BOMBARDIER, OR EAPLODING BEETLE. 



4S7 



Althougli tliey are able to continue immersed for a great length of 

 time, yet it is necessary for them to rise 

 occasionally to the surface of the water, in 

 order to breathe. They swim with great 

 celerity ; and, in flying, they make a hum- 

 ming or droning noise, like other Beetles. 



The larvae have powerful jaws, and six 

 long legs. At the posterior part of their 

 {K)dy, which tapers towards the extremity, 

 there are two small, slender processes, situ- 

 ated somewhat obliquely, and moveable at 

 the base. It is by means of these that the 

 larvae suspends itself at the surface of the 

 water, for the purpose of respiring the air 

 of the atmosphere, which it does through 

 two small cylindrical tubes, situated at the extremity of the taU. 



When the larvae change their place in the water, or seek to escape 

 the attack of their enemies, they give a prompt and vermicular motion 

 to their body, and strike the water forcibly with their tail. They are 

 excessively voracious, subsisting chiefly on the larvae of dragon-flies, 

 ephmerse, guats and other insects. When the time of their transfor- 

 mation approaches, the larvae quit the water, and enter the earth near 

 the banks of the ponds or ditches which they frequent. Here they 

 form a cavity in the form of an oval case, in which they undergo their 

 c hange ]nto pvpoe, and afterwards into winged insects. 



Thus these little creatures are aquatic animals in the larvae state, 

 become terrestrial under the form of pupce, and amphibious when 

 perfect insects. 



WATCB-BEETU. 



OF THE CARABUS, OR GROUND BEETLE TRIBE. 



These insects are very active and voracious, devouring the larv» 

 of the other tribes, and indeed all the smaller animals they can over- 

 come. They conceal themselves under stones, or moss, and particu- 

 larly under such as happen to be near the roots of old trees. Fre- 

 quently, however, they are to be seen running about on the roads 

 and fields. Some of the species are destitute of wings. 



The larvae are found chiefly in decayed wood, or under the ground, 

 whore they undergo their various changes. 



THE BOMBARDIER, OR EXPLODING BEETLE. 



This insect conceals itself among stones, and seems to make little 

 ase of its wings. When it moves it is by a sort of jump ; and, 

 when it is touched, we are surprised with a noise resembling the 

 .discharge of a musket in miniature, during which a blue smoke may 



