MOTIONS OF INSECTS. 



257 



(Eutrechma), often thus ascend the plants and trees after 

 their prey. Thus one of them, the beautiful but ferocious 

 Calosoma sycophanta, mounts the trunk and branches of the 

 oak to commit fearful ravages amongst the hordes of cater- 

 pillars that inhabit it. 1 By these the less savage but equally 

 destructive tree-chafers (Melolonthce), and those enemies of 

 vegetable beauty the rose-chafers ( Cetonia aurata), are enabled 

 to maintain their station on the trees and shrubs that they 

 lay waste. And by these also the water-beetles (Dytiscus, 

 Hydrophilus, &c.) climb the aquatic plants. But it is unne- 

 cessary further to enlarge upon this head; I shall only 

 observe, that in most of the insects here enumerated the claws 

 appear to be aided by stiff hairs or bristles. 



Other climbers ascend by means of foot-cushions (pulvilli) 

 composed of hairs, as thickly set as in plush or velvet, with 

 which the under sides of the joints of their tarsi — the claw- 

 joint, which is always naked, excepted — are covered. These 

 cushions are particularly conspicuous in the beautiful tribe of 

 plant-beetles ( Chrysomelidce). A common insect of this kind 

 before mentioned, called the bloody-nose beetle ( Timarclia 

 tenebricosa), by the aid of these is enabled to adhere to the 

 trailing plants, the various species of bedstraw (Galium), on 

 which it feeds ; and by these will support itself against gra- 

 vity ; for both this and Chrysomela Goettingensis will walk 

 upon the hand with their back downwards, and it then requires 

 a rather strong pull to disengage them from their station. 

 The whole tribe of weevils (Rliyncliopliora Latr.) are also 

 furnished with these cushions, but not always upon all their 

 joints, some having them only at their apex ; and the palm- 

 weevil (Cordylia Palmarum) at the extremity solely of the 

 last joint but one. Those brilliant beetles the Buprestes 

 have also these cushions, as have likewise the numerous tribes 

 of capricorn-beetles (Longicornes Latr.). The larvae of these 

 being timber-borers, the parent insect is probably thus enabled 

 to adhere to this substance whilst it deposits its eggs. Indeed 

 in some species of the former genus the cushions wear the 

 appearance of suckers. While the linear species of Helops 



VOL. II. 



1 Reaum. ii. 457. 



S 



