18 THE MOUTH-ORGANS; ETC., OF 



The Carabidce is divided into seven sub-families, all of which 

 have their special peculiarities. It would occupy too much space 

 to attempt to enumerate them, I will, therefore, point out a few 

 prominent examples, which seem to possess marked characteris- 

 tics. The Elaphrides are little highly-polished gems, which run 

 very actively in the sunshine, generally near water. The common 

 Carabus is, as the name implies, an example of the next sub- 

 family; but there is another which we must notice, namely — 

 Cychriis rosfratus, or the Beaked Beetle. Its peculiarity consists 

 in the great elongation of the mouth-organs as well as the special 

 form of each organ individually (Figs. i6 and 17). The bi-lobed 

 labrum, the long hooked and three-toothed mandibles, the bi-lobed 

 mentum without any tooth in the centre, and very remarkable 

 palpi, distinguish it at once from all other British beetles. Leistus 

 is another genus which is interesting. If we look at the under- 

 side of the head (Fig. 18), we notice that the outer edges of the 

 maxillae are set with spines recurving inwards, and that the mentum 

 and sub-mentum are also set with spines so as to form a complete 

 cheveaux defrise. The ligula, too, is peculiar, being a trident, and 

 the very long, attenuated palpi are worthy of notice. 



The Scaritides (Figs. 19 and 20) are small beetles, which 

 burrow a good deal in the earth and sand. Their general form is 

 peculiar, being very cylindrical, with the thorax not joined closely 

 to the abdomen. The legs are very short, the front pair being 

 very powerful, having the tibiae constructed for digging, the tarsi 

 being very small. The mouth, too, has some peculiarities, such as 

 the toothed mandibles {a.a.^ Fig. 20), which are dissimilar, and 

 interlock one into the other when closed, and the very large 

 fusiform terminal joint of the palpi. 



BracJmius crepitans (Fig. 21) is of rather a peculiar form, 

 having the elytra truncated posteriorly, and not covering the abdo- 

 men ; hence its name. But it has, perhaps, more interest from its 

 having the power of ejecting from its anus a liquid which volati- 

 lises on reaching the air, from which fact it is called the Bombar- 

 dier. This practice is resorted to as a means of defence, for 

 when pursued by another insect it fires off its artillery, which 

 generally so dismays its enemy that it is able to reach some crack 

 or place of shelter in safety. 



