of that of an elephant, it having a horny bill, like the proboſcis of that animal, bending upwards from the under part, with another, pointing downwards from the upper part of its head, both of a jet black, and of a fine poliſh. On the inner ſurface of the upper bill are raiſed points, like the teeth of a ſaw, which are uſed by the inſect in the ſame manner. Its body is like that of a beetle, but conſiderably larger, with double wings, the inner of which is like coarſe gauze; and its legs are armed at each joint with crooked, ſharp nails, with the ſame on each toe, like a bird.
The proceſs of this inſect in ſawing down branches of trees is really admirable, but it is hardly poſſible to form an idea of the manner of doing it without a deſcription. This work it performs by encircling the branch with its bills, the points of which it faſtens well into the wood, and turning round it briſkly by the ſtrength of its wings, which make a loud buzzing
