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IT

THE BLOOD-BEETLE.

was in the month of October several years ago that I first became acquainted with the BloodBeetle. It was crawling over some herbage at a very sluggish pace, totally different to the hurrying race of a Sun-Beetle across your path, or a Weevil over the leaves, and I took it up to examine it. While turning it over, I found my fingers were covered with what I at first took to be blood; recollecting, however, that none of the other beetles with which I was acquainted afforded the sanguineous fluid, I looked a little closer, and discovered a rich scarlet bead, very translucent in appearance, emerging from the creature's mouth. Upon taking up several others they behaved in the same way, and the habit appeared evidently a defensive one, although the fluid was to me perfectly harmless; it might not be so, however, to the enemies of the Beetle. This habit, together with the firm ovate appearance, and the worse than snail's pace at which it crawled along, made the insect very interesting to a neophyte in Natural History; and not knowing its name, I called it pro tem. the BloodBeetle, which, perhaps, is slightly more refined than its common English cognomen, "The Bloodynosed Beetle." As it was then rather late in the year, there was not much opportunity for discovering many of its peculiarities; it soon retired from observation, probably burying itself among thick moss or herbage. Early in January, however, it was abroad in the sunshine under the hedges, and my interest was again drawn to it. In April I noticed another curious creature-very common: it appeared to be some kind of larva. It was about ten lines in length, of a dull metallic green above and pinkish beneath, the whole body very wrinkled, and in general appearance convex. It was feeding on bed-straw; and, where one specimen was seen, plenty of others were sure to be found. It was not until I had taken several up to look at that some of the well-known fluid appeared, and the thought at once struck me that the creature was the larva of my new friend, the Beetle. It fed, too, on the same food, Galium aparine, and more rarely on G. mollugo. I at once collected the larvæ and caged them, and after a time found my suspicions correct, for they produced some very fine imagos.

This was one of my first entomological discoveries; and, like every other beginner, I felt a good deal of satisfaction at having made it myself without the aid of a book. I mention this simply as an illustration of the pleasure awaiting any one who chooses to search for it in the insect world. A few of the notes I have since made on the same species may, perhaps, prove interesting to some of our readers.

The Beetle itself is, at least round High Wycombe, the most plentiful of the larger coleop

tera, being found on every bank and under every hedge; it appears also to be the most hardy, for there is probably no season of the year when it may not be seen-I have caught it in every month except December. The larvæ are to be found in April and May on bed-straws, looking when young merely like small black protuberances on the leaves. At first sight it would appear that they do not possess the usual number of prolegs or claspers-so prominent among the lepidopterous caterpillars-having apparently only one at the tail. Although Westwood mentions this as single, it is evident to the naked eye, and much more so through a glass, that it is a double one, quite as much as that of a hawk-moth larva; the other four pairs are present in the shape of small tubercles on the abdomen, and are seen quite plainly if the creature be allowed to cross the hand held up horizontally to the light each is then seen to be brought into full play in the act of walking; they are not so easily detected when it is crawling over the herbage. When seized it rolls itself up like a hedgehog, not being proportionally long enough to do so after the fashion of 'larger caterpillars. When alarmed, I have known it, in various instances, to emit the scarlet fluid, but it is not done so freely as by the imago. It changes its skin at regular intervals, appearing immediately after of a reddish hue, particularly about the head and legs: it gradually darkens in colour. The larva is quite as sluggish in its movements as the perfect insect.

All my specimens were buried by June 10th, but some had gone down into the earth a fortnight before. On July 4th I disinterred one or two; they were then of a very light pink colour, very jelly-like in appearance; the legs were perfectly formed, and the wings lay loosely by the side of the body, which was on its back. A small cavity had been formed in the soil in the usual way, the sides of which were made quite compact by the pressure of the body, and at one end lay the cast-off skin; the antennæ were full size; but these, like the legs, were pink, much deeper in shade than the body. On July 22nd I disinterred another almost perfect, but the body was still soft and pink, while the elytra were of their proper hue: a second specimen was still without the wing cases. The first imago emerged July 30th, and this was soon followed by the others.

