AUCTARIUM 
OF 
THE BOTAHIC ©AMBEH. 
•23 Wireworms, their destruction. In the previous part of 
the Auctarium we have given, after Mr. Curtis, some interest- 
ing particulars regarding the Wireworm ; still, before we proceed 
to the consideration of means for destroying this enemy of the 
gardener, we cannot omit alluding to the remarkable power 
given to the Click-beetle — the parent of the Wireworm, of 
recovering its natural position when turned on its back. Its 
possession of a small apparatus to assist in this operation, has 
been mentioned, but to clearly describe the apparatus, and its 
action, would be difficult, without the assistance of engraved 
figures. Our readers should examine the insect itself, which in 
summer, most persons will think, is by Air too readily met with. 
It may be observed, that the beetle, when on its back, raises 
itself as an arch, by which one part of the apparatus mentioned 
slips out of the other with a snap, — the centre of the back 
which was before raised, is depressed with a sudden jerk on 
the substance that supports it, the animal thereby springs up- 
wards, turns in the air, and alights on its legs. 
“ Difficult as the Wireworm is to deal with, so much atten- 
tion has been paid to the subject by the suffering farmer and 
gardener, that numerous methods of arresting its ravages have 
been tried, some of them with great success ; and let not any 
one be discouraged because he cannot clear his land entirely, 
or at one blow sweep away a nuisance ; for extermination 
amongst these minor works of the creation is not permitted, it 
is against the laws of the Creator; for although such intervals 
of absence may occur as to lead us to think that a noxious 
animal is annihilated, it will in due time return, and again 
require all our efforts and vigilance to contend against it. We 
241. AUCT.VRIU.M. 
