238 FIELD, FOREST AND FARM 



the thick tufts of grass, and give chase to small prey 

 such as larvae, caterpillars, and worms. The most 

 common example of this class wears a golden green 

 coat and is a frequenter of gardens, where it makes 

 war on all kinds of vermin. It is the little guardian 

 of our beds of peas and beans, and of our flower 

 borders. In honor of its services to the garden we 

 call it the gardener. 



' ' The calosoma and the carabid do not fly ; they are 

 made for running, as is evident from their long legs, 

 their agile movements, and their lithe form. They 

 chase the game in hot pursuit, or else lie in wait 

 for it behind a leaf, but never pursue it on the wing. 

 On the other hand, the scarab, the common June-bug, 

 and a host of other insects fly very well." 



"But why don't they all fly?" asked Emile. 



"I will tell you," replied his uncle. "Look care- 

 fully at the June-bug a moment. It has two kinds 

 of wings: on the outside two large and substantial 

 scales of horn, and beneath these two fine mem- 

 branous wings, expanded during flight, but carefully 

 folded together and concealed when not in use. The 

 outside scales are called elytra, or sheaths. They 

 serve as a case for enclosing and protecting the deli- 

 cate membranous wings, which alone are fitted for 

 flying. The carabid and the calosoma have sheaths 

 of splendid brilliance, it is true, but beneath these 

 sheaths there are no membranous wings to spread 

 themselves in flight and fold up again in repose. 

 Hence these two insects are unable to fly. 



"The dytiscus and the hydrophile, whose names 