The perfect insect is very ovate in appearance and firm in consistency, the under-surface and also the legs are of a glistening metallic dark blue, the elytra are nearly black, as is also the head and thorax. It is placed in the family CHRYSOMELIDÆ, and in the genus Timarcha, though formerly it was called a Tenebrio: the specific name is tenebricosa, or more lately lævigata: the latter term is preferable, as it serves more directly to contrast it with the other species in the same genus-coriaria. The elytra are soldered together longitudinally; and

when they are forced open, the Beetle is found to be wingless; it is thus totally incapable of flight, and is the largest vegetable-feeding insect in England so constituted. The tarsi are very broad, and afford it the power of taking a firm hold of the herbage over which it crawls. At night it rests clinging to stems with its head downwards; they are difficult to discover in the early morning, being covered with heavy dew, and looking more like dry seeds than anything else; as soon as the heat of the sun has caused all the moisture to evaporate, they begin their peregrinations. The antennæ look like strings of small beads, very beautiful; and, when the insect is moving, they are in constant motion from side to side, tapping the ground or stem over which it is travelling, as if to test its safety. The scarlet fluid is said by Westwood to be emitted both from the mouth and the joints of the limbs; I have never, however, been able to detect the smallest particle flowing from the latter places. Country people say it is a specific for the toothache; and, having once tried it, I am inclined to believe them: I found relief from rubbing it over the tooth and gums; but, perhaps, one is not entitled to state it as a general fact from one trial.

In this genus the larvæ are not possessed of the peculiar tail and tufts of hairs believed to be found on the larvæ used for microscopical purposes. This reduces the number to seven, amongst which the desired insect is to be found.

Fig. 11. Larva of Bacon-beetle.

In the genus Attagenus, Latreille informs us, the larva is long, of a reddish brown colour, and shining, clothed with hairs, those at the extremity of the body forming a tail. Its motions are very irregular, creeping along by fits and starts.

In the genus Megatoma, Professor Westwood states that in the larva the extremity of the body is furnished with two bundles of hairs, which it expands like a fan, and to which it imparts a tremulous motion, so rapid as scarcely to allow the fans of hair to be perceived while it lasts.

In Tiresias the larva is of an elongate, ovate, and depressed form, narrowed towards the tail, and, covered with long brown hairs, the terminal segment of the body being also furnished with a long brush of hair, and destitute of the two spines

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WHAT IS DERMESTES?

AT the December meeting of the Quekett Micro

scopical Club, a question was asked, "What is the insect called 'Dermestes,' the hairs of the larva of which are employed as test-objects?" During the discussion which ensued, the figure in SCIENCE GOSSIP (vol. i., p. 230) was alluded to as being that of the larva intended. The following observations may tend to elucidate the subject:

The Dermestidæ are a small family of Necrophagous Beetles, of which six genera, containing fifteen species, are recorded in Great Britain. This number may be reduced for our purpose to eleven species, the other four being doubtful or disputed natives. Of the foregoing, four species, including the Bacon Beetle, belong to the genus Dermestes.

Fig. 12. Larva of Tiresias serra.

observed in the larva of Dermestes. It is found during the winter under the loose bark of elmtrees, in company with a small spider, which spins a web-like case, in which it resides.

Thinking that to this genus, which contains only one British species, the so-called Dermestes belonged, we forwarded a copy of Mr. McIntire's article, with its woodcuts, to an eminent authority on kindred subjects; and he refers the figure of the larva and its hairs to some species of the following genus. Professor Westwood, writing of the genus Anthrenus, states that "in the larva state they are

most injurious in neglected museums, devouring the integuments uniting the bones, which soon fall from each other, skins, hairs, and the feathers of birds. The larva is elongate-ovate, thick, somewhat leathery in its texture, and very hairy, especially towards the posterior extremity; the jaws are very strong, and horny; the six legs are of small size. The hairs upon the body of these larvæ are arranged in small bundles along the sides, and the tail furnished on each side with a pair of tufts of larger size, which are laid when at rest upon the back; but

Fig. 13. Tail of Larva of Anthrenus, from De Geer.

when the insect is disturbed, it spreads these out, so as somewhat to resemble a shuttlecock. These hairs are of great service to the larva, enabling it to glide between the fingers when handled, as though covered with oil. The appearance of these larvæ under the microscope is very pleasing, the hairs upon the body being discovered to be furnished with still more minute hairs; whilst those forming the terminal bristles are individually formed of a series of minute conical pieces placed in succession, the base being very slender, and the extremity of each hair forming a large oblong knot, placed on a slender footstalk."

It is to this genus of Anthrenus that the larva called Dermestes at page 230 of vol. i. is referred. There are certainly three British species, but the most common is Anthrenus museorum.

