104 COLEOPTERA. 
chamber, which it smooths and plasters 
very neatly. In this retreat it prepares 
for its approaching transformation, grows 
thicker but shorter, and at length, burst- 
ing the last skin, becomes a chrysalis. 
Lucy, Well, mamma, 1 wonder 
how it ever rises again into the air ; the 
grub can make its way through the 
ground with its strong head, but the 
beetle would be hurt in working up- 
wards. 
Mother, The beetle, you know, is 
covered with hard shells, which preserve 
its wings ; and being very strong, it can 
without much difficulty travel through 
the toughest clay. 
Its chrysalis state lasts for about three 
months : at first it is yellowish, but 
gradually deepens in colour to a dusky 
red ; and in this state the fore part of the 
insect may be distinctly seen through the 
case, while the remainder looks as if 
wrapped in swaddling clothes. In Janu- 
ary, the cockchaffer quits the chrysalis. 
