MUSK-BEETLE. 165 



and then, making a smooth vault, abides the winter's 

 cold unharmed. 



Only the male beetle possesses these tremendous 

 jaws ; those of the female being hardly one-tenth of 

 their size, but so sharp at their points that their bite 

 is just as severe. 



The insect that next comes under notice is the 

 Musk-beetle (plate I, fig. 7), a beautiful and con- 

 spicuous insect, of a rich green colour above, and a 

 purplish blue below. Its name of musk-beetle is 

 derived from the fragrant scent which it emits ; a 

 scent, however, not the least like musk, but moro 

 resembling that of roses. It is so powerful that the 

 presence of the insect may often be detected by th6 

 nostrils, though it is hidden from the eyes. It may 

 be found chiefly on willow trees. 



There is another beetle that gives out a sweet 

 scent, much resembling that of the verbena leaf. 

 This is the Tiger-beetle (plate D, fig. 8). With the 

 exception of the white spots on the wing covers, the 

 colours of this insect are much the same as those of 

 the musk-beetle. 



Its name seems hardly commensurate with its 

 aspect ; but never was a title better deserved. And, 

 space allowing, I could here draw a terrible character; 

 but as brevity is enforced, I can but say that this 

 sparkling and beautiful insect seems to have the 

 spirit of twenty tigers compressed into its little body. 

 All things have their opposites ; and opposed to 



