28 
COLEQPTEKA. 
oval cavity, whicli is lined by some glutinous substance 
thrown from its mouth. In this cavity it is changed to a 
pupa by casting off its skin. In this state, the legs, antenme, 
and wino:-cases of tlie future beetle are visible throutyh the 
transparent skin wliich envelops them, but appear of a yel¬ 
lowish-white color; and thus it remains until the month of 
February, when the thin film which encloses the body is rent, 
and three months afterwards the perfected beetle digs its way 
to the surface, from which it finally emerges during the night. 
According to Kirby and Spence, the grubs of the cockchafer 
sometimes destroy whole acres of grass by feeding on its 
roots. They undermine the richest meadows, and so loosen 
the turf that it will roll up as if cut by a turfing spade. They 
do not confine themselves to grass, but eat the roots of wheat, 
of other grains, and also those of young trees. About seventy 
years ago, a farmer near Norwich, in England, suffered much 
by them, and, with his man, gathered eighty bushels of the 
beetles. In the year 1785 many j^rovinces in France were 
so ravaged by them, that a premium Avas offered by govern¬ 
ment for the best mode of destroying them. The Society of 
Arts in London, during many years, held forth a premium 
for the best account of this insect, and the means of check¬ 
ing its ravages, but without having produced one successful 
claimant. 
In their winged state, these beetles, Avith seA^eral other 
species, act as conspicuous a part in injuring the trees as 
the grubs do in destroying the herbage. During the month 
of May they come forth from the ground, A\dience they have 
received the name of May-bugs, or iMay-beetles. They pass 
the greater part of the day u})on trees, clinging to the under¬ 
sides of the leaves, in a state of repose. As soon as evening 
approaches, they begin to buzz about among the branches, 
and continue on the Aving till tOAvards midnight. In their 
droning flight they move very irregularly, darting hither and 
thither Avith an uncertain aim, hitting against objects in their 
way with a force that often causes them to fall to the ground. 
