VOL. I. ] Tiger Beetles of California. 153 
short distance upon the least sign of danger, always alighting with 
their heads toward any approaching object. They are rather dif- 
ficult of capture, and a net is necessary in collecting them. Ex- 
perience has taught me that it is much easier to get them, if the 
collector goes down upon his knees. They seem to have less fear 
of him in that position. 
As soon as they find themselves in the net they seize hold of it 
with their sharp mandibles, and cling with such force that these or- 
gans are often broken in loosening them. Before I learned better I 
several times lost valuable insects by dropping a tiger beetle into 
the bottle occupied by them. The fumes of cyanide act more slowly 
than their ferocious jaws. 
The larva of the tiger beetle is a curious object. It is a white 
erub with a grotesque protuberance on its back, a large shining 
head with long black jaws, and occupies nearly perpendicular holes 
in the ground, of no great depth, and entirely free from waste dirt, 
such as is found about the dwelling places of ants and worms. 
Within its hole it waits, with head just even with the surface, till 
there comes within reach some unsuspecting insect, which it quickly 
seizes and drops to the bottom to devour. 7 
The following species are found in California, though probably 
few are peculiar to the State. The time of appedrance is approx- 
imately indicated, but is, of course, affected by early or late seasons: 
1. CICINDELA LONGILABRIS var. PERVIRIDIS Schaupp.—North- 
ern California. June—September. 
2. CICINDELA PURPUREA var. GRAMINEA Schaupp.—Siskiyou 
County, in grass. June—September. 
3. CICINDELA PURPUREA var. DECEM-NOTATA Say.—Northern 
part of California, along dry roads. June—September. 
4. CICINDELA LATESIGNATA Lec.—San Diego on the sea- 
beach feeding on small crustacea. The whole year. 
5. CICINDELA LATESIGNATA var. With, and confluent with 
the type. 
6. CICINDELA FULGIDA Say.—On banks of rivers amongst the 
grass. June—September. 
: 7. CICINDELA SENILIS Horn. — About San Diego in damp 
places away from the seashore. May—September. 
8, CICINDELA VULGARIS Say. — San Luis Rey about fresh 