We have given the characters of the larvæ in all the four closely-allied genera, three of which contain only one species each, under the impression that it may lead to the closer examination of those also, as it is not improbable that some of the "hairs of Dermestes" mounted for the microscope may be derived from one or other of them. It is pretty clear that none are obtained from the Bacon Beetle, or any other species of the genus Dermestes.

We take advantage of this opportunity to correct an error in the scientific name of the "Pencil-tail" (also described in vol. i., p. 230). It should have been Polyrenus.

IN

THE DEATH WATCH.

N the number of Nature and Art for October will be found a very interesting article "concerning insects, commonly called Death Watches," by the Rev. W. Houghton. I was much surprised on reading the paper, that so many entomologists of note should have been unaware of, or altogether denying the fact of, Atropos pulsatoria being the author of the ominous sound that has filled so many superstitious folks with dread. Mr. Houghton says that "being anxious to ascertain whether any living entomologists had personal experience of the noise asserted to be produced by the Atropos pulsatoria, in the writings of some naturalists and denied in those of others, I wrote to Mr. Frederick Smith, to ask whether he had any knowledge of the matter." The subject was brought by that gentleman before the notice of the Entomological Society, "but no one had any knowledge of Anobium, Atropos, or any insect tapping," and he himself " was inclined to think that the ticking said to be caused by Atropos pulsatoria was scarcely substantiated, as he could not conceive it possible that so soft and delicate a creature could produce any sound whatever." (SCIENCE GOSSIP, Feb. 1866.) The same opinion seems to have been shared by our most eminent entomologists, as on referring to Swainson and Shuckard's "Natural History and Classification of Insects," page 357, I find that Mr. Shuckard, in describing the genus Atropos, says, "which contains the so celebrated book-louse, famous for its reputed ticking, whence it has also been called the death-watch; which is doubtless a fable, as it is more than probable that the noise is produced by an Anobium, for it is scarcely possible that so small and delicate an insect as the Atropos should cause so loud a sound." Mr. Westwood also, in his Entomologist's Text Book, page 307, in the article on the "Sense of Hearing," describes the noise made by the death-watch Anobium striatum "by beating the front of its head against the surface upon which it is stationed," but no notice is taken of Atropos; and at page 368 of the same work, in general description of the order Neuroptera, a figure of Atropos pulsatoria is given, the only notice concerning which is that it "is ordinarily found amongst books and papers."

On the other side we have the evidence of that celebrated entomologist Mr. Doubleday, who in a communication to Mr. Houghton says, from his own observation he felt no doubt that Atropos was one of those insects that produced the sounds in question. There is also the paper by Mr. Noble in SCIENCE GOSSIP for April of this year, in which the "circumstantial evidence" is very strong and almost conclusive. But from the time of Derham up to the present, no naturalist appears to have seen the insect in the act of producing the sound,

which has given rise to such a diversity of opinion. It is for this reason that I have brought forward these few observations, and also to give my own experience in this matter.

My first acquaintance with Atropos, or, as it is generally called here, the wood-louse, commenced about thirteen or fourteen years ago: at that time I lived in an old house in Brompton, near Chatham, and in my bedroom, which was also my library and museum, I had a very olla podrida of Natural History hanging about the walls; among the rest was a honey-comb. It was soon after the introduction of this to my list of curiosities that the strange ticking sound (which at the time sorely puzzled me) commenced, and that led me eventually to the investigation of the cause. I soon found that the noise proceeded from the comb, and on closer examination I saw a number of wood-lice travelling about from one cell to another, and appearing very busy in their explorations. After a while the ticking commenced, which I quickly traced to a particular cell, and by the aid of a common convex lens I could perceive Atropos beating with its head against the side of the cell, the noise produced being quite as loud as the tick of an ordinary watch; thus confirming Mr. Derham's observations, "and, viewing them with a convex lens, I soon perceived some of them to beat or make a noise with a sudden shake of their body," &c.

From this time the honey-comb, which perhaps from its peculiar sonorous nature, suited them so well, became the head quarters of Atropos, and night after night, and sometimes by day, might be heard the tick, tick, tick, by the hour together; sometimes one, sometimes two or more, ticking away with all their might, as if to out-tick each other. At any time, by carefully approaching the comb, and waiting a second or two quietly, they might with the aid of a lens be seen at their peculiar pastime. Since then I have lived in my present house, a comparatively new one, for about twelve years, and during that time have constantly heard the familiar tick from time to time, twice during this last week, October 8th and 10th. Atropos is very numerous here, seeming to prefer the mantelpiece, upon which are several vases filled with paper artificial flowers, and any night they may be seen by the dozen prying into any little crevice, or minutely surveying petal after petal of their floral habitation.

