Beetles vary much in size. Some are so small that you can hardly see them as they creep among the grasses.
Others are so large that a child might fear them. He might think that with their thick legs and claw-like feet and strong jaws they must surely be able to hurt him. But beetles are quiet, mild things, and seldom pinch or bite anybody.
Why do these beetles have these strong coats like mail? To keep them from harm. They live under stones, and among roots, and dig about in the earth. Their horny bodies protect them.
Many more animals, than now do so, might eat the beetles if they had not the horny coats to shield them.
Fish, birds, and other animals eat them and their grubs. Enough are killed and eaten to prevent the world being too full of beetles.
Beetles have few weapons. I will tell you of one or two of them. Stag beetles have very large, strong jaws, and can give a good pinch with them.
One family of beetles is called the “Oil family.” They have an oil in them. They drop this from their legs when they are touched. This oil has a bad smell. It can make a blister on the skin. Because of this oil people let them alone, and perhaps small animals do the same.
There is a beetle that carries a gun! This is like a gun with several barrels, for it can be fired three or four times without being reloaded! Oh, how can that be?