BEETLES. 



175 



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. 



"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 vora- 

 cious, and devour other insects, and, in 

 some cases, young fishes. Some of the 

 species are more than an inch long. 

 The Whirligig Beetles which are found 

 on the surface of still waters, where 

 they look like brilliant spots gliding in 

 Fig. 296. — Water ^n gorts of curves, are much smaller, 

 and belong to another family. 



Carrion 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 is 

 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. 



