54 



INSECT MISCELLANIES. 



same plant, indeed, where these caterpillars were 

 feeding-, we saw one of the latter lurking" about, no 

 doubt with evil intent*. 



A small green beetle {Anchomenus prasinus^ 

 BoNELLi), not uncommon near London, gives battle 

 to its most formidable enemies by repeated dis- 

 charges of smoke and noise. This species, however, 

 is not perhaps so well known as another, called by 

 Latreille the bombardier {Brachinus crepitans^ 

 Weber), known by its head and thorax being brick- 

 red, and the rest of the body a deep blackish-blue. 



i 



a h 



a. Bombardier {Brachlnus crepitans"), b, Calosoma inquisitor. 



When we attempt to catch it, we are surprised by a 

 discharge resembling a pop-gim, accompanied with 

 a sort of smoke, of which it is furnished with a bladder 

 sufficient to fire off, according to Rolj^nder, twenty 

 shots in succession. If this chance to get into the 

 eyes, it will make them smart as if they had been 

 bathed with brandy. Its chief enemy is a beetle 



* J. R. 



