MEANS OF DEFENCE OF INSECTS. 247 



fire its artillery twenty times in succession if necessary, 

 and so gain time to effect its escape. — Another species, 

 Srackinus Displosor, makes explosions similar to tiiose 

 of B. crepitans : when irritated it can give ten or 

 twelve good discharges ; but afterwards, instead of 

 smoke it emits a yellow or brown fluid. By bending the 

 joints of its abdomen it can direct its smoke to any par- 

 ticular point. M. Leon Dufour observes that this 

 smoke has a strong and pungent odour, which has a 

 striking analogy with that exhaled by the Nitric Acid. 

 It is caustic, reddening white paper, and producing on 

 t!ie skin the sensation of burning, and forming red spots, 

 v.'hich pass into brown, and though washed remain se- 

 veral days'*. 



Another expedient to which insects have recourse to 

 rid themselves of their enemies, is the emission of dis- 

 tigreeahlejluids. These some discharge from the mouth ; 

 others from the anus ; others again from the joints of 

 the limbs and segments of the body ; and a few from 

 appropriate organs. 



You have doubtless often observed a black beetle 

 crossing pathways with a slow pace, which feeds upon 

 the different species of bedstraw (Galiifm, L.), called 

 by some the bloody-nose beetle (Chrj/somcla tenehri- 

 cosa, F.). This insect, when taken, usually ejects from 

 its mouth a clear drop or two of red fluid, whicn will 

 stain paper of an orange colour. The carrion-beetles 

 (Silplta and Nccrophorus^ F.), as also t!ie larger Ca- 

 rabi, defile us, if handled roughly, with brown fetid 

 saliva. Mr. Sheppard having taken one of the latter 

 (C violaceus, L.) applied it in joke to his son's face, 



° ylnn. du Mus. xviW. TO. 



