BEF/I'LES. 17 



The typical genus of this t'amily is Cicindela, Linn., which in- 

 cludes the Tiger Beetles. Four species occur in England, the 

 commonest of which is the Green Tiger Beetle (Cirindela Cam- 

 pestris, Linn.), which is common in sandy places. It is of a bright 

 green colour (coppery beneath), with white markings. It runs 

 very fast, and, if disturbed, takes to its wings, and darts aw^ay 

 with great rapidity, but soon settles again. Its larva makes a 

 burrow in the sand, where it lies in wait for insects in the manner 

 of an ant-lion. The beetle is about half an inch in length. 

 Cicindela is a very extensive genus, but none of the species are 

 much more than twice the size of our own, and all strongly 

 resemble each otlier. They are generally green or brown, with 

 white or yellow spots and markings, and one or two of the North 

 American species are white. 



The largest species of this family belong to the South African 

 genus Mirnfirhora,Yiibr., which are about two inches in lengt]i,and 

 their large size and large scissors-like jaws give them a most formid- 

 able appearance. They are of a black colour, and ruii with great 

 speed over the sand, or hide themselves under stones. 



Telracha, Hope, is a genus closely allied to Cicindela, but more 

 uniform in colour. Most of the species are American, but a few 

 are Australian. T. Carolina, Linn., is a common North American 

 species, and is green, with the apex of the elytra broadly bordered 

 on the sides with white. 



At Caripe, on the Amazons, Mr. H. W. Bates met with two 

 species of Tetracha -which are nocturnal in their habits, hiding 

 by day in burrows several inches in depth, and issuing forth at 

 night, Avhen they run over the sand with extraordinary rapidity, 

 doubling if an attempt is made to seize them. One species is 

 similar to the sand in colour, while the other is of a brilliant 

 copper colour, but defends itself wlien alarmed by emitting a 

 powerful and offensive odour. But the great majority of the 

 Cicindelidce collected by Mr. Bates on the Amazons belonged to 

 the genus Odontocheila, which includes slender, long-legged species, 

 generally of a bronzed colour, with white spots on the elytra. 

 They much resemble the true Cirindtkc, but are entirely arboreal 

 in their habits.^ 



The genus CoUyris, Fabr., and its allies are nearly confined to 

 the East Indies. They are of a beautiful blue or green colour, and 



^ Bates, Xaluralist on the Amazons, vol. i. pp. 207, 20S, 32n, and 324. 



