98 EEF.TLF.S. 



discharge of a musket in miniature; dur- 

 ing which a blue smoke may be seen to pro- 

 ceed from its anus. This insect may be 

 made at any time to play off its little artil- 

 lery by scratching its back with a needle. 

 If we may believe Bolander, who first made 

 these observations, it can give twenty dis- 

 charges successively. A bladder placed near 

 the anus, is the arsenal from whence it de- 

 rives its store, and this is its chief defence 

 against an enemy, although the smoke emit- 

 ted seems to be altogether inoffensive, except 

 it be by causing a fright, or concealing its 

 course. Its chief enemy is a great carabus 

 (another species of the buprostis) : when 

 pursued, and fatigued, it has recourse to 

 this stratagem, by laying in the path of the 

 carabus, which advances with open mouth 

 and claws to receive it ; but on the discharge 

 of this artillery, suddenly draws back, and 

 remains awhile confused ; during which the 

 hombardier conceals himself in some neigh- 

 bouring crevice, and if not happy enough to 

 find one, the carabus returns to the attack, 

 takes the insect by the head, and tears it off- 

 — Annual Registeh, Vol. xv. 177S. 

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