MEANS OF DEFENCE OF INSECTS. 21S 



milky fluid, tlie smell of which, De Geer observes, is al- 

 most insupportable, being inexpressibly strong and pene- 

 trating. These drops proceed at the same instant from 

 all the eighteen scent-organs; which forms a curious 

 spectacle. The insect, however, does not waste this pre- 

 cious fluid : each drop instead of falling, after appearing 

 for a moment and dispensing its perfume, is withdrawn 

 again within its receptacle, till the pressure is repeated, 

 when it reappears*. 



I shall now introduce you to the true counterparts of 

 the skunk, which explode a most fetid vapour from the 

 ordinary passage. I have lately hinted that the scent of 

 many Eutrechina is thus emitted. Anchomams prasinus, 

 a beetle of this tribe, combats its enemies with repeated 

 discharges of smoke and noise : but the most famous for 

 their exploits in this way are those, which on this ac- 

 count are distinguished by the name of bombardiers 

 {BracJmius). The most common species [B. crepitans), 

 which is found occasionally in many parts of Britain, 

 when pursued by its great enemy, Cnlosoma Inquhitor, 

 seems at first to have no mode of escape: when suddenly 

 a loud explosion is heard, and a blue smoke attended 

 by a very disagreeable scent, is seen to proceed from 

 its anus, which immediately stops the progress of its 

 assailant : when it has recovered from the effect of it, and 

 the pursuit is renewed, a second discharge again arrests 

 its course. The bombardier can fire its artillery twenty 

 times in succession if necessary, and so gain time to ef- 

 fect its escape. — Another species [B. Displosor) makes ex- 

 plosions similar to those of B. crepitai^s .• when irritated 



" DeGeer, V. 291. Compare Ray's ie^ers, 43. See Plate XVI II. 

 Fig. 1. 



R 2 



