1838; HOUSE—No. 72. 71 
the earth. Thenumber of eggs, in each individual, is stated by Dr. 
Green, never to exceed 30, being generally below 20. They are 
nearly globular, whitish, and about one thirtieth of an inch in diameter. 
In the space of 20 days after being deposited, they are hatched, and 
the young larve soon begin feeding on such vegetable substances as are 
within their reach. Like others of the genus, when not eating, they 
lie upon the side, with the body curved, so that the head and tail are 
nearly in contact. I have never been able to rear these insects in 
pots, so as to trace the same individuals from birth, through all their 
changes ; and Dr. Green informs me, that he has been equally un- 
successful. However, by replenishing the pots, from time to time, 
with fresh larve from the ground, he has come to the conclusion, 
that they arrive at their full growth about the last of October. Dur- 
ing the winter, they remain torpid, and at such depth in the soil, as 
to escape the effects of frost. At the approach of spring, they as- 
cend near the surface, and prepare to take the pupa form. They 
are then about half an inch long, and over one line in diameter. The 
body of the grub is soft, whitish, with a bluish tinge near the tail, 
and slightly hairy. ‘The head is covered with a corneous shell of a 
pale rust color, the jaws are rather darker. There are six legs near 
the head, namely, one pair to each of the first three segments of the 
body. About the first of May, the grub, by moving its body round and 
round, forms a little cavity or cell, in which, after a few days, it be- 
comes a pupa. ‘This change is effected by the alternate contractions 
and dilatations of the grub, during which, the skin near the head bursts 
and is gradually pushed down, (like a stocking from the leg,) until 
the pupa is entirely liberated. The pupais of a yellowish white color 
at first, but gradually becomes darker, as it approaches the perfect 
state. The rudiments of the future wings, antenne, and legs, are 
distinctly visible, folded under the body, and enclosed in a thin mem- 
brane, which wraps each part separately : the eyes appear as two 
blue spots ; the dorsal segments of the body are prominent in ridges ; 
the tail is acuminated, and retains upon it the exuvie or cast-skin of 
the larva, until a few days before it throws off its last covering, and 
emerges from the earth a perfect insect. This last and important 
change is not effected but by the greatest efforts, during which the 
pupa appears to writhe in agony, until, by its continued exertions, it 
