342 
NATURAL HISTORY. 
colour of these animals, the size also makes a considerable 
one ; some beetles being not larger than the head of a pin, 
while others, such as the elephant beetle, are as big as 
one’s fist : but the greatest difference among them is, that 
some are produced in a month, and in a single season 
go through all the stages of their existence, while others 
take near four years to their production, and live as 
winged insects a year more. To give the history of all these 
animals, that are bred pretty much in the same way, would 
be insipid and endless ; it will suffice to select one or two 
from the number, the origin of which may serve as speci- 
mens of the rest. We will therefore offer the history of the 
may-bug to the reader’s attention ; premising, that most 
other beetles, though not so long lived, are bred in the 
same manner. 
The may-bug , or doree-beetle, as some call it, has like all 
the rest, a pair of cases to its wings, which are of a reddish 
brown colour, sprinkled with a whitish dust, which easily 
comes off. In some years their necks are seen covered with 
a red plate, and in others with a black : these, however, are 
distinct sorts, and their difference is by no means accidental. 
The fore-legs are very short, and the better calculated for 
burrowing in the ground, where this insect makes its 
retreat. It is well known to children by its evening buz ; 
but still more formidably introduced to the acquaintance of 
husbandmen and gardeners : for in some seasons it has been 
found to swarm in such numbers, as to eat up every vege- 
table production. 
The two sexes in the may-bug, are easily distinguished 
from each other, by the superior length of the tufts, at the 
end of the horns, in the male. 
In about three months after the eggs have been deposited 
in the earth, the contained insect begins to break its shell, 
and a small grub or maggot crawls forth, and feeds upon 
the roots of whatever vegetable it happens to be nearest. 
All substances of this kind seem equally grateful : vet it 
is probable the mother insect has a choice among what'kind 
of vegetables she shall deposit her young. In this manner, 
these voracious creatures continue” in the worm state for 
more than three years, devouring the roots of every plant 
they approach, and making their way under ground in 
quest of food with great dispatch and facility. At length 
they grow to above the size of a walnut, being a great 
thick white maggot with a red head, which is seen most 
frequently in new turned earth, and which is so eagerly 
sought after by birds of every species. 
