DIALOGUE XIV. 
COCKCHAFFER, OR SCARABi^US MELOLON- 
THA. ELEPHANT BEETLE, OR S. HER- 
CULES. 
LUCY. Now, mamma, for the cock- 
chafFer, or (for I remember its grand 
name) the scarahceus melolontha, 
3Iother, Very well recollected. This 
cockchaffer, which is more commonly 
called the May-bug, lays about sixty eggs. 
They are of an oblong shape, and a bright 
yellow colour ; and at the proper period 
it bores a deep hole in the earth, and 
places them at the bottom with the 
greatest regularity. In three months the 
larvae are hatched. 
Lucy, Three months! What a long 
time ; au 'i, when they do come out, what 
can they find to eat underground ? 
Mother. The roots and fibres of 
