30 COLEOPTERA. 



smell, well known to children while playing 

 with their favourite Lady Birds. The Cocci- 

 nellae feed on the Aphides, and are found on 

 all sorts of plants and trees infested with their 

 food. They survive the winter, and are the 

 first insects that appear in the spring. 



The larva is of a long oval shape, divided into 

 twelve rings, and terminating in a sharpened 

 tail. The surface is hairy. The feet are scaly 

 and six in number. It has a small head with 

 two short antennas. These larvae are very vo- 

 racious, and destroy vast numbers of dphides. 

 They also prey upon each other, so that it is 

 rather dangerous for the small and feeble, to as- 

 sociate with those of their brethren of a proper 

 size and strength. 



The chrysalis is prettily spotted with black 

 and other colours. It moves its head from time 

 to time, particularly when touched, and occa- 

 sionally raises itself on end, and remains some 

 moments in that position. The Coccinellawhen 

 first it bursts its sheath, to assume the perfect 

 insect, is entirely of a dirty or yellowish white 

 colour, and of a soft and flexible consistence ; 



