THE MUSK BEETLE. 175 



structure of the insect is full of wonders, and from the compound 

 eyes to the hrush-soled feet, it aflbrds a series of ohjects to the 

 microscopist, which will keep him employed for many an hour. 



The odour which it exudes is extremely powerful j so strong, 

 indeed, that I have often been attracted by the well-known 

 perfume as I walked along a tree-fringed wood, and, after a little 

 search, discovered the insect. It is no easy matter to iind the 

 Musk Beetle, even when it is close at hand, for its slender body 

 lies so neatly along the twigs, and its green colour harmonizes so 

 well with the leaves, that a novice will seldom distinguish the 

 insect. A practised eye, however, looks out for the antennae, and 

 is at once attracted by their waving grace. By a series of experi- 

 ments which I have made on this beetle, I have proved that the 

 scent can be retained or emitted at the will of the insect, and it 

 is a rather remarkable fact, that it is often stronger after the 

 death of the beetle than during its life. The Musk Beetle is 

 easily kept alive, provided that it is well supplied with water, 

 and that a little sugar and water be occasionally given to it. 

 The mode of feeding is very curious, as are many of the habits 

 of the insect. 



The larva of the Musk Beetle is a mighty borer, making holes 

 into which an ordinary drawing-pencil could be passed. Old 

 and decaying willow-trees are its favourite resort, and in some 

 places the willows are positively riddled with the burrows. If such 

 a tree be sawn open longitudinally, a curious scene is presented 

 to the spectator. In some spots, the interior is hoUowed out by 

 nearly parallel burrows, until it looks as if it had been tunnelled 

 by the shipworm, while sections are made of burrows that turn 

 suddenly aside, or gradually diverge towards the yet uneaten 

 parts of the timber. In some of the holes will be found the 

 long white grubs, in others the pupa may be seen lying 

 quiescent, while a perfect beetle or two may possibly be dis- 

 covered near the entrance of the holes. Nor are the Musk 

 Beetles the only tenants of the tree, for there is generally an 

 assemblage of woodlice, centipedes, and other dark-loving 

 creatures, which have crawled into the deserted holes, and taken 

 up their abode within the tree. 



If the reader will refer to the accompanying illustration, he 

 will see that in the upper right-hand corner is represented a 



