Insects. 901 



in the pine-forests, particularly on the path leading to the Raubchloss, where they 

 spangle the sand and the tree-trunks like living gems. The splendour of its elytra, 

 green, gold, scarlet, orange, the rich purple-black of the thorax, the rapidity and ease 

 of its movements, render it a pleasing object, even to the most careless, whilst the 

 pungent odour, which it possesses more strongly, I believe, than any other of the 

 Geodephaga, readily betrays its presence. Except from the collector, however, it has 

 nothing no dread, its utility to man being both known and appreciated. The pine- 

 forests, for instance, are exposed to the ravages of various Lepidopterous insects, such 

 as Smerinthus Pinastri, and in particular, Gastropacha Pini. Now, a pine-tree, once 

 stripped of its leaves, or needles, as the Germans more aptly term them, does not 

 recover like an oak, or a sycamore, but dies. Scarcely is vegetation at an end, when 

 the Longicornes seize upon the trunk, and burrow in it ; the wood-ants tunnel it in 

 all directions, and it thus becomes worthless. Many hundred acres of the finest tim- 

 ber are thus often destroyed. It is an interesting sight to any but the owner, to visit 

 a forest under the infliction of Gastropacha Pini ; the thousands of caterpillars eagerly 

 feeding produce a distinct crackling sound, as the hard, dry pine-leaves yield to their 

 persevering jaws. The large moths fluttering lazily about, or perched on the leafless 

 sprays, await the approach of evening, when the gamekeepers kindle large fires, in 

 the open spaces. Into these multitudes of moths fall, and are consumed; but this, 

 with all that are destroyed by hand, or devoured by birds, would avail little, but for 

 the services of certain insects. Our Calosoma is one of the most active : both larva 

 and beetle mount the trees, and slaughter both moths and caterpillars, far more than 

 are requisite to satisfy their appetite. Those seasons in which the pine-moth is most 

 numerous are also remarkably favourable to the Calosoma, and to several kinds of 

 Ichneumons, which also prey upon the pine-moth. — Id. 



Economy of Cetonia aurala. This beetle is occasionally found in and about ant- 

 hills. Some naturalists maintain that the larva? also are found in such localities ; 

 this, however, I cannot say from actual observation. Certain it is that the mature 

 beetles walk about unhurt amongst the crowds, whilst every cock-chafer or Carabus 

 that intrudes is soon seized and devoured. — Id. 



Ravages of the Cockchafer in Silesia. The ravages committed by the cockchafer 

 (Melolontha vulgaris), in Silesia, are sometimes really frightful ; the oaks appearing at 

 the end of May as bare as in January. The lime, cherry, and birch suffer less, and 

 the leaves of the beech seem to have a fatal effect on the destroyers, whose dead 

 bodies generally strew the ground beneath. Every third year they are particularly 

 numerous, and various methods are then used to destroy them. The trees are shaken 

 early in the morning, when the beetles, falling down, are collected in sacks. A small 

 reward is frequently paid by the magistracy, for every measure delivered in. Pigs, 

 poultry, and a variety of wild birds feast upon the beetles, but for all this, little dimi- 

 nution is perceived, until about the middle of June, when they are succeeded by 

 Amphimalla solstitialis, a less powerful, though equally zealous depredator. — Id. 



Habits of Oryctes nasicornis in Silesia. I resided for three years within five 

 minutes' walk of probably the richest locality in Europe for this fine insect. The 

 refuse bark from the extensive tanneries has been thrown upon a plot of waste ground 

 bordering on the forest of See, and has there accumulated to a considerable depth. 

 On any fine evening in July you may observe them, some emerging from their cradles 

 beneath the surface, others travelling about, or forming eells for the reception of their 

 eggs. Their muscular power is astonishing : enclose one in your hand, and he will 



