SOME FACTS ABOUT BEETLES.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 13, Issue 48, 24 June 1902, Page 2

SOME FACTS ABOUT BEETLES.

Their compact form, solid shells, and great relative strength of beetles fit them for a much larger variety of modes of life than are possible to other orders of insects. The strength of some beetles is really enormous in proportion to their bulk. If one of these insects as large as a horse with the muscular strength it now possesses, increased in proportion to its size, it could pull a loaded train, locomotive and all, along a track, or a two-story house on wheels, with the greatest ease. In both the East and West Indies the shells of certain beetles are so highly coloured and so brilliant that rival almost all, and surpass many gems in glittering splendour, and are set as jewels, worn as ornaments, or used to trim hats or dresses.

Beetles seek to escape their numerous foes in a great variety of ways. A New England beetle (Deloyala clavata ) mimics excresences on the leaves of the potato, that as long as it remains motionless would never be discovered by a bird. Some beetles masquerade in a costume which exactly resembles the badly tasting and smelling fire-llies. Other beetles, sticks, seeds and other portions of plants.

But without doubt the most curious mode of escape is that practised by a species of the Carabitat family, the so-called bombardier beetles, which when pursued shoot out an acid that volatises into smoke at their

pursuers, just as if they were firing oft tiny guns^