I hope I have thus assisted to settle the muchvexed question of Atropos pulsatoria.

W. CHANEY.

EDIBLE LARVE.-Dr. Livingstone states that in the valley of Quango, South Africa, the natives dig large white larvæ out of the damp soil adjacent to their streams, and use them as a relish to their vegetable diet.

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masses of elongated cells are formed from groups of these objects. Each of the cells has divisions with four or more granules in each. The cells after breaking up, the granules being free in the water, have a slight movement, and appear in every respect to be like the parent bodies in a gradual state of development. These objects have a great resemblance to some of the Desmidiaceæ. The colours vary from deep golden to pale yellow, some of them having a faint rose tint." For our own part, we must confess that we can find in all the sketches submitted to us far greater affinities with pollen grains than any unicellular algæ.

WE

AMIDST THE RUINS.

E take it for granted that every person, though resident in far-off countries, has by this time heard or read of the late fire at the Crystal Palace. Two-thirds of the stately edifice fortunately remain uninjured; but the North Transept, or that portion of the building which was usually designated "the tropical end of the Palace," must be numbered amongst the things that were.

It is sad to contemplate the destruction of unique and costly works of art, very many of which are beyond the power of money, or even human skill, to reproduce; quite as pitiful is it to see trees, shrubs, and flowers, that were brought from tropical countries, at an incalculable outlay of capital and labour, reduced to dust and ashes; yet I assert without fear of contradiction that it is ten times more harrowing to gaze upon the black and cindered remains of all sorts of living things, which we know were roasted alive, like human martyrs were wont to be, chained to stakes, or so securely fastened into cages of iron as to forbid the faintest chance of escape from the greedy flames.

Thoughts akin to these passed through my mind as I wandered, with saddened heart, over the ruins of the tropical department, a short time after its ever-to-be-lamented destruction. It may interest you, courteous reader, to follow me in fancy, as I briefly recount my stroll amidst the ruins.

It will be as well, perhaps, in the first place to

recall to your remembrance that the Crystal Palace building, above the basement floor, consists of a central nave, two side aisles, two large galleries, three transepts, and two wings; that it is constructed principally of iron and glass. We must except in this general statement a considerable portion of the west front, which is made up of wood panelling. The extreme length of the building is 1,608 feet: add to this the wings, each 574 feet, and the colonnade, which is 720 feet, and we get as the total length of the palace 3,476 feet, or, in round numbers, nearly three-quarters of a mile. It is rather startling to think so large a piece of ground, should be completely covered in by a roof of glass.

If all the columns employed in the building and wings, were laid end to end in a straight line, the distance covered would be sixteen miles and a quarter. The weight of iron used in the main building and wings, amounts to the incredible quantity of 9,641 tons, 17 cwt., 1 quarter.

The superficial quantity of glass used in this monster edifice is 25 acres, and its weight 500 tons. If the panes were laid side by side, they would extend a distance of 48 miles; if end to end, 242 miles. The bolts and rivets weigh 175 tons, 1 cwt., 1 quarter; and the nails employed for a variety of purposes 103 tons, 6 cwt. All this is apart from the colonnade, which has a superficial area of 15,500 feet, and has in its construction 60 tons of iron and 30,000 superficial feet of glass.

The plan practised for raising the temperature of this mammoth building is by using hot water. The pipes for the conveyance of the hot water, run in all directions underneath the floor of the building and wings; these pipes, if arranged in a straight line, would reach to a distance of more than 50 miles, and the heated fluid flowing from and returning again into the boilers, travels one mile and three quarters. When all the fountains are playing, 11,788 jets are in operation, throwing 120,000 gallons of water per minute. A single grand display of the fountains consumes 6,000,000 gallons of water. The towers at each end of the Palace, built by Mr. Brunel for the purpose of raising the tanks for the supply of the fountains, contain 800 tons of iron in their substance; the tanks are calculated to hold 357,675 gallons of water. The engine-power required to do all the work is that of 320 horses.

Having refreshed our memories with this brief summary of statistics, we will quit the grand central nave and enter a door beneath the large screen that shuts off the tropical end from the rest of the build. ing. On our left, we first notice scattered masses of coloured arabesque and mosaic work, splintered columns and damaged walls-all that remains whereby we can recognize the once splendid Alhambra, the Hall of the Abencerrages, the Court of Lions, and Tribunal of Justice.

As we scramble about over broken mouldings, and

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