carrion; while others insert them into the young of other insects.-Fleming.

Why are the eggs of insects, when deposited in the open air, covered by the mother with a kind of varnish? Because they may thus be protected from the destructive influence of rain, and other accidents.

Among other peculiarities of the propagation of insects, many, as the cochineal worm, the laced-flea, &c. become of an enormous size during pregnancy: thus, in the white ant, it has been calculated that the abdomen of the female, when about to lay her eggs, is 2000 times larger than previous to impregnation.

Why are insects generally considered unsocial?

Because only a few of them afford mutual assistance in their labours. The greater number follow their pursuits singly; many, as spiders, live in society when young, but afterwards separate, and live in a state of solitude, seeing creatures of the same species only at the time of pairing. Swift very aptly observes, suspense is the life of the spider."

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The labours of such insects as live in communities are, however, very remarkable; since they thus build common residences, by their united powers, and under the guidance of an extremely regular, geometrical, innate instinct. There are but few creatures of this class which do not, at least once in their life, give proofs of this natural power of construction; either as the cloth moth and water moth, form a habitation in their incomplete and larva state; or, like others, spin and prepare a receptacle to contain them during their metamorphosis and death-like sleep; or, like the lionant, dig pits: or, like the spider, weave webs for their prey, and bags or nets for the security of their posterity, and in which they deposit their eggs.

All those insects which live in society, when exposed to cold, are observed to cluster together, as if to keep each other warm. Some, indeed, when exposed

to cold, become torpid, and revive upon the restoration of a suitable temperature; but there are others, as the honey bee, which resist any reduction of their temperature below their ordinary digestive heat, and preserve it in their dwellings, even during the winter season. John Hunter found a hive in July 18, at 82°, when the temperature of the air was only 54°; and in December 30, at 73°, when the air was only 35°.(Phil. Trans.) When cooled, until they become benumbed, they seldom recover, while the wasp, belonging to the same natural order, can be rendered torpid, and again revived with safety.

Why are entomological studies interesting and advantageous in a moral point of view?

Because the analogies derived from the transformation of insects admit of some beautiful applications, which have not been neglected by pious entomologists. The three states of the caterpillar, larva, and butterfly, have, since the time of the Greek poets, been applied to typify the human being; its terrestrial form, apparent death, and ultimate celestial destination: and it seems more extraordinary, that a sordid and crawling worm, should become a beautiful and active fly; that an inhabitant of the dark and fetid dunghill, should in an instant entirely change its form, rise into the blue air, and enjoy the sunbeams,-than that a being, whose pursuits here have been after an undying name, and whose purest happiness has been derived from the acquisition of intellectual power and finite knowledge, should rise hereafter into a state of being, where immortality is no longer a name, and ascend to the source of Unbounded Power and Infinite Wisdom.Sir H. Davy-Salmonia.

COLEOPTERA.

BEETLES.

Why are insects of this tribe so often eaten by fishes? Because all such as are abundant in summer are

frequently blown into the water, where they become easy prey. Thus, the brown beetle, or cockchaffer, the fern-fly, and the grey beetle, are devoured in great numbers. But there is hardly an insect that flies, including the wasp, the hornet, the bee, and the butterfly, that does not become at some time the prey of fishes. So voracious are the grubs of some beetles, that the younger ones, when so gorged with those they have devoured, as scarcely to be able to move without bursting, are said, by Kirby and Spence," often to take advantage of the helpless inactivity into which the gluttony of their maturer comrades has thrown them, and from mere wantonness, it should seem, when in no need of other food, pierce and devour them."

Some beetles are, however, very abstemious. Thus, the rose-chaffer has been kept alive more than eight years, by being fed on crusts of bread soaked in water.

Why was the beetle so often introduced in the buildings of the ancient Egyptians?

Because it was, to all appearance, a highly sacred animal. In the Egyptian tombs, it is found in great variety of basalt, verde antico, or other stones, and of baked clay. Some have hieroglyphics on them, which no doubt contain some particular prayers, or the commemoration of striking events in the life of the deceased. It is supposed, that the Egyptians hung the beetle to their necks when they went to war; but of this we have no clear proofs. Belzoni mentions a circumstance which, he thinks, will solve the doubt. The beetles are of such a peculiar form, that if they were among the ornaments of the warriors, they would be easily distinguished. He observed a solitary instance of this kind. There is a sitting figure in the tomb of Samethis, which he discovered in the valley below Bebau el Malook, that, by its splendid dress and ornaments, may be intended to represent a king. It has a square plate of basalt hung to its neck, with an

obelisk in the centre, and a figure on each side of it. He believes the above plate to be the only one that was ever found of the king. It has the form of an Egyptian temple, and in the centre is an elevated beetle on a boat, guarded by two figures, one at each side; and, on the reverse of the beetle, is an inscription over a boat, on which are two other figures, exactly like the former. The plate has the holes by which it was hung to a chain or string. Belzoni found also other beetles, with human heads, which he had never seen before.

Why is the dung-beetle also called the dorr?

Because, in old times, dorr was a stupid, blundering fellow; and, to dorr, was to ding or trouble with noise; both meanings applicable to the heedless flight, and loud noise, made in all the transits of this dung beetle. Such is the conjecture of Mr. Knapp, in his Journal of a Naturalist, who also speaks of dung beetles, as clocks" as the boys call them, a corruption, he thinks, from cloax, a vault, a creature from below, which might signify its subterranean residence." Ór, burrowing in the filth and ordure, as it does, the epithet clocca, the offspring of a common shore, or jakes, would not have been insignificant of its origin and habits,"

Why is the dorr beetle thought to counterfeit death to preserve its life?

Because when flying with an apparent fearlessness of harm, if touched, or interrupted, though in no way injured, it will immediately fall to the ground, generally prostrate on its back,—its limbs extended, stiff, and seemingly devoid of life, and suffering itself to be handled without manifesting any signs of animation. In time, finding no harm ensues, its resumes its former state.

The small gray beetle, so well-known for making pin-holes in old furniture, is, however, one of the most

common instances of this habit; and when it does so, it equals, if it does not exceed, the heroic firmness of the American savages, in bearing torture. You may maim these death-counterfeiting insects, pull them limb from limb, and even roast them over a slow fire, without making them move a joint, or exhibit the slightest symptom of suffering pain.

Why is an abundance of the larva of the cockchaffer to be feared?

Because, while in this state, lasting four years, they feed on the roots of corn, &c. and have occasionally produced great scarcity. An instance of its ravages, as well as a specimen of notable folly on the part of the sufferers by its rapacity, occurred in 1479, when this insect was cited by a regular Monitorium before the Spiritual Court of Lausanne, who assigned it an advocate from Friburg; but, after an attentive hearing of both parties, and mature deliberation, concluded by placing it under a ban.

Why have insects of the sylph family been reputed to dig under dead mice and moles, and bury them, in order to feast on them more securely?

Because they feed on maggots and their pupæ; and in penetrating the ground in search of the last of these, they loosen the soil so much, that the dead animal sinks under the surface, by its own weight, or, if light, is elevated on a hillock.-Fleming.

Why is the tortoise-beetle so called?

Because it is of the form of a tortoise, the wing cases projecting all around as a covering for the legs.

Why is the diamond-beetle so called?

Because it is one of the most splendid insects: the gold and colours in the numerous pits marked in rows upon the wing coverings, giving it an inexpressibly fine appearance in a clear light, and particularly under a magnifying glass.