34 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



study the science systematically ; this step it was considered might 

 materially increase the usefulness of our Society. It is proposed to have 

 short papers on individual species, which will be illustrated whenever 

 possible, and there will also be papers on the best modes of making and 

 preserving collections. The work will be considerably facilitated if begin- 

 ners will state any difficulties which they may encounter, for it is only by 

 their mentioning their difficulties that the Editor can know how to assist 

 them. Any questions which are of such a nature that they will be likely 

 to assist others in their studies will be answered through the pages of the 

 Entomologist when space admits. 



THE CALOSOMAS OR CATERPILLAR-HUNTERS. 



These insects belong to the Family called Carabid/E, which is a large 

 and difficult Family to study, or even to define and limit exactly. The 

 insects belonging to it are remarkable for their graceful forms, and at the 

 same time for their cruel and predaceous habits, both in the larval and 

 perfect states. It is this last trait which makes them such useful auxili- 

 aries to the horticulturist. 



The better known of the two represented here is 

 called Calosoma calidum, Fabr., (fig. 4) or " The 

 Glowing Beautiful-bodied Caterpillar-hunter." As an 

 exception to the general rule, its English name is more 

 formidable than the Latin ; but so important a person- 

 age is its bearer that I will not deprive him of a single 

 letter of his title, and indeed am almost tempted to 

 add to it the words " most useful." It well merits its 

 appellation, Calosoma (Kalos = beautiful, and Soma = a 

 Fig. 4 . body). Fig. 4 gives a life-size representation of it. The 



color of the polished elytra or wing-covers is a deep blue-black, and the 

 six rows of dots with which they are adorned are of a fiery burnished red, 

 for which reason it has been called by the specific name of calidum. The 

 legs in our figure are too thick and clumsy, but it must be well known to 

 everyone. It may generally be found in early summer in damp pastures, 

 either hidden under stones or running in the grass in search of caterpillars 

 and other soft-bodied insects. Jaeger, who first called the members of 

 this genus caterpillar-hunters, says " they may be found every morning 

 and evening upon the branches of trees, looking out for caterpillars and 



