20 INSECTS ABROAD. 



decided and very different. The ground colour of the elytra is 

 the deepest and richest velvet-blue, edged with emerald green 

 over which plays a golden glitter. The thorax is golden bronze 

 at the edges, while the centre is metallic red or bronze, shot 

 with green. The head is coloured like the thorax, and the 

 spots are golden yellow. The legs of this species are very long, 

 slender, and give a sort of spidery look to the creature. 



On Plate I., Fig. 3, is shown a very conspicuous example ot 

 the exotic Tiger Beetle. Its scientific name is Calochroa 2)7'in- 

 ceps, but we may safely call it the Belted Tiger Beetle, on 

 account of the three bold bars or belts which run across the 

 body. The ground colour of the insect is velvet-black, and the 

 bars are bright. "king's yellow," as a painter would term them. 

 It is a native of India. There are nine species of this genus at 

 present known, and all of them are remarkable for their very 

 long and very slender legs, which give to the insects a spidery 

 sort of look. The name Calochroa is formed from two Greek 

 words, signifying " beautifully coloured," and is very appropriate, 

 as the colours of the insect, though not so vivid and rich as 

 those of the Chinese Tiger Beetle, are very striking, and con- 

 trasted in an exceedingly bold manner. 



In all these Beetles the tendency in the markings to form a 

 cross is very notable, and much more so M-hen the wings are 

 closed than wlien they are spread as if in flight. 



The pretty Beetle which is shown in the accompanying illus- 

 tration is one of a group which has rather peculiar habits. ^h\ 

 Bates, M'ho allowed few insects to escape his notice, makes the 

 following remarks on these Beetles : — 



"A variety of beautiful insects basked on the foliage where 

 stray gleams of sunlight glanced tlirough the canopy of broad 

 green leaves. jSTumbers of an elegant, long-legged Tiger Beetle 

 fOdontocheila) ran and flew over the herbage. It belongs to a 

 sub-genus peculiar to the warmest parts of America, the species 

 of which are found only in the shade of the forest, and are seen 

 quite as frequently pursuing their way on trees and heibage as 

 on the ground. 



"The typical Tiger Beetle, or Cicindola, inhabits only open 

 and snnny situations, and are wholly terrestrial in tliiMr lialiits. 



