GLOW-WORM. 167 



shaft into the ground, makes up a round ball of the 

 droppings, puts an egg into the middle of the ball, 

 rolls it into the hole, and after pushing some earth 

 after it, sets to work at another shaft. 



It is evident how beneficial the labours of these 

 insects must be; for by their means the earth is 

 pierced with passages for air — part is thrown out on 

 the surface, where it becomes regenerated by the 

 atmosphere — noxious substances are removed from 

 the surface, where they would do harm, and placed 

 deep in the ground, where they do good. 



The popular name for this beetle is the "Watch- 

 man, because in the dusk of the evening it " wheels 

 its drowsy flight," much as watchmen made their 

 sleepy rounds. It belongs to the same family of 

 insects as the sacred Scarabaeus of the Egyptians. 



On plate C, fig. 11, is depicted the common Kose- 

 beetle, so called because it is an insect of refined 

 habits, and chiefly dwells in the bosom of white 

 roses. Yet it loves earth too, and in pursuance of 

 its mission falls from its rose to earth, and there 

 digs a receptacle for its future progeny. But though 

 in earth, it is not of earth ; and, burrow as it may, 

 it returns to its rose without a stain upon its 

 burnished wings. 



The curious Glow-worm, as it is called falsely, it 

 being a beetle, and not a worm, is shown on plate J, 

 fig. 1. Both the male and female insect give out 

 this light, as I have often seen, though that of the 



