BEETLES. 



161 



on page 153. It appears about the time the canker- 

 worms leave the trees and come to the ground. The 

 Glowing Caterpillar Hunter is a smaller kind, and is 

 black, with six rows of sunken brilliant red spots. 



Fig. 296. — Water 

 Beetle. 



WATER BEETLES. 



These beetles live in the water, and 

 their long hind legs are well fitted for 

 swimming, being fringed on their inner 

 side. They are very voracious, and de- 

 vour other insects, and, in some cases, 

 young fishes. Some of the species are 

 more than an inch long. The Whirli- 

 gig Beetles which are found on the 

 surface of still waters, where they look like brilliant 

 spots gliding in all sorts of curves, are much smaller, 

 and belong to another family. 



CAKBION BEETLES. 



Carrion Beetles live together in great numbers in 

 the bodies of decaying animals. Some kinds have the 

 habit of burying the small animals which they find 

 dead, and it is remarkable how quickly 

 they find out where such animals are. 

 If a dead frog, or mouse, or bird be 

 placed upon the ground, these beetles 

 will be seen about it in a few hours ; 

 and beginning to dig beneath it, they 

 soon sink it out of sight. The females 

 then lay their eggs in it, so that when 

 the young hatch they find themselves 

 amidst a supply of suitable food. 



Fig. 297. — Carrion 

 Beetle. 



