224 



THE UNIVERSE. 



of insects which causes us such damage. These benefactors 

 lost, unrecognized in the midst of the enemy belong 

 principally to the ravenous-jawed Carabidas family ; * they 

 are in especial the Calosomaa, the Cicindelas, and the Carabi, 

 all gleaming with purple and gold, which, full of valor, 

 courageously throw themselves upon all insects that pass 

 within reach. In another place we find the insidious Sea- 

 rites concealed in their underground dwellings, and entrap- 

 ping their prey as it passes. 



114. Giant Scarites (Scarites laevigatas) in its Lurking- Place. 



1 Thousands of insects called Carabidce, varying greatly in size, from half a line 

 to an inch in length, may be found under stones and clods in fields, meadows, 

 and gardens, where they secrete themselves by day, and sally forth at night to feed 

 upon other insects, worms, larvae, etc., which come to the surface at that period, 

 either to feed or to migrate ; they are consequently eminently serviceable in re- 

 ducing the ranks of noxious animals. During a drought they retire into cracks 

 in the earth and to the most humid spots, and evidently enjoy the refreshing rains 

 which succeed. I have seen the large Carabus glabratus in mountainous districts 

 running about immediately after a thunder-storm, each having a tolerably large 

 earth-worm in its mouth ; others, as the splendid Calosoma sycophanta, live en- 

 tirely upon caterpillars in trees; and there is one which well deserves notice from 

 its feeding upon the wire-worms. It is called Steropus madidus, from its inhabit- 

 ing wet and damp localities. It is a very active insect; it prowls about at night, 

 and is admirably adapted to its predacious mode of life. Farm Insects, by John 

 Curtis, F. L. S. 



