Hanneton.” 
What contributes still more to render the flight of these insects 
