More Beetles 



out biting to the quick. Proud and un- 

 scathed, the caterpillar proceeds upon its 

 way with undulating back. 



This cannot last. In a moment of hunger, 

 emboldened moreover by the co-operation of 

 his fellows, the poltroon decides upn a seri- 

 ous attack. There are four of them, very 

 busy around the Hedgehog, which, worried 

 before and behind, ends by succumbing. It 

 is ripped open and devoured as greedily as 

 any defenceless caterpillar would be. 



I supply my menagerie with various cater- 

 pillars, naked or hairy, as I chance to find 

 them. All are accepted with the utmost 

 zest, on the one condition that their size is 

 not excessive as compared with that of the 

 murderer. Too small, they are despised: 

 the morsel would not provide an adequate 

 mouthful. Those of the Spurge Hawk-moth 

 and the Great Peacock Moth, for instance, 

 would suit the Carabus, were it not that, at 

 the first bite, the intended victim, by a twist 

 of its powerful rump, hurls its assailant afar. 

 After a few assaults, each followed by a dis- 

 tant tumble, the insect helplessly and regret- 

 fully abandons the attack. The prey is too 

 vigorous. I have kept the two sturdy cater- 

 pillars caged with my savage Beetles for a 



