ODOUR OF INSECTS. 31 



All these insects are caruivorous, and possess the power of 

 emitting a very strong odour when handled or alarmed. This 

 odour is not sweet and flower-like, as is the case with most of 

 the Tiger Beetles, but is very fcetid, repulsive, and persistent, so 

 that it clings tightly to the lingers of an5^one who incauiiou>;ly 

 seizes a Carabus with the hand. If, however, the insect be 

 smartly grasped across the body, just as one picks up a live 

 lobster or crayfish, the fingers are quite safe, and tlie Beetle 

 may discharge its red-brown evil-smelling licj[Liid as much as 

 it pleast>s without injuring its cnptor. 



All British entomologists ore familiar witii the splendid but 

 rare Beetle, the Calosoma sycophanta, with its glittering green 

 and gold elytra, and deep purple head and thorax. The larvte 

 of this genus of Beetles feed upon the larvse of other insects, 

 mostly those of social moths, and are wonderfully voracious, so 

 that if two of them happen to meet, one is sure to devour the 

 other. It is rather a remarkable fact, that of all the Caiosomas 

 our British Species is by far the most splendid. There is one 

 Australian species, Calosoma McLcayii, which has similar colours, 

 though not nearly so brilliant. As to the others, they aie no- 

 wlicre iu the race for Sjtlendour of colour, and look quite dull 

 and dingy beside the British s[)ecit'S. 



There i^, howexcr, one exception nimely, Calosoma ludiciim, 

 which r'^quius a (|uu ic e\e to -.tf^ ih i( ii i^ an exception t^r tlie 

 Beetle appeals at hi-t '-ij.lit to be pi tin thocolatc ltlo^\n If we 

 louk at the British insect, \\e shall ste Miat among the distin- 



