^oo 



TRANSFORMATIONS OF INSECTS. 



have an opportunity, instead of preserving them. They are of 

 a beautiful golden green colour, the antennae and legs are of a 

 russet tint, and the elytra are decorated with three rounded, 

 sculptured ribs. This Carabus, which the French call the Gar- 

 dener, and, for some extraordinary reason, the Sempstress, eats 

 caterpillars, snails, and even attacks the May bugs, in spite of 



Carabiis aiirattis. 



their weight. Sometimes in the spring a very curious massacre 

 may be witnessed, when a May bug bumps against something in 

 its careless flight, and tumbles down on the ground on its back. 

 The Carabiis, on the look-out for such eventualities, rushes from 

 a hiding-place, and before the May bug can arise, seizes it with 

 its sharp mandibles and opens its body, tearing its intestines 

 and eating them. The poor May bug wriggles about, and crawls 

 off at a great pace ; but to no purpose, for the enemy never 



